Michael Maksymowski, MSU Broad MBA Class of 2028
Age: 35
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Eastern Michigan University; Journalism & International Relations
Graduate Institution and Major: University of the Pacific, Educational Administration (with a specialization in student affairs)
Pre-MBA Work Experience: I worked for 11 years in higher education. I worked for two years for California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) coordinating fraternity and sorority life and 9 years at UNC Charlotte for Leadership & Community Engagement where I managed leadership programs In both roles, I helped college students become more thoughtful and ethical leaders.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
The honest truth is I reached a point where I felt stuck in my career and I felt limited by my previous graduate degree for different career prospects. I realized long-term I did not see my career in higher education and I knew I wanted to return to the Midwest (I was living in Charlotte, NC, at the time). An MBA provides a great general background that can allow me to better work in different industries and in different functions. For why now, I knew I wanted to make a change and take steps towards the new direction, so now seemed like a good time.
Why did you choose Michigan State Broad? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I’m originally from Michigan and my long-term goal is to stay in the region, ideally in Detroit or Chicago. Broad alumni go everywhere, but the largest concentrations of Michigan State alumni are in Detroit and Chicago. The program is nationally ranked, highlights how it helped previous students navigate a career change, and regionally it’s where I wanted to be located– this is the alumni community I was looking to join as I want to connect with others who are interested in staying in the Midwest.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
My previous work centered on understanding others and working to bring out authentic leadership. I think my most valuable contribution is my ability to understand and support my peers and hopefully help them grow as authentic leaders as I grow alongside them. Either that or my ability to back French macarons from scratch.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
My proudest professional achievement was bringing TEDx to UNC Charlotte (where I most previously worked). The event started with 12 speakers, 100 guests, and a lot of grit in 2019. Since then, we’ve featured over 70 speakers and have over 250 people attend each year! I was also able to travel to Edinburgh, Scotland as a part of my role as the TEDx license holder. I focused on different professional experiences in my application, but this was a defining one I wish I had the word count to include.
Post-MBA career interests:
Post-MBA, I am currently interested in transitioning to a role in Human Resources. However, I am also giving myself the first-year to learn more about the business world as I explore marketing, supplying chain, consulting, and more.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Have people review my written responses and provide feedback. Receiving that feedback was helpful in allowing me to better align my responses to Broad and figure out what to actually focus on given the word limits.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have practiced giving video responses for the video essay. It was my first time having to record a video response in a timed manner and I was not ready for how quick it goes from receiving the video essay prompt to having to record your answer on camera (and you don’t get to re-record the prompt if you don’t like the first take).
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Honestly, probably the video essay. I understand it’s important to be able to respond quickly to a prompt, that’s a foundation in interviewing, but it was my least favorite part of the application process. I think what helped me get through was having confidence in my written responses to showcase my intention and reflection to attend Broad.
What is your initial impression of the Michigan State Broad students/culture/community?
There’s this huge emphasis on community! Everyone wants to see each other succeed at Broad. People are so willing to share knowledge, resources, and opportunities with each other; whether that’s second year students sharing internship opportunities for summer or classmates sharing lecture notes to help each other learn, it’s clear people genuinely care about others.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
So far I’ve joined the MBA Association and I am planning to join the MBA HR Association with consideration for the MBA Marketing Association and Broad Consulting Club as well.
What is one thing you have learned about Michigan State Broad that has surprised you?
The MBA Programs at Michigan State Broad has a podcast called BROADly Speaking that features “real MBA stories, real outcomes” and highlights experiences across all three MBA programs at Michigan State (full-time, executive, and online). I am not a podcast person, so I didn’t know about it until I was informed I would be hosting the podcast as a part of my graduate assistantship!
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Honestly, I’m most excited to get to learn new things. I’m struggling in my finance class right now, BUT it’s nice to learn something entirely new and different from my previous industry. I’m also excited to connect with other students in the MBA programs.
