Unraveling Strategy at Tepper: A casual chat with Professor Sunkee Lee
Hello Tepperonis! Hope you’re soaking up the sun and having a blast this summer. I wanted to take a moment to share one of the highlights of my summer – the cherry on top of my summer adventures: an interview with my favorite professor, Sunkee Lee, who teaches Corporate Strategy at Tepper. If you’ve had […]
Reforestation (and Afforestation) Through Biotechnology: The MBA Internship at Living Carbon
Reforestation (noun): the action of renewing a forest by planting seeds or young trees. Afforestation (noun): the act or process of establishing a forest, especially on land not previously forested. Around 300 million years ago, the level of carbon dioxide on planet Earth plummeted from 2000 to 200 ppm. Temperatures dropped, ice sheets formed […]
Reflections on My Two Years at Tepper School of Business
Reflections on My Two Years at Tepper School of Business As I start writing this post, I have successfully submitted my last project of the MBA program; I know it has taken me two years to write this post finally, but as I sit here waiting for graduation, I start to reminisce about the two […]
A Happy Tepperoni
Hey there, Tepperonis! I hope you’re all enjoying the beautiful summer. My name is Priyasha, and I am a part-time MBA student at Tepper, class of 2025. My journey of 29 years from India to Pittsburgh and eventually to Tepper has been quite the adventure and I can’t wait to share them all with you. […]
The Impact of My MBA Experience on Personal Growth
Last weekend, I attended the welcome event for the newly admitted students of the class of 2025 at Tepper School of Business. One question frequently arose during conversations with prospective students, juniors, and classmates: “How has your MBA experience been so far?” As I pondered this question, I realized that my time at Tepper had […]
So Why MSBA at CMU?
MBA was never for me, throughout my career I was highly encourage to go for MBA as stepping stone for career progression. It just never appealed to me, I explored Master’s in other areas such as engineering management and Operations management. Program options and personal commitments just did not energize me to take on this […]
Navigating the Full-Time Consulting Recruitment Process as a Second Year of MBA candidate
As a second-year MBA student at Tepper, I found myself in a unique position. Having explored various industries during my first year, I realized that I hadn’t given the consulting sector the attention it deserved. Thankfully, a two-year MBA program offers the flexibility to explore different industries for internships and full-time positions. In this blog […]
What to do when you are too young to retire?
Hello folks – I am Maryam Sultana, Electrical Engineer by profession, mother of 4 and a Mid-career professional seeking more purposeful professional work 😎 Having worked in the energy Industry for 20 years, professional life was getting too routine and non-exciting. Just turning 45 with kids being more independent, felt I got my time back […]
A CMU Thanksgiving (unexpectedly in Miami)
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year here at Carnegie Mellon; it is truly one of the times that exemplifies our motto, my heart is in the work. Final exams are coming up, final projects are due, and the stress that you’re not doing enough with your life sets in. But, I would argue it is […]
What does it mean to be on your MBA journey?
Hello everyone, The fact that I started writing this blogpost roughly a month ago, but am posting it right now should be an indicator of how much happening your life at Tepper can get, during your MBA. And if you think, this is just because of studying and recruiting, think again. Every day, you’ll basically […]
How I Actually Ended Up at the Tepper School of Business
I wanted to start off with a big thank you for the warm reception on my last post. It’s both motivating and intimidating to have that much unexpected traction. Now that the pressure is on, I’d like to transition to my next blog: How I Actually Ended Up at the Tepper School of Business I […]
Celebrating Diwali- MSPM way!
Last week, my house in Pittsburgh was filled with lights, love, and laughter as the MSPM batch came together to celebrate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights. Considered one of the biggest holidays in India, this festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil. It is the time of the year to deck your home, […]
Shedding My Skin
Every cell in the human body regenerates, each given another chance to live and to grow. Like snakes, we too shed our skin, and biologically we are brand new! Why am I telling you this? Because getting into grad school after 9 years is nothing less than another chance at life. Early life- Hi! […]
Basecamp, Class of 2024
“Hi I’m Serena, I got in last night and today is my first day,” I said nervously to my classmate as we clipped ourselves into the safety lines. He laughed, “Not a bad day to start.” He stepped his foot on the first log suspended 15 feet above the ground. I watched him grab the […]
Meet the Author | Evan Pinnix
Welcome to my first blog post! My name is Evan Pinnix and I am a first-year undergraduate student at Tepper (Class of 2026, if you’re reading this in the future and don’t want to do the math). Over the next four years of my undergraduate studies, I will be using this platform to share some […]
My Journey to Consulting
Whenever someone asked me what I wanted to do for a career, I always had the same answer. Solve a variety of problems, in a variety of ways, using a variety of methods. Sounds good, right? But finding out what career path would allow me to do that was the hard part. When I arrived […]
Investment Banking Internship: CHECK!
It’s done. The pursuit of landing an investment banking summer associate internship for the summer of 2022 is complete! In this post, I’m going to highlight a few resources and processes that helped me land not just one, but three investment banking internship offers. This was not a solo affair and could not have happened […]
Final Semester Bucket List
Though the oddly warm weather suggests otherwise, it’s now the middle of December—just over five months away from graduation. I’ve turned in my last few projects and papers for the fall semester, and though I’m already getting emails from Professor Lamont about the spring Management Game capstone course, I’m trying to get some much needed […]
A Winding Path to an MBA
The thought of getting an MBA didn’t strike while I was to baking a Bavarian pretzel from scratch nor did a moment of clarity fall from the sky while perfecting my barbacoa recipe. My path to getting an MBA percolated over time. Whether I was in client meetings in Nashville, attending Product summits in Tokyo, […]
Hello from a Tepper Senior!
Hello, world!
That’s one of the only things I remember from my computer science class freshman year. After that, it was all business courses, all the time.
How 2021 Summer went for me as a Tepper Part-Time Student!
Summer 2021 was jam packed, Working to make an impact. From getting married in July, Telling remote access weekends goodbye. From TWIB happy hours to abandoned school tours, Lots of socializing outdoors! -Nancy Geronian July 17, 2021 – Pittsburgh, PA – Marrying Emile August 26-29, 2021 – Pittsburgh, PA – First Access Weekend Back […]
Seattle to Pittsburgh!
