Meet Cornell Johnson’s MBA Class of 2018

Gianne Middleton

Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: I’m happily a work in progress, under consistent personal, social, academic and professional construction!

Hometown: London, United Kingdom and Manama, Bahrain

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve lived on three different continents and traveled to more than 15 different countries.

Undergraduate School and Major:  

University of California, Los Angeles

B.A., Sociology, English minor

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

• FTSE-Russell, Index Analyst
• London Stock Exchange Group, Index Analyst and Real Time Data Analyst

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: When I was hired to work at the London Stock Exchange Group, the senior management committee was poised to launch its largest procurement initiative to date: acquisition of the Frank Russell business. I advanced competitive market research efforts with feasibility and risk assessments to bolster the buying initiative. My work supported a proposal to introduce a new fee structure for internal revenue growth purposes. As a result of my project management efforts, I became the first member of the Market Data Compliance team to be hired and based in the US.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants?

GMAT: It may sound trite, but don’t underestimate the importance of keeping your confidence level high. Try to digest the material in small bite-sized chunks as the test is an exam based on stamina and pattern recognition. Therefore cramming isn’t likely to work. I tackled the foundational knowledge by taking a test prep course and meeting with a tutor. Focus on improving your weak areas and target “how” to effectively study. During the interview process, let your past accomplishments speak for your future potential.

Essay Writing: Make a point to draw from an authentic voice when completing your essays.

Recommendations: Attempt to scout referees who have worked at all levels of your organization and who are familiar with your leadership capabilities. Avoid limiting your focus to top management officials who may hold impressive titles, but may not be able to fully speak to your professional capabilities.

Interview: Be yourself. Prior to my Johnson interview, the perfectionist in me planned to spend countless hours reviewing my materials in order to craft a slew of perfect responses. Thankfully, a group of my close friends sat me down and told me to just focus on being myself.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? The global focus of the Johnson MBA program sets it apart from others and is evidenced by offerings at the Emerging Markets Institute, Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise, international dual degree programs, and business courses. Being an international transplant to the US, a major factor in my decision to attend a particular school centered upon the cosmopolitan nuances and intercontinental pedagogy offered by each program. Johnson teaches principles necessary to become an effective business leader in today’s competitive and fast paced business arena.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? Growing up as an expatriate in three diverse regions of the world, provided me with a unique perspective of intercultural dynamics. My dream job is to work as a strategy and operations consultant for a global organization. Moreover I would like to join a company that trains its employees in creative problem solving and recognizes the deep subtleties between international client cultures. Finally, it is important for me to join a company that advocates transformative social impact and sustainability practices within and for non-profit sectors.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? To quote the poet Maya Angelou “At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” I hope my fellow classmates will speak fondly of the strong relationship we built as classmates.