Once I got my architecture license and moved into corporate architecture, I was able to gain exposure to the business side of hotel brands and broader business decision-making. In concert with a growing interest in innovation within the tech industry, I found the barrier to successfully pivoting into a new industry was my lack of a strong business foundation. It was then I began to explore top MBA programs, with the goal of gaining long-term career flexibility and a clearer pathway into the tech industry.

Tuck rested at the intersection of the things I identified as most important for an MBA program: a flexible curriculum that allowed me to explore the business world without choosing a path before I knew what was available to me, an immersive learning experience that provided access to professors and thought leaders from which I could further my learning through conversations outside of the classroom, and a social experience that rested outside of my comfort zone as someone who had lived in a city my entire life. It was important to me that my MBA experience come with a bit of stretch; that I was going to be challenged to develop personally and professionally.

I plan to gain industry-relevant skills as a product manager before moving into an innovation role—one which allows me to identify whitespace for leading companies and lead cross-functional teams that develop solutions to better integrate technology into daily life. Tuck’s curriculum has provided me with exposure to the range of knowledge that these future roles will entail, while also providing an environment to better hone my leadership skills both in and out of the classroom.

Other students were the main resource I leveraged during my MBA. Candid conversations about job interviews and career goals with classmates that have experience in my target industry were useful in helping me identify gaps in my skillset and learning how best to position myself for success. Laura Mogilner in Career Services and Patrick Wheeler at the Center for Digital Strategies were also invaluable.

My advice for prospective students is to connect with current students, alumni, and student groups to better understand the Tuck culture. The insight you gain from conversations with these groups will help to illustrate how Tuck can set you up for success and how well you may integrate into the community once on campus, which is equally important.