Amala Krishnan

University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

“Extraverted, driven, and resilient third culture kid with a passion for the consumer space.”

Hometown: Dubai, U.A.E.

Fun Fact About Yourself: I was in an all-female South Asian a cappella group in my undergraduate school, and featured in our first (and only) music video.

Undergraduate School and Major: The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania; Concentrations in Finance and Statistics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: L Catterton, Investment Associate in the Flagship Buyout Fund

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of the school’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The flexibility of the curriculum and the data-driven, analytical approach to learning are two key reasons why I knew Booth was the right fit for me. As someone with an undergraduate business degree and a career in finance, I was looking to tailor my MBA experience to fill in the gaps in my business knowledge, and really push myself outside my comfort zone academically. I was also drawn to Booth’s data-driven approach to solving problems, which is reflective of the current state of the world where data and numbers are crucial to driving decisions.

What quality best describes your MBA community and why? The Booth community is extremely collaborative, supportive, and down-to-earth. When I first got into Booth, I was overwhelmed by the outreach and support from the Booth community to help me make my decision (someone even connected me with a friend from another school to get me all the information necessary to make an informed decision!). Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and supportive, and you can truly see the “pay-it-forward” culture associated with Booth.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? In my prior role at L Catterton, I had the opportunity to work with the leading companies and entrepreneurs in the consumer and retail space. One of the most exciting parts of my job was learning about the operations and growth strategies of the innovators and disrupters in the category. Looking ahead, I want to make a career switch and work in the consumer/retail industry and help create innovative products and shape unique consumer experiences. An MBA will help me to develop a core skillset in marketing, operations, and strategy, as well as hone my interpersonal skills, to eventually become a successful leader in the space.

What makes you most excited about getting your MBA at Booth? What makes you most nervous about starting business school? I’m extremely excited to meet my diverse set of peers who come from a wide range of professional, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, and learn from their varied experiences. I’m a little nervous about juggling the various priorities between academics, recruiting, and socializing, especially in a virtual setting.

What club or activity excites you most at this school? On the professional side, I’m excited to engage with the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Over the next two years, I want to develop my entrepreneurship knowledge, which will undoubtedly help me as I pursue a career in strategy in the consumer space. On the social side, I’m very excited to join the Wine Club and Epicurean Club.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? GSB, HBS, MIT Sloan, Wharton.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? Booth’s essay prompt, “How have your interests, leadership experiences, and other passions influenced the choices in your life?”, was the most challenging question I was asked. The question really forces you to evaluate your life and the decisions you have made to get to where you are, and it made me spend a lot of time reflecting on my journey.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? My top priorities when choosing schools were cultural fit, career opportunities, and the strength of the alumni network. During the admissions process, I researched schools through information sessions, online resources like the school website and Poets&Quants, and conversations with alumni and current students. Through these conversations with students, I tried to get a sense of the school’s culture and community. I also asked to get in touch with their classmates who had similar career goals to mine to better understand my career prospects from the school. What ultimately sealed the deal was the on-campus interview – it was a great way to see the day-to-day of the students and you really get a sense of your fit within the community.

What was your defining moment and how did it prepare you for business school? When I was in my first year of work in M&A investment banking, I was diagnosed with a health condition which required multiple surgeries and follow-up treatments. After the initial shock, I knew that I had to be in a positive state of mind to make it through this personal challenge while balancing 80-hour work weeks. It was the greatest physical, mental and emotional challenge I have faced, but it taught me the importance of internal perspective, which will be crucial as I enter the next phase of my journey at Booth.

DON’T MISS: MEET CHICAGO BOOTH’S MBA CLASS OF 2022