Turning collegiate athletics into MBA success

Q: What is your background?

A:  I completed my undergraduate studies at SUNY New Paltz, where I earned two bachelor's degrees in business analytics and digital media programming and management. I also played collegiate tennis, which became a major part of my personal and professional development. Because of the demands of both tennis and my coursework, pursuing a traditional double major was difficult, so I completed a double degree while still graduating in four years.  

During undergrad, I worked as an Athletic Communications Intern with SUNY New Paltz Athletics and as a Digital Analytics Intern with the United States Tennis Association, where I supported athletic communications, digital content, and analytics, including work on the US Open. Those experiences exposed me to different sides of business and leadership and made me realize I wanted to explore business more broadly beyond analytics alone. By the end of my junior year, I knew I wanted to pursue an MBA.  

Q: What led you to choose Northeastern's D'Amore-McKim MBA program?

A: I chose Northeastern's D'Amore-McKim School of Business because I wanted an MBA experience that balanced strong career opportunities with a city environment where I could envision myself growing personally and professionally. What really stood out to me was the corporate residency program and the emphasis on experiential learning. I wanted an MBA that allowed me to apply what I was learning in real-world settings while building a professional network in Boston's business community. 

I chose an MBA over a more specialized master's because I wanted flexibility. While I had a strong foundation in analytics from undergrad, I was not fully committed to staying in that field. The MBA allowed me to explore different areas of business while still building on my analytical background. I ended up choosing a concentration in supply chain management after taking a class in my first semester because the field's fast-paced, constantly evolving nature drew me in. I added an international business concentration because I ultimately want to work for a global company, and this concentration will help to gain a better understanding of how businesses operate across international markets. 

Q: How did your global field study experience complement your MBA classroom studies?

A: I participated in the global field study in Amsterdam and Brussels, which gave me a great opportunity to see how businesses operate overseas and how different systems shape decision-making in real time. We visited organizations including LG, Rotterdam City Hall, and the Ministry of Water and Infrastructure, and explored topics such as sustainability and EV initiatives. In Brussels, we also met with a chocolatier and visited the European Union, which helped me better understand how business, government, and politics intersect internationally in a way you just can't fully capture in the classroom.  

Q: What is your role as a corporate resident at Schneider Electric? 

A: I'm an Experience Center Intern supporting the development and day-to-day operations of Schneider Electric's executive experience center at its North American headquarters in Boston. In my corporate resident role, I work across business units on customer experience and engagement initiatives. Even early on, I've been trusted with meaningful project ownership, which has helped me feel like a valued member of the Schneider Electric team.   

Q:  How did the Graduate Career Center support you during your corporate residency search? 

 A:  The Graduate Career Center played a major role in my corporate residency search and overall recruiting process. I found my co-op through a position my current manager at Schneider Electric shared with Northeastern, specifically looking for an MBA student. The Career Center helped by sharing opportunities, supporting me with interview preparation, and guiding me as I evaluated multiple offers and made my final decision. Having that level of support throughout the process made me feel much more confident about navigating the recruiting process. 

Q: How has tennis influenced your MBA experience and leadership style?

A: Tennis has had a major impact on how I approach both the MBA and coaching. It taught me discipline, resilience, and how to perform under pressure, especially during the most demanding parts of the program. 

As an assistant tennis coach at UMass Boston, I also see clear parallels between coaching and business leadership. Both require communication, adaptability, and the ability to manage different personalities while keeping people aligned and supported.