Where Are They Now? Chicago Booth First Year Reflections with Zachary Wright

Zachary came to Chicago Booth to gain a stronger foundation in the fundamentals of business. He studied mechanical engineering for undergrad at Yale University and learned a great deal about strategy consulting, but wanted to build a true basis for his career moving forward. With world renowned faculty and a focus on analytics, Zachary felt Booth was the perfect choice for him to propel his career forward. 

Having been at Booth for over a year now, does the academic experience live up to what you expected? Any favorite classes so far?

It lives up to it perfectly! My classmates push me to be better, but also help me along the way whether in study groups or in passing in the Harper Center Winter Garden. My favorite class thus far has been Business, Politics, and Ethics, taught by Professor Brian Barry; a course focused on the ambiguity and grey area of business decisions. The class forced us to think deeply about our values and place ourselves in tough decision-making situations, which I appreciated.

Looking back on your first year, what are some takeaways, and what excites you most about embarking on your second year?

The people here are amazing! I’ve loved getting to know my classmates, learning from their experiences, and solidifying friendships. I was sad to see the 2Ys in the class above graduate, but I’m excited to meet the new 1Ys! This year I’m excited to pay-it-forward by helping advise an investment management interview family, interviewing as an admissions fellow, and creating a great experience for Booth’s soccer club.

Where did you intern over the summer? Tell us more about how you secured your internship, prepared for the job, and what the overall experience was like.

I interned at FullerThaler Asset Management as a strategy & operations intern. I knew I wanted to explore the investment management space, so I joined the Investment Management Group which helped so much during recruiting. The group prepped us for interviews and boosted our confidence as we worked to find an internship. The result: I had an amazing time in the Bay Area over the summer both in the office and meeting up with fellow Boothies!

What piece of advice would you give to someone currently going through the admissions process and considering an MBA from Booth?

My best advice: be yourself. Yes, there are some things that you can do to boost your resume, but don’t pursue something that doesn’t feel genuine. Your best candidacy will be your authentic self.