Meet the MBA Class of 2023: Emily Kaelber, New York University (Stern)

Emily Kaelber

New York University, Stern School of Business

“Army Veteran, prior tech program manager, and fitness enthusiast.”

Hometown: Wallkill, NY

Fun Fact about yourself: My husband and I are both students in the same MBA program at NYU Stern!

Undergraduate School and Major: I graduated with a double major in Management and Spanish from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Program Manager at Facebook

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of NYU Stern’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? NYU Stern’s Fertitta Veterans Program was a key part of my decision to attend NYU. This unique opportunity helps military veterans in their transition to business school by allowing them to start classes and explore different career paths through a summer intensive before the rest of the class starts in the fall.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at NYU Stern? I am most excited about the Doing Business in (DBi) courses. DBi courses afford students the opportunity to spend 1-2 weeks in different countries taking classes and conducting corporate and cultural visits. They are great opportunities to learn how business is conducted in different countries.

What excites you the most about living in New York City and how do you see it enhancing your learning experience? New York City has almost every industry and limitless opportunity to network and explore different career paths. There is also always something interesting to see or do around every corner.

What does EQ (Emotional Intelligence) mean to you and when have you seen its value in your career? I think the most important aspects of EQ are effective communication and empathy. EQ was a very valuable skill in my leadership positions in tech and the Army.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Before joining Facebook, I was an officer in the U.S. Army. During my time in the Army, I was fortunate enough to be in a position to lead an Unmanned Aircraft System (drone) organization in the Middle East. This role was challenging; however, it taught me what I was capable of, and I frequently draw upon the skills I learned in that role.

How did COVID-19 change your perspective on your career and your life in general? COVID-19 made me self-reflect and really think about what would make me happy personally and professionally. Through that, I decided to apply to business school.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? I decided to pursue an MBA to switch careers.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? MIT Sloan, Harvard Business School, and Cornell Johnson. 

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into NYU Stern’s MBA program? Show your personality! The ‘Pick Six’ personal expression essay is a unique aspect of Stern’s application that asks applicants to describe themselves through six images and captions. It is the perfect opportunity to really show the admissions committee who you are.

DON’T MISS: Meet NYU Stern’s MBA Class Of 2023

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