Meet The Minnesota Carlson MBA Class of 2017

Janelle Rickstrew

Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota

Hometown: Diller, Nebraska

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management, Major: Accounting

University of Minnesota Law School (current)

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

Law Clerk at Walther Goss Law

Intern for the Honorable Judge Jude of the 10th Judicial District of Minnesota

Recalling your own experience, what advice do you have for applicants who are preparing for either the GMAT or the GRE? Everyone is different so do what works best for you! If you like cramming, you might not need to start studying until 2-3 weeks leading up to the exam (but note that it will be a lot of studying, especially if you have been out of school for a while). If you prefer not to cram, start studying early! The earlier you start, the less intensive your studying has to be – maybe a couple hours a day for a few days a week.

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? Four of the main things I looked for during my business school search, and what I would recommend others to take into consideration, were the school’s alumni network, reputation, faculty, and culture. In order to help me get wherever I want to go, I really wanted a school that is known throughout the nation, has a reputation of producing well-rounded MBA students, and has many successful alumni that will provide a helpful network. I wanted to go somewhere that would really position me well for a career that was the best fit for me. Additionally, the quality of the faculty and the culture throughout the school also played a huge role in my search. I wanted to go somewhere I knew I would be challenged to grow while also feeling comfortable and encouraged.

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? Be yourself! When writing essays and interviewing, let your passions shine through. When people can see how excited you are about certain things, it shows them that you are driven and are worth investing in, which in turn proves to them that you will be an invaluable asset to their school. When it comes to asking individuals to write letters of recommendation for you, ask those that you have worked closely with because these individuals will be able to provide the strongest recommendations.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? The Carlson School at the University of Minnesota fits perfectly with the main four things I was looking for: It has a great alumni network I will be able to tap into and take advantage of; it’s known nationwide and has a great reputation; the faculty here are top-notch; and the culture is unbelievable. Everyone is more than willing to help each other. This includes students, faculty, career center coaches and staff, the MBA programs staff – everyone! It really embodies the atmosphere I wanted most. I know that I will be able to become the best version of myself by being a student here at Carlson.

What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate? Before I graduate, I would like to expand my personal network by utilizing both my current classmates and the large alumni network. Additionally, I would love to run a non-profit someday and am hoping that these next two years in the MBA program will help me learn how to accomplish my dream.