Scott Landay (Haas, ’17) came to business school after a stint in consulting and with a goal of transitioning into Brand Management. In addition to achieving this goal, Scott gained a sense of confidence and comfort in his vision and values regardless of outside influence and thoughts. He talked to us about this important lesson, and how Haas has helped him work towards his career aspirations.
MBASchooled: What is your favorite memory of business school?
Scott: Studying abroad at the London Business School. This past fall semester I, along with 6 other Haas classmates, journeyed across the pond to study at LBS. I enjoyed my time in the classroom as my classmates and professors at LBS were truly top notch. I was also able to create a schedule that allowed me plenty of free time to take advantage of being in London and of such close proximity to the rest of Europe. I made it a priority of mine to explore as much of London and Europe as possible. Thanks to great flight deals I was able to take long weekend trips to Dublin, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Prague, Berlin, and Copenhagen – all of which were amazing. Although my time in London flew by far too fast, it was truly an unforgettable experience and one that I will cherish forever.
MBASchooled: What will you miss most about your MBA experience?
Scott: The flexibility to create my own schedule. Although the MBA can be rigorous at times, it also provided me the flexibility to focus on interests outside the classroom as well. Whether it be late morning’s at the gym, mid-afternoon yoga class (a very Berkeley thing I felt I’d be remiss if I didn’t take up), or trips to visit friends and family, I’ll miss the pockets of free time that the MBA gave me.
MBASchooled: What are you most proud of from your MBA experience?
Scott: I am most proud of successfully making the transition into brand management from consulting. When I arrived at Haas I knew I wanted to pursue a career in brand management. But, having had no prior marketing experience this career switch would prove to be a challenge. I was lucky enough to land an internship with Neutrogena in LA through the Reaching Out MBA Conference (ROMBA). Neutrogena provided me valuable experience in brand management to then land a full time role as an Associate Brand Manager with Beachbody (makers of P90X and Insanity among others) in LA. At Beachbody I will manage our Shakeology (nutrition shakes) and 3 Day Refresh brands.
MBASchooled: What’s the most important lesson you learned in business school?
Scott: To find a career that I am passionate about and not one that may be of higher esteem / more pay. Berkeley really challenges its students to think deeply about the impact they want to have on the world. With this in mind, I was able to focus on CPG companies that I felt had a positive impact on people’s lives. Beachbody ended up being the perfect fit for me as the company aims to help people live healthy and fulfilling life.
MBASchooled: What part of you has undergone the most transformation while in business school?
Scott: Haas has transformed my mindset from “They do” to “I do”. My professors and classmates equipped me with the confidence to lead teams and organizations with a sense of humility. I left Haas standing taller and more comfortable in my shoes.
MBASchooled: Who is someone who has had a positive influence on you while in business school?
Scott: Professor Don Moore. I took two of his courses, Leading People and Decision Making. Both of these courses examined the ways in which we often fail at leading in organizations while proposing new methods and ways to positively lead. Don is an expert in human psychology, uncovering the pitfalls of the human mind and proposing ways to overcome them. Leveraging these psychological insights will aid me in leading organizations and making the best managerial (and life) decisions.
MBASchooled: Is there anything that you haven’t gotten to do that you wish you had done?
Scott: I wish I had gone on a winter or spring break trek with my classmates. I was faced with a choice as to how I wanted to spend these breaks from school and chose to prioritize time with my friends and family from my previous hometown – Boston. Treks are an excellent way to see the world and to build deeper relationships with classmates. Although I don’t regret the time I spent with my family and friends, I wish I had made time to do both.
MBASchooled: Where do you hope to be in five years?
Scott: I loved my experience in London so much that I initially focused my job search on positions in the UK. Unfortunately, obtaining a visa was a major stumbling block. But, I have not given up hope on my London dreams. My immediate goal is to gain valuable brand management experience at Beachbody to hopefully make the transition to London. In fact, Beachbody is launching operations in the UK in October which could open the door to opportunities for me!