Ashley MacPhaille (Owen, ‘22) started her career in recruiting, before deciding that she wanted to broaden her experience into other aspects of human resources. After evaluating MBA programs, Ashley selected the Owen Graduate School of Management, due to its community feel and the strengthening of it’s Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) concentration. During this interview, Ashley spoke about her decision to get an MBA, why she chose Vanderbilt, and shared some of her reflections about how her time in business school is helping accelerate her career growth.
MBASchooled: What did you do before business school, and why did you choose to come to business school?
Prior to business school, I spent several years working in recruiting with Heidrick & Struggles, an executive search firm, in their Global Technology industry group. I chose to attend business school for the opportunity to broaden my Human Resources experience beyond talent acquisition. Human Resources has become even more central to companies’ success during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is especially true as companies think about how to return employees to work safely and effectively and how to retain and attract employees in the “Great Resignation”. Data and analytical skills are increasingly important for HR Managers. Although I already had an undergraduate degree in business, I wanted to pursue an MBA to further develop my managerial and quantitative skills as well as expand my network.
MBASchooled: Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt Owen?
My primary reason for choosing Vanderbilt Owen was its Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) concentration, which recently became certified by the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM). Vanderbilt Owen is one of the only MBA programs that has a specific concentration, curriculum, and Career Management Center (CMC) resources dedicated to the Human Resources profession.
I also chose Vanderbilt due to Owen’s culture (more on that later) and smaller program size. After attending a large undergraduate institution, I wanted to go to an MBA program where I would have the opportunity to get to know each of my classmates and where Professors actually knew my name. I appreciated that Vanderbilt has a Leadership Development Program that offers one-on-one executive coaching to all interested students. Finally, I love Vanderbilt’s location in the heart of Nashville! There is never a shortage of things to do and see in Music City.
MBASchooled: What resources were most helpful to making your decision? Did you talk to any people that were especially helpful?
When making my decision, I reached out to several current students and alumni, especially those who were also concentrating in Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) and pursuing careers in Human Resources. I connected with some through LinkedIn, but I also reached out to MBA Recruiting and Admissions Fellows on Vanderbilt’s website and attended various virtual sessions.
Everyone I reached out to was more than happy to tell me about their Owen experience, and I was struck by the authenticity of the students and alumni I spoke with. Rob Schickler, one of our admissions team members, was a great resource as well. He is also a Vanderbilt Owen alum!
MBASchooled: Oftentimes, the word “culture” gets thrown around when talking about MBA programs. Can you characterize the culture at Owen? Can you share an example of an experience that you think personifies what this means?
Vanderbilt often uses the buzzwords “competitive not cutthroat” and “personal scale” to describe the culture at Owen. Although they may seem a bit gimmicky, I’ve found these buzzwords to ring true in my experience. My classmates are driven individuals, but they are also down-to-earth with low egos. I really appreciate the smaller class size (~180 students), close knit community, and collaborative culture.
Everyone in the Owen community is warm and welcoming and wants to get to know you on a personal level. One highlight of our community is Owen’s weekly Thursday happy hours called “Closing Bell”. These are a great opportunity for students, partners, faculty, and staff to get together and connect while celebrating the end of the week.
MBASchooled: What’s an important career lesson you’ve learned, either before business school, or during your time in school?
I’ve learned you’ll get out what you put in. If you go to business school to only show up for classes, you’ll miss out on a big part of the MBA experience. On the flip side, if you try to participate in every club, organization, info session, and case competition, you’ll spread yourself too thin.
With so many great opportunities, it can be tempting to try to do it all. However, it’s important to prioritize what matters to you, and this carries over to corporate life as well.
MBASchooled: What advice do you have, for someone who is trying to think about an MBA as a means to accelerate their career?
I originally wasn’t planning on getting my MBA since I had an undergraduate degree in business and was not making a drastic career pivot. However, I realized it couldn’t hurt if I had the opportunity! An MBA can, at best, propel your career forward and at worst, give you the opportunity to try something new before returning to the workforce. I have yet to meet an MBA graduate who regretted attending business school. It’s a unique opportunity to take two years to focus on your personal goals and career development.
One piece of advice I have is to decide what matters most to you before you even apply to MBA programs. It could be rankings, geographical location, financial aid, concentration offerings, etc. Regardless, think about how each school you apply to can specifically help you achieve your career goals.
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