Pyrenee Steiner

USC, Marshall School of Business

“Absolutely ecstatic about mountains, the stock market, and RBG figurines.”

Hometown: Boulder, Colorado

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve summited all of Colorado’s 58 highest mountains (fourteeners)!

Undergraduate School and Major: Daniels College of Business, University of Denver (Business Marketing)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Peace Corps, Agricultural Economics Agent

What word best describes the Marshall MBA students you’ve met so far and why? Insatiably curious, everyone is hungry to learn more about the world (and each other).

What makes Los Angeles such a great place to earn an MBA? There is such a vibrant culture here. It’s a community where you can grow and learn from the experts and truly discover where your interests and talents converge.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of USC Marshall’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Collaborative culture – Everyone wants to help you succeed and will do whatever they need to help you do so. I’ve never been surrounded by such a wealth of people wanting and willing to do whatever it takes to help me get where I want to go.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at USC Marshall? I’m looking forward to joining Marshall’s case competition team. I love the idea of working in an intense environment to solve complex business problems and being pushed to think outside of the norm with others that want the same.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: During my time as a Peace Corps Volunteer, one of my best memories was when I finally learned how to make the local Ndole (vegetable dish). I had been eating dinner at my neighbor’s house almost every night, watching her spend hours preparing such a labor-intensive meal. However, it wasn’t until three months later, when I finally figured out the perfect combination of spices and leaves, that I could share some of mine with her for the first time. It truly felt like a monumental accomplishment.

How did COVID-19 change your perspective on your career and your life in general? I’ve learned how important it is to take moments to breathe and spend time with your thoughts. Although it’s lonely to be alone, one of the most important things you can do to grow is giving yourself that time to self-reflect and figure out what matters most to you.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? I loved the idea of being surrounded by such a wide variety of people who would challenge me and help me better refine by skills. I’m hoping to work in the international landscape, either as an international project consultant for a non-profit for NGO or in a general social advocacy role.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Yale, SOM

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into USC Marshall’s MBA program? Focus on your story, who you are and what you value. Your GMAT score is not a measure of your self-worth, and your MBA program will not determine your future success. Be mindful and stay hungry.

DON’T MISS: MEET USC MARSHALL’S MBA CLASS OF 2023