Kenta Okada, Michigan Ross MBA Class of 2027
Age: 26
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Undergraduate Institution and Major: UCSD, Business Psychology & International Business
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Equity Analyst, Bloomberg, Fin-Tech, 3 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Before I started working, I already knew I wanted to return to school in the United States at some point in my career. I really enjoyed the client-facing nature of my role, and collaborating with others to solve client challenges was my favorite part of the job. Over time, I wanted to broaden the scope of the problems I worked on and understand how those issues connected to higher-level business decisions. That is when I decided to pursue an MBA and build a broader toolkit to address challenges across different functions. The timing made sense because the curriculum and resources in an MBA aligned with the gap I wanted to fill at this stage of my career.
Why did you choose Michigan Ross? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Ross stood out to me throughout the application process because of its people-driven and truly collaborative culture. I felt that students had strong relationships within their cohort, and that collaboration was embraced both in the classroom and in experiential projects such as Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP). The alumni network also made a big impression on me. I remember attending an information session in Tokyo where more than thirty alumni took the time to show up. That experience really demonstrated the spirit behind the phrase “Go Blue Go Anywhere.”
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
My most valuable contribution is the perspective I bring as someone who has lived and worked across Japan and the United States in a highly global, client-facing environment. I want to contribute by bringing people together, sharing my experiences, and helping classmates navigate both professional recruiting and the transition to life at Ross.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I love baseball, and I’m currently on a mission to visit all MLB ballparks. 12 down, 18 more to go!
Post-MBA career interests:
My goal is to pivot into consulting and deepen my problem-solving abilities. I hope to work within entertainment, media, and sports topics to help drive positive change in the industry and inspire young people along the way.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would talk to many people to understand the culture of each school. Speaking with current students and alumni helped me learn how students collaborate, how they use resources, and how they approached their own application process.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would start the process earlier. More time would have helped me prepare for tests and essays, research programs more deeply, and connect with even more people.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have skipped GMAT preparation because it was a long journey for me. What helped me get through it was setting a clear plan and establishing daily study goals.
What is your initial impression of the Michigan Ross students/culture/community?
Beyond the collaborative environment, I was surprised by how central football is to the community. Every Saturday, the entire town comes together and the campus turns into a huge celebration. It creates camaraderie and brings people together in a meaningful way.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I have joined 4 student organizations: Consulting club, Tech club, Entertainment, Media, and Sports Association, and Japan Business Association. I joined professional clubs to take advantage of resources available for career pivots and to learn from second year students. I joined the Japan Business Association because I want to use my background as an international student to help connect Japan and Michigan Ross communities.
What is one thing you have learned about Michigan Ross that has surprised you?
I was impressed by how quickly professors and the academic team responded to student feedback. We had several feedback sessions to discuss opportunities for improvement in course structure and resource access, and they were very responsive in taking action.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am especially excited for the Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP), the signature hands-on learning experience that takes place in the spring. I look forward to working closely with my teammates, tackling complex challenges, and making a real impact for the organization we partner with.
