May 24th was a big day for me this year with my MBA graduation from the Texas McCombs School of Business! Looking back at where I was even just five or six years ago, you couldn’t have told me that I would be where I am today.
Pre B-School
Rewind back to 2013 and I was working two part-time jobs – as both a personal trainer and as a front-of-house sales associate at a health food store. Looking for jobs was leading to much discouragement and my hard-earned (not to mention pricey!) degree was going to waste.
Things turned around for the better when a family friend reached out about an entry-level opening at her workplace. It was a boutique consulting firm in my area. Once I got my foot in the door there I was able to start working my way up. My time at that company was great and a perfect jump-off point for my career. I learned a ton, was enjoying starting to do a bit of work travel, and gained insight to different industries. However, I knew I was ready for a change.
Admittedly, when I started applying to b-school, I wasn’t sure it was the right decision or how I would make it happen. Taking on debt to further my education was something I personally wasn’t willing to do so I told myself that I wasn’t going unless I could somehow get it paid for. While applying to b-schools, I told almost no one in fear that I wouldn’t be accepted to a full-time program. Continuing to work while doing a part-time MBA program in Dallas and was something I was prepared for and comfortable with. When something is meant to be, though, things will fall into place.
My Time at McCombs
Business school opened up doors for me that wouldn’t have been opened otherwise and changed me for the better as a person. In the past two years I have:
- Interviewed with at least ten Fortune 100 companies
- Made great strides forward with my business, EmbraceBox
- Formed strong and lasting friendships with incredibly impressive MBA students in programs across the world
- Traveled to 11 new countries
- Interned at two technology firms and consulted for three others
- Landed my dream job at Amazon!
So what’s next?
After my MBA graduation, I’m taking the summer off, focusing on EmbraceBox and other projects that have been floating around in the back of my head for a while (e.g. starting this personal website). I’d also like to improve my Spanish and salsa dancing skills and spend some quality time with my family before my big move to Seattle. I’ll be starting my new job September.
What are y’alls summer plans?