Meet The Michigan Ross MBA Class of 2018

Aaron Wolff

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Constantly learning, climbing mountains, challenging work, traveling, balance – such is my idea of happiness.

Hometown: Detroit, MI

Fun Fact About Yourself: I once starved for four days in the Patagonia wilderness.

Undergraduate School and Major: Michigan State University, International Relations

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

8th Grade Math Teacher | Teach for America | Charlotte, NC

Co-founder, VP of Operations and Finance | Chalkfly | Detroit, MI

VP of Operations | Grand Circus Detroit | Detroit, MI

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Co-founded a company that facilitated the donation of over $100,000 in school supplies to teachers and was named one of Business Insider’s “Best Startups to Work for in America.”

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? Feedback is a gift: Make sure you have friends or family read your essays. Spend time Googling: I found great lists online of the most common MBA interview questions and I spent time preparing and thinking about how I would answer those questions. On interview day, spend time chatting with as many people on the admissions team as possible. At the end of the day, you want those people to remember who you are and to be able to put a face to the resume. Also, send personal thank you notes to all of the people you interact with on interview day.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? The culture. You could say the Director of Admissions, Soojin Kwon, ‘had me at hello.’ From the warm welcome on interview day to the mission of empowering leaders who make a positive difference, I felt an immediate connection to Ross. I enjoyed my interview, I loved the hands-on approach to learning and I was really excited about living in Ann Arbor.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? I’d like to be the CFO of an innovative startup and help them grow to an IPO. Maybe a company that really figures out wireless energy. I mean, its 2016, why do we still have to plug stuff in? I think one of the most important lessons I’ve learned in business is that “cash is king.” I love the idea of helping a growing company navigate their inevitable financial challenges and contributing to their sustainable growth. If I could do this at a company that is solving social problems and/or using technology for good, that would be the dream. 

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? “Aaron is good people. I’d start a company with him.”