In this feature, we delve into the academic journey of Emily Strack, a driven student in the Evening & Weekend MBA Program at Kellogg School of Management. Emily, an experienced healthcare consultant at Alvarez & Marsal, shares her motivation for pursuing an MBA at this stage in her career and how Kellogg’s culture, academics, and opportunities have been instrumental in shaping her present and future.
- Professional Background and Motivation: Emily embarked on her career in healthcare consulting, primarily focusing on value-based care reporting for accountable care organizations. She later transitioned to a healthcare data and analytics startup. Currently, at Alvarez & Marsal, her work involves healthcare digital technology, serving a broad spectrum of healthcare organizations. She chose to pursue an MBA not only to expand her knowledge in her field but also to develop her leadership skills and cultivate strong relationships across industries.
- Why Kellogg: The staff, students, and alumni community, along with program flexibility, made Kellogg her ultimate choice. Learning from world-class professors with remarkable track records and engaging with welcoming students and alumni solidified her enthusiasm for Kellogg. The Healthcare @ Kellogg offerings, which encompass academic pathways, clubs, “Deep Dive” curriculum, and cross-program connections, resonated with her due to her passion for the healthcare industry. The program’s flexibility allowed her to customize her MBA journey to suit her life.
- Supportive Kellogg Community: Emily highlights the emphasis on building networks at Kellogg through diverse opportunities to connect. From the Healthcare at Kellogg Deep Dive Program to student-run conferences and alumni chats, the support in crafting one’s network is unparalleled. Professors have been engaging, open to connecting, and providing mentorship, further enhancing the learning experience.
- “Pay It Forward” Mindset: The Kellogg community exemplifies a “pay it forward” mindset. Emily shares instances of serving as a teaching assistant for a course she had previously taken, showing potential students around on class visits, and a professor’s determination to pay it forward by educating the next generation.
- Balancing School, Work, and Personal Life: Emily attributes her success to honing time management skills, setting boundaries with commitments, and having a supportive network of family, friends, colleagues, and classmates. Her spouse has played a crucial role in helping her maintain balance.
- Impactful Courses: Emily reflects on two courses that deeply resonated with her: “Marketing Strategies for Growth and Defense” and “International Health and Human Rights.” These courses provided her with valuable insights and practical skills that she could apply in her professional role. For instance, she used the concept of simplifying marketing plans to guide clients’ strategy on improvement initiatives, resulting in goal achievement.
- Advice: Emily encourages prospective Kellogg students to design their own journey, take risks, and not be afraid to say “Yes” to courses, clubs, or experiences outside their comfort zone.
Emily’s journey at Kellogg showcases the school’s emphasis on flexibility, community support, and a “pay it forward” culture that fosters both personal and professional growth. Her experiences and insights serve as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of a part-time MBA in achieving career ambitions.
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