MBA + MS Design Innovation (MMM Program)at the McCORMICK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING and KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

Why did you choose MMM?

I grew up one hour south of Yosemite National Park, and three hours from the nearest Costco, Target, Walmart and Home Depot. A company like Amazon quite literally changed my family’s life! Going to college in the San Francisco Bay Area I realized that there were people behind the products I loved so much and because of this, much of my early career focused on the intersection of business and technology. When thinking about going back to school and taking the next step in my career, developing a skillset across both disciplines was important to me. The MMM program stood out in its complementary curriculum between the Kellogg School of Management and McCormick School of Engineering. Coursework here offered a true blend of creative and analytical thinking while also being able to gain hands-on experience working with industry leaders and peers with diverse backgrounds.

What is life like as a MMM student?

 If you can dream it you can do it! No week looks just like the next as an MMM student. A typical week might include working as a team to solve a real-world business challenge for a domestic airline, attending talks on campus from alumni and guest speakers, commuting to downtown Chicago for a Private Equity Lab internship and going to a workout class with fellow Kellogg students. Each day blends a combination of academic, recruiting, social and solo activities, and really feels like a “choose your own adventure” within the broader Northwestern and Chicago ecosystem. The Kellogg Global Hub and the Ford Building are buzzing during ‘working hours’ but MMMs can also be found studying in coffee shops, walking or jogging along the lakefill, and enjoying sporting events or live music downtown. 

What have you loved about your MMM experience?

My MMM experience has undeniably been shaped by the people and the shared experiences we’ve created together. There are an infinite number of memories that come to mind, but some of my favorites include: attending the famous Chicago architecture tour in the pouring rain, experiencing a Cubs game at Wrigley Field over the 4th of July weekend, camping in the Upper Peninsula, analyzing a company’s intellectual property strategy for a project in Appropriability by Design class and having it make front page news two months later, hosting and attending small group dinners, and watching sunsets at Clark Street Beach. 

MMMs are curious, kind, genuine, and empathetic. These qualities have lent themselves to creating one of the most supportive and friendly communities at Kellogg and I couldn’t imagine my experience without them. This cohort of 63 strangers from all over the world have quickly become some of my closest friends and made Evanston feel a little more like home.