Meet Four Students From Booth’s Inaugural Master In Management Class

Art history and game development might not be the most traditional backgrounds for graduate business students, but they’re a perfect fit for Chicago Booth’s new Master in Management Program.

Specifically designed for recent college graduates in liberal arts and STEM fields, the MiM Program offers a new pathway to a management degree. The program draws on Booth’s world-renowned faculty and MBA curriculum to prepare students for rewarding, entry-level careers in everything from consulting and investment management to data analytics and entrepreneurship—and beyond. At Booth, it takes just 10 months to complete.

The inaugural cohort of students will begin classes this fall. We spoke to four members of the cohort to find out why they chose Booth’s MiM Program and how it will help them reach their goals.

Bruno Pasquinelli

is a senior at the University of Chicago, where he is majoring in media arts and design with a focus on games.

What got you interested in Booth’s Master in Management Program?

I’m a game developer, not a traditional businessperson. But I’ve taken on quasi-leadership positions in my on-campus jobs and other areas of my life, and I thought the MiM would be a good way to follow up on that interest and learn more about business.

What are your career goals, and how will this degree help you reach them?

A couple of friends and I made a game last summer with university funding, and we have tentative plans to start a studio together. Once we start making games on our own, it will be very helpful to know something about business, organizations, and management.

What are you most looking forward to about the program?

Community is clearly an important component of the program, and that’s very appealing to me. We already have a Slack channel for admitted students, and before we start courses we’ll participate in Boothcamp, which is an opportunity to get to know each other as we embark on this journey together. I’m looking forward to rubbing shoulders with people from all over the world.

 

Marisol Ballesteros

is a senior at Dartmouth College, where she is majoring in economics and double minoring in global health and Hispanic studies.

What got you interested in Booth’s Master in Management Program?

I wanted to advance my finance skills, and the program’s blend of technical expertise and entrepreneurial course offerings appealed to me. While I do plan to pursue an MBA in the future, I chose the MiM Program because of its tailored approach for recent college graduates and its focused foundation for early-career acceleration. In addition, Booth’s reputation as a top business school and its renowned faculty and extensive network align perfectly with my goals of expanding my own network and fostering mentorship connections.

What are your career goals, and how will this degree help you reach them?

I intend to transition to a role in investment banking or private equity, with long-term aspirations of launching my own entrepreneurial venture. The MiM Program’s specialized tracks in finance and entrepreneurship are uniquely tailored to my career ambitions, equipping me with the necessary technical skills for success.

What are you most looking forward to about the program?

I am very excited about tapping into Booth’s exceptional network of alumni and faculty, as well as immersing myself in the vibrant environment of Chicago.

 

Ryan Hammond

is studying philosophy, politics, and economics at Dartmouth College.

What got you interested in Booth’s Master in Management Program?

I had a strong liberal arts education at Dartmouth, but now I need a foundation in accounting and finance because I’m going into investment banking. The Master in Management Program was particularly appealing because it segues perfectly into Booth’s Accelerated MBA Program, which would take me a little more than a year to complete.

What are your career goals, and how will this degree help you reach them?

After graduation, I’ll be working in investment banking at Santander, the largest bank in Latin America. The MiM Program will give me the technical skills I’ll need in the field, as well as a strong knowledge base to help me understand the root of the problems that come up in investment banking.

What are you most looking forward to about the program?

Dartmouth is in rural New Hampshire, so being in a global city is exciting to me. I love how the Gleacher Center is on the Magnificent Mile and in walking distance to everything. I’m also looking forward to learning from Booth’s world-renowned business faculty and having access to all of Booth’s networking opportunities and other resources.

 

Zoey Mao

is a senior at the University of Chicago, where she’s majoring in art history with a specialization in architectural history.

What got you interested in Booth’s Master in Management Program?

I’ve focused my undergrad studies on a creative field and plan to do something with art. But the internships I had during college—one at an architectural firm and the other in art consultancy—showed me that business strategies and management principles are just as important as the creative side in shaping the direction of creative industries.

What are your career goals, and how will this degree help you reach them?

My goal is to find a career that weaves art and business together. I’m considering architecture, but I’m also looking into auction houses, galleries, museums, and even creative consulting firms. Wherever I end up, I know it will be important to have a strong foundation in business principles.

What are you most looking forward to about the program?

I’ve taken a few Booth classes as an undergrad, so I know that Booth has a great learning environment. I’m looking forward to surrounding myself with people who are passionate, and I’m excited to meet more people as I move on to the next chapter of my life.

---

© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.