Forget The MBA? This Harvard Fellow Says There’s A Smarter, Cheaper Path To Success

When Samuel Hymes told friends and colleagues he had earned a fellowship at Harvard, the congratulations poured in — but so did the confusion. “They knew it was a great opportunity,” Hymes says. “But they didn’t really understand what a fellowship is, or how it could shape a career.”

For Hymes, the experience has been transformative. With degrees from Drexel and Georgetown and more than six years in sports and consulting, he now splits his time between a dual fellowship at Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School, anchored at Harvard’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs. Hymes, on LinkedIn, called the appointment “an exceptional opportunity for intellectual growth and scholarly advancement.” 

Over the course of the year, he has led research projects in collaboration with faculty from both Harvard Law and HBS. The interdisciplinary nature of the fellowship, he says, is designed to generate fresh insights at the crossroads of international affairs, law, sports, and business.

DEFINING A FELLOWSHIP

Hymes is quick to point out that “fellowship” is a term often tossed around without clear meaning. “Sometimes it’s mistaken for an unpaid internship, or just a prestigious title,” he says. “But a true fellowship is an opportunity for research, growth, and leadership — often with funding or stipends attached. It’s a chance to expand your skills while contributing to a field.”

In his case, the obligations include producing a research white paper — due December 2026 — on topics ranging from sports diplomacy to AI governance to the economic impact of mega-events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “People look at me for leadership on this work,” he says. “It’s enhanced my time management and given me ownership over a project that can have real impact.”

He notes that fellowships can vary widely. Some may focus on policy, others on industry application, but nearly all provide what Hymes calls “an eye-opening path” for professionals who want academic enrichment without committing to a Ph.D.

FELLOWSHIPS VERSUS THE MBA

The obvious question: Why not an MBA? 

“That’s what people ask me all the time,” Hymes says. “And it’s true: MBA tuition has skyrocketed. A fellowship can be a more financially viable way to grow. You might even be paid while also working full-time, so you don’t have to step out of your career.”

Hymes isn’t ruling out further education — professors have encouraged him to consider a Ph.D. — but he insists his fellowship has already opened doors. 

“From an HR perspective, directors care deeply about experience,” he says. “A fellowship combines academic grounding with real-world engagement. For me, it’s been the best of both.”

A CAREER ROOTED IN SPORTS & LEADERSHIP

Before Harvard, Hymes built his career in sports and consulting. At SHRM, the HR advisory giant, he helped launch a sports entertainment division. Later, he worked on the Washington Commanders’ high-profile name change. 

“It was a unique case study in branding and culture,” he says. “It gave me a front-row seat to how business decisions intersect with identity and community.”

That background prepared him for the global lens of his current research. Sports diplomacy, he argues, can be a powerful tool for building bridges across political divides. 

“Look at Brazil’s struggles after the 2014 World Cup, or Greece’s financial fallout after the 2004 Olympics,” he says. “My goal is to help leaders understand how to make the World Cup and LA28 economically sustainable and beneficial for everyone.”

SPREADING THE WORD

For Hymes, one of the biggest challenges is simply raising awareness. “Most people don’t even know fellowships exist outside academia,” he says. “They’re not always advertised. But they can be just as career-changing as an MBA.”

He encourages young professionals to do the legwork. “There are databases out there — the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has one of the best — and you can search by interest: sports, marketing, policy, whatever field you want to grow in. You’d be surprised how many opportunities are out there.”

His advice is simple: “Keep fellowships in mind. They’re not just a line on a résumé. They’re a way to grow, to build a network, and to shape a career you’ll look back on with pride.”

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