Meet The MBA Class of 2022: Madison Kaminski, Columbia Business School

Madison Kaminski

Columbia Business School

“Creative, passionate goober trying to make her mark in the big city.”

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Fun Fact About Yourself: I made some extra cash in college working as a princess at birthday parties!

Undergraduate School and Major: Vanderbilt University, major in Human and Organizational Development (Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness Track), minor in Corporate Strategy, Spanish

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: DRA, Marketing Associate

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? Aside from the phenomenal program, I was really drawn to the location. Not only is NYC the greatest city in the world, but it is also full of opportunities to meet exciting and engaging people and make strong connections through a wide variety of industries. Definitely believe that CBS is at the very center of business.

What quality best describes your MBA classmates and why? Exciting! I am so lucky to get to work with such a diverse group of people, not only in coming from truly all over the world, but also in the wide range of backgrounds and experiences they’ve had. I am constantly learning from things, and constantly being exposed to different perspectives that add so much value in and out of the classroom. Even in COVID, we’ve still been able to build strong relationships that have really made my MBA experience special.

What is the best part of coming to New York City for your MBA? I had been working in NYC ever since I graduated from college, but being in the city as a student has given me the opportunity to get to know NYC all over again. Even after being here for 3 years, I’m constantly exploring and finding new places with my classmates, and the city never gets old.

What makes you most excited about getting your MBA at Columbia Business School? What makes you most nervous about your MBA? I think what is the most exciting about my MBA is also the scariest. It’s going to be a challenge. I’m surrounded by a group of brilliant, driven minds. As tough as it is to fight off the imposter syndrome, it’s thrilling to get the chance.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: It was when one of my marketing partnership initiatives made the news! This was one of my first projects working full time, so it was really encouraging to see my idea come to fruition, and to have it be memorable.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I had always wanted to go to business school, but I had previously planned to wait one more year before applying to ensure I had enough experience under my belt. Then, COVID happened. I was working on Broadway, which obviously took a big hit in March, and all of my shows closed indefinitely. That’s when I saw that many business schools extended their application deadlines. I realized that there was an opportunity to make the most out of an otherwise devastating situation – and there was no time like the present – so I put together my application materials and went for it.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? I was determined to get an MBA in New York City, so I only applied to CBS and Stern.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? I was when I was asked, “What value will you add to the class of 2022? What will you contribute to make the experience of your classmates better?”

What have you been doing to prepare yourself for business school?  A big element is reacquainting myself with the idea of being a student. My days are no longer defined by a work week, and I had to remember how to allocate my time with homework and studying as well. On top of that, I spent a good amount of time optimizing my apartment to have a great workspace where I could be comfortable and focused during virtual classes.

What was your defining moment and how did it prepare you for business school? Honestly, it was deciding to apply a year ahead of schedule in the first place, to take advantage of an opportunity and, in doing so, taking a risk, was big for me. Business school in and of itself is a huge opportunity. If you’re not prepared to step up to the plate and commit to something different and scary, you won’t be able to make the most out of it.

What is your favorite company and what could business students learn from them? I love Away. I am all about wildly innovative companies led by brilliant women, like the two female co-founders.

DON’T MISS: MEET COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2022

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