If you stumbled upon this blog post, welcome! My name is Eric Tinnell and I am currently a first-year, full-time MBA student at Tepper. I’m excited to share a bit about my journey as the school year progresses. In this first post, I’ll share a bit about my background, what led me to Tepper, and […]
5 Things We Learned in Mini 5
With Mini 5 being over, it is time for the next installment of the “5 Things We Learned this Mini” in which I identify the most important lessons that other classmates and I took away from this Mini.
5 Things We Learned in Mini 4
With Mini 4 being over, it is time for the next installment of the “5 Things We Learned this Mini” in which I identify the most important lessons that other classmates and I took away from this Mini.
C’s get degrees!
I heard these words even before I got anywhere near Pittsburgh: “C’s get degrees.” As a kid who racked up A’s on report cards her whole life, getting even one C in a course was inconceivable. Multiple C’s? That can’t be me. Then college happened. My first college writing course I took Interpretation and Argument in […]
Lessons From a Busy Junior Year
Today was my last day interning in communications and marketing at the National Women’s History Museum, and I’m truly thankful I’ve been able to combine my majors in business and history to do meaningful work this academic year. I almost can’t believe that nine months ago, I almost didn’t apply to this position because I […]
5 Things We Learned in Mini 3
With Mini 3 being over, it is time for the next installment of the “5 Things We Learned this Mini” in which I identify the most important lessons that other classmates and I took away from this Mini.
Unity and Allyship in Leadership
Being a student at Tepper has certainly been an adventure. I’ve learned so much, and met so many new people. I have had so many wonderful opportunities to apply what we are learning in class. This past January, I competed with a team in the Inaugural John Lewis Racial Case Study. I’ll admit I was […]
Life at Tepper Women in Business
Recently, we announced the Tepper Women in Business Leadership Conference 2021! I remember this time last year when I was equally invested and involved in the planning to this event in-person. I remember the year before that when I was looking at my aimed schools and the most pressing aspect that I would look at would […]
From Student to TA: Business Presentations
Very few people in this world are lucky enough to have someone who not only helps them develop on an academic level but on a personal level as well. For me in the Tepper School of Business, one of those people is Dr. Bevins. I had her for Business Communications and Business Presentations. On the […]
Coming back from a gap semester
My gap semester has finally come to an end. Although there have certainly been times where I was glad to have avoided Zoom University, I am beyond glad to be back in Pittsburgh. Normalcy seems to be returning (or, at least, the best that it can given current circumstances). I hoped that it would be safer […]
10 Things We Learned in Mini 1 and 2
It’s been a tough year, which makes the end of the year a great time to reflect. Join me as I am going to reflect on the 10 Things We Learned in Mini 1 and 2.
Why I pledged to give 1%
For me, donating has always been driven by a combination of guilt and impulse. When something happens in the news that breaks my heart and makes me feel helpless, or that IRC instagram ad pops up after I’ve had two glasses of wine. Those are the moments that have historically moved me to donate.
Trying Something Different
What do Joe Rogan and Dax Shepard all have in common? Oh thats right, they all host their own podcasts! Enter Bharath Kumar, Sanmoy Karmakar, and yours truly as we try our luck with our own podcast.
Learning My MBA
First mini-semester: complete. In less than two months, I learned how to apply the latest scientific research to manage a team, and I saw how businesses can use statistical analysis to make critical decisions with precision. When I imagined earning my MBA, I knew that I wanted an experience exactly like my first classes at […]
Halloweekend: Socially Distanced Edition
It’s been a minute since I posted here, Thanksgiving is already near. What an odd year it has been? Saying, “I’m okay.” with a grin. Halloween this year was an escape, I was Storm without the cape. Cat Woman overlooking downtown, Sabrina – hair platinum blonde instead of brown. Halloween is fun you see, Be […]
A not-so-virtual Access Weekend
One of the best parts of Tepper’s Part-Time MBA program is our (dare I say famous?) Access Weekends! Having an “online” program that still brings everyone together every ~2 months for in-person instruction and socializing is really the competitive advantage of the Tepper program, and a common factor in choosing the program over other online options.
A New Tartan into the Mix
I’m going to be fully transparent here, I am completely new to the blogging world. Would you look at that, I already forgot to introduce myself.
From Tree to Human: My Journey in Acting
Though I’m not in the School of Drama, I’ve starred in a wide range of theater productions. My resume features roles in Hamlet and As You Like It, adaptations of childhood favorites like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and more. Casting directors have been begging me for years to star in the new Batman movie, but I’m so committed to my Carnegie Mellon education that I’ve turned them all down.
Juggling and an Abridged Autobiography
My name is Patrick, and I am thinking about joining a circus. Why? Well, I just started my part-time online MBA at Tepper, which means constantly juggling responsibilities!
Didn’t Expect to Start My MBA So Soon
Hi! I’m Dev Chandra, and I didn’t expect to start my MBA so soon at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business, where I plan to learn more about entrepreneurship! I’m in the Part-Time Flex MBA program, Class of 2023! I am a Naval Officer, entrepreneur, and currently live in Arlington, VA.
print(‘Hello, World!’)
My name is Luke Miller, and I am a first year (Class 2023) student in the Part-Time Online Hybrid MBA program at Tepper. As I mentioned earlier, I am a software development engineer for Amazon, currently working on the Amazon FSx service in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) organization.
Gap semester antics (update 1)
A little over a month ago, I made a post here where I outlined my goals for my gap semester. Here we are more than a month later with an update: I’ll start with the most exciting update that I have: I became the Social Media Director for the app TurnUp, which has since launched. The […]
Hello from DC!
Hi there! I’m Jackie, a 20-year-old junior studying a word salad of programs—my primary major is business administration, but I have an additional major in social and political history and a minor in politics and public policy as well. I’m currently in DC interning part-time at the National Women’s History Museum while doing the Washington Semester Program through CMU’s Institute for Politics and Strategy.
Hello, World
Hello, world. My name is Sofia Eliseeva. I’m a first-year part-time MBA student at the Tepper School of Business. I was born in a tiny-yet-older-than-the-US city in Russia called Irkutsk. My parents immigrated with me in tow the summer of 2001. Somehow we were lucky enough to get our start in Maryland, and I spent […]
My first (virtual) case competition
One of the rights of passage of an MBA is participating in a case competition. Case competitions give you the opportunity to put the theoretical knowledge you’ve learned in the classroom to use! But as a part-time, virtual, or distant learner, it can be challenging to get the same experience.
