After working as an Account Executive at Yelp, Alexis Hughes decided to pursue an MBA and transition into a Career in Brand Management. Knowing that she wanted to stay in the DMV area, Alexis applied and enrolled at the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business MBA program, where she has gotten to know many of her classmates due to the intimate size of the program. During this interview, Alexis spoke about her decision to pursue an MBA, why she chose Smith, and her advice for prospective MBA students.
MBASchooled: What did you do before business school, and why did you choose to apply to business school?
I worked as an Account Executive at Yelp in Washington, DC. I helped local businesses within the United States and Canada increase their exposure and conversion on the Yelp platform. A big part of my job was to provide a consultative approach to business owners to educate and discover their business goals. Yelp emphasizes developing yourself and constantly learning from each other. The young leaders inspired me at Yelp. Ultimately, I chose to go to business school to pivot into brand management and develop my thought leadership skills.
MBASchooled: What were the most important criteria to you when selecting MBA Programs to apply for?
At the time, the location was a huge factor for me. I wanted to stay within the DMV area.
It was vital for me to find a b-school with a strong community/faculty during my application process, especially during times of virtual learning.
With that, I knew I wanted a program that wasn’t cutthroat and had a relatively moderate class size. Our class of 2022 cohort consists of 79 individuals, which is great because we feel like one big family, and we have the advantage of getting to know each other beyond the surface.
MBASchooled: Based on your own specific career aspirations, what programs, resources or experiences at Maryland were most important to you?
I am pursuing a focus in brand management and marketing. The Office of Career Services at Smith offers leadership fellows where 2nd years pair up with 1st years to assist them through their career trajectory. My leadership fellow has been valuable to me throughout my MBA journey. She gave me great tips on the interviewing process, and we simulate interview practice one-on-one.
MBASchooled: Think back to the MBA application process. What’s something you know now that you wish you knew then?
Looking back at the application process, I wish I knew the power of LinkedIn. Connecting with current students at your desired MBA program will give you a better understanding of how the program is from their point of view.
MBASchooled: Why did you choose to attend Smith?
I chose Smith for the community and faculty. Before my admission interview, I attended a Diversity Workshop, and got the first taste of the robust community at Smith. It was great to see how open-minded and approachable the students and faculty were. After I attended the workshop, I knew the Robert H. Smith School of Business was perfect for me. I am glad I went with my instincts because the community exceeded my expectations.
MBASchooled: What’s something you’ve learned about Maryland this semester that you didn’t know when you made your admissions decision last year
Maryland is very data-focused.. What’s excellent about Maryland is that they offer workshops, such as Tableau, Python, and R. I took the R workshop while taking Data Mining and Predictive Analytics. It was a great workshop to understand the basics of R. My advice is to take the workshop as soon as they are available if you do not have a lot of experience with those platforms.
In addition, Smith partners with 5D Vision to offer CSPO certification workshops. I was able to achieve my certification at the end of January after participating in the interactive workshop. I would say Smith indeed invests in their students.
MBASchooled: Now that you’ve been at Maryland for a semester, what’s been your favorite experience, and why?
Due to the pandemic, I have not had the opportunity to see my classmates in person. Nothelesness, our community still remains strong and positive. My favorite experience so far is Monte Carlo Night, an annual gala for students and faculty that takes place in the spring. Before the event, our MBAA board sent us a fantastic gift package to celebrate virtually. We had an alumni magician that performed virtually, and it was amazing! Also, the event had opportunities to connect with everyone through live music, trivia, poker, etc. I enjoyed myself, and hopefully, next year, it will take place in person.
MBASchooled: Oftentimes, the word “culture” gets thrown around when talking about MBA programs. Can you characterize the culture at Maryland?, and share an example of an experience that you think personifies this?
I would describe Smith’s culture as welcoming, motivating, inclusive, and fun! Smith’s best interest is to help everyone and build a collaborative community where no one is left behind. For instance, we have reflection sessions at Smith, where we have pulse checks and discuss various topics worldwide or within our cohort. It’s a great support system, and everyone is there to help.
In addition, Smith typically has socials every Thursday. We have had events such as game nights, International Night, Smith’s Got Talent, Smith Game, and more. Despite the virtual environment, we got the chance to connect.
MBASchooled: What advice do you have for students who are considering applying or applying to MBA programs right now?
My most extensive advice is to network and talk to current students or alumni. LinkedIn will be your best friend during your application process. LinkedIn will help you build connections early on, especially current students with the same area of interest as you.
They can advise you on what to expect in the fall and encourage you throughout your internship/job search. Do not be afraid to ask for help and be authentic. Also, take time for yourself! The full-time MBA program is rigorous.