Hayley Coffas

Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business

“Tenacious Midwesterner transitioning from a career in paper engineering to finance.”

Hometown: Bellevue, Iowa

Fun Fact About Yourself: In 2017, I was ranked top 20 in the world in competitive powerlifting in my weight class.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Wisconsin – Platteville, B.S. in Industrial Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Georgia–Pacific, Project Engineer & OEE Business Manager

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Graduating from my undergrad university at the top of my class as a first-generation college graduate is my biggest accomplishment in my career so far, because it was such a milestone for me personally. I grew up in a small town where the idea of engineering (or an MBA) is not a typical path.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? My MBA classmates are a diverse and intriguing group of individuals tied together by a common characteristic of collaboration. I am learning from their past experiences and through our cultural differences, which is facilitated by the collaborative spirit amongst our group. We are supportive of each other and our unique situations while also challenging each other to think outside of our comfort zones to grow and develop our unique perspectives.

Aside from your classmates, 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? I was impressed by the feeling I got in my interactions with the recruiting team and the credentials of the faculty. The faculty each have amazing academic and work credentials. We are taught by individuals that have gone to top business schools and worked all over the world, which exposes us to a wide breadth of experiences and perspectives.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? While I have participated in and am looking forward to many activities at Fisher, I am looking forward to the internal case competition the most. I am competitive and excited to leverage my presentation skills while growing and building my communication skills with my peers and when presenting to high-level executives.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? During my time as an engineer, I was beginning to realize I had gaps in my understanding of the overall business world. I was also teaching myself about financial literacy and starting to build a passion for finance through my studies. I wanted to fight the idea of being complacent in my career and decided that it was the perfect time to make a shift in my career trajectory as I was ready for more responsibility and complexity in my day to day work. The MBA was a great opportunity to strengthen my understanding of the business world and transition into the world of finance to blend my analytical background with my passion for finance.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? In true finance fashion, I did a net present value analysis of the different options and compared them to find the highest return over the next five years.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? I applied to the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? In order to determine my fit at the schools that I applied to, I started with online research of various sources such as blogs, rankings, and post-degree job opportunities. Once I had narrowed down the schools that I was interested in, I applied and visited campus for a preview. In speaking with current students, admissions staff, and professors, I was able to paint a picture of what each school’s strengths and weaknesses were. Fisher College of Business recruiting team was extremely respectful during the application process, and I felt as though they were an advocate for applicants. They were timely in their decisions and communications, and helpful throughout the entire process. The professors were incredibly willing to help and speak to applicants before they were committed students. I was confident that based on the credentials of the professors and the attentiveness of the recruiting staff, it was a reflection of the overall resources of The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My defining moment was taking an internship across the country in Utah following my junior year in college. It stretched me personally and professionally to move so far away from my family for a work assignment. I was exposed to diverse individuals and an ambiguous project, which pushed me outside of my comfort zone. The internship helped me build my self-confidence and desire to discover new experiences, people, and places.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? After graduation, I plan to work in finance for a competitive company, building my experience and leadership skills. I would love to find a position that challenges me.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I see myself in a management position, leading a group of employees to create an impact on my company, and eventually, I would like to be in a CFO position.