Reach for the sky: Navigating business school while on the go

The path to success often requires great distances. Whether it's embarking on a challenging academic journey, launching a new business venture or striving for personal growth, staying committed and organized amid challenges is paramount — something Elophia Mengestu ’25, a student in the Evening & Weekend MBA Program, is all too familiar with.

We spoke with Mengestu to learn more about her inspiring journey including her career and educational motivations, her strategies for success and the pivotal role her parents have played in shaping her path towards excellence. 

Tell us a little bit about your professional background and what motivated you to get an MBA at this point in your career.

As an influencer marketing manager, I lead influencer marketing campaigns for large brands across many business functions such as managing million-dollar budgets, building stakeholder relationships, handling negotiations and contracting, and overall campaign management.

I also have an influencer management business where I foster brand and influencer relationships and help influencers monetize their platforms, among other aspects of business.

I had always planned to get an MBA because, eventually, I want to be in a leadership position, but first I want to build a strong foundation with work experience. 

You're earning quite the amount of frequent flyer miles clocking in 1,000+ miles each week. We commend you for your commitment and self-discipline — an embodiment of women’s resilience! As we celebrate International Women’s Day, is there a woman in your life who serves as a source of inspiration as you embark on this transformative journey? 

My biggest inspiration is my mother. She is the hardest-working person I know, and I'm constantly in awe of her work ethic and accomplishments. As an only child and child of immigrants, I'm constantly aware of how much my parents have sacrificed for me to have the opportunities I do now and how lucky I am to have my goals within reach.

In every goal I set and accomplishment I meet, I always ask myself if I've made my mom's sacrifices worth it. I also pull inspiration from incredible businesswomen and entrepreneurs like Bozoma Saint John, Whitney Wolfe Herd, Olamaide Olowe, Emma Grede and many more. I look up to businesswomen who are innovative, creative and have grit, among other qualities.

You’ve mentioned that Kellogg was your “dream school,” so what made Kellogg your only and ultimate choice?

I'm passionate about marketing, so naturally, I was drawn to the quality of a Kellogg education, but it's more than that. The emphasis on leadership, and specifically empathetic leadership, really stood out to me because I've felt this value embedded every step of the way in my Kellogg journey. Even in the application process, my experience with Kellogg stood out from other schools and embodied everything Kellogg promised to be. I was surprised to meet Kellogg admissions and career coaches in my application process who made me feel like they were just as invested in my success.

People and values make all the difference in the world. I get a lot out of the collaborative spirit at Kellogg, the personal exchanges and the thoughtful leadership applied in teaching and framing concepts. While you can learn concepts from a textbook, it takes empathetic, skillful leadership to help you see problems differently like the faculty at Kellogg do. They clarify material to students and can immerse them in realities they're not typically engaged in while building trust that empowers students to contribute to conversations.

Thinking back to when you were applying to Kellogg, can you walk us through your application process and any tips you’d give to applicants?

I think building a relationship with the admissions team is important to get the most out of your application experience and learn about the resources available to you during the process. I recommend utilizing the resume review opportunity to put your best foot forward when applying.  

As for the application interview, prepare but don't over-prepare. What I mean by this is to be yourself and trust in the value you bring. You should still prioritize interview etiquette, researching and practicing how to effectively communicate your experiences and accomplishments, but your life and professional experiences make you who you are — don't erase these with cookie-cutter or scripted responses.

My interview felt personable, and we got caught up in deep conversations about unprecedented current events that were also changing the landscape of my industry which I got passionate about — this wouldn’t have happened if I stuck to a rehearsed formula.  

With almost a year under your belt, what has impressed you the most about your MBA experience?

Everything about the Evening & Weekend MBA experience has been much smoother than anticipated. The student experience team does an incredible job of making little to no barriers to your education from the rideshare vouchers and meals provided in between classes to the social and networking opportunities and everything in between.

As someone who commutes, I appreciate the thought and detail in maximizing the experience in the short period I'm on campus. It can be scary to commit to events or campus organizations as working professionals with limited time, but I was surprised to find how easy it is to get involved with campus organizations despite my packed schedule. I've even taken on a co-president role and am excited to be active in campus communities and maintain a balance in my life. 

How are you structuring your program to fit your needs and current schedule?

I’ve found that weekend courses fit my schedule best in some quarters and evening classes in others, so it’s been helpful to have the flexibility to shape my course schedule as my professional and personal calendars shift. I’m also an avid traveler, so I love a healthy mix of in-person and remote classes that allow me to connect with peers and build meaningful connections while also having the flexibility to travel without reducing my course load. 

What has been most crucial to your academic success while balancing a full-time job, travel and life as a whole?

It's all about preparation and an efficient routine! I have to put everything in my Google calendar whether it's a reading assignment, flight, class, or a 5-minute task. Visualizing where my hours are and time constraints allow me to be highly intentional with my time management and increase my productivity, making me a better teammate, student and friend.

I spend a lot of time commuting and traveling, so I keep my travel bag ready with all my school and travel necessities and a routine down so I'm up and out the door. I like to keep my desk and calendar organized, so I'm prepared to sit and start working on my tasks immediately. When traveling, I typically opt for the same flight times and less congested airports like Midway for efficiency in getting from point A to B.

I also have a great circle of friends from my cohort who are super supportive; nothing is more encouraging than people persevering through the same challenges. My peers also put my schedule into perspective because my schedule is manageable in the grand scheme of things compared to some of my peers who have to juggle work and school in addition to children and managing a household. 

Have you had any “aha” moments in class where you’ve found yourself applying those learnings to your day-to-day role at work? 

My Leadership in Organizations class has brought me so many insights that I applied to practice immediately. A part of this course requires reflecting on previous professional examples and how we could have influenced a different outcome by utilizing the principles we learned in class. Understanding where I could have done more or where I've gone wrong in previous situations has made me a more thoughtful decision-maker today. I now recognize these concepts in real-time, feel those aha moments frequently and feel better equipped to lead. 

A day in the life of: Elophia Mengestu 

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