New blogger, who dis?
My name is Katherine Marcan, but I go by Kat. I am 22-years-old, starting my first full-time position at Accenture in November while pursuing my MBA part-time at Tepper. I grew up in the Bay Area, California, but have lived in Pittsburgh since 2016 when I started my undergrad at CMU. I graduated in May 2020 […]
Recruiting while Working while Going to School
I often joke that I don’t know what “hobbies” are now that I’m in school part-time while working full time. Of course that’s not completely true, I’ll always find time to go hiking and to scope out the newest gelato store in San Diego where I currently live, but it’s true that there are less free hours in the day. Which is why, it’s daunting for many part-time students to think about setting aside any time or mental capacity for recruiting, when they are already balancing work and school (and keeping alive children or pets).
Meet the Blogger: Old-School Edition
The earlier days of YouTube aren’t “old school,” but it feels miles away from what it is now. One of the styles of videos that I loved to watch then was part of the “50 Facts About Me” tag, where content creators would share fifty random facts about them. Given our new family of bloggers […]
Peek-a-boo! New Blogger Saying Hello!
Nandita JayaThe past year has been an amazing ride, with Tepper, and with the happy fall and spring breaks when I explored the sunrises, the sunsets, the mountains and the rivers – in this new country. Some things change, everything else remains! <3
Navigating the “New Normal”: Making the Most of an Unusual Summer
In 2020, finding an aspect of life that was not significantly affected is far more difficult than finding a needle in a haystack — with higher education and summer jobs no exception to this trend. As the pandemic forced countries to shut down, college students flocked home to live out their spring semesters and summers.
Embracing Uncertainty: Deciding the Path to Success
On the eve of our first access weekend, I gathered my newly purchased school supplies, charged my laptop, looked in the mirror and thought to myself, “What on earth am I doing?”
Things I wish I knew before changing my major
I never expected changing my major to be a magic cure. Still, I was both too hopeful and too cynical about my life. There’s a good reason the saying “experience is the best teacher” has lingered. Chances are, these words may go in one ear and out the other if my past self heard them. […]
Open letter to prospective freshmen
Dear freshman, Congratulations on completing high school. You came, you saw, you conquered. You don’t need another elegy about how these (wait for it) uncertain times halted a normal high school career as you knew it. But you better believe that I’m proud of you. And I feel confident in speaking on behalf of the […]
Setbacks and victories in my internship (thus far)
You might be thinking that it’s too soon for an update from my last blog post here. Perhaps you have a point; it’s been only a week since I last posted on Tepper’s blog and started my internship with TurnUp Activism. But already, I’ve gathered some thoughts that I hope are worth sharing. So what exactly […]
Gap semester antics: the prequel
I recently made a blog post here saying that I would be taking a leave of absence this fall. There’s a bit of time until the leave actually begins, but I’ve begun to take on projects and establish a plan for the semester: Webtoons In the spirit of saving the best for last, let’s start with […]
Taking a semester off: what now?
You would be hard-pressed to find someone whose summer is looking anything remotely like how they had anticipated. And I’m certainly no exception. I hoped to end my last summer in college with a bang and maybe get my foot in the door for the workforce. But that didn’t quite pan out. Last summer, I […]
Reflection of a PT MBA Student: When times are uncertain…
“Reflection of a PT Student: When times are uncertain…” In the middle of another virtual access weekend Sitting in a “Success is not a Solo Sport” session with my boyfriend Personal relationships have been put under extreme stress tests Living in Downtown, being afraid of the protests Being initially confused of “white privilege” and […]
Business and Society – An Interconnected World
Tepper prides itself on offering its students a holistic business education, one that is at the forefront of innovation. I am lucky enough to attend a business school that is truly interdisciplinary and intertwines aspects of business, technology, and society into its analytical approach to problem solving.
A Short Poem: What’s the Goal?
“To-Do Lists” A to-do list here, a grocery list there, Focused on nutrition and skin care. Enjoying classes on Monday and Wednesday, Frankly looking forward to each Friday. From eating out almost daily to becoming Chef Nancy, Wearing leggings, slippers, feeling a little less fancy. Yet productivity isn’t slowing down for me, Management Presentations, Corporate […]
Summer Plans Amidst Covid-19
Culture Trip2020 – what a year it has been so far. Unlike the Roaring Twenties, a hundred years ago, which is defined as a decade of economic growth and prosperity largely driven by wartime recovery, we are starting the 20s of this century off with great uncertainty.
The CMU Spirit Is Still There
As we wrap up the semester, I want to take a moment to reflect on the past few months.
Hello from British Columbia!
Tourism VancouverMy name is Sonali Gupta and I am a rising senior in the undergraduate business program at Carnegie Mellon. I’m majoring in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Business Technology and I’m minoring in Global Systems and Management.
