In this edition of our Real Humans: Alumni series, we meet Mike Paczkowski, who pursued the MBA program at Cornell Johnson looking to sharpen his leadership approach and expand his technical toolkit. The tight-knit, supportive culture and the consulting immersion were essential in preparing him for his future consulting career at Deloitte. Read his story below to learn more about how his experience at Johnson granted him greater perspective and success.
Mike Paczkowski, Cornell Johnson MBA ’25, Senior Consultant at Deloitte
Age: 31
Hometown: Concord, MA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Bucknell University, Political Science & English
Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration: Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, part of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, CO ’25, Strategy & Consulting
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Senior Manager – Private Equity Practice Group, Cushman & Wakefield, 3 years, Commercial Real Estate
Post-MBA Work Experience: Senior Consultant – Strategy & Transactions, Deloitte, M&A
Why did you choose to attend business school?
I chose to pursue an MBA to advance my career. I had built strong experience pre-MBA, but I knew there were gaps in both my technical toolkit and leadership approach that I wanted to sharpen. More importantly, I wanted to expand my perspective. Business school gave me the space to step back, think bigger, and surround myself with ambitious, thoughtful people who challenged me to see problems differently. It wasn’t just about career acceleration; it was about becoming a more well-rounded leader.
Why Cornell Johnson? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The community, without question. Johnson has a tight-knit, genuinely supportive culture. From the moment I interacted with students and alumni, it felt collaborative rather than competitive. People wanted each other to win. I was also drawn to the small class size, strong consulting outcomes, and the hands-on Strategy and Consulting Immersion. I learn best by doing, and Johnson’s experiential model really resonated with me. Add in strong Northeast recruiting access, and it felt like the right mix of community and career upside.
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?
The consulting immersion was probably the most directly transferable experience. It forced me to structure ambiguity, communicate clearly under pressure, and think through client impact, all skills I use daily. Beyond that, Johnson encouraged intellectual curiosity. I intentionally took courses focused on emerging technologies (e.g., AI, machine learning, tokenization) because I knew they would shape the future of business. Having that foundation makes it much easier to engage in conversations today around automation, digital transformation, and AI strategy. Furthermore, the network is just as valuable as the coursework. Having smart, driven classmates across industries is a long-term advantage.
What was your internship during business school? How did that inform your post-MBA career choice?
I interned at Deloitte Consulting and received a return offer. The internship gave me clarity, not just about the work itself, but about the team dynamic and pace of learning.
Why did you choose your current company? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to work
I chose Deloitte because I wanted range and growth. The ability to work across industries and functions while building a strong M&A and strategy toolkit was a major draw. I also appreciated the firm’s investment in its people, from structured training to mentorship to real responsibility early on. At this stage in my career, I wanted an environment that would stretch me. Deloitte offered that.
Advice to current MBA students:
—One thing you would absolutely do again as part of the job search?
Network, but do it intentionally. It’s easy to treat networking like a checklist. Instead, I approached conversations with genuine curiosity. Those discussions helped me refine what I wanted, and just as importantly, what I didn’t. I also really enjoyed it. You meet fascinating people, hear diverse career paths, and often walk away with unexpected insights. Just make sure you reflect after conversations instead of jumping straight to the next one.
–One thing you would change or do differently as part of the job search?
If anything, I’d double down even more on peer collaboration, especially for casing. Your classmates are your greatest resource. Practicing together not only sharpens your skills, but it also builds camaraderie during what can be a stressful time. Lean into that.
–Were there any surprises regarding your current employer’s recruiting process?
What stood out to me was how accessible Deloitte made the company through recruiting. From case competitions to presentations to informal networking events, there were numerous ways to engage. It made the process feel transparent, engaging, and informative.
–What piece of advice do you wish you had been given during your MBA?
It’s okay to say no. Business school is filled with incredible opportunities, but you can’t do everything. Being intentional about how you spend your time is critical. Some of the most valuable growth comes not from doing more, but from focusing deeply on what aligns with your goals and interests. Protect your energy. Prioritize what moves the needle for you.
