Going back to school: Culture, network and empowerment

Campuses around the country are once again brimming with energy as students make their way back into classrooms. For some, it’s familiar ground and for others, it’s a new environment. Students in the Master in Management Program at Kellogg (MiM) are in a unique position. Within 10 months, they’ll be leaving Kellogg as graduates, and so while their time will go by in the blink of an eye, they're ready to make the most of their experience from building lifelong connections with their peers to hands-on learning from some of the most influential business school professors. Meet some members from the Class of 2024. 

Welcome to Chicago — a destination for learning  

Given that Chicago is one of the largest U.S. cities — after New York and Los Angeles respectively — it’s no surprise that it’s a popular destination for students. Rebecca Lu ’23, ’23 cKSM, ’24 MiM, who earned her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and is originally from China, is excited to fully immerse herself this time around in what campus and the city has to offer. “I will be based in the City of Chicago for all my classes, and I'm excited to explore the dynamic metropolitan environment where business and innovation are constantly intersecting,” Rebecca said. 

Originally from North Carolina, William Seitz couldn’t think of a better place to further his professional and academic ambitions. “I chose to attend Kellogg because of the opportunity to live in a city as vibrant, beautiful and full of opportunity as Chicago. I could not see myself anywhere else,” he shared. William is a recent dual graduate of Duke University and Duke Kunshan University where he majored in global health public policy. 

But location isn’t the only appealing factor for MiM students. There is a consensus that it’s the people who make the institution. For William, Kellogg aligned with his priorities of attending a top tier program with world-class faculty and a supportive community. 

“I found the culture at Kellogg to be welcoming, vibrant community,” Rebecca added on. 

“It was the conversations I had with various MBA and MiM students that shaped my final decision,” said Guillermo Tafur ’23, ’24 MiM, a Northwestern University graduate with a degree in neuroscience and a minor in data science. “Listening to their stories, their aspirations, and their goals, I discovered a community I wanted to be a part of.” 

Immersive learning and career resources 

As much excitement as there is to be on-campus, this class is also looking forward to taking advantage of the immersive learning opportunities Kellogg has to offer, including the sought-after Global Initiatives in Management (GIM) experience. “Like most of my classmates, I am looking forward to the spring break GIM trip. I love traveling, and it will be so cool to apply our class material to real-world scenarios,” said William. “I believe the GIM trip will foster even stronger bonds with my peers, enhancing our sense of camaraderie and collaboration.”  

Like William, Guillermo is also looking forward to going on the GIM trip as it’ll give him the opportunity to meet faculty in a more personal way and grow closer with his MiM cohort who he describes as “ambitious students.” 

Getting outside of the classroom to experience international markets allows students to develop a deeper understanding of how to translate classroom knowledge into real-world situations. These experiential learning opportunities coupled with powerful, extensive career resources help give students a hiring edge — just ask Rebecca. 

After participating in the Certificate Program for Undergraduates, she connected with the school’s Career Management Center for job search assistance. “I'm fortunate to have received an offer in a strategy role with a health technology company,” shared Rebecca. “The Career Management Center played a pivotal role in helping me unearth my career interests, connect with alumni engaged in the industry and navigate the various stages of the interview process.”  

Adopting a curious and open mindset for career growth 

Originally from Ecuador, Guillermo’s internship experience at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab motivated his decision to gain more business knowledge and skills. He’s entering MiM with aspirations to kickstart a career in finance. “I have always been driven to have an impact in the world and have always been a ‘numbers’ person. As I talked to people working in finance, I realized this could be the field for me,” explained Guillermo. “So, as I start the MiM program, I bring with me an open mind, a curiosity to learn and a growth mindset.” 

William has always been about engaging with people to solve complex problems — all in service of helping his community and returning to school will only better equip him to do just that. “I see the MiM program as a crucial first stepping stone in my career, providing the tools, self-assurance and vision I need to make an impact on the business world. I believe the skills I will acquire over the next 10 months will complement my public health education and set me apart as a standout candidate in the job market,” he said. 

While students are leveraging their education as an investment for their future, they’re also not losing sight of the present. “I recognize the unique value of this period where I can still consider myself a student with the freedom to explore and grow,” said Rebecca. “I am fully committed to making the most of this time, not only in terms of academic learning but also in building meaningful connections.” 

Combining hard and soft skills 

While students in the MiM program come from a wide range of backgrounds from economics to media, a common thread brings them together: the strong desire to uplevel their careers through education. They see the program as an essential career enhancer to help them transfer their skills into fields such as consulting, finance and marketing and advertising.  

What’s an added bonus? They can use their MiM experience as a kickstart to an MBA should they wish to continue their academic journey.

Wishing the Class of 2024 the best of luck as they unlock their career potential.