Short Poems: Remote Work + Virtual Access Weekend Reflections
“Virtual Access Weekend” No snacks enjoyed with numerous laughs*, Final taken apart, lots of R code and graphs. Yet seeing everyone’s faces brings cheer, Loved the Tepper glass for my beer**. The Tepper staff is undeniably caring, They listen so feedback is worth sharing. I taught my first virtual yoga class today, Not surprised, Tepper […]
Transitioning to Online School
When I first heard the news that CMU was transitioning to online classes to prevent the spread of coronavirus, I wasn’t sure what to think. On the one hand, I was surprised and impressed by CMU’s ability to quickly adapt to a novel situation. Transforming every college class into its online counterpart is a monumental […]
Welcome to the Online Learning Format
In the midst of an unprecedented crisis, many schools and their students are switching to the online format. School administrators have recognized online learning as a practical way to responsibly diminish risk while delivering an interactive education to students. What is online learning? How does it differ? Are there advantages? What are the drawbacks? I’d […]
Plan with Me – Constrained Optimization
My father, an economist, loves to remind me about constrained optimization. His semantics may resonate more with a niche population. But the idea behind it isn’t: do your best given your circumstances. Needless to say, our current circumstances are… less than optimal. We all want a light at the end of the tunnel. Answers. Some […]
Plan with Me: Week 4
Raise your hand if your “new semester, new me” energy has fizzled out. Much like many of you, I’m also raising both my arms like I’m an amusement ride fanatic anticipating a massive roller coast drop. I’m still, surprisingly, keeping up with my planner. It actually gives me a moment to recharge every week and […]
Plan with Me: Week 3
I used to be a hardcore paper planner user. In high school, my planner was basically my third hand and ready to jot down a new deadline or appointment. Somewhere along the way, I started telling myself “I don’t need to jot it down; I’ll remember!” (cue Morgan Freeman narrating: “she did not remember.”) This […]
The college race
We live in a guideline-driven world. It makes sense. We’re constrained by our information processing capabilities, our time, and our energy. Tools like hard-and-fast rules help us make decisions efficiently. They give us a sense of structure in an otherwise unmanageable sea of chaos. They exist for a good-enough reason: they highlight a general trend […]
Admissions Blog: Interviews
Happy New Year everybody! We MBAs still have some time left before we head back to campus for Mini 3, so I’m stepping in again with another application tips post! As with previous posts, I’ll share a few tips from first-year MBA students on the MBA Admissions blog. In this last post of the series, […]
Looking Back at My First Semester
I know this might sound cliché, but in my experience, time passes by pretty quickly. I remember in high school, I used to look back on previous terms and think to myself, “Wow, was that really three months? It felt more like three weeks.” The strange thing is, I can’t say the same thing about […]
Admissions Blog: Resume and Recommendations
The end of the year is always such a great opportunity to look back at everything we’ve accomplished. It’s amazing how different I feel from when I was applying to Tepper two years ago. I remember having to put together all of my credentials to submit to Tepper as so many prospective students are doing […]
Admissions Blog: Writing Your Essays
The holidays are already upon us! While MBAs travel away from campus for holiday celebrations, the MBA Admissions blog has some advice from first-year MBA students on how to put together your MBA application. This time, they cover the application essays. Tepper requires one essay about how you’ll contribute to the community, and allows for […]
Admissions Blog: Application Tips
Whew! Another mini almost done. Most of us MBAs are deep in study for finals, so we’re definitely looking forward to a couple weeks off from classes. With classes and club activities ending, there’s not a lot to say on this blog. Fortunately, the Admissions office has got us covered for content! They run a […]
Intensive Outpatient + School
“I know this seems like a scary commitment, but you need this.” I let the words sink in: I needed to dedicate 10.5 hours every week to an intensive outpatient program (IOP). Basically, my therapist wedged me between weekly therapy and hospitalization. Was I happy with myself? No. But routine comforted me. I felt like […]
Tepper Autumn Acoustic Cafe
As the leaves change color outside and Thanksgiving break approaches us, the Carnegie Mellon community is bringing out their holiday spirit. On Wednesday, the Tepper School of Business set up a cozy Autumn Acoustic Cafe in the Undergraduate Commons area.
Diwali @ Tepper
This past Saturday held the biggest event presented each year by South Asian Business Association (SABA) — Diwali. The event is hosted by three first year emcees and consists of great Indian food, fashion show, Bollywood and Bhangra dances by your classmates, and lots of fun! Everyone dresses up in traditional Indian clothing and just […]
Graduate Entrepreneurship Club
Tons of people think they can become an entrepreneur one day. However, people are often hit with the reality that it takes a lot more than they expected. Tepper’s Graduate Entrepreneurship Club offers students the first-hand knowledge and skills for becoming an entrepreneur. From pitching to finding an investor, the club trains you in building […]
Applying MBA Skills on the Job
Tepper’s Online / Flex programs offer career-oriented students the opportunity to earn a top-tier MBA while advancing their career. The combination of work and school allows students to apply technical and managerial skills on the job, putting to use class concepts to solve real problems using real data. Even before starting the MBA, I knew […]
Fall Break – 24 Hours in Canada
As Anita alluded in her blog about Chicago, fall break as a second year is a much more relaxing experience. I had grand plans of taking advantage being so close to Canada to drive through Ontario to Quebec and back. But as fate would have it, the last week of Mini 1 I caught the […]
Alpha Asset Management Club
One of the best parts of getting your MBA is that there are so many different paths you can take in your career. At Tepper, we have lots of clubs devoted to helping students realize what they’re interested in and hone in on their desired career route after graduation. The Alpha Asset Management Club is […]
Fall Break – Chicago Highlights
As a second year, life is a lot easier when it comes to fall break. First years go on career treks to visit companies, which, isn’t really a break if you think about the early mornings, presentations you have to sit through, and the happy hours after a long day. It was exhausting (but valuable)! […]
Interview with Professor Routledge
This year, Carnegie Mellon University launched a new undergraduate business class called “Business Science”. A required class for first-year Tepper students, the course focuses on studying business through three distinct lenses: economics, operations research, and organizational behavior. I interviewed Professor Routledge, who teaches the class, about his new course. Where did the idea for […]
Tepper Games
Need a break from studying and coursework? Look no further. Tepper Games club is here to meet all your entertainment needs. From video games to board games, Tepper Games is all about having a bit of entertainment and competition. Take a look at how this club is all fun and games: Game On What they […]
180 Degrees Consulting: Tepper’s Revived Pro Bono Consulting Group
