Next stop: Ann Arbor! 

My fiancé, Jon, & I on the field at the Big House (Michigan football stadium) - Go Blue!

I am thrilled to officially announce that I'll be starting my full-time MBA program at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business this fall! 

The past year has been an emotional rollercoaster, filled with hard work, moments of self-discovery, and meaningful reflections on my career and aspirations. It's been a journey of rediscovering passions, embracing vulnerability, and building confidence in my unique strengths. Throughout this process, I've received incredible support from colleagues, friends, and mentors, and I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of them - their encouragement has been instrumental in getting me to where I am today. 

As I look back on the past year, I wanted to share some insights that have shaped my perspective and decision to pursue my MBA. My hope is that these reflections may inspire you on your own journey, whether it's pursuing higher education, taking a career leap, or following a dream.

🌍 It's okay to re-discover your passions: I've always dreamt of living and working abroad, but as my career progressed and international travel halted during the pandemic, that passion slowly took a backseat. Applying to business school gave me the chance to revisit that dream and reconnect with my desire to work globally. At first, I felt embarrassed to re-visit a passion that I had seemingly forgotten about. Plus, I didn't have any cross-border professional experiences that gave me credibility in my desire to establish a career abroad. But with time, I realized that I could build this credibility by simply letting my passion for global impact shine through. Embracing what truly excites me, even if it feels like a rediscovery, has been a powerful path towards fulfillment and authenticity. So as I seek post-MBA employment opportunities, I will be prioritizing companies and roles that afford me the opportunity to work globally. (Please reach out if you have any leads!)

🚶‍♂️ Remember to embrace the journey: Crafting a compelling application required a lot of soul searching. I delved into the depths of my career, thinking critically about my failures and revisiting constructive feedback I've received. This introspection, though occasionally painful, proved to be invaluable, illuminating the growth I've experienced after setbacks. In the same vein, it prompted gratitude for the positive role models who have guided me through my career with sage advice and unwavering support. As I embark on this exciting new chapter, I am committed to making self-reflection an ongoing practice, empowering myself to learn, adapt, and continuously evolve.

💪 Be confident in what you bring to the table: Imposter syndrome is real, and it can be daunting to navigate. But over the past year, I've learned to face it head-on and pursue opportunities regardless. Here are a few instances from my journey, and the outcomes they've generated:

• Applying to business school with the goal of establishing a global career, despite having zero international professional experience: I leaned into my passion and told my story authentically. To my delight, I was accepted into every school I applied to, with scholarships.

• Coordinating an intensive on-site examination for a boardroom full of MDs and external stakeholders: I'll admit, I said one silly thing during the meeting, but I didn't let that define my worth or contribution. Ultimately, the meeting achieved the best possible outcome for the organization, and that's what truly mattered.

• Pitching myself as a Strategy Consultant for consumer-products small businesses when I only had experience working in big financial institutions: It was terrifying, and I faced some rejections along the way. However, this courage also opened doors to fruitful relationships with a number of innovative clients who valued my unique perspective.

In these moments of discomfort, I've learned to embrace them as opportunities for growth. Yes, there will always be someone who might seem more qualified, but I've come to recognize the value of the distinctive qualities I bring to the table. My analytical skillset, passion for helping others succeed, and unwavering vision for global impact set me apart. Embracing your unique contribution and having confidence in what you bring to the table can be a transformative force; imposter syndrome might still linger, but by acknowledging and overcoming it, you'll be amazed at the growth and fulfillment that awaits you. 

While I'm at school, I'll be continuing to grow 7Strategy and applying my MBA learnings to help deliver even more value to my clients. I can't wait to embrace this new chapter in my life, and I look forward to sharing more of my adventures and reflections on the 7Strategy blog. 

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