Meet Washington Foster’s MBA Class Of 2022

2) Connections

“Foster cultivates deep connections to economy leading companies – Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, T-Mobile, Salesforce, Nike… – which enhances learning, builds networks and is manifest in outstanding student employment results.

These relationships are multi-faceted. For example, Amazon executives who are Foster alumni meet regularly with Foster staff to plan and execute initiatives to deepen our relationship: Amazonians have supported admitted and current students with informational interviews, interview coaching, site visits, Amazon community events with Foster faculty speakers, rapid-response case competitions, field project sponsorship, mentorship, executive access, and greater internship and employment offers per capita than any other business school. This symbiotic relationship with Amazon is an example of how we can convene different players that can add value to each other. We leverage our location in this vibrant economy to enhance the developmental and employment opportunities for our students.

Students come to Foster to achieve not only their goals but help others achieve their goals and this extends to the broader community. Foster has brought home the “golden briefcase” from the MBA Challenge for Charity competition 3 out of the last 5 years, demonstrating the highest per capita funds raised and hours volunteered for selected charities. We have numerous opportunities in our course work to have an impact – from social entrepreneurship to our current COVID response field studies – and in co-curricular opportunities, including our Board Fellows Program and service-learning projects.”

P&Q: How has COVID-19 impacted your business school?

WG: “The great Seattle metropolitan area was the first region in the United States to feel the impact of COVID-19 and helped us appreciate the benefit of a small, tight-knit program with integral ties to our community. Our students, faculty and staff quickly adjusted ensure everyone’s health and safety and then let our innovative mindset take over to move forward.

One example is that we have sought opportunities to provide value for our students while helping those in the community. Like other programs around the world, our student internships were impacted. To ensure hands-on learning opportunities we launched a new Strategic Practicum course this summer with field projects focused on COVID-response for organizations in need.

Another example is the inaugural Husky AI Hackathon hosted by the Foster MBA Tech Club. Rather than allow the quarantine to scrap the event they had spent months planning, the students decided to take the event online and change the focus of the challenge to the development of a software solution for a world transformed by a global pandemic. Their long list of sponsors led by Amazon Web Services did not hesitate to pivot with the students and offered mentorship, guest speakers, and interactive workshops. It was an incredible success.

While we look forward to returning to campus, we believe our innovative mindset and collaborative problem solving will allow us to thrive until a vaccine is found or circumstances change.”

5 BENEFITS OF A FOSTER MBA EXPERIENCE

What led the Class of 2022 to enroll at Washington Foster? What did graduates treasure about their time in the MBA program? Here are thoughts from current students and alumni alike.

1) Hands-On Learning: “I’m a hands-on learner, so Foster’s “Learn by Doing” philosophy was the big draw. It’s necessary to understand theories and run case studies, but at the end of the day I want to work on tangible problems and see results first-hand. The Applied Strategy Project, where Foster partners each first-year with a project sourced from a range of organizations and functional areas, is the most academically structured opportunity (it has rave reviews). But you can also serve as a non-voting non-profit Board member through the Board Fellows Program, earn startup funding through the Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship, provide business counsel to local startups, or design your own independent study. Since most of what I’ll learn in the classroom will be completely new to me, every opportunity to apply my book-learning to the real world and gain practical experience is invaluable.”
Emily Mathison (’22)

“I have found that I learn best by doing. My learning style directly matches Foster’s commitment to transforming learning into action through experiential learning opportunities. The Board Fellows Program, Applied Strategy Projects, and Executive Mentorship Program are all hands-on approaches to learning, which means I gain invaluable experience outside of the outstanding curriculum.”
Travis Strawn

2) Career Services: “A small help can go a long way. I have mentored and been mentored in every step of my career and I am delighted by the mentoring program at Foster. The career services team at Foster is brilliant and they do everything in their power to support you throughout your career search journeys. Being an international student comes with its own challenges, especially when it comes to job search. The careers team understands this and is very well equipped to handle the challenges with you.”
Nidhi Agarwal (’22)

3) Small Classes: “Foster blew me away with its tight knit culture that comes with a class size of ~120, emphasis on learning by doing, and global outlook. Throughout the summer, my class has already been exchanging notes, advice, and resources to make sure that we’re all setup heading into the school year. The strong sense of community is almost immediate given that everyone wants to lend a helping hand. As someone who thrives off collaborative energy, a supportive network was extremely important to me.”
Kate Leuba (’22)

“Foster’s unique and deliberate emphasis on keeping a small class size enables a number of valuable benefits, including the ability to enjoy more intimate classroom experiences, exceptional access to career advising and local executive mentors, and an organically collaborative student environment.”
Tyson Colledge (’22)