180 Degrees Consulting is a national organization that serves to advance student consulting experience while benefitting local nonprofit organizations. Prior to this year, 180 DC at CMU existed, but then fizzled out due to a myriad of factors. Fortunately for the CMU community, a new president is spearheading the effort to revive the organization into […]
Healthcare Club
Some people see healthcare as a field just for medical professionals — doctors, nurses, surgeons, etc. However, that isn’t exactly true. The healthcare field uses business professionals to help them run their hospitals, insurance systems, healthcare systems, medical technologies, and so on. Tepper knows this, and has an MBA club dedicated to the industry: The […]
Finding my heart in the work
“Why would you change your major in your senior year?” That’s the first question I hear when I tell people about my major, but I can’t blame them. It’s odd. I was so close to getting my B.S., so why would I be switching right in front of the finish line? The answer is quite simple, […]
My Journey to Tepper
When I was growing up, I never thought I would go into business. Both my parents worked in the finance industry, and I would constantly overhear phrases like “fiscal quarters” and “Sarbanes-Oxley”. I’d ask them what these obscure phrases meant, and they’d smile and try their best to explain how these terms fit into the […]
Illenium @ Pittsburgh Stage AE
For those of you who think that Pittsburgh’s too small of a city for artists/DJs to perform, think again! There has been a growing EDM scene in Pittsburgh the past two years. Granted the scale doesn’t compare to the ones in California (where I’m from), but hey, we get to see our favorite artists with […]
Data Analytics Club
Give me the numbers! Data analytics is a big field, a necessity for every industry. It’s how higher-ups make important decisions. It’s the proof behind the pudding. The Data Analytics Club offers a way for MBA students to practice data analysis. This gives MBA students some real-world experience and knowledge of one of the most […]
My (Somewhat) Brief Introduction
Welcome to my first blog post! I’m Jonny, and I’m a freshman at the Tepper School of Business. I chose to major in business partly because I know a lot about economics, partly because I’m interested in finding jobs with high salaries, and mostly because I’m fascinated with how businesses run their operations and maximize […]
Basketball Club
NBA or MBA: Two different acronyms, but they actually have one thing in common — basketball. Tepper has tons of clubs for MBA students to join. Some are all business, others are all hoops. The Basketball Club is more so the latter. Let’s explore a little about what makes this club a slam dunk! Warm […]
Internship With Industrial Scientific
“I want you to help me solve this business problem over the summer, but let me warn you this is a tough problem to solve.” My manager, Nick Bernini, Director of Analytics, said that to me as he gave me the details of my internship project on day one. This summer, I worked with Industrial […]
Dear CMU Class of 2023…
In the spirit of the first Orientation not in a brightly colored shirt welcoming first years but as an alum, I thought I’d write an open letter to the Carnegie Mellon University Class of 2023 sharing some words of advice and reflection of my four years at CMU. I know how many speeches, welcoming messages, […]
STARS Club
Sometimes the stars align just right. In this case, your love of space and rocket ships can coincide with your MBA degree, turning interests into a career. The STARS club at Tepper can do just this. The club’s name stands for Students at Tepper for Astronautics, Rockets, and Space. They love outer space and working […]
Internship at BGC Partners
During my freshman year, I looked for internships to apply what I had learned and gain real-life experience in the workforce. Luckily, I received an offer from BGC Partners, a leading financial services company and readily accepted it.
Painting the Fence: A CMU Tradition
When it comes to campus traditions, Carnegie Mellon has its fair share. From Scottish kilts to Underground pipes, the campus is brimming with history, albeit relatively esoteric to its students. One such tradition, the Fence, holds a place in the Guinness Book and in the hearts of the students.
Pro Bono Consulting Club
Hitting the books is an important part of becoming knowledgeable on a subject. But nothing beats putting what you learn into practice, especially for the good of others! The Pro Bono Consulting Club here at Tepper does just that. Check out what makes this MBA club special and what exactly they do: Quick Facts They […]
Summer Internship @ Genentech
Hello past/current/future/potential Tepperonians, I’ve volunteered to become a Tepper blogger for several reasons a) I love to write about my experiences and opinions. This is evident in my years of Yelp Elite status where I’ve written over 300 reviews on the platform. b) I had a great internship experience and would love to share it […]
Reflections from Half of a Google Internship
The Google internship recruiting process is notoriously opaque.
The Product Manager Internship – Expectations vs Reality
This summer I was fortunate enough to enjoy an internship in one of the top rising MBA careers – Product Management at a Tech firm. I had a great experience that exceeded all of my expectations of what an internship might be and thought some things would be worth sharing, especially if it helps any prospective MBA product managers out there.
Tepper Golf Club
Get in, we’re going golfing! At Tepper, there are many clubs for MBA students to gather and do something that aligns with their interests, both in and out of the classroom. (That includes hitting the links.) Time to check out what Tepper Golf Club is all about! What to Expect Their goal is “to help […]
South Asian Business Association
Getting your MBA is some hard, hard work. We know this. But while you’re here, you should have a little fun too! Tepper has tons of clubs for MBA students to join communities with similar passions, interests, backgrounds, and experiences. The opportunities are endless! Let’s take a quick dive into a club all about diversity, […]
Getting summer under my wing
Picture this: it’s April, and you’re a junior. While your friends seem to all have summer plans lined up, you’re scrambling for an internship while trying to finish your second to last year of undergrad strong. If you’re me, you don’t need to imagine. That was my spring semester until I got a message on […]
Free things to do in Pittsburgh this summer
Whether you’re staying in Pittsburgh over the summer for conducting research, to do a summer semester, to work or just to explore the city, there are tonnes of things you can do, even when you’re on a budget. Here’s a list of free things you could do in the ‘Burgh this summer
Last post as a CMU undergrad/First post as CMU alum
“I wish there was a way to know you were in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.” That’s a quote from the season finale of the Office when Andy Bernard, one of the characters, shares his reflections about his time at the company, Dunder Mifflin. For him, he shares that throughout his […]
Two Quick Updates! Special Olympics and Last Day of Classes
Last weekend was the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania (SOPA) Western Spring Sectional.
Multicultural Pittsburgh 360 VR Screenings!
Below are pictures from Tuesday’s screenings at the Kenner Global Languages and Cultures Room of the final videos for the 82-284 Multicultural Pittsburgh class. Feel free to stop by the room when it’s available and the desk attendant and/or Prof. Caspar himself can help get you on the headsets!
Tepper Takes Tokyo!
Over Spring Break, almost 40 Tepper students and partners had the incredible opportunity to explore the wonderful country of Japan!
