In this Real Humans: Alumni, we hear from Katie Hoole, a recent Emory Goizueta graduate and educator who pursued an MBA to satisfy her interest in being pushed intellectually in new and different ways. Attracted to the uniquely and intentionally collaborative culture at Goizueta and the focus on building principled leaders, Hoole learned a robust new skillset and agility in professional settings in the program, helping her meet the current moment of effectively and ethically leveraging AI. Read her story here.
Katie Hoole, Emory Goizueta MBA ’23, Senior Program Manager, Amazon
Age: 34
Hometown: Niskayuna, New York
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Bachelors – Syracuse University, Policy Studies; Masters of Education (M.Ed) – University of Oklahoma, Curriculum, Supervision, and Instruction
Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration: Goizueta Business School, Emory University, 2023, Strategy, DEI, Marketing
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Teacher, Teach for America / Tulsa Public Schools, 2 years; Founding Lead Teacher, College Bound Academy, 2 years; Lead Teacher, Uncommon Schools, 1 year; Senior Program Manager, Reading Partners, 2 years; Assistant Principal, Collegiate Hall, 1 year (public education/nonprofit)
Post-MBA Work Experience: Senior Program Manager, Amazon, 2+ years, Tech
Why did you choose to attend business school?
My husband and a few of our friends went to business school and I saw the personal and professional development they got through their MBA programs (as well as how much fun they were having) and I was interested in being pushed intellectually in new and different ways. It was such a privilege to be a full-time student again in my 30s.
I also think after the pandemic, I was ready to try new professional challenges outside of public education and I knew earning an MBA could help me be successful in that pivot.
Why Emory Goizueta? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
One of my friends went to Goizueta a few years before I considered earning an MBA and he couldn’t say enough good things about the experience – so it was on my list. While I was doing my own research into various programs across the country, I had the opportunity to attend Inside Goizueta as well as speak to a few current students. I found that the culture at Goizueta was uniquely, and intentionally, collaborative and the focus on building principled leaders was felt through the classroom environment as well as the extracurriculars. I can not say enough good things about my experience at Goizueta.
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?
What I learned in the classroom has absolutely helped me in my career and my current role. I did not have a background in business – in experience or formal education – so the core classes we took gave me a solid foundation to build from. The structured problem solving and learning how to prepare and thoughtfully communicate complex problems and solutions to various populations has been a key factor in my ability to drive work in my role now. Goizueta professors teach and give ample practice to do this across domains which I appreciated.
I also learned so much from my classmates. What a gift it was to sit in classrooms with people who had backgrounds in healthcare, start-ups, engineering, finance, ballet, climate-work and government. Not to mention the global perspective – MBA programs attract students from around the world.
My experience at Goizueta helped me build a robust skillset to be agile in professional settings which has helped me meet this moment of effectively and ethically leveraging AI. The emphasis in Goizueta’s curriculum on principled leadership and soft skills, as well the technical, will continue to be a differentiator in this ever-changing landscape.
What was your internship during business school? How did that inform your post-MBA career choice?
My summer internship was at Amazon on the same team that I am on today.
Why did you choose your current company? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to work?
I chose to return to Amazon and my team because of my experience during my internship. I had the opportunity to work on a team of smart, thoughtful people that trusted me and gave me autonomy to do my work while giving me actionable feedback to continue to improve. I appreciated that they found my background in education to be an asset (which I agree with – being a classroom teacher has so many transferrable skills in the private sector). The projects that I have had the opportunity to work on during my internship, and full-time, are impactful, and stimulating to my brain.
Advice to current MBA students:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of the job search?
I talked to many of the people who work in the career center at Goizueta, not just my career coach. I found it helped push my thinking and refine what I was looking for in a company and role.
–One thing you would change or do differently as part of the job search?
I think everyone in business school should join the consulting club. I did not, I think I should have. The skills and tools that are taught to prep for interviews and networking are good for everyone – not just people who want to go into consulting.
–Were there any surprises regarding your current employer’s recruiting process?
No – Amazon was transparent about the application process and interview. I felt prepared for each step.
–What piece of advice do you wish you had been given during your MBA?
I don’t think there is one – I had the best time. I’m proud of how I showed up in class and as a student. I think how I participated in business school translated to my success during my internship and now full-time. And business school is no different to anything else in life, what you put in is what you get out – get involved, ask questions and laugh while you’re doing it.
