Karissa Adams, Florida Warrington MBA Class of 2028
Age: 25
Hometown: Minnetonka, Minnesota
Undergraduate Institution and Major: The University of Texas at Austin
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Medical Assistant, Healthcare, 3 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After three years as a Medical Assistant, I decided I wanted to move beyond direct patient care and into the business side of healthcare, where I could influence decisions at a larger scale. Business school felt like the natural next step to diversify my skill set and build the tools to have that kind of impact.
Why did you choose Florida Warrington? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Warrington because I was looking for a program with community, pride, and a strong alumni network. Warrington stood out for its caliber of instruction and the impressive presence, both across Florida and across the country. It felt like a program where I’d get an excellent education and also become part of a community I’d be proud to represent long after graduation.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
In healthcare, you frequently need to distill complex topics down and make them accessible to people without a clinical or technical background. That’s a skill I’ve built over the last three years, and I think it will serve group work, case studies, and eventually the cross-functional strategy roles I want to pursue.”
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
Right when the travel restrictions were lifted after the pandemic, I flew to Barcelona and lived with a host family as an au pair for the summer.
Post-MBA career interests:
I’m most interested in consulting or corporate strategy roles at prominent companies involved in life sciences, healthcare, and beyond.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Say yes to every event, every opportunity, every conversation. I made a point to get to know people in the program before I even applied, made real connections, and visited campus, and all of that made both the decision and the transition so much easier.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I’d remind myself that my application was more than just a number. It’s easy to get caught up in stats, but your essays and the rest of your story matter just as much.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could — and what helped you get through it?
Honestly, I wouldn’t skip anything. UF was the only school I applied to. I knew I wanted to be here, so I put everything I had into that one application. That’s not necessarily the advice I’d give everyone, since it’s a bit of a high wire move, but I gave it everything, and I don’t regret a minute of the effort.
What is your initial impression of the Florida Warrington students/culture/community?
My initial impression is that the students are incredibly supportive, the culture is prideful, and the community is giving and welcoming.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I’m hoping to join Warrington’s MBA Association down the road. I’d love the opportunity to give back to the program the way it’s given to me whether that’s helping run events, listening to student feedback, or finding ways to make the experience even better for the classes that come after mine.
What is one thing you have learned about Florida Warrington that has surprised you?
It’s not surprising so much as it is unique, but my cohort is very small, which means we get a lot of one-on-one attention from the staff and faculty. The program feels tailored to us while still being backed by a network of thousands of alumni, so that balance has been a nice surprise.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m most excited about the relationships I’ll build with my cohort as we go through the internship recruiting process together.
