Meet the MBA Class of 2024: Sebastian Salomon, Northwestern University (Kellogg) by: Jeff Schmitt on February 24, 2023 | 422 Views February 24, 2023 Copy Link Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email Share on LinkedIn Share on WhatsApp Share on Reddit Sebastian Salomon Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management “I would describe myself as an easy-going man trying to leave a positive footprint in the world.” Hometown: Dallas, TX Fun Fact About Yourself: I recently got engaged. Undergraduate School and Major: Undergrad- UT Austin (Electrical Engineer) Grad- Southern Methodist University (Applied Statistics) Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Lockheed Martin – Data Scientist Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Northwestern Kellogg’s MBA curriculum or programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I was admitted to the MBAi program, which is a joint degree from McCormick School of Engineering and Kellogg School of Business. This is an MBA with a special focus on Artificial Intelligenc. I chose this program since I am very interested in the way we can use Artificial Intelligence to change the business landscape. Several classes in the MBAi cohort are tailored this way, such as in Marketing where we learned how to design an AI marketing strategy. What course, club or activity excites you the most at Northwestern Kellogg? I’ve enjoyed being part of the Kellogg Tech Club (KTech), as it has cultivated a strong community that is passionate about all things tech. One of the resources in KTech that I found particularly useful is IPG, where we’re separated into small groups and a 2nd year helps guide you through internship recruiting. I’m also fond of the Kellogg FC Club. I can’t currently play because of a recent injury but I still engage in watch parties and in discussions about players and teams. What has been your first impression of the Kellogg MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best Kellogg story so far. So far, I’ve gotten the impression that Kellogg students are very inclusive and diverse, both in perspectives and backgrounds. I remember going to orientation the first day and feeling overwhelmed by the quantity of people I met, but this feeling quickly faded away as soon as I got to know them. Everyone has a different story of how they got there, and fellow classmates were open to hearing my story and sharing theirs. This made me feel welcomed and a part of the Kellogg community. What makes Chicago such a great place to earn an MBA? Chicago offers a multi-cultural experience as it is a big city with numerous amounts of opportunities. This gives the opportunity to meet people like you, yet also provides the opportunity to learn from people who are different from you. Kellogg is known for a team-driven culture. What quality do you bring as a teammate and why will it be so important to the success of MBA class? Collaboration skills. When working in a team I always try to improve the way the team works together and the way the team solves problems. This is important to the success of the class since it leads to more innovation, improved communication, and increased success. Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I developed a new process to forecast a response variable with little to no historical data. I collaborated with specialists to understand the data, used technical skills to develop the formula, met with peers to validate the work, and communicated with customers to deliver results. What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? A Master of Business Administration is known for helping students gain management perspective, leadership development, and communication skills; all of which are necessary for my future goals: leading a team and acquiring a management position in a ML/AI related role. I’m particularly looking forward to taking Applied AI for Business, this class is meant to be an ideal balance between technical expertise and business acumen as related to the ML/AI roles that I want to work in. What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? When We Cease To Understand The World. This is a book by Benjamin Labatut that fuses fact and fiction to turn modern history of physics into a fictional narrative. I loved it since it helped understand fundamental workings of the universe from the perspective of scientists. What other MBA programs did you apply to? Berkeley Haas, NYU Stern What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Northwestern Kellogg’s MBA program? Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone and stay true to your goals. Reach out to former or current students to ask them about their experience, career goals, why they chose to attend Kellogg and how it has impacted their personal and professional growth. DON’T MISS: MEET NORTHWESTERN KELLOGG’S ENTIRE CLASS OF 2024