Meet The Minnesota Carlson MBA Class of 2017

Jeremy Hemsworth

Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota

Hometown: Minneapolis, MN

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Minnesota – Communication Studies

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:  Integra – Enterprise Account Executive, Zayo Enterprise Networks – Senior Account Executive, U.S. Army – Senior Intelligence Analyst

Recalling your own experience, what advice do you have for applicants who are preparing for either the GMAT or the GRE?  Focus on your biggest weaknesses, but don’t forget to work on other areas. Also, set aside dedicated time to study – don’t have Netflix in the background and don’t let yourself get distracted in conversation. Find someplace quiet and put in some time.

Based on your own selection process, what advice do you have for applicants who are trying to draw up a list of target schools to which to apply?  The biggest thing is to understand where you want to work post-graduation. If you want to work in brand, then a school that turns out lots of investment managers and consultants might not be the best fit. It is also key to understand what type of environment you learn best in – do you need an experiential program or do you prefer a traditional academic setting? If you are a career switcher, then it might be better to look at a program where you get more hands-on project work in your desired field.  Lastly, understand what type of relationships you want to forge. If you want to connect with a ton of people, then a larger program might be a good fit. If you desire fewer, stronger connections, then maybe a smaller program is more appropriate.

What advice do you have for applicants in actually applying to a school, writing essays, doing admission interviews, and getting recommenders to write letters on your behalf?

First and foremost, be honest and be yourself.  I’ve met several people with 750+ GMAT scores who were rejected from multiple schools because they pretended to be what they thought the admission staff was looking for. Only after they started being themselves did they start getting acceptance letters. One of the biggest lessons I learned through the process is that the admission staff is not looking to screen people out for not fitting a mold. Instead, they are looking to build a class that can draw on diverse experiences and viewpoints. Show them in your interview why you are different and how you will contribute to a great class. As for letters of recommendation, they are time-consuming for your recommenders, so make it as painless as possible. Remind them of situations in which you excelled and their letters will write themselves.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? Carlson’s relationship with local employers and their emphasis on experiential learning made my decision easy. As a career switcher, I know that I am at a disadvantage because I don’t have years of experience in a given field. However, in doing real project work for real clients, Carlson is providing me with the experience necessary to being a competitive candidate.

Regarding the local employers, earlier this year there was an article in The Atlantic titled “The Miracle of Minneapolis” and one of the key points of the article was that Minneapolis is home the headquarters of 19 Fortune 500 companies. Moreover, the article points out that the companies don’t just fall into one industry segment but span over multiple industries including retail, healthcare and CPG.  The reason I mention this article is that Carlson has a relationship with and alumni at each of the 19 Fortune 500s headquartered in Minneapolis. As a candidate who is interested in several of these local companies, I know that Carlson provides me with the best opportunity to get in front of the recruiting staff and to ultimately get hired.

What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate?  I’d like to have a job offer in hand prior to graduation, but I think that is probably a given. Besides that, I would like to have some great life experiences, make some great connections, and lay the foundation for my professional future. It’s not that often in life that you get the opportunity to press the reset button and choose a different path. I’m looking forward to this chance to learn more about the business world, and for my opportunity to not only discover my own path but to equip myself so that I can forge it post-graduation.