Meet Columbia Business School’s MBA Class Of 2019

Shivani Hajela

Columbia Business School

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Results-oriented strategic thinker, passionate about retail innovation and women’s empowerment

Hometown: Monroe, NY

Fun Fact About Yourself: I was principal violist in an orchestra that recorded a session with seven-time Grammy nominated Producer/Recording engineer, Phil Bulla.

Undergraduate School and Major: Cornell University – Economics

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:I have worked at Macy’s Inc. since graduating in 2012 and have held a variety of roles within Merchandise Planning.

  • Merchant Executive Development Program Trainee (June 2012 – Aug 2012)
  • Assistant Merchandise Planner, Casual Sportswear (Sept 2012 – May 2014)
  • Omni Associate Merchandise Planner, Dresses (June 2014 – May 2016)
  • Director of Omni Merchandise Planning, Handbags and Accessories (June 2016 – June 2017)

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: At Macy’s, I was a leader in piloting a “single view of inventory” business model, integrating our store and online purchasing decisions. This model substantially increased sales and profitability while reducing unproductive inventory. My team and I were recognized with 2wo company leadership awards – the annual Macy’s Chairman’s Award for exceptional leadership in improving business practices and the Macy’s “Make Magic” Award for Leadership.

Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? Take the time to self-reflect before putting pen to paper. Most business school applications include questions about your story – who you are, what brought you to this point, where you want to be, and how you plan to get there. With the fast pace of life – both career and otherwise – most of us do not devote enough time to self-reflection. Not to mention, our perspectives can change over time.

I spent a significant amount of time considering my long-term objectives, assessing strengths and weaknesses, and evaluating how experiences thus far have shaped me in order to pinpoint the additional capabilities needed to accomplish my goals. I determined that an MBA is the next logical step in my journey as it provides a formal education in general management, leadership and innovation, guidance from thought leaders, and relationships with collaborators. This self-reflection helped in identifying target schools, and clearly communicating my story to the admissions committee – what makes me unique, why an MBA is the right next step, and why I am a good fit for the school.

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? In addition to its stellar reputation, academic resources, and global community, CBS is unique because of its location in New York City – the “center of business.” Here, a world-renowned faculty is complemented with guest speakers and adjunct professors who are leaders of industry. In fact, Columbia’s accessibility allows more business leaders to visit CBS than any other top business school. I can also apply my on-campus learnings in a real world setting with one of the many major companies headquartered in NYC either through a Master Class or an in-semester internship. Overall, Columbia’s location allows for an immersive MBA experience that will contribute to both professional and personal growth, and provide me with a well-rounded perspective of the business world.

What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? At CBS, I want to develop key skills, identify business opportunities, and connect with potential collaborators. I will measure success by how I develop as a person and professional, and by the impact I have on both the Columbia and greater NYC community.

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