Throughout her life, relationships have been important to Katie Blach Ellington (WG ‘17) As such, moving from the Bay Area to Philadelphia to attend Wharton was certainly a challenge and opportunity. Despite the hectic and challenging time constraints of business school, Katie has traveled the world, played club hockey, all while continuing juggling the many important relationships in her life, such as one with her classmate (and husband) Jeff. Amidst her busy schedule, Katie took some time to sit down with us to talk about her first year at Wharton and what she’s excited about next year
MBASchooled: What’s the most important lesson you learned from your first year of business school?
Katie: I think that many people talk about business school as being nothing but a two-year party…Grade non-disclosure, globetrotting, and costume parties. While there is a lot of fun stuff, classes are challenging and recruiting/extracurricular activities can be competitive and huge time commitments. While people like to talk about the wild parties, everyone here at Wharton has real goals around personal development, career transition, and augmented skill sets. I think expectations around full-time business school should be reset a little bit.
MBASchooled: What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
Katie: One large challenge for me was transitioning back to being a student. While the student schedule allows a lot more flexibility than a work schedule, there’s always something hanging over your head…that problem set or essay or group project that you could be working on. It took me awhile to get back into the student mentality. Another major challenge for me has been balancing my previous relationships with my new life within the Wharton community. My husband, Jeff Ellington, who is also a 1Y at Wharton, and I at times have found it difficult to schedule quality time together given the enormous amount of social and extracurricular activities here. By the time you’re in business school, you also have friends from many different life stages as well as your family…it’s been difficult for us to manage time between our loved ones and our new friends within the Wharton community. It can be easy to get completely immersed in your business school community, but make sure to take the time to nurture the relationships that you care about!
MBASchooled: What was the most memorable or exciting experience from your first year at Wharton?
Katie: One of the most memorable experiences I have from my first year at Wharton is playing ice hockey. I had only ice skated a few times as a kid, but I’m a huge SJ Sharks/BC Eagles hockey fan, and when I heard that playing co-ed ice hockey was a big thing at Wharton, I was all in. It’s been an incredibly fun, entertaining, and humbling experience. My team also has an amazing camaraderie; it’s great to meet people when you’re all out of your comfort zone because it puts everyone on the same level. The other two best experiences from my first year have been the Wharton Global Immersion Program trip I did to Southeast Asia over winter break, and the Wharton Japan Club Trek I did over spring break. While I know the international trips can be difficult to swallow because of the cost, do them! I’ve met and solidified my best friendships at Wharton on these two trips! They are amazing experiences!
MBASchooled: If you had to do it over again, what would you do differently?
Katie: I would have worried less about school assignments and would have taken more advantage of the amazing speakers, workshops, field trips, retreats, and lunch and learns that are constantly available. Good thing I have next year!
MBASchooled: What are you most looking forward to out of this summer?
Katie: I’m really looking forward to being back in the Bay Area and spending time with our families and friends there. I’ll be working at my family business, Blach Construction Company, this summer and full-time after Wharton, so I’m looking forward to continuing to build skills and relationships there this summer. And I’m also very excited for my husband, Jeff, who will be working at a small start-up in the Bay Area this summer!
MBASchooled: What’s something you are looking forward to during your second year of business school?
Katie: I’m extremely excited to be a Leadership Fellow and an MBA Mentor next year. In these roles, I will serve as a mentor to Wharton MBAs and undergraduates. I’m really looking forward to helping students navigate the school and being a friend and resource in a sometimes intimidating environment! I’m also excited to have one final year before re-entering the full-time workforce and my normal routine to focus on personal development and to reflect on what I want out of my life and career moving forward.