Meet Ohio State’s MBA Class of 2018

lisa-walsh-ohiostate-poetsandquants-classof2018

Lisa Walsh

Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business

Hometown: Beavercreek, OH

Education: Miami University, Economics and History

Employment:

Teach for America, San Antonio

Japanese Exchange Teaching Program (JET), Awaji, Japan

The Gathering Place, Community Liaison

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: A passionate, thoughtful, outgoing feminist with a strong moral compass and an analytical wit.

Fun fact about yourself:I cycled 328 miles across the state of Ohio as a participant in the Pan Ohio Hope Ride to raise awareness and money for the American Cancer Society’s cancer research funding and the Hope Lodge, which provides free housing for those receiving cancer treatment.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I moved to Cleveland to be the founding 5th grade ELA teacher at E Prep Woodland Hills, a high-performing charter school in a neighborhood facing unequal access to economic, educational, and social opportunities. Part of my job was to create a new curriculum to prepare students for the new Common Core standards and the PARC test. Over the course of two years, I created a rigorous, challenging, and exciting curriculum that incorporated the ideas and interests of my students to expose them to social justice issues in our society while honing their reading and writing craft. Watching my students complete their final research papers where they took ownership of the research and writing process to explore a topic that interested them while providing feedback and help to their peers was the apogee of my teaching career.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? Before applying to business school, take time to reflect on why this is the best next step for you and how business school will help you achieve your future career goals. Clearly articulating your vision will help tremendously when writing school essays and during the interview. Be honest and allow your passion to shine through.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? As a woman and a career switcher, I wanted a program that provided guidance and support as I navigated new territory. A Forté Foundation School, Fisher is committed to gender equality throughout all aspects of the program. After speaking to several female alumni of Fisher, I knew this would be a great fit for me. Additionally, the Office of Career Management provided excellent feedback during my interview that ensured I would be well supported at Fisher with a non-traditional background. My interactions with the admissions team, faculty, and staff made me feel welcomed at Fisher and excited to start a new chapter of my career.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life?  I want to work for a socially conscious corporation that encourages creativity, exploration, and team work to find innovative solutions to problems that affect everyone’s lives. I want to work for a company that has an open and inclusive culture that values disagreements and understands differences in skills and perspectives make a company stronger and more competitive.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? Lisa is a passionate, empathetic leader who brings out the strengths of every team member to solve a problem and achieve the team goals. Her ability to listen to others, provide and receive feedback, and constantly improve her craft made her an asset in any setting.

DON’T MISS: THE ENTIRE MEET THE CLASS OF 2018 SERIES

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