Emily Donald

Texas Christian University Neeley School of Business

“I am a food scientist, standard poodle mom, gardening enthusiast and MBA student.”

Hometown: Carthage, Texas

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have a large houseplant collection.

Undergraduate School and Major: Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology, Texas A&M University; Master of Science in Food Science, Kansas State University

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Daisy Brand, Research Technologist

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of TCU Neeley’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I chose TCU Neeley for my MBA because of the amazing Horned Frog alumni and business community network, and the personalized attention that each student receives at TCU. Prior to and after admission, members of the admissions team and second-year MBA students checked in with me. They mailed TCU swag which made me feel like part of the program before I even arrived on campus. I also have family that graduated from TCU and seeing how the connections they made at TCU helped their career really made me want to be a part of it. In the Neeley School of Business, I am not just a number: everyone really cares about me and my success. TCU has extremely generous scholarship resources which only made it more apparent that they are invested in my future and my success.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at TCU Neeley? I am really excited about Neeley & Associates Consultants, which will provide an opportunity to get involved with real clients to help solve real-world business issues. During our two-week orientation, the START Workshop, we learned about Neeley & Associates Consultants and heard from second-year students about the companies they worked with. I believe that being a part of Neeley & Associates Consultants will help the transition between my food science background and my future career. Leading up to Neeley & Associates Consultants, we have many opportunities to participate in case competitions. I had the chance to compete in the 8th Annual PepsiCo MBA Invitational Case Competition and took first place along with teammates from three other MBA programs.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment comes from my journey that got me to where I am now. Each decision, and every step, has taught me important lessons about myself and what I am moving toward in the future. All the cumulative stepping stones, from my bachelor’s and master’s degree to my job as a food scientist and now my MBA journey, have impacted me as a person and I am looking forward to the next experience.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? Keeping up with current events and market trends has been helpful in class discussions. A brief read every day and can be really beneficial to your experience as an MBA student.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into TCU Neeley’s MBA program? Reach out and talk to the admissions team! Everyone at TCU Neeley genuinely wants to help and the admissions team has a wealth of information. It was especially valuable to me to come to a campus preview day to speak directly with the admissions team, current MBA students and sit in on a class. The admissions team hosts prospective students at events like the Fort Worth Rodeo and Texas Rangers games, giving us a flavor of life in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. While visiting, enjoy a great meal near campus, experience the Stockyards or attend a TCU athletics event to get the full experience. Finally, don’t be intimidated by the price tag. TCU’s generous scholarships, awarded through the interview process, help make the decision to get an MBA from TCU an obvious choice!

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