After a career as an engineer, Harmonie Jacobson (UNC Kenan-Flagler, ‘20) decided to pursue an MBA to transition careers. With the help of The Consortium For Graduate Study in Management, Jacobson was able to identify the right schools to apply to, navigate the admissions and application process, and build a great network of peers. During our interview, Jacobson shared her experience as a Consortium Fellow, and how the Consortium helped helps her and other Fellows accelerate their path towards an MBA.
MBASchooled: How did the Consortium help you in navigating the admissions process and transition into business school?
Although I discovered the Consortium a bit later during my MBA admissions process, it was a great resource for not just discovering/learning more about different business schools, but also served as a guiding light for discovering which schools would align best from a culture perspective. It was actually while chatting with a Kenan-Flagler student that I learned about the Consortium. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to meet others that similarly value diversity, equity and inclusion, and this was very important for me as I evaluated b-schools and potential employers.
MBASchooled: One of the valuable aspects of Consortium is the network that it gives you. How has that helped you, in your time in school?
The network has been helpful in so many ways! First off, I’m incredibly thankful for all of my Consortium classmates at Kenan-Flagler specifically. I’m humbled by their backgrounds, the leadership they provide to the community at Kenan-Flagler and the diverse set of roles they’ll be assuming post-MBA. More importantly, we’ve had the opportunity to come together to discuss opportunities to promote a more inclusive environment at KFBS and in the workplace. I’m confident that these tough yet important conversations will better the school and equip us to be more resilient leaders.
Q: Why is the mission of the Consortium important to you? How does that inform how you think and engage with others?
Data continues to show that there are quantifiable benefits when businesses and teams are more diverse. I know this to be true from personal experience working on both diverse and non-diverse teams. There is a significant underrepresentation of certain groups in roles of leadership in business specifically, and the resources that the Consortium provides are exceptional. While I don’t identify as one of the underrepresented groups, I’ve continued to align myself with the mission of Consortium through outreach and staying educated as an ally. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to serve as an ally, especially as I progress further in my career.
MBASchooled: What is Orientation Program, and what was your experience like there?
OP (Consortium’s annual Orientation Program for incoming members) was such a phenomenal way to start my b-school journey during the summer before officially matriculating. It’s a jam-packed conference that combines developmental workshops, networking opportunities and engagement with sponsoring companies into five days.
I had the chance to meet and network with CGSM members from all of the member schools, develop a closer bond with those also starting at Kenan-Flagler and also get a significant headstart on recruiting.
MBASchooled: How does your school promote a more diverse and inclusive culture for students of all backgrounds? How have you gotten involved with these efforts?
Within Kenan-Flagler’s MBASA, we have a number of affinity clubs that promote diversity, including AMBS (Alliance of Minority Business Students), CWIB (Carolina Women in Business), PRIDE, IBA (International Business Association) to name just a few. All of the Affinity Clubs aim to promote inclusivity and belonging not only for underrepresented groups, but for allies too, via various events and programming. Beyond this, it’s really the actions, involvement and passion to improve existing programming and processes, as well as promote a sense of belonging, that have defined the culture at Kenan-Flagler.
I won’t claim that things are perfect in the realm of DE&I at Carolina, but students, staff and administration continue to learn and iterate. I’ve involved myself in many ways to contribute to promoting DE&I, including serving on committees/focus groups and conducting research and presenting recommendations to KFBS administration for a Dean’s Fellows project.
MBASchooled: What advice do you have for underrepresented students who are considering business school?
Business school needs you! Corporations need you in their leadership pipeline! You have relevant, unique and critical experiences that will be valued. Don’t doubt yourself.