Meet The Berkeley Haas MBA Class of 2019

Catherine Swanson 

U.C.-Berkeley, Haas School of Business

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Athlete, entrepreneur, mentor, big sis, Cardinal AND Bear!

Hometown: Potomac, Maryland

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve lived in all regions of the US (East Coast/West Coast/Midwest/South, ex-Texas)

Undergraduate School and Major: Stanford University, B.S. Science, Technology & Society

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Prime Brokerage Sales & Capital Introductions

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: The Federal Reserve audit was my biggest accomplishment. It required me to collaborate globally, rapidly analyze copious amounts of data, and lead senior members of my group. I earned the respect of my floor and global leaders of the firm.

Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? Take the GMAT as soon as possible! It requires a lot of hard work and discipline. You will need to focus on your weaknesses, as well as identify strengths early on. You’ll also need to cope with the fact that you will get ~50% of the questions wrong (even with a good score). It’s important to identify the questions you should skip and use that time for more difficult problems. Once the GMAT is out of the way, you can spend quality time on essays and applications; this is where your story will shine!

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? Family. It’s as simple as that. I was looking for a school filled with people who embodied similar values. The four Defining Principals at Berkeley-Haas instill a culture that is unprecedented and so unique. As I meet fellow Haasies, I’m humbled and inspired by my classmates each and every day. I’m surrounded by a community that pushes me to “question the status quo” without fearing failure or judgment in a place that I can call home. Also…the weather is incredible (if you didn’t already know!)

What would success look like to you after your first year of business school?  After my first year of business school, I’d love to know each and every person in my class on a personal level, as well as champion my goals of advancing today’s educational experiences and having the greatest impact on the EdTech industry.