Meet NYU Stern’s MBA Class of 2018

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Maxwell Gove

New York University, Stern School of Business

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: I’m an inquisitive, enthusiastic, and adventurous person with a penchant for trying new things.

Hometown: Gloucester, Massachusetts

Fun Fact About Yourself: I rarely go a day without eating ice cream.

Undergraduate School and Major: NYU, Economics

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: Data Analyst at Panjiva, Inc.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I’ve only been out of school for a few months now, but I interned at the same company for two years prior to joining full time. I think what I’m most proud of accomplishing in this short period is earning the respect and trust of my peers and superiors despite my age. Knowing that I already have a significant amount of responsibility at the organization and that my opinion is truly valued is a really good feeling.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? I think the most important part of the application process is really getting to know yourself. It’s also the most difficult. Take a deep dive into your reasoning behind getting an MBA and applying to the programs you choose. While it’s impossible not to be thinking of specific essay and interview questions, don’t let them be the focus of your thought process. Be your toughest critic and convince yourself of your story. Once you’ve truly done so, convincing others becomes much easier.

Self-awareness is also important when it comes to taking the GMAT. Everyone I asked suggested taking a prep course, but I ultimately chose not to because I knew it wasn’t my style. Whichever you decide is right for you, make a plan, stick to it, and leave time for a second test if need be.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? Stern is fairly unique in that it offers an extraordinary opportunity — in the form of the William R. Berkley Scholarship — to students interested in pursuing an MBA directly after undergrad. Given that I knew I wanted to go right away, applying to Stern was a no brainer. In addition, as I learned during my time as an undergraduate student at NYU, the university is truly “in and of the city.” Being in downtown Manhattan, the chances for experiential learning are unparalleled. This proved to be an invaluable advantage in undergrad, and I have no doubt it will continue to be so during my time at Stern.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? I definitely see myself working in the tech industry, most likely at a smaller company (and if a good enough idea comes along, maybe even my own.) I really enjoy computer programming and ultimately I hope to sit in a role that bridges business and engineering. In particular, I hope to work for a company that is using the power of technology to solve some of the world’s most difficult problems.

For me, I think it’s important that a potential employer be doing three things: 1) building an exciting product; 2) putting together a fantastic team; and 3) focusing on doing truly impactful things. An environment that includes each of these definitely lends itself to a really rewarding work experience.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? Coming to Stern right out of undergrad, it’s a bit intimidating to know that most everyone else will be several years ahead of me in their careers. After we graduate, I hope my peers will say that my drive and dedication more than made up for what I may have lacked initially in work experience.

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