An Introduction
First, I congratulate you on taking (or at least exploring) the next step in your career and journey for greater fulfillment. The MBA is much more than a degree. It is an experience. It is a training ground for aspiring leaders where iron sharpens iron. The MBA is a door through which those who are interested in successful careers may enter. Perhaps the greatest part of the MBA experience is the opportunity to forge relationships with a wide-range of professionals and organizations such as the Robert Toigo Foundation. Actually, Toigo holds a special place with me because of the role the foundation played in my admission to business school and now in my pursuit of a career in finance. I will speak to that later, but suffice it to say that Toigo is an extraordinary organization built upon extraordinary leaders who exhibit nothing but sheer excellence.
I currently attend the Yale School of Management where I focus on finance. Like Allen, I also come from what may be considered a “non-traditional” background. My undergraduate and graduate training focused on the information technology space. My five-year career focused on information technology and operations roles across the healthcare, insurance and telecommunications industries. I thoroughly enjoyed my roles and chose pursue my passion for finance by attending business school. Given the fact that I had not worked in finance, I found the MBA to be a perfect complement to the strong leadership and analytical skills I developed through my various roles.
Personally, I believe that there could not be a better time to pursue a career in financial services. This summer, I will intern in the investment banking division of a bulge bracket firm. Honestly, I must say that the current environment is competitive, particularly for career changers, but there are plenty of opportunities for those who are willing to put in the work. Being a career changer myself, I will share my tips and best practices through this blog. Stay tuned!
Regards,
Corey L. Harrison
Yale School of Management
MBA Candidate, Class of 2011
