Kellogg Chronicles: Bridging two worlds in the JD-MBA Program
This content was originally published in Poets&Quants.
By Keatrice Robertson ’25 JD-MBA Program
When I decided to pursue a JD-MBA, I wasn’t just looking for two degrees. I was searching for a way to combine two passions: business and law.
As a self-employed entrepreneur, I loved the challenge of running my own business but felt limited by the ceiling I had hit without formal training. I wanted to be able to read between the lines of legal documents and craft the business strategies behind them. More than that, I wanted to pressure-test the skills I had taught myself and grow into a leader who could bridge both worlds.
What I didn’t anticipate was how much the JD-MBA program at Northwestern University would change the way I approach not only my career but my sense of community and leadership. For those considering a similar path, here’s what made my experience uniquely impactful—and how it could shape yours.
An intentional start
Before stepping onto Northwestern’s campus, I knew I had to be intentional about my goals. I applied as a JD candidate at the Pritzker School of Law with the intention of later transferring into the dual-degree JD-MBA program — a decision I did not make lightly. While I recognized the potential value of a JD-MBA, I initially chose not to enroll in business school because I wasn’t entirely sure how the program would align with my career goals.
At the time, my primary focus was transitioning into a legal career, shaped by my extensive experience working with legal contracts through my business. Additionally, I understood that pursuing the JD-MBA would require significant investments of time, effort, and financial resources. I wanted to ensure the program was the right fit before making such an important commitment.
My priority was attending a law school with a strong business school and a robust business concentration within its law program. This approach gave me the flexibility to explore my options and determine the best path for my career. In case I didn’t have the opportunity to transfer into the dual-degree program, I saw Northwestern as the ideal choice to support my goals. Was there a chance I wouldn’t be accepted into the business school? Absolutely. However, I viewed it as a calculated risk and an opportunity to take a strategic leap forward in my career aspirations. Ultimately, it was preparation meets opportunity.
The summer before starting law school, I reached out to every JD-MBA student I could find, asking about their experiences and strategies for navigating the transfer process into the program. Their advice gave me a roadmap for how to be a strong candidate and helped me refine my application. Some even took the time to personally coach me through the interview process, which ultimately helped me get accepted into the program.
For prospective students, I can’t stress enough the importance of preparation. As someone who didn’t have a single JD-MBA in my immediate network, I knew I had to step outside of my comfort zone to learn more about this unique path. To gain an understanding of the degree’s benefits and potential impact on my career, I sought out individuals who were not only pursuing the JD-MBA but also program alumni. As a whole, they gave me a piece of advice that profoundly influenced my decision. In particular, they urged me to adopt a forward-thinking mindset and envision the career I aspired to build and the caliber of people I wanted to grow alongside in my professional network.
Read the original article in its entirety on Poets&Quants to learn more about how Robertson is harnessing her JD-MBA to redefine her professional ambitions, step boldly beyond her comfort zone and tap into a supportive community — one that has played a transformative role in her journey to achieving personal and professional balance.