Meet Yale SOM’s MBA Class of 2018

Emily Burchinow

Yale School of Management      

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: I’m an avid traveler, aspiring consultant and eager member of the Yale SOM class of 2018.

Hometown: Toledo, Ohio

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have made six cross-continent moves since graduating five years ago.

Undergraduate School and Major: I attended Miami University of Ohio. I was a business major and a Chinese minor. I also took part in my school’s China Business program, a certificate program focused on China’s economy, business practices, and the Chinese language.

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: I joined Abercrombie & Fitch after graduation as a part of their Merchandising Leadership Development program. Two years later, I took a position in Chengdu, China as the Marketing Manager for a tech company, which focused on 3D visualization and virtual reality products. I then transitioned back to the US and joined Gap Inc. to help launch the Old Navy brand in mainland China. In my most recent position at Gap Inc., I was based in Shanghai, China where I was the Commercial Planning Officer for Gap & Old Navy in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My most significant career accomplishment has been helping launch of one of the largest American retailers in the greater China market.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? For the GMAT, it’s all about time management – both dedicating the time to study and using your time efficiently during the test. Take time to master the different question types so you can identify and solve them efficiently on the test. I took multiple practice tests and reviewed the results afterward, even for the questions I answered correctly. Reading the answer analysis gave me tips on how to solve each question faster. The more practice tests you take, the more comfortable you will be during the actual exam and the less likely you will be to get flustered.

As for the admissions process, I would encourage future business school applicants to identify what their intention is for obtaining an MBA degree. Once you have a good understanding of what you want out the experience, it is easier to narrow down a list of schools that fit your needs. With so many great MBA programs, it can be quite easy to get lost or distracted by the different options. The MBA application process is incredibly time-consuming, so I’d recommend creating a short list of three to four programs you are very interested in and networking with as many admissions, alumni, and current students to validate these schools are the right fit for you.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? I wanted to get an MBA degree to better position myself for a career in international business strategy, so it was important to me to find an MBA program that would prepare me for the increasingly inter-connected, global business environment. As I researched other MBA programs, Yale SOM stood out as having a distinct focus on preparing its students for a global business environment. Yale SOM not only offers an extensive list of internationally focused courses, but also offers experiential opportunities. The one I am most excited for is Global Network Week, where students can spend one week taking courses at select top business schools around the world.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? I want to help companies solve the complex issues faced when expanding internationally by working as a strategy consultant for foreign market expansion.  My dream is to eventually run my own consulting practice and work on projects all over the world.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? I hope my peers recognize me as someone who took every opportunity to try new things. Whether it’s taking a class outside the business school, joining a graduate school sports team, or taking a trip somewhere I’ve never been before, I want to have used my time at Yale SOM pushing myself outside my comfort zone.