The MBA experience can be a transformative one, opening up doors and ideas one may not have considered pre-business school. For Kristin Glaspie, Wharton MBA ’18, she expected to return to consulting post-MBA. But then, her internship during business school shifted her path to operations at Apple. Majoring in operations and entrepreneurial management at Wharton supported this new direction, and she’s now a supply chain professional at the leading tech company. Read on for her story, what stood out about her Wharton experience, and how she recommends approaching the post-MBA job search in this edition of Real Humans: Alumni.
Kristin Glaspie, Wharton MBA ’18, Supply Demand Management at Apple
Age: 29
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Arizona State University, Economics and Finance
Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration (if applicable): The Wharton School, 2018, Operations and Entrepreneurial Management
Pre-MBA Work Experience: 4 years, Consulting
Post-MBA Work Experience: 1.5 years, Technology
Why did you choose to attend business school?
I decided to attend business school because of the exposure. Exposure to people, ideas, and opportunities. In the classroom, business school allowed me to learn from industry leaders and work with diverse, talented peers. Outside the classroom, business school gave me exposure to industries, functions, companies, and roles that I otherwise had limited experience with.
Why Wharton? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The factors most important to me were: 1) the NUMBERS – a focus on quantitative analysis and 2) the PEOPLE – a collaborative environment filled with diverse, smart minds. Nearly all of Wharton’s core classes require data analysis and several elective courses specialize in how to better leverage it. Wharton’s culture is centered around collaboration and teamwork. With its “Team-Based Discussion” interview style, learning team/cohort program structure, and team-based projects, collaboration is core to Wharton’s DNA.
What about your MBA experience prepared you for your current career?
The same factors that attracted me to Wharton’s program have helped me be successful in my career. The analytical rigor of Wharton’s program prepared me to tackle real world business problems by providing data-driven recommendations. The collaborative atmosphere taught me to appreciate diverse opinions and connect these perspectives to effectively influence change.
What was your internship during business school? How did that inform your post-MBA career choice?
I interned for Apple in their operations organization. I enjoyed it so much that I chose to join the team full-time! While my intention going into business school was to rejoin consulting, my internship opened my eyes to an entirely different function and culture that I had to be a part of. Business school gave me the confidence to make the career switch.
Why did you choose your current company? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to work?
Culture. I was looking for a culture that valued collaboration and continuous learning. Every day I get to be challenged by an amazing cross-functional team of smart, driven people with diverse perspectives and inspiring ideas.
Advice to current MBA students:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of the job search?
FOCUS! Stay focused on your interests. It’s easy to get distracted by what other classmates are doing. Take your time to think about what you want, find those opportunities, and give each of those applications and interviews 100%.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
Seek out internship and full-time opportunities outside of campus recruiting. The list of opportunities provided through the MBA Career Management office is impressive, but far from exhaustive. Don’t be afraid to do your own research and look for other opportunities that might be a better fit for you.
–Were there any surprises regarding your current employer’s recruiting process?
I was surprised by the number of interviews. However, the various interviews and conversations left me feeling confident I was making the right decision when accepting my offer.
–What piece of advice do you wish you had been given during your MBA?
If you are sponsored and intend to return to your pre-MBA company, keep an open mind. Don’t limit your courses, extracurricular activities, and recruiting opportunities simply because they don’t align with your pre-MBA career interests. Business school is a great opportunity to expand on your skills and interests. And who knows – in the process you might make an unanticipated career change like me!
What’s the best thing about working for your current employer?
The people. I get to work with a world-class organization filled with incredibly smart and humble people. These people create an environment and culture where I am constantly challenged and continue to learn.
