Highlights of My Tuck MBA Experience
ON DECIDING TO PURSUE AN MBA
I decided to pursue an MBA after a period of meaningful reflection and a strong drive for growth. My sister can attest to this, as I very carefully considered my motivations and what I hoped to achieve from an MBA experience. I wanted to transition to the tech industry, where innovation and customer-centric thinking move at a different pace. I viewed the MBA as a way to intentionally challenge my way of thinking and expand my network beyond my Lima roots. I also hoped to learn from diverse peers, push myself outside my comfort zone, and take the time to reflect on the kind of leader I aspire to be. Pursuing an MBA felt like the right investment to open new doors, both professionally and personally, and prepare me to lead with a broader, more global perspective.
ON CHOOSING TUCK
I was genuinely curious and truthfully impressed by the love Tuck alumni have for the school. There was something about it—perhaps a gut feeling—that drew me in. Everyone I talked to was so enthusiastic about their experience that it made me want to be part of it, too.
Another (very true) cliché is the people. The kind hearts in this community have exceeded every expectation I had. Coming from a big family and having close friendships back home, I knew I needed a place where I could build a real community and a strong support system. Looking back, I’m grateful for the friendships I’ve built here because I know they’ll last far beyond the classroom.
ON TUCK CAREER SERVICES & RECRUITING
I had a great experience with Career Services and felt incredibly supported by the Tuck community in landing my tech internship at Microsoft. From second-year students who had already gone through internship recruiting, to the consistent encouragement I received from Career Services, I’m truly grateful for the one-on-one investment so many made in me.
I remember early in the year, I was second-guessing whether I should pursue marketing in tech—it felt a bit too niche—but Laura, my career advisor, encouraged me to follow my aspirations and helped me prep thoroughly for my interviews.
The Tuck alumni network was also immensely helpful. Even without knowing me personally, alumni offered valuable advice and coaching that helped me land my internship at Microsoft. The level of commitment and willingness to help is something I’ll always appreciate.
ON TUCK’S UNIQUE LOCATION
I knew that after Tuck, I’d want to be in a city—so when else would I have the chance to live in the woods? I truly loved experiencing every season here, and I think the location has a meaningful impact on our experience. I remember during one of my first weeks, a now very good friend invited me to the dock by the Connecticut River for her birthday. It was such a simple moment—sitting in the sun, sharing snacks, talking by the water—but it was one of my favorite memories from those early weeks. Making new friends in a setting like this is something special. I knew winter might be tough, especially coming from South America, but I ended up loving it. I was so excited about skiing—and it absolutely lived up to the hype. I’ll never forget our Fridays at Killington, where you’d run into Tuckies at nearly every lift line, or squeezing in a few runs at Dartmouth Skiway before class. Being this close to nature is truly priceless, and living just five minutes away from all your friends is something I’ll miss deeply.
ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
My biggest advice for prospective students considering an MBA is to reflect on what you want your two years to look like. It goes by quickly, and being intentional about what you want to achieve and take away from the experience is key to not getting lost in everything that happens. I didn’t have a perfectly logical explanation for why Tuck was the best place for me, I just knew it was. Trust your intuition and ask a lot of questions! Every Tuckie I talked to before applying made me feel like I was already part of the community, long before I had been accepted. That feeling stayed true throughout recruiting, academics, and everything in between. We build a network that extends far beyond these two years, and that’s something truly special and unique about an MBA at Tuck.
WHAT I’LL MISS MOST
What is there not to miss? I’ll miss being a student again and having this time to focus on learning and personal growth. I’ll miss being part of the Student Board; it was such a pleasure to work alongside incredible classmates to help shape the best experience possible for our community (special shoutout to Alison, Jess, and Paige: we did it!) I’ll miss my professors, not just for what they taught us in class, but for the moments beyond it, like inviting us into their homes for dinner and sharing lessons far beyond academics. I’ll miss Hanover: the river, the green, the leaves, the snow, the outdoors. I’ll miss looking for a weekday ski carpool, the 10:50 p.m. Tripod hockey games at Campion Arena, and bumping into people I know on the street. Most of all, I’ll miss seeing my friends every day. I’ll be proud of their accomplishments wherever they go, but I’ll miss having them just a few steps away. I am deeply grateful for them and for the memories we created here.