TEDxCMU 2019 Conference
A few weeks ago, TEDxCMU had their annual conference on campus. Current students, professors, alumni, and innovators from around the country were invited to give TEDx talks. This year’s theme was Ripple Effect: speakers shared their latest ideas whose impacts could possibly propagate and impact people around the world. The TEDxCMU board had the opportunity […]
Recovering while being a student
This past Saturday, Pittsburgh had its seventh annual National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) walk. This was my second time attending, and I got to see my Internet friend whom I have had the privilege of getting to know for the past two years. However, this year I have been more vocal about my attendance and […]
[TepperCares] National Volunteer Month
April is the National Volunteer Month and as the new TepperCares president I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight a few of my classmates that make Tepper more than just a business school. Representing 32 countries, my MBA classmates bring so much diversity to our community. Being informed about world issues, especially as business […]
Selecting the *Right* MBA [PTOH style]
How should you go about selecting the *right* graduate MBA program? The skills learned during an MBA are necessarily important, but the experiences obtained and the network developed can be even more influential to shape career opportunities and open doors. From an intellectual perspective, my selection process was surprisingly clear; I was unwilling to put […]
ELebration 2019
About two weeks ago, 80 first-years and 11 upperclass mentors gathered once again over food, fun and festivities. The occasion? To celebrate the 11 different projects and lessons learned that happened over the past six weeks. With focus areas ranging from income inequality to sustainability, the projects showcased both direct and indirect service, on and […]
De-stressing Activities for Midterm Season
Midterm season can be a stressful time, but more often than not it can actually be more beneficial to take a break every now and then than to keep working through the entire time. Some of my go-to de-stressing activities at CMU include: Going for a run or walk in Schenley Park and the surrounding […]
Spring Semester > Fall Semester
For me, the spring semester is always more exciting than the fall semester! Why?…
Mentorship
At CMU, my advisor, Rubab Jafry O’Connor, takes on the roles of an academic coach, life coach, career mentor, and teacher. With cultural overlap, we share similar drive, mindsets, health-consciousness, and humor, and I’ve found both meaningful critique and praise in our discussions while feeling a sense of equality and mutual respect. Over the […]
Nine Weeks Left
As I drove back to school at the end of spring break, I began to reflect on my college career. With nine weeks left, what can I still do to get the most out of my remaining days here at Carnegie Mellon University?
Concert-going: seeing Watsky
This past Monday, I went with my freshman-year Community Advisor and a friend I met through The Tartan to see Watsky. I’ve been a huge fan since freshman year when I heard him appear on The Hamilton Mixtape. x Infinity had released just a few months before, so I immediately jumped to that and fell in […]
My Leadership Journey
The Leadership Program Here at Tepper, you realize that your MBA journey is coming to an end when you receive the email from the Accelerate Leadership Center that is time to schedule your Leadership Journey Presentation. This is the final requirement an MBA student at Tepper must take to receive the leadership certification. To understand […]
How My Unconventional Background Brought Me to Tepper
“Have you ever even worked in an office before?” the interviewer asked me. My jaw was on the floor. I had prepared for every possible question for this business school interview. I could tell my interviewer a time I demonstrated leadership and teamwork, learned from failure, and solved a challenging problem. I spent months […]
Road Trip to Philly
One of the reasons I was excited to go to school in Pittsburgh is its accessibility to surrounding cities. I’ve never been to Philadelphia and when I found out that my favorite artist, whom I have been following for two years, was coming there with a concert, it was a good reason to visit! I’ll […]
Meet Stephan Caspar and the Askwith Kenner Room!
It’s hard to imagine that it’s almost half a year since the Tepper Quad officially opened its doors and started a new chapter in Carnegie Mellon University and the Tepper School’s history. With the focus of providing a space for further collaboration and top-tiered business education, the Tepper Quad has certainly been at the center […]
Tips for COD & TTO Students
Last month, I had the exciting opportunity to host two students for Celebration of Diversity Weekend. When I was a prospective student, I also visited CMU through these weekend programs, which they have at several times throughout the year. I was able to tour the campus, talk to faculty and students, attend a class, live in […]
Lessons I’ve learned from being in an LDR in college
Being a college student is hard. Being in a long-distance relationship (LDR) is hard. Put them together and sometimes the combined pressure feels intense. Making such a commitment isn’t for everybody, and these lessons aren’t ones that can only come from being in an LDR. However, I feel as though this experience was needed for […]
Participating in my first hackathon as a senior Economics student
407 students. 6 colleges. 74 projects. 24 hours. Welcome to TartanHacks. This past weekend, CMU ScottyLabs hosted TartanHacks – one of CMU’s largest hackathons. ScottyLabs is a club on-campus devoted to helping students learn about and explore interesting topics in technology. They organize educational events, workshops, community activities, as well as TartanHacks throughout the year. […]
Quantathon 2019
The Quant Club at CMU holds an annual competition sponsored by Goldman Sachs called the Quantathon. As an aspiring computational finance student, I participated in the Quantathon this year with my friends Kunal Rajani (TSB ’22) and Vivek Rao (TSB ’21).
Starting a New Tepper MBA Tradition – 100 Night Party!
This past Thursday was a major milestone for the Class of 2019 – it was the beginning of the end of our time at Tepper – 100 nights before graduation. Before my time as the Graduate Business Association’s (GBA) Vice President came to an end in mid-January, I planned a 100 Nights Party to commemorate […]
Hackathon Global Challenges Competition
Last week (Feb. 1-2), I participated in my first-ever hackathon-style competition. Am I a bit late to the game? Sure. It seems like everyone in this university popped out of the womb as hackathon stars and fluent in three coding languages. However, it took a bit of time for Tepper to announce their take on […]
Carnegie Leadership Week
“Carnegie Leadership Week”- a full week where you can grow as a leader, meet with your community, and learn from the experiences of alumni and peer. Cherry on top: free food, friends and loads of fun!
How to survive MBA internship recruitment season
Mini 3 at Tepper is, famously, a hectic time for first-year MBA students. January thru March is peak recruiting season for summer MBA internships. Coming off the heels of a long and relaxing winter break, it can feel a little jarring to be thrust back into balancing classes, interviews, and club activities (not to mention […]
Tepper Cross Cultural Potluck
My afternoon started with me & my friend assembling all the ingredients that we would require to make ‘Gulab Jamun’ – a sweet Indian delicacy – for the Tepper Cross Cultural Potluck hosted by South Asian Business Association(SABA). Halfway through, we thought it was going to be a disaster but we kept going. The dish […]
Activities Spotlight: Smart Woman Securities and Women in Business
One of the most important parts of college, melding together academics and student life, is the clubs you join during your time there. Whether it be a club sport (from running to badminton to fencing to table tennis), a cultural affinity club (from ASA to SALSA to SPIRIT), a common interest club (from parkour to […]
Stationery and productivity favorites of a visual learner
This post is not sponsored; I just really love these stationery products mentioned and would recommend to anyone who shares sentiments that I express in this post! I’m a visual learner. Techniques like color-coding, drawing diagrams, and being shown graphs help me cement information into place. Therefore, throughout high school and college, I have found […]
First Semester Tips for Success
Amidst the cold, snowy winter and the numerous welcome back events designed to divert and distract from this harsh January weather, a new semester has started at CMU. Along with it, of course, is the fact that all 1,572 of my fellow freshman and I have now officially got an entire semester of college under […]
Serendipity: Learning More from a Day off than from Class
Today, I stopped by a former professor’s office to ask if he wanted to meet for coffee. Immediately, he responded affirmatively, and we spent the next half hour enjoying the caffeinated warmth, which combatted the numbing cold outside. I’d intended to meet with him and a few professors since last spring, but I hadn’t reached […]
[B&T Club] January Seattle Trek (and lots of photos)
❄ Arctic temperatures in Pittsburgh and no lectures for the day means I get to catch up on recruiting, homework, and of course – blogging. ❄ You may have read my classmate’s, David Baars, blog about the Business & Technology club (B&T) trek to Silicon Valley (if you haven’t, you can find it here) back in the fall […]
Getting un-stuck from a rut
We’ve all been there: we get stuck in our ways and everything seems uninspiring, important, and insignificant. Despite going to a college that loves saying “my heart is in the work,” I fall into a rut all too often. At least for me, it often boils down to feeling like I’m re-living the same day […]
Virtual Classroom Experience: When In Doubt, Try It Out!
