Emma Chen

University of Michigan, Ross School of Business

“A global traveler who has explored over 30 countries and counting.”

Hometown: Taipei, Taiwan

Fun Fact About Yourself: I learned how to listen and speak Cantonese in just 9 days.

Undergraduate School and Major: Simon Fraser University majoring in Finance, Master at National Taiwan University, majoring Finance

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: PwC – Manager, Deals

Michigan Ross is best known for experiential learning programming like MAP, Living Business Leadership Experience, and the Leadership Crisis Challenge. What experiential program interests you the most? I’m most excited about the MAP project because it offers a chance to work on real business problems with real companies while still having the safety net of being a student. This environment encourages pushing boundaries, taking risks, and applying what we learn in a hands-on way.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Michigan Ross’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The robust recruiting resources, especially the pre-MBA summer recruiting prep course, were a key factor for me. As someone prone to FOMO, I found it reassuring to have a clear, step-by-step guide from the career office, which helps alleviate anxiety by outlining exactly what needs to be done to succeed.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Michigan Ross? I’m really looking forward to everything Ross offers in terms of professional courses and clubs, but I’m especially excited about joining the Wine Club and the Ski & Snowboarding Club. These clubs host fun networking events that not only help international students enjoy Ann Arbor’s winter, but also create meaningful connections along the way.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized that the Ross School was the right MBA program for you? Why? The moment I knew Ross was right for me was when they introduced the summer recruiting prep course. It was the most comprehensive job search experience I’ve had, starting with assessments that helped me align my career interests with my true passions. The structured step-by-step process really relieved the stress of recruitment by providing clear guidance on what to do next.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2026? Why? My Asian cultural roots, combined with years of overseas experience and my work in M&A consulting, allow me to offer a unique perspective. I’m also passionate about traveling and fostering community. I’m currently planning a Taiwan Trek for my fellow classmates next May, which I hope will be both an enriching and bonding experience.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Leading the launch of HSBC Taiwan’s digital account opening platform. It not only saved significant time for thousands of clients, but also streamlined the process, reducing branch and back-office operation times by half.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Michigan Ross’s MBA program? Don’t be afraid to be your authentic self. Ross values applicants who are genuine about their accomplishments, interests, and unique qualities.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE MICHIGAN ROSS MBA CLASS OF 2026

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