Sammi Thiele, Emory Goizueta MiM Class of 2026
Age: 23
Hometown: Denison, Texas
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Austin College/English
Pre-MiM Work Experience: Secondary Teacher/Head Swim Coach, Denison ISD, 1 yr; Job Coach, Creative Achievements, 6 mo; Peer Writing Assistant, Austin College, 2 yrs; Lifeguard, City of Sherman, 4 years; Cowtown Water Polo, Water Polo Coach, 2 years; Thunder Water Polo, Water Polo Coach, 1 yr
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I decided to apply to the MiM program when I discovered that it was specifically designed for liberal arts majors with little to no educational background in business. I knew that I did not have to specialize in a specific aspect of business and that the program would provide me with opportunities in all aspects of business and help me determine which aspect(s) fit best for me. I decided to attend business school now because I am still very young and able to build a solid career in business, and I knew this program would be a massive advantage for launching a career in business.
Why did you choose Emory Goizueta? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Most prominently, I was given the opportunity to participate on Emory’s swim and dive team; I am able to pursue this degree while remaining active in sports, which is one of the most important aspects of my life. Furthermore, Goizueta has an incredibly prestigious reputation and upon my visit, I met fantastic people (staff and students) and got a sense for the wonderful experience the school provides.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the class?
I think that my most valuable contribution to my class is my ability to build relationships with people and help them strive for improvement. With years of coaching and teaching experience, I am very practiced at building trusting relationships and serving as a mentor/leader.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I’m an active traveler, and I have a goal of visiting all 50 states and viewing a game at all four of the major professional league sports stadiums before I am thirty years old. So far, I have been to 29 states, 4 MLB stadiums, 2 NFL stadiums, and 1 NHL stadium.
Post-MiM career interests:
Anything in sports, especially working for a professional sports team.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Take a day to visit the school! I got to meet the program director, career coach, admissions officer, and other staff as well as students in the program! I also got to experience a class and a mixer between the specialized masters programs. I 100% recommend coming to visit before you begin!
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would do more research on housing and transportation. I would make sure to pick an option that is the most financially sound and appropriately placed for my school and social life.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have skipped some of the informational meetings. There were some that were very helpful, but there were some that could have just been sent in an email. What helped was receiving an email with all of the meetings and what the topics/information would be shared so I could determine which ones were important for me to attend.
What is your initial impression of the Emory Goizueta students/culture/community?
I think there is an incredibly strong culture here founded in collaboration and celebration of different backgrounds and experiences. Everyone here is highly motivated and wants to learn and improve, and the community around us is very supportive of that.
What is one thing you have learned about Emory Goizueta that has surprised you?
How much the professors and staff are involved in the learning experience. It is not like a typical college lecture with hundred of kids in the class and vague assignments and guidelines. Everyone knows your name, the professors and staff know you personally, and assignments and guidelines are very specific and geared towards helping us learn and improve our skills.
