Student Profile: A Strong Network

Kimberly Bartlett '11
Clubs: Director of Member Engagement, Net Impact
Summer Internship: Education Pioneers, Los Angeles County Office of Education, Head Start Program
Post-MBA Position: Director of Operations, Edward W. Brooke Charter School, Boston

When I was looking into business school, I was looking for a program that had strong support for nontraditional careers. I have a background in nonprofit management, and I knew that was what I wanted to continue in. I also wanted to go somewhere where everyone did not have the same career goals. I was looking for diversity. At Yale SOM, you might be in a group with someone with a consulting background, someone with finance, and someone else who's in media and entertainment. It just makes the experience that much richer academically.

One thing that sold me on Yale SOM was the community. I had been a little bit apprehensive about the class size before coming to Welcome Weekend. I asked everybody that I talked to, "Does it feel too small?" And everybody said the same thing: "No, that's one of the best parts about SOM. You'll really love it. You get this close community."

Now I find myself saying the exact same thing. It's something you can't fully appreciate until you come here, but I really like the fact that I know everybody.

I think my classmates are one of my biggest resources in terms of career stuff. We help each other out with looking at résumés, looking at cover letters, informational interviews, and just any sort of connections we have. Everybody is very willing to put their name on the line to help you. The networking is so much stronger and more meaningful because we actually know each other well.

When I came to Yale SOM, I had planned to stay in the nonprofit sector with an emphasis on social enterprise, but that shifted since I've been here to a focus on education. I think that is, in part, due to my involvement with the Education Club. When we get together, we talk about the issues in education and urban education, and that helped remind me of what a great need there is for strong leadership and sound management in this area. I definitely feel that SOM has given me the foundation I need to make a difference in the education sector.

Interviewed on February 3, 2011.