“In comparison to other national MBA programs, the full-time student body at Foster is smaller. So, does the size of the student body impact your ability to network as an MBA candidate? The answer is No! Having a smaller class size allowed me to get to know all my classmates and even having the opportunities to work with most of them on projects. This kind of close-knit relationship is only possible here at Foster. Our alumni community in Seattle is strong and supportive. It is easy to schedule coffee chats with graduates and business leaders in the area, as our program has an outstanding reputation!”
Nancy Li (’20)

4) Community-Oriented: “Foster, more so than any other program I was considering, places an extraordinary emphasis on active citizenship in many ways. The dynamics of an intentionally small class size necessitate heavy student leadership and participation to enrich the experience of all Foster MBAs. This citizenship mentality is not limited to the cohort, but rather extends to the region (through encouraging service to the local community) and the globe (Foster requires multiple international experiences to graduate). The imperative that Foster students are not only expected to engage in different communities around them, but to lead them, was the most significant indicator that Foster was the right fit for me.”
Drew Blundell (’22)

5) Seattle: “On a personal level, there is something available for most lifestyles. You can escape for a weekend of skiing and climbing, immerse yourself in a vibrant music scene (@SubPop), hang at craft breweries, discover new cocktail bars, or all of the above. Plus, the coffee situation is unparalleled and high-quality caffeine is a prerequisite!”
Emily Mathison (’22)

“Seattle has “Big City” career opportunities with an almost “Small-Town” feel. It’s a city that appeals to any outdoor fanatic while also offering a unique nightlife, sporting culture, and an array of family-friendly attractions. Everyone in Seattle is proud to belong to the city there is a real sense of community togetherness.
Mitch Platman (’22)

“I wanted an MBA experience that combined location, tech network, and entrepreneurial ecosystem in a highly customizable MBA program. Foster was the best bet, especially when coupled with its small class which helped me develop personal relationships with professors, peers, and alumni (more than 40% are located in Seattle). I took courses such as Angel Investing where I worked with a VC firm in AI (Flying Fish) over my second-year MBA while being mentored by executives from top tech companies and startups. On top of that, Seattle is one of the fastest-growing tech startup ecosystems in the US. Top companies such as Facebook, Google, Uber, Amazon, Microsoft have their AI/ML headquarters here for the access to talent and thought leaders in tech. Foster is right in the middle of all this action with alumni and professors connected deeply to the business ecosystem. I am also an avid trekker, mountaineer, and adventure enthusiast. The Pacific Northwest felt like home to me with its countless hikes and ecologically sensitive residents.”
Shobhit Gupta (’20)

“Seattle’s entrepreneurial spirit, social impact core, promotion of work-life balance, and incredible outdoor terrain make it the ideal place to earn an MBA. This city is teeming with bright, curious, down-to-earth people who share a passion for paying it forward and exploring nature’s splendor. Seattle and its surroundings are breathtaking, which I think strongly contributes to the city’s innovative spirit and energy. Plus, interview practice with classmates will be a thousand times more enjoyable while on a hike gazing at Mount Rainier or floating in a kayak on Green Lake!”
Kate Leuba (’22)

BEST ADVICE FOR GETTING INTO WASHINGTON FOSTER

“Understand yourself. The program is designed to help you discover your next career, whether you are making a career pivot or a career enhancement. However, the program is not designed to hand-hold you through the next two years. It is imperative to have a clear motivation for why this time and degree make sense for your aspirations. The opportunity cost of the next two years is high, so I encourage prospective students seeking an MBA to introspect on what outcome would make it all worth it. Hopefully, it’s more than just a job!”
Nancy Li (’20)

What led the Class of 2022 to pursue an MBA? What was the toughest question they were asked during the application process? What other schools did they consider? Check out the student profiles below for answers to questions and many more. 

MBA Student	Hometown	Undergrad Alma Mater	Last Employer
Nidhi Agarwal	Alwar, India	University of Delhi	Four Partners Advisory SCF SpA
Drew Blundell	Seattle, WA	Davidson College	IBM
Tyson Colledge	Lehi, UT	Brigham Young University	Optum
Raviv Feigenbaum Maor	Tel Aviv, Israel	Tel Aviv University	Not Specified
Emily Kwong	Hong Kong, China	University of Nevada-Las Vegas	RealSelf
Kate Leuba	Washington, DC	Boston College	DAI Global LLC
Emily Mathison	San Diego, CA	UCLA	General Atomics
Amanda Pearson	Atlanta, GA	Georgetown University	MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Mitch Platman	Portland, OR	U.S. Military Academy	U.S. Army
Travis Strawn	Seattle, WA	University of Washington	Carta
Ezra Tilaye	Springfield, VA	West Virginia University	E.A.T Management
Andrew Wen	Boston, MA	Babson College	Silverthread

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