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The newest crop of MBA Journal writers (clockwise from upper left): Yael Davidowitz-Neu, Joshua Jian, Megan Brody, Susan Shell, Lindsay Miller, and Matthew Borenstein
The MBA Journals, which challenge incoming MBA students to share their business school journey with Bloomberg Businessweek readers, have become a rite of passage of sorts. Many MBA applicants read the journals in hopes of discovering what a typical day will be like on a particular campus, how they’ll ever find an internship or full-time job, and what kind of social life they can expect.
Some of the journal entries are touching, while others are humorous, and still others are practical. Last year, readers became acquainted with four first-year students who attended international MBA programs. By sharing stories of vending machines for medication in China and driving in southern Italy, those writers captivated readers who wanted insight into life abroad, too. They will continue to share their stories in year two.
If the MBA Journal Class of 2012 was all about the international experience, then the Class of 2013 promises to be the voice of nontraditional candidates. All six say they do not see themselves as typical MBA students, and they want to show a different perspective. Some of them even admit to having been non-believers in business school before enrolling. All hope that the journey will bring them personal success—and a better job than the one they had before B-school. For the first time, MBA Journal writers will be a lively presence on Facebook, sharing their thoughts and experiences on the Bloomberg Businessweek Business Schools wall between entries. Without further ado, here are the new MBA Journal writers:
MATTHEW BORENSTEIN
Program: Georgia Institute of Technology College of Management
Bio: A journalist, Borenstein was working part time for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution producing photo galleries, writing local stories, and co-blogging about the Peachtree Road Race, a Fourth of July tradition in Atlanta that attracts runners and walkers, before starting business school at Georgia Tech’s College of Management. As an undergraduate at the University of Georgia, Borenstein was one credit shy of earning a business degree, in addition to his media degree.
He says while working for a newspaper he became acutely aware of the lack of business knowledge in journalism—and how it could lead to the industry’s ultimate demise. A desire to move into the business side of media and breathe new life into a business on life support motivated Borenstein to go for his MBA.
Now he finds himself in the middle of a whirlwind after just a few weeks on campus. Working as part of a group has been an eye-opener, says Borenstein. “Coming from a career where you work independently, I had to get used to working in groups,” he says. The small size of the school helps because Borenstein says he has been able to get to know most of his classmates well.
Fun Fact: A University of Georgia graduate, Borenstein says he remains one of the Bulldog faithful despite now attending a rival university.
MEGAN BRODY
Program: Michigan State University Broad Graduate School of Management
Bio: Having directed the public relations and marketing department at McShane Companies, a construction and real estate company in Rosemont, Ill., before business school, Brody says she sees herself as an anomaly on campus. This inspired her to become an MBA Journal writer. “There is this perception that there is one type of person earning an MBA—someone from finance or a traditional businessperson—but I want to send the message that all kinds of people can be successful with an MBA,” she says.
After Brody’s first week of classes, she says she is astounded by the amount of information she is already digesting. “By the time we’re done, we’ll have a wonderful grasp on analyzing financial statements, presenting well in front of high-level executives and large groups, and much more,” she says.
