Carly Wolberg interrupted her successful tenure at Amazon to invest in her personal and professional growth at business school. Her decision of where to attend came down to community, program structure, values, and traditions. Dartmouth Tuck delivered what she was looking for. In this Real Humans: Alumni, we learn how Wolberg gained the hard and soft skills to open doors, spark conversations, and propel her career.
Carly Wolberg, Dartmouth Tuck MBA ’23, Senior Product Manager at Amazon
Age: 32
Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC
Undergraduate Institution and Major: UNC-Chapel Hill, Business Administration
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Amazon, 6 years (2015-2021), Tech—Retail and Media & Entertainment; Brand Specialist (2015-2016); Vendor Manager (2016-2017); Marketing Manager, Sr. Marketing Manager (2017-2020); Sr. Product Manager (2020-2021)
Post-MBA Work Experience: Oracle, Product Manager, 6 months (2023–2024), Tech; Amazon, Sr. Product Manager – Technical, 2 years (2024–present), Media & Entertainment
Why did you choose to attend business school?
Attending business school was, at its core, an investment in myself—in both my personal and professional growth. Leaving Amazon after six years was not a decision I made lightly. I spent a great deal of time reflecting on what I truly wanted from such a significant financial and personal commitment, and I kept coming back to the same answer: I wanted to expand my worldview.
I came to business school to learn from the best and alongside the brightest but also to build the alliances, friendships, and experiences that would shape who I am for the rest of my career. What made the experience even more meaningful was the ability to bring my Amazon background into the classroom. Those six years gave me a lens through which I could connect theory to practice in ways that deepened my learning and, I hope, enriched the conversations around me.
Why Dartmouth Tuck? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
My decision came down to four things: community, program structure, values, and traditions—and Tuck delivered on all of them.
From the moment I started talking to past and present students, I knew Tuck was different. The community is close-knit, deeply engaged, and made up of some of the most genuine and interesting people I’ve ever met. Tuck isn’t for everyone and that’s precisely what makes it special. Students who choose Tuck are truly “all-in,” intentionally opting into an experience they want to co-create together. That energy is palpable from day one.
I was also drawn to Tuck’s growing investment in the technology career path, which I took full advantage of over my two years—through coursework, the Center for Digital Strategies, the Tech Club, student board, and Career Services events. As someone passionate about technology and product, having those resources at my fingertips was invaluable.
And then there are the traditions. Small Group Dinners, Tuck Winter Carnival, TuckTalks—these aren’t just fun events; they’re the fabric of what makes Tuck feel like home. I even managed to convince the dining director to add a regular baked potato bar to the lunch rotation, which I’ll consider one of my prouder contributions to the Tuck community 😊.
What about your MBA experience prepared you for your current career? How do you feel that your MBA has been an asset when it comes to navigating new challenges, such as AI?
My MBA gave me a toolkit that I draw on every single day—not just the hard skills, but the soft ones that are often harder to teach and harder to learn. Building and leading teams, navigating complex stakeholder dynamics, developing executive presence, communicating with clarity and confidence, and embracing ambiguity with poise: these are the capabilities that have defined my career trajectory since Tuck.
The personal transformation I underwent over those two years was, honestly, the most surprising and lasting gift of the program. I came in as a self-driven, independent professional, and I left with a much deeper understanding of my values, my leadership style, and how to be a more empathetic leader, teammate, and friend.
Some of that growth happened in the classroom. But some of it happened at 17,000 feet above sea level on Rainbow Mountain in Peru, hiking with classmates who pushed me far outside my comfort zone and showed me just how much I could trust and lean on the people around me. I would never have done it without them. That lesson—that individual success and collective success aren’t mutually exclusive—is one I carry into every team I lead.
Now, nearly three years out, I can say with confidence that my Tuck MBA has opened doors, sparked conversations, and created opportunities that continue to propel my career. In a world being reshaped by AI, the versatility, adaptability, and critical thinking I developed at Tuck have made me a more effective and confident leader. Someone who can learn new problem spaces quickly, bring people along, and navigate change with clarity.
What was your internship during business school? How did that inform your post-MBA career choice?
I interned in Growth Marketing at a digital product consultancy in Durham, NC — a valuable experience that gave me exposure to a different company size and a new functional area. Ultimately, it clarified something important: my passion lies on the technical side of product management, not lifecycle marketing. Sometimes the most useful internships are the ones that sharpen your sense of direction, even when it isn’t the right fit for a full-time role post-business school.
Why did you choose your current company? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to work?
I always tell people that I love working at Amazon for three reasons: culture, people, and opportunity—and I mean it every time.
Amazon’s culture is unlike anything I’ve experienced elsewhere. Grounded in 16 Leadership Principles, it shapes how teams operate, how problems get solved, and how you show up every day. It’s a culture I thrive in and a big reason I chose to come back after my MBA.
The people are equally compelling. I’ve been fortunate to have managers who are genuinely invested in my growth, and teammates who are among the brightest and most driven I’ve ever worked with. They push me to bring my best self to work every day.
And then there’s the opportunity. In my time at Amazon, I’ve worked across four distinct functions and two different businesses. That kind of breadth and mobility is rare and truly sets Amazon apart. That combination of a strong culture, exceptional people, and limitless opportunity is why Amazon has been, and continues to be, the right place for me.
Advice to current MBA students:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of the job search?
Leverage the alumni network and do it authentically. Building genuine relationships with Tuck alumni was one of the most valuable things I did during my job search, and it’s one of the greatest assets of the Tuck MBA.
–One thing you would change or do differently as part of the job search?
Don’t rush to the offer. While landing a role is obviously the goal, I’d encourage you to slow down and invest meaningfully in meeting people and exploring different paths and opportunities. And resist the urge to compare your timeline to your classmates’. Everyone’s job search looks different, and yours will unfold exactly as it should.
–Were there any surprises regarding your current employer’s recruiting process?
No surprises—it was a thorough and genuinely positive experience from start to finish.
–What piece of advice do you wish you had been given during your MBA?
The two years go by faster than you think. Go in with specific goals and be intentional about how you spend your time, but also keep an open mind. Get to know all the people around you: your classmates, the year above you, the year below you, and the faculty. These relationships will expand your worldview and stay with you long after graduation.
Say yes to the professor’s dinner invitation. Show up for your classmates’ cultural celebrations. Take the trip to Peru. The people you’re surrounded by are your greatest asset—not just during the program, but for the rest of your life. Lean into every experience. You won’t regret it.
