Emma Wright

University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management

“Call me about your business plan, an impromptu trip, or when your basement floods.”

Hometown: Apple Valley, Minnesota

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love to bike, be it a short ride or long trip; I’ve biked on four continents and counting.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Minnesota. BA Inter-College Program: Business, Sustainability, and Political Science

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Brand and Marketing Project Manager, Cambridge Innovation Center

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest career accomplishments so far: identifying a structural gap in my company’s organizational structure, then pitching and executing a “consultancy project” to find a strategic solution. In partnership with senior leadership, I helped reframe and re-scope their brand and marketing challenges, to inform the development of a new marketing department.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? So far, I’d say humble. There are a lot of incredible students in the program who lead with humor, kindness, and support.

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’m looking forward to Carlson’s Enterprise program. I find it important to take what I’ve learned in the classroom and apply it practically.  I’m excited to “test run” the consulting experience with clients before launching into an internship.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I’m looking forward to the Volunteer Consulting Club. I think it will be a great opportunity to apply the skills I’m learning in the classroom, while contributing to a philanthropic cause in my community.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? Having worked in a wide range of industries and roles, I tend to be a “fixer,” jumping in to manage miscellaneous projects as they come. With an MBA, I plan to reflect on my experiences and interests to build a more specific career trajectory and skill set.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I decided to pursue an MBA because the potential job opportunities outside my field of experience and the long-term earning potential out-weighed the upfront costs.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I participated in the Forté Foundation’s Boston MBA launch program. I laid out a number of factors, including classroom learning style, culture, length of term, cost, and job opportunities post-graduation. To research class culture, I spoke with former students and went to classroom visits to get a feel for classroom dynamics.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? In high school, I had an environmental science teacher who often told us, “The world is run by those who show up.” While I didn’t realize it at the time, this moment and mantra went on to help shape my worldview and how I participate in the community. Through my civic engagement in undergrad, I learned the power of organizing and engagement by helping bring more bike lanes to campus and empower student voters. In my professional life, I learned to listen to stakeholders and the importance of being present in the day-to-day work – no matter how long or tiring it is.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I’m currently set on a career in management consulting in the short term. Consulting comes with intense learning experiences, rapid growth, and great long-term career prospects. This experience will help provide me with the credibility, capital, and network to launch my post-MBA career.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself in the Twin Cities helping to shape, build, and grow the innovation community. My role there takes many forms. I’m an entrepreneur, a CEO, a mentee/mentor, an investor, and a civic participant.