Meet USC Marshall's MBA Class of 2019

Linda Zhang

University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Charismatic, adaptive, social, with a love for sushi/seafood…I am basically a sea lion.

Hometown: Naperville, IL

Fun Fact About Yourself: I once hiked 13 miles to and from the bottom of the Grand Canyon in two days –with the last two miles in the dark. As hard as it is to admit, I learned in those last two miles that sometimes sleeping in is not worth it.

Undergraduate School and Major: Washington University in St. Louis, Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Art

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: Mars, Incorporated (2011-2017): Project Engineer II (2015-2017), Project Engineer I (2013-2015), Site R&D Packaging Technologist (2011-2013).

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: From 2015-2017, I had the pleasure of working on a high performing team of 12 engineers, to design and implement a $105M production line that launched one of the largest innovation projects within the Mars Chocolate segment: the new Caramel M&M’s! The production line was inside a $300M manufacturing plant that our team built in 2013 – it was an incredible experience.

Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? Be clear on what you want to get out of business school. When writing the admissions essays, don’t just go through the motions – take the time to reflect and be introspective. This will guide you to the right business school and help you choose the right opportunities once you get there.

What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? A major reason I chose USC Marshall for my full-time MBA was because of the highly collaborative and positive environment that Marshall promotes. This is so important to me because not only is this the foundation that fosters exponential individual growth, but it also the basis upon which lifelong friendships develop. Fight on!

What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? Success to me after my first year of business school is to be interning at a consumer packaged goods company, with the goal of connecting and driving process improvements within supply chains. Success also means I’ve built a network of good friends who I can travel and experience the world with.

Meet USC Marshall’s MBA Class of 2019

Linda Zhang

University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business

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