Katie Pelkey

University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

“Great listener and sense of humor. Approachable. Empathetic. Motivated. Driven. Versatile. Disciplined. Persistent. Resourceful. Resilient.”

Hometown: Brighton, M

Fun Fact About Yourself: I bought my first home when I was 20 and have remodeled four homes with my husband since then.

Undergraduate School and Major: Cleary University, Bachelor of Business Administration and Florida Institute of Technology, Masters of Public Administration

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: United States Coast Guard, Helicopter Instructor Pilot and Administration Officer

What word best describes the Chicago Booth MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far and why? The students here are brilliant, talented, and ambitious. The alumni are incredibly supportive and want you to be successful both at Booth and afterward. The energy is so positive, and it feels like one big welcome home hug when you arrive.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Chicago Booth’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school, and why was it so important to you? I was drawn to Chicago Booth because of the flexibility in choosing classes. Selecting the classes you think will benefit you the most compared to following a scripted course load allows you to make the most out of your time at a B-school. As someone who is a little further in age and career, the value of my education improves by choosing to focus on areas I’m weaker in or to target subjects I want to pursue more deeply.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Chicago Booth? As an active-duty member of the armed services, I’m excited to be a part of the Armed Forces Group, and as a mother I’m excited to network with other working moms at Mothers at Booth. As for classes, one of the many classes I think will be highly beneficial for my aspirations is Managerial Decision Modeling, which teaches how to structure complex problems, analyze the options, and make the best decision.

When you think of the Booth philosophy, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why? Opportunity. Chicago Booth is the school of opportunity because it provides the right tools, experiences, support, and resources for each student to expand their abilities, pursue their interests, and be successful in their endeavors.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Of all the missions, tasks, and efforts, I think the most significant achievement is being a mother and wife through it all. One of the most continually challenging aspects of my life is trying to balance all the obligations and requirements of serving, especially with an active-duty spouse, while also managing a family. Through it all, balance is almost unachievable but is always sought after. I have also developed a strong resiliency over time.

How did COVID-19 change your perspective on your career and your life in general? COVID-19 has opened my eyes to the ability of organizations and individuals to adapt and innovate to continue to persevere in difficult times. Personally, it was a reminder that life is short, and you should take calculated risks to pursue what you love. Both of those points continue to shape my goals while at Booth and my future plans.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? After many years in aviation, I was looking for a challenge and wanted to do something different. As a sponsored student, I will return to work for the United States Coast Guard after my degree. I will most likely work in budget analysis and execution or as a comptroller for the service for at least four years. I’m in the process of considering what I will do after and hope my journey at Booth will help shape my plans.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? I applied to Wharton, Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, and Scheller College of Business

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Chicago Booth’s MBA program? I have two pieces of advice:

1. Be vulnerable in your essays/narratives. It is easy to describe your situation and your goals analytically, but it can be challenging to let the emotional side of your experience and dreams shine through. Getting the reader to feel your story will strongly connect them with you as an applicant.

2. Don’t stress. Easier said than done. I admit I fail miserably at this life lesson all the time. I often look back and reflect on wasting calories, stressing about something I couldn’t control. If you are reading this, chances are you will be successful in life regardless of whether you get your number one school or your last choice.

DON’T MISS: MEET CHICAGO BOOTH’S MBA CLASS OF 2023