2016 Best MBAs: Sarah Sublett, Ohio State

Sarah Sublett Ohio State

Sarah Sublett

 

Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business

“Here’s a challenge to anyone – however tough and hard-shelled you may be – you won’t stand a chance when confronted with Sarah’s natural charm. “Down-to-earth”, “great to work with”, “the girl-next-door”, “sincere and hardworking”, “a natural” are some commonly used terms to describe Sarah by her peers and professors…You definitely want Sarah on your team – she delivers, works collaboratively, makes it look so very easy, is always reliable, and is supremely charming.”

Age: 25

Hometown: Loveland, OH

Undergraduate School and Degree: Ohio State University: BSBA, Marketing

Where did you work before enrolling in business school? Macy’s Inc. as a Credit & Loyalty Marketing Manager

Where did you intern during the summer of 2015? Procter & Gamble (Cincinnati, OH)

Where will you be working after graduation? Procter & Gamble: Assistant Brand Manager

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:  

VP of Programming, AMP (Association for Marketing Professionals)

Director of Marketing, Fisher Board Fellows

Fisher Board Fellows: Fairy Goodmothers Board Member & Marketing Committee Member (local non-profit board)

Fisher Graduate Women in Business: Programming Committee Member

Student Admissions Ambassador in the Graduate Programs Office

Awards: Russ Klein Case Competition “Best Presenter” Award; Procter & Gamble’s Case Competition “Best Presenter” Award; Nestlé Brand Management Boot Camp: Case Competition Winning Team

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Working with the rest of the AMP (Association for Marketing Professionals) leadership team to create a new, strengthened professional development series for 1st year MBAs. After completing our own internships, we realized there were many skills and pieces of advice we could share to help first years become even more successful in their internships. All of us on the AMP leadership team have been so excited to see the success of first years securing internships and feel very proud of the resources we put together to help them have a successful summer and become stronger leaders overall.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Securing an internship and subsequent full-time offer with Procter & Gamble.  Ever since my years in undergrad, I have always had an interest in working for Procter & Gamble due to the company’s strong product portfolio and equally strong career opportunities in marketing.  When I started my MBA, this was my ultimate company target and I feel that my potential helped me excel during my time working for such a wonderful company this past summer.  Outside of great work experience, I now realize that Procter & Gamble also truly cares for its employees and I can’t wait to return to start my career after graduation.

Favorite MBA Courses: Leadership Legacy, Advertising, Strategic Management of Human Assets, Business of College Sports

Why did you choose this business school? As an Ohio State undergraduate, many probably assume I just chose to return to my comfort zone.  However, after looking at many different business schools, Fisher was clearly the place for me (again).

My biggest reason for choosing Fisher was the class size, which is purposely kept to a small size of around 120 students per class. This allows for so many things, including personalized attention from faculty and career management, seemingly never-ending opportunities to work with the Columbus community and the ability to drive change within the MBA program in quick time. I also chose Fisher for our strong, “familial” culture. Fisher truly is a family and this extends from the friendships created within the program, to the relationships built with faculty who are extremely supportive and the alumni network always willing to lend a helping hand and time to students. Finally, I chose Fisher for what I like to refer to as the “extra stuff.” From student organizations and associated leadership positions, to case competitions and non-profit experience, to project experiences with local companies, I always jokingly say that you could be busy 24 hours a day here if you want.  Fisher is also located in a city that provides opportunity for endless social, sporting and cultural events.  Columbus is a booming city, which only added to an amazing graduate school experience.

What did you enjoy most about business school? I most enjoyed the people I met and relationships I built during my two years here at Fisher.  With such a diverse group of classmates, my perspective on life was completely changed as I learned from my bright classmates and the profound experiences they have had in life. I feel humbled every day to be a part of the Fisher Class of 2016 and will cherish the lifelong friendships and connections I have made over the past two years.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from business school? I really learned to step out of my comfort zone and be open to trying new things.  With two short years of grad school, I realized I should take advantage of the opportunities we have because this is the time to branch out.  While I was active in undergrad, it was through pretty standard activities and I wanted to challenge myself this time around.  From competing in case competitions and presenting to executives, to co-hosting our live Fisher auction and acting in a student skit, I have learned that continuously challenging yourself keeps you much happier every day.

What was the hardest part of business school?  Time management.  There is so much to do and take advantage of on top of classwork and your career search that it is easy to feel overwhelmed.  I had to adjust to the fact that I couldn’t do everything and that time management was now 24 hours again. The work didn’t end like it had when I went home from work, so I had to acclimate to prioritizing everything.

What’s your best advice to an applicant to your school? Be yourself!  Fisher truly does look for students with a unique story and leadership potential that can contribute to learning just as much as the professors.  Returning to grad school is your time to grow as a person and Fisher does not aim to produce 120 identical businessmen and women. We are a unique group and being yourself will ensure you are going to mesh well with the mindset and culture here at Fisher.

I knew I wanted to go to business school when…I got the opportunity to manage the launch of a loyalty program from start to finish at Macy’s, Inc.  I essentially had the opportunity to “manage a brand” and this renewed my interest in transitioning into a career in Brand Management. This career path would give me the opportunity for exposure to cross-functional experience within a company and I knew an MBA would help me down that path.”

If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be…less happy and fulfilled than I am in life now.”

What are your long-term professional goals? My favorite part of marketing is connecting with the hearts of consumers.  I hope to one day become CMO of an organization with a mission I truly love and support in not just my professional life, but personal life as well.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? My mom.  She is a single parent to my two sisters and I and supports us in EVERYTHING we want to do. My mom is always encouraging me to work harder and try new things and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her support and the positive example she has always set for me.  We often talk on the phone and she will tell me that it’s clear that pursuing my MBA was one of the best things I have ever done for so many reasons.  While this may be true, I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without her encouragement since day one.

Fun fact about yourself: I am the future fur mommy to an Old English Sheepdog (I am getting a puppy right after graduation)!

Favorite book: Anything written by Jodi Picoult…

Favorite movie: Up (or really any Disney movie)

Favorite musical performer: Guster

Favorite television show: Any Law & Order series

Favorite vacation spot: Fort Myers, FL (where many of my family members live)

Hobbies? Yoga, Pure Barre and any other type of studio class; Trying out new restaurants, Reading and Traveling

What made Sarah such an invaluable addition to the class of 2016? “Here’s a challenge to anyone – however tough and hard-shelled you may be – you won’t stand a chance when confronted with Sarah’s natural charm. “Down-to-earth”, “great to work with”, “the girl-next-door”, “sincere and hardworking”, “a natural” are some commonly used terms to describe Sarah by her peers and professors. Make no mistake, however; she is a quiet leader who excels at anything she undertakes. The crucial difference is that she doesn’t make any noise about it. You definitely want Sarah on your team – she delivers, works collaboratively, makes it look so very easy, is always reliable, and is supremely charming. She is a student ambassador for the admissions and recruiting team at Fisher, and also their formidable, secret weapon. A proud double Buckeye, Sarah is a champion and a perfect fit for Fisher.” — Shashi Matta, Clinical Associate Professor of Marketing, and Director of MBA Programs, Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University

DON’T MISS: CLASS OF 2016: THE BEST & BRIGHTEST GRADUATING MBAS

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