Coming from a non-traditional background of majoring in biomedical engineering and working as a software developer, I have to admit that I was nervous about coming to business school. Not only did I have a lot to learn in the classroom (since I had only taken one business course during my entire undergraduate experience), but I also had a lot to learn outside the classroom when it came to management and leadership styles. The flexible curriculum at Booth really helped me brush up on my business skills for the former, but Leadership Exploration and Development (LEAD) was what really helped me excel at the latter.
We’re down to our final week of life at Booth, which means days are spent hastily trying to sell old furniture, cobble together final papers, and say yes to every event invitation that comes our way. While two years is really the perfect amount of time to be in business school, it doesn’t take away from the sadness we collectively feel about having to leave this community and most importantly this lifestyle.
I probably speak for most of my class in saying that it’s been a transformational period of time. We learned a great deal, engaged in new experiences, and made memories that’ll last a lifetime. But aside from all the facets of school you’ve read about all year, let’s talk about the social aspect at Booth, and what makes it so much fun to be a part of when classes and recruiting take a back seat on occasion (or potentially more often than that).
This is the third installment of our “More Than a Finance School” series. In this edition, hear from students who are pursuing fields outside of financial services, such as energy and technology, impact investing and social entrepreneurship, and even the entertainment industry.
One of the things that makes Booth such a unique place to learn and grow is the LEAD program. LEAD is a dynamic course where first-year students focus on developing the most critical aspects of leadership – cultivating support and influencing others, understanding different working styles and motivating diverse teams, presenting ideas, and managing under crisis. At Booth, we believe these skills simply can’t be learned in a traditional academic setting, so LEAD is a fully experiential program where first-year students are constantly challenging themselves to practice these skills and incorporate feedback from each other to improve.
Booth is all about pushing the limits of your comfort zone. You’re encouraged to take risks. To branch out—sometimes way out—from what you know. The school has your back all the way.
Before Booth, whenever I was asked “Who are you?” I’d say, “I’m a marketer, I’ve been working for over 5 years and happy to count many global brands as my clients.”
However, it was during my MBA application process I encountered a follow-up question that pressed past my comfort zone. The question of all questions—the one that sparks trepidation among many who are embarking on their business school journey.
