what, like it's hard?
Last Friday, I officially graduated from from the two-year, full time MBA program at USC Marshall: “look Mom, I got my MBA!”
I walked across the stage at the LA Coliseum in the company of so many of my favorite people – my parents, partner, brother & sister-in-law, and friends. Suffice it to say, I was, and still am, in my feels. On one hand, I'm elated to be moving on to the next phase of my career & life; on the other, closing this chapter is bittersweet.
Being a business school student has been a complete whirlwind, and utterly different from my experience during undergrad. Rather than my schedule being dictated by practices, games, and training, these past two years have been about pushing myself outside of my comfort zone intellectually and personally. I've been challenged to think creatively, to embrace ambiguity, and develop my sense of self-worth as a friend, leader, and professional.
One of my favorite movie characters of all time, Elle Woods, in her Harvard Law graduation speech says, “it is with passion, courage of conviction, and strong sense of self that we take our next steps into the world, remembering that first impressions are not always correct. You must always have faith in people. And most importantly, you must always have faith in yourself."
My primary goal in attending business school was to pivot from my previous career in finance to a career in sports business. And while I was not the only ‘pivoter’ in the class of 2024, I was pretty much the only person pivoting to a career in sports business.
“WAIT, you’re leaving private equity? For SPORTS?”
“Why would you do that?”
“You know you’ll be making WAY less money, right?”
These were comments I received fairly consistently, especially during my first year at Marshall. Instead of letting them get to me or contemplate changing course, I used questions like this to further fuel my determination to execute a pivot.
It wasn’t always easy not to compare myself to the majority of my classmates pursuing careers in more traditional paths like investment banking, consulting, or even tech –but instead of channeling energy towards worry, frustration with lack of resources at Marshall, or imposter syndrome, I put together a plan an stuck to it: I networked my ass off, I ran for a leadership position at MBA SBA (outgoing President!), and interned at Elevate Sports Ventures & SeventySix Capital Sports Advisory, where I worked with exceptional mentors that embraced pivoters like me. I also leaned on an absolutely incredible support system comprised of the best cheerleaders a girl could ask for (you know who you are xoxo).
I'll desperately miss seeing the people who made my experience so special on a daily basis – namely: brilliant classmates who inspired me and world-class professors who challenged me. I am, however, comforted in knowing the relationships I’ve built during my time at Marshall will last much longer than an MBA program.
As the final buzzer sounds in this game (I couldn’t resist using a sports analogy!), I've found myself feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. Grateful for the memories. Grateful for the people. Grateful for the growth. My experiences over the last two years have impacted my life in ways I never could have anticipated – and while I don’t know exactly what the future holds, like my guy Nigel Hayes-Davis, I have strong conviction it will all work out.
