Professional Aspirations - Why pursue an MBA (or dual degree) at this point in your life? What actions have you taken to determine that Stern is the best fit for your MBA experience? What do you see yourself doing professionally upon graduation?

My business is Fun: not having it, but promoting it. From building partnerships for Mattel at advertising agency FCB Draft to managing the development of Kids’ toys at promotional agency Promotions Inc, my career has encompassed many aspects of promoting fun through children’s marketing. As someone who is passionate about both children and marketing, I thought my career was the perfect combination of the two—that was until I began working at Children’s Hospital.

While I have long made it a priority to donate time to children’s nonprofit organizations, whether traveling to Latin America to build schools or fundraising for Children’s, until recently, I had never worked directly with the kids. I never had the chance to experience the degree to which a nonprofit organization could make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of children. In working with Children’s Hospital, I began to realize that I could have a more profound impact if I transitioned my career now from promoting kids’ fun to promoting kids’ lives. I believe attaining my MBA is the best way to make this transition.

Through my volunteer work, and in discussions with nonprofit executives, I have learned of the growing need in this space for well-rounded leadership and strong business acumen—a need I am eager to fill. A former executive at Save the Children explained this need when she told me that often nonprofits get so caught up in the mission that the work loses focus. In the for-profit world as well, I have seen that organizations benefit from mission clarity and well defined strategies. Additionally, in both worlds I have seen that many organizations are slow to embrace new marketing trends, such as social media, to reach a broader audience to meet their goals.

An MBA from Stern, combined with my children’s marketing background, will prepare me to build these areas of weakness into strengths. Beyond expanding my general business knowledge in areas such as finance and operations, Stern’s specialization in Social Innovation and Impact will provide me the foundation and focus needed to achieve my long-term goal of leading a children’s nonprofit. Through courses such as Examining the Nonprofit Capital Market I will learn more about best business practices and increasing efficiencies. Both in and outside the classroom, I will strengthen my network of socially-minded students and alumni, fostering relationships that will help ignite my career transition.

I have undertaken many actions to learn about Stern firsthand. Speaking with Lori Smith (‘13), I learned that the Social Innovation and Impact specialization was the perfect match for my interests. Furthermore, clubs such as Social Enterprise Association and NYU Stern Board Fellows would provide the ideal launching pad for my redirected career.

After visiting the school in April and recently speaking with Jim Wagner (‘13), I found that Stern’s team learning style and passionate student culture echo my personality and learning preferences. At the Chicago Stern information session, I experienced Stern’s collaborative culture in action when Alison Goggin led an interactive discussion in reviewing a mock application. This unique approach demonstrated that collaborative learning is not just something printed in brochures, but is an active core principle that sets Stern apart. My research solidified that Stern not only offers the curriculum best suited for my interests, but also the experience and environment to help propel my transition to a successful and impactful career in nonprofit management.

After completing my Stern MBA, my immediate aim will be to become a Marketing Manager for a nonprofit organization focused on serving chronically ill children and their families, such as March of Dimes or Ronald McDonald House. In this role, I will work to strengthen the organization’s marketing and communication strategy. In doing so, I will reinforce volunteer relations and grow fundraiser event participation and awareness in an effort to increase donations.

A Stern MBA will arm me with the hard skills I need to manage an efficient business and allow me the opportunity to test my management and leadership style in a supportive environment. After building on what I have learned in class with student teams, clubs and an internship, I will have developed the confidence and knowhow to climb the ranks of a nonprofit organization, leading with a strong, concise vision. A Stern MBA will provide the education and community needed to achieve my goal: to lead an organization with the mission of promoting children’s lives.