Meet Yale SOM’s MBA Class Of 2019

Clara Schmitz 

Yale School of Management 

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Addicted to travelling and international cuisine; spent the last three years working in fashion retail

Hometown: Kempen, Germany

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have been to the Octoberfest in Mexico City and New York, but ironically (being German) have never made it to the one in Munich, although I have always wanted to.

Undergraduate School and Major: I studied International Business in the Netherlands at the Maastricht University School of Business and Economics. For my semester abroad I went to the Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Santa Fe, in Mexico City.

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: Project Manager, Peek & Cloppenburg KG Dusseldorf

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Over the last two years, I was engaged in an initiative that supports refugees in Germany. I became godmother to a young Syrian couple who flew to Germany because of the war at home. I supported them in finding work and a new home, and together we figured out how to tackle many of the obstacles they had to overcome in my country.

Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? Start early. That will enable you to figure out what exactly it is you want and visit the schools you are interested in. Business school applications are demanding and can be very different from the applications you have done so far. That is why I found it very helpful to talk to people who had been through the process before. The more time you have to get all the information you need, the better. In terms of the GMAT, of course do the best you can, but do not let this one part of your application mislead you to neglect the rest.

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? The most important reason for me to choose Yale SOM was the flexible curriculum. Having done business in undergrad, I loved the idea of being able to take courses in all the subjects I am interested in. Not many business schools give you this kind of freedom. Especially if you are looking at switching industries, it can also add value to your knowledge in the field you are interested in.

What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? To me, success is all about making a positive impact. I want to work at a company where I can take on responsibility and shape the way in which people work. I want to become the best team member and leader I can be.