About Yanina
Country: Belarus
Previous University: Carnegie Mellon University
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration & Behavioral Economics
Q: Tell us about your background.
A: I was born in Belarus, and my family moved to Brooklyn, New York, when I was 12 years old. I graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a double major in business and behavioral economics.
Behavioral economics combines economics, psychology, and data analysis to understand how people make decisions. Through my coursework and research, I became fascinated by how those decisions shape consumer behavior, influence markets, and drive business strategy. Studying those connections gave me a strong foundation in both quantitative analysis and human behavior.
Q: What led you to the D'Amore-McKim MBA?
A: As I researched graduate programs, D'Amore-McKim stood out because it allowed me to pursue concentrations in both marketing and business analytics. Most programs required students to focus on a single area, but I wanted to develop expertise in both disciplines and learn how to apply data-driven insights to business strategy.
The corporate residency was another major factor in my decision. The opportunity to gain six months of professional experience while earning a degree allows students to apply classroom learning in a real-world setting before graduation. Boston was also appealing because of the access to a strong business community while keeping me close to my family in New York.
Q: How did you apply what you were learning in the classroom through the AI Strategic Hub research practicum?
A: Through the AI Strategic Hub, I worked on a multi-modal AI project for Sanara Health, a healthcare startup focused on improving communication and documentation in intensive care units (ICUs). We addressed the challenge of complex ICU environments, where overlapping conversations, alarms, and medical equipment make accurate transcription difficult.
Because HIPAA regulations prevent the use of real patient recordings, our team used AI tools to generate synthetic healthcare conversations and ICU soundscapes. During the AI Strategic Hub research practicum, we produced hundreds of hours of high-quality training data and built a process that Sanara Health can continue using as it develops its AI solution. It was incredibly rewarding to contribute to a project with lasting value while seeing how AI can help solve real-world healthcare challenges.
Q: Did you participate in any other experiential learning opportunities?
A: Yes. I was selected for a CXO Shadowing experience through the Center for Emerging Markets, where I spent two days shadowing the Chief Culture and Human Resources Officer at Revvity.
It was a fascinating opportunity to observe executive decision-making firsthand and see how human resources connects every part of a business, from finance and marketing to operations and strategy. The experience broadened my understanding of leadership and organizational culture.
Q: How has the Graduate Career Center supported you?
A: The Graduate Career Center has been incredibly helpful throughout my MBA journey. I meet regularly with career advisors who have helped me refine my resumé, strengthen my cover letters, prepare for interviews, and improve my overall application materials. Their feedback, even on small details, helped me present myself more professionally and confidently.
Q: Tell us about your upcoming corporate residency.
A: I'll be working as a marketing analytics corporate resident at commercetools. The role is especially exciting because it combines my interests in marketing and analytics, allowing me to apply both strategic and data-driven skills in a real business setting.
I learned about the opportunity through a marketing professor who understood my career goals and encouraged me to apply. That experience reflects one of the things I value most about D'Amore-McKim. The professors are genuinely invested in their students and actively help connect them with opportunities that align with their interests and goals.
Q: What advice would you share with future students?
My biggest piece of advice is not to compare your journey to anyone else's. One of the biggest sources of stress in the program can be the corporate residency search, especially in a competitive job market. Every student's path is different.
Focus on your own goals, stay consistent in your efforts, and trust the process. Just because someone else secures an opportunity earlier doesn't mean you are falling behind. Be patient, take advantage of the resources available to you, and remain open to opportunities that may not have been part of your original plan.
