About Eleanor
Country: United States
Previous Degree: Masters in Secondary Education
Previous University: Rhode Island College
Q: What did you do before pursuing your MBA at D'Amore-McKim?
A: I originally studied chemistry, but soon realized my true calling was to make a tangible difference in people's lives. I earned my master's in education through a partnership with Teach for America, spending two years teaching in a multilingual Title One school. This experience ignited my passion for addressing educational inequities. After three years of teaching high school chemistry, I returned to Teach for America. There, I had the incredible opportunity to help the organization innovate and improve its strategies for recruiting, training, and retaining educators.
While working on the innovation team, a friend who had just graduated from business school suggested I consider consulting to make a larger-scale impact. Inspired by this advice, I decided to pursue an MBA to broaden my opportunities and enhance my career.
Q: Why did you choose D'Amore-McKim's Full-Time MBA?
A: D'Amore-McKim's strong corporate relationships stood out for me. Industry leaders are regularly present at the school, providing valuable networking opportunities and career insights. The program's focus on building these connections and enhancing student access really set it apart from other schools where such opportunities weren't as emphasized. The corporate residency program, where students work full-time at a leading business or start-up, exemplifies these partnerships and allows students to apply their classroom knowledge in a professional setting.
The flexibility of the D'Amore-McKim Full-Time MBA program was another draw for me, as it enabled me to pursue concentrations in sustainability in business and leading people and organizations, aligning perfectly with my career goals.
Q: How would you describe your experiences with the faculty?
A: The faculty at D'Amore-McKim was instrumental in shaping my academic journey and professional growth. Their dedication and expertise made complex subjects accessible, creating an environment for critical discussions. For example, my professor thoughtfully addressed sensitive topics like diversity, equity, and inclusion in an HR course while creating a safe space for meaningful dialogue among students.
Given my nonbusiness background, the faculty's commitment to helping me build comprehensive business knowledge was invaluable. My professors equipped me with the skills and knowledge, so I felt prepared for interviews and taught me how to communicate effectively in a business setting.
Q: What was your experience like as a corporate resident at PwC?
A: I self-developed a corporate residency that exceeded all my expectations, immediately diving into an impactful deals transformation project across a diverse industry. Deals transformation involves optimizing business operations, strategic initiatives, and financial outcomes during significant transactions like mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring. Additionally, I joined an internal project team focused on improving team member resources and engagement. This experience not only immersed me in critical deals transformation initiatives but also empowered me to enhance employee resources and engagement strategies at PwC.
PwC set up a robust onboarding and support team to help me succeed. I had a coach, a mentor, and a relationship leader. They were all incredibly supportive and eager to help me integrate seamlessly into the company culture.
Q: You recently graduated. What's next for you?
A: I was thrilled to receive a full-time job offer during my corporate residency at PwC, which I eagerly accepted. I'll be a senior associate on PwC's deals transformation team, assisting with mergers and acquisitions and focusing on the personnel aspect. In any deal, the involvement of employees is crucial for success. That's the team I'll be joining, emphasizing the importance of the human factor in these processes.
Q: What advice would you give future MBA students?
A: My advice is to remain open to unexpected opportunities and new experiences. For example, I initially approached my supply chain management course casually, but I quickly realized how important it was. The course equipped me with the skills to think strategically and successfully address complex challenges, significantly influencing my academic and professional path.
While the program is demanding, it also offers abundant resources and support to help you succeed. It pushes you to achieve excellence with professors who believe in your potential to accomplish remarkable things. Understanding this perspective can be empowering as you navigate through the challenges and opportunities of the MBA journey at D'Amore-McKim.