Harvard Portrait Project, MBA Class Of 2022

LAURA UCROS TELLEZ, MBA ’22

My first week at HBS, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. The pandemic was at its peak, my personal life had been upended, and I had not found a vocation in my professional career.

Throughout my life, whenever I struggled, I didn’t allow myself time for second-guessing. This was true when after a 16-year professional tennis career I tore a tendon in my knee beyond repair. The day my doctor broke the news, I went on autopilot mode and built a new identity and a new life. I did not take a minute to look back or grieve the dreams I was leaving behind. I focused on academics and excelled in college. I built a successful career in the business world. I didn’t allow myself to recognize I was struggling, because I forced my mind into not thinking about the difficult time I was going through.

But during my time at HBS, my mind was more strong-willed. I tried to ignore the internal battle I was fighting, but for the first time ever, I was losing control. I tried pretending I was fine, and I probably looked okay to those around me. Eventually my mental health deteriorated to a point where I couldn’t keep hiding it from myself and my loved ones. I thought acknowledging what was happening and asking for help would mean I was weak. Now I know it was the bravest thing I have ever done. It saved my life.

This experience has brought me even closer to my family, has made me more resilient, and has given me purpose. I want to live a happy life surrounded by people I love. I want to help others find joy in their own lives. I want to inspire those who are struggling to keep fighting.

 

MILLY WANG, MBA ’22

I wanted to be an astronaut.

The big unknowns of space fascinated me. I wanted to explore worlds beyond Earth – discover their secrets, advance humanity, and leave behind a legacy amongst the stars. I read all the astrophysics books in the school library, went to NASA space camp, and spent a summer tracking near-Earth asteroids. I always thought that I wanted to be remembered for discovering a habitable planet outside our solar system or furthering the understanding of dark energy.

But as years passed, I’ve come down to earth. I realized that it was actually the little things that others did that I remembered most—my second-grade teacher encouraging me to speak up in class despite my poor English, my friend staying by my side overnight in the emergency room after I broke my ankle despite having an early work meeting the next day, my coworker offering support and advice during challenging moments. Even the smallest gestures can have a meaningful daily impact.

Instead of discovering anything big and spectacular in space, I want to become someone who others can turn to for comfort and reassurance, who can be trusted to offer support and encouragement in moments of uncertainty and doubt, and who challenges them to grow and reach their potential. I want to be remembered for many little, down-to-earth things that I can do for people every day.

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