Meet USC Marshall’s MBA Class Of 2021

Betsy Mastropieri 

University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business

“Upbeat, creative fitness enthusiast most often found laughing, petting dogs, or planning travel.”

Hometown: Baltimore, MD / Richmond, VA

Fun Fact About Yourself: My name was Susan for the first 3 days of my life.

Undergraduate School and Major:

University of Notre Dame

Major: Finance, Supplementary Major: Computer Applications

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Portfolio Management Associate at Morgan Stanley

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Advocating for myself for a promotion.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Diverse, open-minded, and welcoming. Even after only two weeks, my classmates have already become friends and introduced me to new ways of thinking from global 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 chose USC because it is a leader in the industry. It was the first to require international travel, the first to reach gender parity in a top-20 business school, and the first to have a focus on entrepreneurship. USC Marshall is driving change and leading its students by example. At Marshall, I knew I would learn to use the same forward-thinking to make an impact in my future.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Challenge for Charity

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? 

N/A – They were all standard interview questions; not outside of the box.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I am switching careers.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? UCLA, Cal Berkeley

How did you determine your fit at various schools? There were several factors – I wanted a Top 20 school on the west coast. I used school websites, blogs, friends, referrals and campus visits to evaluate the schools. I knew if the culture and academics were a good fit judging by the core values, curriculum structure, and student reviews (on the official website and unofficial websites). My career goals are open-ended with my transitional period from my prior position in Finance, so I was looking for a strong leadership program that has historical success in producing fantastic networks of business professionals.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My defining moment happened during my undergraduate studies where I played Division I Lacrosse. It was during a 5 a.m. conditioning workout where the sun was not up yet and we were running extensively. Despite the conditions, my teammates and I were in great moods. I knew it was significant to find a group where you are tirelessly working but still finding joy in it. I will always look to find that teamwork and support – it makes the darkest times seem light.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? In ten years, I see myself as a leader at a collaborative, fast-paced corporation in the strategic marketing, partnerships, or human capital space. I would like to lead a team of creative individuals, spend time with my family, and genuinely enjoy the work I am doing so that happiness radiates to all other aspects of my life.

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