There’s no better way to learn about an MBA class than to participate in one. You can attend an online class or meet current Tepper students over lunch during an Access Weekend. Come visit us!
New semester, new opportunities for cliches.
Although we’re three weeks into 2019, I still have a bit of “new year new me” spirit left in me. Maybe it’s because it’s syllabus week (as if such a thing exists at CMU). Maybe it’s Maybelline. In high school, I was much more organized. That fell off the tracks in college, especially last semester. […]
#10YearChallenge
There is a new social media hashtag going around that you might be familiar with: #10YearChallenge. As a Tepper student with a marketing concentration, we could spend time pondering about the virality of this and the implications on marketers and data miners. But, that’s not what this post is going to be about. 2009 – […]
1st Annual Gingerbread House Making Contest RECAP!
Winter break is over and school is about to start up very soon! But before the first day of spring semester I wanted to highlight the annual gingerbread house contest that was held back in December.
Learning is everywhere!
Learning outside of class via activities and events is as important as the learning we get within the four walls of our classrooms – something I learned during my Sophomore fall !
Introducing Tepper’s 2019 PTOH GBA Leadership!
Part-Time Online Hybrid students held elections for the PTOH Graduate Business Associate (GBA) representatives. Specifically, PTOH representation on the GBA, Tepper’s student government body, helps to enhance the unique PTOH student experience. The PTOH GBA President is the Part-Time Executive Officer to the GBA Executive Board which represents all CMU MBA and MSCF students. Also, […]
The questions I wish I asked about MBA programs
This past year at this time, I was sitting in my favorite cafe on Capitol Hill in Seattle putting the final touches on my applications for business school. I don’t recall thinking at the time that I’d be trading in Seattle’s grey and drizzle for Pittsburgh’s grey and snow flurries. However, I do remember thinking: […]
Perspective (web comic)
For a final project for a class, I was instructed to give a ~ 5-minute inspirational speech for upcoming freshmen. I reflected upon this incident from elementary school and how the meaning hit me almost a decade later. After giving that presentation, I felt inspired to turn it into a webcomic.
Product Management Capstone | Classroom to Conference Room
The MSPM program has a strong focus on developing practical skills, not just reading theory from textbooks. We intern as Product Managers in the summer, but the semester long capstone project provides a second opportunity to hone the skills we have been learning all year.
Introducing Tepper’s 2019 MBA Student Leadership!
Tepper’s MBA program held elections for the new President and Vice President of the Graduate Business Association (GBA) last month. The GBA, Tepper’s student government body, has the mission to enhance the student experience at Tepper while fostering the program’s unique culture. As the outgoing GBA VP, it was my final duty to run the […]
Freshmen vs. Finals
Finals.
Never has a single word been capable of frightening so many students across the nation, but a particular group are more terrified of this word than anyone else: freshmen.
Summer Internship: General Mills Associate Marketing Manager
In the blink of an eye, time has passed from the dewy mornings of May to the chilly rains and early snows of November. In between, I spent ten weeks at General Mills thinking a lot about business, brands, and… tacos!
7 Things To Do In Pittsburgh Over The Holidays
I have only been in Pittsburgh for 4 months, but this is now my home! I stayed in the city during the Thanksgiving break and explored my new home. If you’re staying “home” for the holidays, or have family visiting during the next few weeks, below I put together a friendly list of (some) things […]
Going Home For The Holidays
The funny thing about the universe is that sometimes, just sometimes, you get exactly what you want right when you need it the most. As many a first-year collegiette can probably relate, what I had been longing for more than anything during all of last week was to come home to a lovingly cooked meal, […]
A Change in my Hard Stance of Soft Skills
In high school, I believed that I needed to attend the college that would teach me the most, the one that would provide me with the material necessary for whatever career path I chose. Similarly, I used to dismiss soft skills, believing that those who believed in such strengths could only pretend to accomplish work […]
Destigmatizing “Business”
When one typically thinks of an undergraduate “business school,” several images often come to mind. Perhaps most common of all is the vision that all business students walk around wearing suits all day, keeping their business cards on hand, and, as one poster in Carnegie Mellon’s Overheard meme page so eloquently put it, preparing to […]
Pittsburgh LIGHTS UP for the holidays
Pittsburgh kicked off the holiday season this past Friday with the 58th annual Light Up Night. For those unfamiliar, Light Up Night is one of the largest and most popular events around the holiday season in Pittsburgh. It is a time of coming together as the greater Pittsburgh population gathers in Downtown where there are […]
1st Annual Ginger Bread House Making Contest
Hold onto your seats because the Tepper Staff Committee is hosting its first annual Gingerbread House Making Contest!
Note to Future Self: BaseCamp
Dear Future Self, You applied to an MBA program, got into your first choice school, but before actually going and starting classes it all seemed surreal. August 22nd came around, and BAM, it hit you; you’re now balancing all of your former responsibilities plus an intensive, remote, and collaborative graduate MBA degree. Now a bit more […]
How my heart turned blue
When I came to CMU, I heard about this class, 15-112: Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science. Infamous for its workload and the stress it generated, I believed that I would never take the class, even though it also enjoyed the title of one of the most useful classes in the University. Eventually, after nearly […]
Exploring the Running Scene in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is a city known for a lot of unique things: the ubiquitous bridges, the underappreciated inclusion of French fries on sandwiches and salads, and one of the most beautiful skylines in the United States. But did you know that Pittsburgh also has a vibrant running scene?
