KD Journal Profile: Erika Martinez

Hometown:

Seattle, WA

Fun Fact About Yourself:

Last summer, my partner and I went ice climbing on the Falljökull glacier in Vatnajökull, Iceland, and were the only people on it (alongside our mini-tour group of 3 other people). It was an unforgettable experience! 

Undergraduate School and Major:

B.A. in Media & Communication Studies

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:

Producer II at Microsoft (343 Industries) 

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of KD programming that led you to choose this business school, and why was it so important to you?

One of the key parts that led me to choose KD is that it has one of the most immersive classroom experiences online AND in person (often praised by many online articles) and its infrastructure is built to help students and professors succeed. When my job shifted to the working-from-home model during the pandemic, it showed me what kind of tools were important for me to have available to be able to communicate and deliver results all while online. Additionally, the KD program has its Kelley On Campus experience, which stood out to me as a great way to see the university and meet other classmates. While I have appreciated working from home as of late, I miss the magic of collaboration in person, and I cannot wait for my first Kelley On Campus experience this summer!  

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Kelley?

I’m stoked to eventually join one of the real-world global and domestic immersions – I love to travel and am a very hands-on learner. The idea of coming in to solve real-world problems within a span of a few days while making profound connections is extremely exciting to me. I will no doubt write a blog/post a vlog of this experience. 

What other MBA programs did you apply to?

I applied to the University of Illinois: Gies College of Business, University of Washington – Bothell: School of Business, Washington State University: Carson College of Business. 

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into KD’s MBA program?

I would encourage starting applications as early as possible and having a strong personal statement. This could explain clearly how you may apply what you’ve learned from the program to the real world and/or how you will contribute to the experience of your classmates based on your work experience. Other classmates I’ve partnered with this far are some of the smartest and most collaborative people I’ve met outside of my industry, and it’s rewarding to learn from and alongside them. Best of luck to anyone applying to Kelley Direct – it is well worth the effort! 

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