Before MBA Protocol

Right after I graduated from undergrad, I worked for a financial portfolio management company in portfolio reporting. It was a crash course in finance, and I learned a lot about investing, benchmarking, and Excel (lol). However, during undergrad, I knew I wanted to work in U.S. Mexico relations and specifically in trade. So, when the opportunity came to work for an international trade law firm, I took it! After eight years, I currently work as an Operations Manager and the lead senior international trade specialist at an international trade law firm in Washington, DC. In laymen’s terms, I am in management as a non-attorney, managing the paralegals and the economists on staff, as well as organizing the workflows and building structures to help build grow the firm.

Why MBA, why now

Outside of work, I have been volunteering at my local farmers market for the past six years. Ultimately, my professional experience working in global trade and my local experience working with farmers to expand food accessibility has inspired me to make a pivot into working for a values-led Food CPG company. I am interested in strategy and operations work and hope to join a leadership rotational program, but I hope to also recruit for brand-management internships to see if this role could give me the necessary skills I need for my long-term goal: to lead strategic initiatives in the CPG sector that expand access to nutritious, affordable food across borders.

Prior to Covid, I decided to ask for a new role at work that focused on operations management, so I could focus more on what inspired me most at my office: building firm-wide systems and initiatives that improve the flow of work, betters work quality and could help the firm grow. This position increased my exposure to our client’s operational issues while dealing with the uncertainties of duties and tariffs. Ultimately, through this position I found a new passion for management and operations.

In 2023, I attempted to make a career shift on my own into operations but had little luck. I knew I wanted to pivot but needed help. In 2024, I spoke with a friend who was graduating from her MBA program and realized that this was the next right move for me so I can make a big pivot into the Food CPG world.

Why MBA Protocol

I first met Angela through the Forte Launch program, where she led a presentation on the art of storytelling. I was so captivated by her presentation and it was the best one I had seen in the Forte Launch program so far (no shade to other presentations in the program). I knew that since my story wasn’t the typical one that the adcoms would read, and I wanted help to fully develop my story and pivot I wanted to make. Career Protocol was the best choice for me. They saw me for me, and helped me fully realize my story and my vision through the Discovery process. They even encouraged me to apply to schools that I thought were out of my range.

The work we did together

I learned so much with MBA Protocol, but the biggest lessons center on storytelling. Specifically, how to connect with someone whether it be through your elevator pitch, resume, or essays. Angela helped me immensely during interview preparation. I was so incredibly nervous because in the past I would get a bit of stage fright during interviews. She recognized it immediately and she gave me real tips and tricks to remain calm and be my authentic self and not this odd robotic professional version I think others want me to be.

Ultimately, I learned that presenting my story and being my authentic self will bring me to opportunities I never thought I could have obtained before. I also learned to believe in myself and my story more which will carry over to my MBA and life beyond!

MBA Admission Results

I applied to 9 programs and interviewed at 7. I was admitted to each program I interviewed with: Ross, UCLA Anderson, IESE, NYU Stern, Dartmouth Tuck, Duke Fuqua, and Chicago Booth and received a total of $275,000 in scholarships across all schools.

I am beyond thrilled with my results. I had taken the GRE four times and worked really hard but was worried that my scores would hold me back. When I got the call from Duke Fuqua, I was shocked for two days. The weight of this whole process was realized, and I was going to business school. When I heard the news about Booth, I sobbed and couldn’t believe I got into my Reach school. I poured my heart into my Booth essays and that translated into success.