Joseph Rodriguez

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management

“Resourceful problem solver, fun-loving cat dad, and Proud Texan!”

Hometown: Kyle (Austin), TX

Fun Fact About Yourself: I started my first job at 13 as a Youth Soccer Referee. I have given exactly 1 red card as a 15-year-old, and it resulted in me having to remove the team’s head coach. I had so many people yelling at me!

Undergraduate School and Major: Texas State University, Finance

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Comerica Bank, Senior Financial Analyst

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? Aside from the people, Kellogg’s focus on experiential learning really drew me in. I know that I learn best through doing and reflecting on my mistakes, so I made that a priority when deciding which program I wanted to attend. I knew I wanted to be in a place where I could gain hands-on and real experience. A few courses that I’m looking forward to participating in are Leader as Coach, and the Growth Strategy Practicum, where I will gain experience coaching other Northwestern students and working with Chicago-based companies solving some of their strategically important projects. I know that at Kellogg I will have the opportunity to grow as a leader and make an impact on the community.

What makes Chicago such a great place to earn an MBA? When I was applying to MBA programs, I really wanted to live in or near a large city. I wanted to be close to employers, diverse communities, and great food. Chicago has all those things and more and Evanston is only a short commute away. At Kellogg you have access to top employers, a lot of them with headquarters or major offices in the city. You can grab coffee or attend club events in Chicago and still have the tight-knit community in Evanston.

I also really like that Chicago is an international city with lots of local neighborhoods and diverse people. There’s also a lot to say about how friendly everyone is here. “Midwest nice” is a real thing! Having people smile and wave at you while walking down the street reminds me of where I grew up. Despite being a large city, lots of people offer small-town hospitality and focus on community.  It’s also a great place to get a bite to eat! There are plenty of excellent restaurants no matter what you’re craving and, in the summer, there are tons of neighborhood festivals and events that are a great opportunity to explore.

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? I grew up playing team sports, mainly soccer, but I was never the star player. From a young age, I recognized that I needed the help of others to achieve my goals. This has stuck with me throughout my life and career, even when leading teams, it is always “How can I make others better?” Teams are built to achieve something that a single individual cannot, and my strength is recognizing that no matter what my role is, it is always about how I can improve the team, add value, and learn from others.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Northwestern Kellogg? As a proud Texan, I’m really looking forward to the Texas Business Club. My goal has always been to eventually move back to Texas. The fact that there is a club dedicated to students interested in careers there was the icing on the cake in my decision to attend Kellogg. Of course, I’m excited about KWEST and joining other clubs such as the Hispanic Management Association and the Consulting Club, but the Texas Business Club just speaks to me! I can talk about Texas all day, especially about my love for H-E-B (if you know, you know)! The fact that I will build relationships and bond over Texas is just amazing to me. I will have a built-in network as soon as I move back to Texas. That to me is invaluable. Not many top programs have such a strong alumni presence in Texas and this club assures that trend continues. I’m also excited about the annual Fajitas & Ritas event. I love some good fajitas!

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. My first impression of Kellogg students and alumni has been that they’re authentic and kind people. They really care about who you are and are willing to go the extra mile to help others. When I started my MBA application process and school research, I was initially hesitant to apply to programs in the Midwest particularly because I was nervous about the winters. I had only ever lived in Texas and my only experience with extreme cold was the tragic disaster that was the 2021 winter storm that hit Texas. Needless to say, I was apprehensive about the cold!

To try and quell my fears, I decided to reach out to students. I did a quick LinkedIn search for “Texas” and “Kellogg”, and I landed on an incoming student named Isaiah Lewis, who was moving from Austin to Evanston. Although he hadn’t yet experienced the Midwest winters, he took the time to chat with me about his application experience and why he chose Kellogg. We stayed in contact and I eventually met him in person during Day at Kellogg (DAK). He connected me with others within the Kellogg community. I felt super welcomed and more of a member of the community instead of a prospective student. This was a huge factor in my final decision to attend Kellogg. Since then, Isaiah has helped me through the pre-MBA recruiting process, offering support and checking in on me. These are the type of people that I think the Kellogg culture attracts and is why I’m so excited to be part of the community!

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I’m most proud of my involvement advancing Hispanic talent in Dallas and Comerica. A couple of years ago I was invited to be a panelist at ALPFA Dallas’ Regional Student Symposium. I had the opportunity to share my journey of being a first-generation college student to becoming a young professional with more than 250 students from Texas universities. I shared how I dealt with imposter syndrome and navigated unfamiliar settings. Coincidentally, my story resonated with the audience, and I offered additional support to a few attendees during their job-hunting journey. From that point on, I dedicated my free time to volunteering with ALPFA Dallas and helping others advance their careers.

A few months later, I had the opportunity to become the Chair of Talent Attraction for Mi Gente, which is Comerica’s Hispanic focused employee resource group. I partnered with HR to speak with Hispanic focused student organizations and grow Comerica’s brand among historically underrepresented populations. I also organized several workshops to help colleagues advance in their careers. Before I left Comerica, I partnered with our Talent Development team to organize an event focused on pivoting and advancing careers, and how to have professional development conversations with your manager. At Kellogg, I look forward to continuing this work. I plan to be involved with the Hispanic Management Association helping prospective students and becoming a resource for the Kellogg community.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? I applied to Kellogg with three main goals:

1) Become a better communicator through storytelling;

2) Develop as an empathetic leader;

3) Create meaningful relationships and lasting memories.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Sloan, CBS, Booth, GSB, McCombs, and UW Foster.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Northwestern Kellogg’s MBA program? My advice would be to really reflect on your experiences to understand your “why?. Be authentic, and plan ahead.  No matter what program you apply to, you must know yourself and your reason for applying. Knowing your “why?” at the beginning of the application process will help you build a roadmap and make the whole process smoother. It’s also important to be authentic. The Kellogg community is full of genuine people willing to support and prop you up, but people know when you are telling them what you think they want to hear. Be yourself, be genuine. You’re more than good enough to get in. Lastly, plan ahead! The application process is hectic. Give yourself enough time to do research, connect with students, and visit the campus if you can.