Brittany Grabell wanted to position herself for a career in big tech. The MBA program at Chicago Booth demonstrated the values, community, and academic approach that aligned with what she was seeking. In this Real Humans: Alumni, Brittani shares how the leadership and analytical skills she gleaned from Booth prepared her for the innovative, collaborative culture at Microsoft.
Brittani Grabell, Chicago Booth MBA’22, Product Marketing Manager at Microsoft
Age: 34
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign / Communications and Marketing
Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration: University of Chicago Booth School of Business, 2022, Concentrations: Strategic Management, Marketing Management, Entrepreneurship, and Behavioral Science
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Product Marketing Manager, Billtrust, 2 years, Technology; Marketing Manager, Mattersight, 1 year, Technology; Marketing Communications Lead, Shire, 3 years, Healthcare
Post-MBA Work Experience: Product Marketing Manager, Microsoft, 3.5 years, Technology
Why did you choose to attend business school?
I chose to pursue business school to deepen my leadership and strategic capabilities and to position myself for a career in big tech. It felt like the right moment in my professional journey to invest in an educational experience that would strengthen my long‑term career trajectory.
Why Chicago Booth? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Chicago Booth because its values, community, and academic approach aligned deeply with what I was seeking in an MBA experience. I immediately resonated with Booth’s supportive, collaborative, and growth-minded culture. The ‘pay-it-forward’ ethos especially stood out to me. I experienced it firsthand through the generosity of alumni, faculty, and students who supported me before, during, and even after my time in the program.
I was also drawn to Booth’s flexible curriculum and its emphasis on data-driven, strategic thinking. The ability to tailor my coursework, combined with the school’s rigorous approach to solving ambiguous and complex problems, felt like the right foundation for the leader I aspired to become. I knew that Booth’s environment and academic philosophy would set me up for long-term success and help shape my career in meaningful ways.
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 experience prepared me exceptionally well for my current career, particularly in navigating the complexity and pace of the tech industry. Booth strengthened my leadership and strategic decision‑making skills, giving me the ability to operate effectively in environments that are highly dynamic, ambiguous, and constantly evolving. Through the program’s rigorous, analytical approach, I learned how to prioritize effectively, set clear objectives, and make informed decisions even when faced with incomplete information.
Working in an industry shaped by rapid technological change, especially advancements in AI, these skills have been invaluable. Booth’s emphasis on data‑driven thinking, intellectual curiosity, and adaptability has enabled me to stay ahead of emerging trends and respond with the flexibility and strategic clarity that this environment demands. My MBA has been a true asset in helping me lead through uncertainty, embrace innovation, and continuously evolve alongside the technology shaping our industry.
What was your internship during business school? How did that inform your post-MBA career choice?
My internship during business school was in Product Marketing with Microsoft, and it played a pivotal role in shaping my post‑MBA career choice. Internships can either confirm your long‑term goals or reveal a direction that’s a better fit, and for me, it did exactly that. It validated that the Product Marketing Manager role in big tech was where I could thrive. During my internship at Microsoft, I was able to quickly demonstrate my skillset, contribute meaningful work, and gain firsthand exposure to the company’s culture, values, and operating rhythms.
The experience gave me a clear sense of how my strengths aligned with the role and how energizing it felt to work in an environment that values innovation, collaboration, and strategic thinking. By the end of the summer, it was evident that continuing my journey with Microsoft was the right next step. My internship not only confirmed my career aspirations but also solidified my desire to return full‑time after graduating from Booth.”
Why did you choose your current company? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to work?
I was drawn to Microsoft’s long-standing track record of innovation, its commitment to empowering people and organizations, and the genuine culture of collaboration and curiosity I experienced across teams. The people I met during networking events and interviews and worked with during my internship were smart, supportive, and deeply invested in growth and they made a lasting impression. I also valued the company’s focus on continuous development and its belief in building leaders who can navigate change with clarity and purpose.
Ultimately, I chose Microsoft because I believed in the company’s mission, saw meaningful opportunities for impact, and felt confident in the organization’s continued success. It was the right place to build my post-MBA career and the right environment to continue growing as a strategic, adaptable leader.
Advice to current MBA students:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of the job search?
One thing I would absolutely do again is network with the intention of truly understanding roles, companies, and cultures, and how I might fit within them. Each conversation gave me clearer insight into whether a company aligned with my goals and values, which was invaluable in choosing the right next step.
I’d also emphasize the importance of taking time after each interaction to reflect on what you learned, not just how you performed. It’s easy to focus on impressing your professional network, but pausing to assess the role, the people, and the culture keeps you grounded in what you actually want. That reflection makes your search more intentional and leads to a stronger long‑term fit.
–One thing you would change or do differently as part of the job search?
One thing I would do differently is stay more open to opportunities I didn’t initially plan for. You don’t always know what the right next step will be, and approaching the process with a broader mindset can help you uncover roles and paths that are an even better fit than expected.
–Were there any surprises regarding your current employer’s recruiting process?
One surprising part of the recruiting process is how much emphasis Microsoft placed on team matching rather than just the interview itself. Especially for MBA roles, the process often includes an internal effort to pair you with a team whose needs, working style, and strategic priorities align with your strengths. It’s not always obvious from the outside, but this matching step can shape your entire experience. In my case, it led to a role and team where my background could be a real asset, and it made the transition into the company much smoother.
–What piece of advice do you wish you had been given during your MBA?
One piece of advice I wish someone had told me is to stay deeply grounded in my own career and personal goals. Business school is full of competing priorities, loud signals about what paths are ‘best,’ and a lot of momentum toward certain industries. It’s easy to get swept up in that energy. The most valuable thing you can do is stay anchored in what you actually want – your strengths, your values, and the environments where you thrive. When you take the time to dig deep and trust your instincts about what’s right for you, you make choices that lead to a far more fulfilling and sustainable career.
