Meet the MBA Class of 2022: Chanel Walker, University of Chicago (Booth)

Chanel Walker

University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

“Strong black woman who’s a witty, creative leader and passionate about relationships and problem-solving.”

Hometown: Flossmoor, IL

Fun Fact About Yourself: I took ballet on pointe for 13 years.

Undergraduate School and Major: The Ohio State University – Finance

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: The Kraft Heinz Company, Category Sales Manager – Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs

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 flexible curriculum was a huge draw to why I chose this business school.  I can take courses right away that I have interest in and not feel like I’m tied to specific required courses that need to be taken within my first quarter. This was definitely unique to Booth and a huge factor in my decision making.

What quality best describes your MBA community and why? Supportive – Everyone that I met throughout the application process, and now as an incoming first year, has been willing to go above and beyond to give me insights and help guide my experiences at Booth.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far? Managing the US retail sales business of billion-dollar brand Philadelphia Cream Cheese, is definitely my biggest career accomplishment to date.  Having that level of autonomy and oversight that early in my career really impacted me to aspire for more challenging projects and leadership opportunities, while  envisioning a higher career trajectory for myself.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career?  I decided to pursue an MBA at this point in my career because I felt I was at a crossroads in my current role. I knew that my long-term professional goals did not align with my current function and industry.  To set myself on the path to achieving these goals, I needed to obtain an MBA to get some necessary foundations under my belt.

What makes you most excited about getting your MBA at Booth? What makes you most nervous about starting business school? I’m most excited about getting my MBA at Booth given the reputation of being a very analytical, quantitative heavy program.  I’m looking forward to expanding my current lens of thinking with courses that will challenge me and give me a stronger foundation for more strategic problem-solving.

I’m most nervous to get back into the swing of school and rigorous coursework after graduating from undergrad over 6 years ago.

What club or activity excites you most at this school? Booth Fellows excites me most as an opportunity I would ideally like to take part in during my two years. The chance to be on a board of a non-profit at this point in my career is something that I have a lot of personal interest in and will give me further insight into the non-profit space, as well as preparation for future board positions.

What other MBA programs did you apply to?  The Wharton School, Northwestern (Kellogg), NYU Stern, Michigan Ross

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I determined my fit at various schools by going to on campus visits and/or attending admissions-led forums that allowed me to hear from panels of alumni or current students to give me a well-rounded view of the program. I researched culture by talking to current students about their experiences to understand how they felt the program was from a collaboration and career readiness perspective. I knew that Booth fit my career goals when I realized that all of the top consulting firms recruited at Booth, as well as leaders in most industries, and that the reputation of the program was that it would develop strong analytical thinkers, which is something I think is truly invaluable to any career field.

What is your favorite company and what could business students learn from them? My favorite company is Nordstrom. I think business students can learn from them on how to set the standard for customer service. They have been able to set themselves apart from other large department store chains by going the extra mile to make their customers feel valued while still offering high-end and quality merchandise at reasonable prices. Even if I can find something at a similar price at another retailer, I choose to shop at Nordstrom, because I know that their customer service is top notch and they look out for their customers even when they don’t have to.  Especially with our current economic landscape, being able to scope out a service level niche amongst your competitors is something to be envied.

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

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