My fall break in Silicon Valley
First-year Tepper MBA’s have the option to go on nationwide recruiting treks during the fall break between mini 1 and 2. Learn about the Business & Technology Club’s fall trek to Silicon Valley. My first mini at Tepper felt like a whirlwind. One of my challenges at the start of business school was learning to […]
Product Manager Interview Workshop | Lewis Lin Visits Tepper
At 8am on a Sunday morning, the Tepper Simmons auditorium was full of aspiring product managers to hear Lewis Lin. Lin has a strong following from his successful interview technique books, especially The Product Manager Interview which is regarding as a kind of PM bible for getting a job in Silicon Valley as a PM.
Finding helpers
Like many people who grew up in the States, I grew up watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Although I do not have clear memories of specific episodes, I remember the calmness and serenity of his voice and his neighborhood. This past August, I learned that the WQED station near my residence was where my childhood show […]
Diversity Weekend (+Pittsburghaversary)
Last weekend was the Diversity Weekend at Tepper. My favorite event! Exactly a year earlier, I was an attendee still not sure whether an MBA was right for me. A Tepper student guided me through school during the Friday social event; Dean Dammon presented during the dinner on Saturday; and Leanne Meyer and Jarred Lazear provided […]
Be Well @ Tepper
Let’s face it – a full time MBA at Tepper is a lot of work! Balancing classes, homework, recruiting work, networking events and case competitions takes a toll on you. However, Tepper also knows how to take care of you! The Graduate Business Association – Tepper’s administrative student body – recently hosted an entire week […]
Tepper PhD Student Webpages!
We’re happy to announce that a new page has been added to the Tepper School site with links to profiles to all current PhD students: https://www.cmu.edu/…/p…/program/student-profiles/index.html We are still inputting information as we receive it, and will be adding more profile photos also, as received.
2018 Ph.D. Student Hallo-Wine
One of the Tepper Ph.D. students’ more recent traditions: Hallo-Wine! Combining Halloween hijinx with wine tasting. Tons of fun and some great costumes this year too!
Take Care of Your Body!
As the winter begins to brew, many students across campus are beginning to get sick. The cold weather isn’t the reason though! Although many people think the cold is the prime influence, the cold just allows germs to thrive and replicate in that environment. That is why it is very important to bundle up, get vaccinated, and eat right.
Town Hall with Dean Dammon: undergraduate Tepper comes together
It’s crazy how fast time flies by, and especially how it flies by while campus gets preoccupied by classes, extracurriculars, and socializing. It’s already been a week since Pittsburgh was struck by the tragic act of hate claiming 11 beautiful lives. While the many in the community are still taking things in, it was really […]
Getting a Taste of MBA Life – Saturday Eats In the Strip District
It’s not a secret. Pittsburgh is an incredible food town. Crowned Zagat’s top food of 2015, I was excited to see what Pittsburgh had to offer. It did not disappoint.
Fall Break: Business Lessons from Paris!
Tepper students enjoyed Fall Break over the past two weeks. Last year – as a first-year student – I spent Fall Break attending the Healthcare Trek. During this week-long experience we visited over 10 East Coast companies to learn about their culture, work, and MBA positions. This year, after Mini 1 finals, our current first […]
From Part-time to Full-time
There are not many programs like the Tepper MBA that allow you to switch almost seamlessly between both part-time and full-time versions of the program, a feature (if you will) that I benefited from just a few months ago. My MBA journey started as a part-time student. I spent two years giving up some evenings […]
Tepper School Offers Hope During a Hopeless Time
It was a regular Saturday morning in Pittsburgh. Students were making their way across each of the city’s campuses, laughing and talking with their friends, planning what they would be wearing for the Halloween parties coming up.
CMU At Night: A Campus of Lights
There’s nothing quite like walking back to your dorm room after a late night lecture, study session, or review session that makes you feel like you’ve really, truly made it to college. And there’s nothing quite like walking across the Randy Pausch Bridge after dark that makes you feel like you’ve really, truly made it […]
Homesick? CMU Has the Solution for You!
In the first few months of their college experience, college freshmen experience a lot of change and freedom. For example, they live with friends, do everything by themselves, and escape their helicopter parents that are worried at home.
Working in a Virtual World
Current Tepper PTOH students discuss what it’s really like in Tepper’s virtual collaboration environment.
Coming Out Stories, a Celebration of LGBT Journeys at Tepper
When you think of October, perhaps you think about the arrival of fall, the superfluity of pumpkin flavored foods, or the thrill of Halloween. There’s more to October than that, though; it also happens to be LGBT History Month, and, on October 11, National Coming Out day. These more serious topics are celebrated by Tepper MBAs in a yearly event called Coming Out Stories.
Find Your Oasis
When people told me that I would be busy during my MBA, my general response was, “Yeah, sure.” I mean, how bad could it be? I’ve been working for seven years on community outreach projects at an oil and gas services company in Houston. Many of my projects required me to be at events during […]
Coming out as an LGBT MBA
First and second-year Tepper students recently attended the Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) conference in Minneapolis. One student reflects on the power of LGBT spaces in MBA programs. On October 11, 2018, the LGBT community will mark the 30th anniversary of National Coming Out Day. While there have been some significant improvements in how LGBT people […]
What’s Really Different About College
“Transitioning,” “adjusting,” “change”: much like the buzzwords “holistic” and “midterms,” “making the transition to college” is one of those phrases that brings along with it a lot more stress than it actually should. Contrary to my own expectations heading into my freshman year at CMU, I did not spend my first few days wandering around […]
My National Black Experience
Hello everyone. I am Kshitija Deshpande – First year MBA at Tepper. I am from Mumbai, India.
Every year, the National Black Association hosts a conference and a career expo for MBA students for internship and full-time opportunities. While there were many of us from Tepper – both first and second year – I was one of the international first-year students who decided to brave the rapid waters of National Black Conference in Detroit, Michigan. It was held at the Cobo Center in Downtown Detroit.