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SARAH BRINDLE '12

Program: One-Year (1Y) Program
Nationality: American
Majors:  Analytical Finance, International Business, Social Enterprise
Educational background: Commerce and Psychology
Current Position: Investment Professional, PIMCO
Sponsored by a company: No 

Why did you pursue an MBA, and in particular, why the 1Y program?
I reached a point in my career where I realized that an MBA would help me advance within my firm and give me greater optionality down the line. In addition to strengthening my own business judgment, leadership skills and management ability, I saw it as a way to enhance my credibility with supervisors, peers and clients.

Given my undergraduate business background and involvement with the CFA program, I didn’t want to spend time re-learning familiar business concepts. I was looking for a program that would allow me to apply my knowledge and do a deeper dive into key areas of interest. The Kellogg 1Y program enabled me to structure a course load that met my interests and spoke to the gaps in my background.

Enrolling full time offered a range of new experiences I may not have been able to enjoy otherwise. Living, working, traveling and socializing with so many different Kellogg colleagues really expanded my overall perspective.

Why did you choose Kellogg?
I was looking for an MBA experience that would develop my business acumen across functional areas and enhance my ability to work effectively with others. I also wanted to be challenged by viewpoints different than my own. Ultimately, I found Kellogg’s general management approach and culture of collaboration incredibly compelling. Kellogg students encompass a range of backgrounds, and the international diversity in the 1Y program was especially appealing to me. Plus, I loved the Evanston location: it is close enough to Chicago to reap all the benefits of a major city but still contained enough to ensure a close knit college community.

Which Kellogg experience have you valued the most so far?
Global Lab set me up to spend more than 10 weeks consulting for a Fortune 100 company, including a two-week trip to Thailand, to help solve a real business problem. Since the 1Y program does not include a formal internship component, the class was an invaluable way for me to build out my résumé and gain international experience while in school. Also, beyond learning from leading academic faculty, I was able to take classes led by industry practitioners (such as Impact Investing taught by Dave Chen ’84, CEO and founder of Equilibrium Capital Group) that introduced me to innovative ways of thinking about core topics.

What were your first impressions of Kellogg?
My most powerful impression occurred at the welcome admits reception I attended in NYC. The reception was packed with alumni. It was a powerful illustration of the strength of the Kellogg network. I saw that I would be joining a group of people willing to engage, support, and push me to take on new challenges. Kellogg is a collection of incredibly smart and talented individuals with extremely diverse backgrounds who lack ego and share an intense respect for one another. This admiration really translates into lifelong bonds.