Roy Ribitzky, Boston College Carroll MBA Class of 2027
Age: 35
Hometown: Boston, MA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a Major in Sociology and Gender Studies Minor in 2012. University of Massachusetts, Boston with a Master’s in Education with a focus on Special Education in 2015.
Pre-MBA Work Experience: My pre-MBA work experience can be split into two careers: I spent my first half out of college working in education and various small roles in tech companies, then the latter half in restaurants. Out of college I worked as an educator with Students with Autism at Boston Public Schools for Citizen Schools, an extended learning day education non-profit. My main role was to develop inclusionary best practices for my colleagues to better involve special needs students in everyday classes. For the last eight years of I’ve been in hospitality, working my way up from a small local brewery to beautiful Woods Hill Pier 4, farm-to-table family-owned restaurant in the Seaport District in Boston. I was the Lead Bartender, which basically means I got to work with some incredibly creative, fun, and awesome human beings that define what an exceptional guest experience is all about! And maybe savor some exquisite champagne while there, too.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Being from Boston it’s hard not to hear as a young kid how great our schools are and the world-renown MBA programs. The idea of business school has always been on the back of my mind: an opportunity to lead a business would be a huge accomplishment. But I must admit: This is not the first time I applied to business school! Like many restaurant workers and millions more in March 2020, I was faced with long-term unemployment and a fear of having no idea what was going to happen next. I hastily whipped up some applications, and of course I got rejection letters. It was for the better, however. I simply was not ready then.
As I’ve gotten older, my priorities have changed as to what is important to me. I started to home in on what my long-term goals were and began working on the skills and experiences I needed to achieve those goals. The quick implementation of AI and Machine Learning tools in our everyday lives (yes, even restaurants!) gave me the final jolt I needed to say: “OK, I love this stuff, but I need more guidance to engage with this evolving business landscape.” I want to be at the forefront of AI – and business school is the place to start. This might sound weird, but when I started looking at application questions, the timing just felt right.
Why did you choose Boston College Carroll? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
There are two major factors about why I chose Boston College. First, Data Analytics is a core learning for all MBA students, regardless if you want to be a brand manager for a non-profit or strategy consultant for an accounting firm. As businesses across all sectors implement more powerful machine learning programs on both the back end and consumer side, Boston College has clearly been ahead of the game with ensuring its MBA students graduate with the foundational understandings to take part in and adapt to this constantly evolving technology. The second is the most important: the Jesuit core that makes Boston College a premier educational powerhouse. This isn’t just a business degree – this is a program that forces you to think about how your decisions will impact the community. Sure, we all want to be successful, but so long as there is suffering and pain in our communities, the job isn’t done yet. This interconnecting of business acumen with a foundation in the humanities is an MBA program you don’t really see anywhere else, and what Boston College a truly unique institution in one of the best capitals in the world!
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
From the first social even before orientation even started, I knew I was lucky to be part of this 2027 MBA Class – there are so many students with unique and diverse backgrounds! Over 20 countries represented, over 30 states, veterans, fresh out of undergraduate school, people 20 years out from undergrad; it truly is remarkable. I suppose I fit into this by coming from an education and restaurant background, which isn’t something you typically see on an MBA admissions brochure.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I was an extra in the movie “Shutter Island.” You can’t see me, but I can point to the tiny pixel on the TV where I was kind of standing around!
Post-MBA career interests:
I would love to find a way back into education but working from a national/global strategy and operations perspective. Whatever I end up doing, I want to be rooted in Machine Learning and AI.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Go to events! The first time I applied to business school years ago I went to maybe one event. This time, I went to all of them. You never know how walking on a school campus can change your feelings about the program. You get to meet admissions officers, current students, and professors that can give you real, genuine perspectives of the program.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I wish I had a longer-term view when I was younger when it came to connecting and staying in touch with managers that saw my growth and development. While a lot of my generational peers work multiple jobs over the years, occasionally, there’s a great supervisor or manager that ten years from then could end up being a great reference or recommender. Stay in touch with those people that supported you, even if it was a short experience. You’ll be surprised at how much of a positive impact you can have on others!
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would skip nothing – applying to business school is a marathon and not a sprint. Take the time to focus on the small things – while not losing sight of the larger picture. Leave no stone unturned.
What is your initial impression of the Carroll students/culture/community?
Wow – Just wow! There is an immense energy of excitement – and fear of accounting class – at Carroll. The professors are incredibly experienced and happy to see us. The career advisors hype us up when they go over our resume – I thought it was supposed to be the other way around! Every single student recognizes the unique journeys we took to get here and are super excited for the future. The campus is absolutely beautiful. We have an incredible library with incredible staff that are one of the best resources on campus. This is a community that is built on values and integrity and support – walking onto campus feels like getting hugged by the soft feathers of a giant Eagle!
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
Because I haven’t been in school in over ten years and I want to learn as much as I can, I joined all of them! I’ve always been fascinated by Marketing, the skills consultants learn can be applied to any business, and volunteerism is an integral part of this MBA experience at Boston College. In fact, at the Carroll School volunteerism is a requirement for graduation. It’s not just about business skills here – it’s about the community.
What is one thing you have learned about Carroll that has surprised you?
How diverse the professors’ industry backgrounds are. I admit I assumed most MBA professors with just former consultants. Our professors come from every industry, from non-profits and academia to finance to computer science to marketing to hospitality to startups to everything in between. We truly feel like we are being taught by the best.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Not related at all, but I haven’t been to a gym since before COVID (gasp!) so I am very much looking forward to accessing the state-of-the-art, four-floor Division 1 school recreation center and join intramural sports again. I have to decompress from all this academic and career planning work somehow!
