What are your short-and long-term goals, and how will an MBA from Chicago Booth help you reach them?

My father spent his childhood in a concentration camp. As a survivor, he taught me not to stand by idly. Consequently, I was raised to stand-up for those who could not and to fight for my beliefs. In 2010 I found myself at a crossroads; I developed a love of small businesses while working in PR for emerging tech companies but needed a way to merge it with my ideology.

Today, my weapon of choice is business empowerment and the battleground is Herat, the “Silicon Valley of Afghanistan.” I work at PeaceBiz, providing management skills and technical knowledge to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Afghanistan. Now, I’m looking to gain profound financial skills, industry knowledge, and a connection to a global network in order to solve a worldwide problem—the lack of capital available to female-owned businesses in war torn regions.

Business knowledge is necessary for the SMEs in my portfolio to achieve scale. But, I have learned that to continue on a growth trajectory, SMEs need sustainable financing—something they lack today.

My long-term goal is to start my own “patient” capital fund for female-owned SMEs in conflict affected countries. The fund will not only provide financing but also mentorship, as business consulting is crucial to the success of SMEs experiencing their first influx of capital. Financing and mentorship together—as I have learned from Bpeace—will allow these SMEs to grow their businesses, create local jobs, and contribute to their economy.

Before starting my own fund, I need experience and exposure. Immediately following graduation, I will work at an organization like Acumen Fund, which provides financing to SMEs in developing countries in addition to business skills. The job will provide me with industry knowledge, networking opportunities, and a greater global context; all of which will prepare me to achieve my long-term goal.

I need more than an MBA to achieve my goals; I need a Booth MBA because, at Booth, rigorous coursework and hard financial skills are coupled with a deep commitment to social responsibility—as evidenced by the Social New Venture Challenge and thriving Net Impact chapter. Through Booth’s flexible curriculum I plan to start my MBA by gaining the hard financial and management skills I need to progress in my career. During year two, I will apply and build off of my new skills in electives that directly correlate with my goals, like Population and the Economy and International Business Environment; I will also learn “in the field” with the Entrepreneurial Immersion Program and a Spring Trek.

To start my own fund, I need a network of investors and partners; through the Emerging Markets Group, I will connect with students and industry professionals to build that network. From there, my network will expand across the Booth community in what will be a reciprocal relationship that will continue to grow throughout my lifetime. I need a school that values independent thought, engaging dialogue, and bold leadership; Booth is that school.