The Favorite Courses Of MBAs

“Pricing Strategies taught by Professor Utpal Dholakia was my favorite course throughout the MBA experience. The course was focused on a central question about how to increase profits without directly increasing price or lowering costs. MBA students are taught that profit is revenue minus cost and those are our two main levers to pull with any strategy. Hence, this seems an impossible quandary. By focusing on actionable best practices and a case-based approach we explored practices like shrinkflation, artificial scarcity, and product offering expansion. Despite initially hating these practices as a consumer, by the end of the course I appreciated the way they engineered a solution to this pricing strategy problem. I particularly loved that all of the knowledge learned throughout the course is immediately applicable to the work I will start this fall in a full-time role.”
Ahmad Tipu, Rice University (Jones)

“The Global Field Experience (GFE), a core MBA course at Rice, was my favorite. Through the course, we tackled consulting projects with firms in developing countries, culminating in a week-long trip for final presentations. Ironically, our team never traveled abroad due to VISA and other restrictions. This, however, never limited us from having an amazing learning experience. Working with an Argentinian-based communications company, we were initially tasked to develop a joint-venture growth strategy for their expansion into the U.S. However, as the project evolved, we helped the client adopt a broader strategic perspective, exceeding their initial expectations. They were incredibly pleased with our work and Rice administration invited us to be featured on the website based on the client’s review. This experience taught me the adaptability and critical thinking to navigate unforeseen challenges and deliver impactful solutions that meet client needs. GFE remains my favorite course for exposing me to my first-ever client work and instilling confidence to begin a career in consulting.”
Sameera Bhamidipati, Rice University (Jones)

“My favorite course during my MBA was Organizational Behaviour, taught by Professor Castellucci. Coming from a career where results were the primary measure of success and interactions with others were secondary, this course was a revelation. It shifted my perspective on the importance of soft skills and relationship-building in the workplace. In my previous experience, performance was black-and- white: you were either excelling with rewards or underperforming and at risk. However, this course illuminated how the real world operates beyond such straightforward metrics. It emphasized the significance of individual interactions and how they contribute to moving a company forward in a cohesive manner. I learned that being correct isn’t always enough in an organization. The true art of leadership lies in building consensus, understanding team dynamics, and fostering an environment where everyone can contribute meaningfully. This course was not just educational; it was a profound eye-opener that reshaped my understanding of what it means to be an effective leader in a complex, interpersonal business world.”
Leonardo Ricci, SDA Bocconi

“My favorite MBA course has been Business and Policy in the Age of Inequality with Professor Adam Cobb. It provided eye-opening perspectives on how government policies and corporate practices have shaped income inequality in America. Professor Cobb’s interactive teaching style brought these issues to life. For example, we were tasked with constructing a household budget based on low income. Assignments like these helped us to gain some perspective on the financial struggles that many families face. This course pushed me to consider how I could positively impact economic equality and empowered me as a citizen – and future business leader – to drive ethical policies and business practices for a more equitable future.”
Izzi Gonzalez, University of Texas (McCombs)

“During my first year, I took Social Sector Solutions, a management consulting class that pairs five-to-six-person client teams with nonprofit and social sector organizations. Working with Rivet School’s leadership team, in addition to a diverse group of graduate and undergraduate students, was phenomenal. The class paired the hard work of a consulting project (about 900 cumulative hours for a given semester) with coaching from experienced McKinsey consultants. For me, what really made this class was my team and MBA team lead. Whether we were cranking out slide decks, rewriting research reports, or reevaluating strategies, our team never missed a chance to eat and watch the sunset together. Though consulting is not my chosen career path, I feel I grew immensely in my client management and strategy skills.”
Alex Berry, UC Berkeley (Haas)

“My absolute favorite course during my MBA was Professor AJ Ogilvie’s Problem-Solving and Decision-Making class. This course was structured like a laboratory, where we were presented with a real client facing a specific problem. Emulating a traditional consulting approach, it was our task to bring clarity to the issue and identify critical opportunities for innovation. What made this class stand out for me was its hands-on, real-world application. It effectively bridged the gap between theory and practice, requiring us to engage our creative and analytical skills. As a marketer, this course resonated deeply with me. It demanded a harmonious blend of creativity and analytics, enabling us to craft solutions that were not unique, but also directly applicable to the challenges at hand.”
Karnessia Georgetown, USC (Marshall)

“The most insightful and thought-provoking class at Darden is Paths to Power. Peter Belmi brings to life the class through incredibly curated simulations. Paths to Power is the rare class where we not only get to openly discuss all the glamorous and unglamorous realities of the business world, but also confront our own willingness to climb the ladder. Through this fascinating journey with Peter, we develop better guardrails for making sure that when we get into positions of power, we can consider the people outside the boardroom walls, creating meaningful impact beyond just the quantifiable.”
Saamia Noorali, University of Virginia (Darden)

“My favorite course in my MBA program was LeadershipPlus. The core aim of the LeadershipPlus course is to develop a personalized leadership style by understanding one’s own personality and learning how to collaborate with people of different personalities. At the beginning of the course, they utilized a model developed by a company called Mindflick, which has taken lessons from high performance sports teams and applied them to the business world, to help us understand our own mindsets and behavior styles. For instance, it explored whether we focus on risks or rewards when faced with new opportunities. This was followed by various case studies and group activities designed to prompt reflection on our own behaviors and those of our team.

The reason I favor this course is its practical framework, which aids in learning about team management—an inherently abstract subject. This approach not only facilitated a deeper understanding of how different leadership styles affect team dynamics, but also equipped us with the tools to effectively manage and lead diverse teams. Through interactive sessions and reflective exercises, I gained insights into effective communication, conflict resolution, and the art of motivation, which are crucial skills for any leader. Moreover, the course’s emphasis on self-awareness as a foundation for leadership growth has been particularly transformative, encouraging a continuous journey of personal and professional development.”
Tzu-Ling (Linda) Huang, Warwick Business School

“My favorite course during my MBA journey at WashU Olin Business School has been Power and Politics in Organizations. This course stands out to me for its practicality and relevance to my role as the founder and CEO of For Womanhood. As a leader striving to create meaningful change in society, I’ve come to understand that having a worthy goal or a good idea isn’t enough. Effective leadership demands a keen awareness of how organizations function and the ability to navigate complex power dynamics. This course provided invaluable insights and equipped me with the skills to navigate organizational politics adeptly. In any environment, whether a university campus or a corporate setting, intricate webs of power and influence are at play. Understanding these dynamics enables me to make strategic decisions and forge alliances that advance the mission of For Womanhood. Power and Politics in Organizations also emphasized the importance of exercising influence ethically and authentically. Whether it’s rallying support for our safety app or advocating for policy changes, the ability to influence stakeholders is paramount. By honing these skills, I will continue to mobilize resources and drive initiatives that benefit all Gen-Z college females across the nation.”
Cherise Brookes, Washington University (Olin)

“My favorite course is Strategic Leadership Across Sectors, taught by Professor Jeffery Sonnenfeld. This course allows students to have face-to-face interactions with Fortune 500 CEOs, advocacy specialists, heads of media and entertainment, government officials, and more. What I love about this class is not only that Professor Sonnenfeld brings in these phenomenal speakers, but that he encourages students to ask tough questions, network, and have a transparent dialogue with individuals who we may never be able to meet otherwise. His willingness and commitment for ensuring that his students’ voices are heard is truly refreshing to see, and is something that every professor should strive for.”
MiChaela Barker, Yale School of Management

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