Meet The Class Of 2018 At Kellogg

Quasie Jones

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management and McCormick School of Engineering (MMM Program)

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: An optimistic realist who loves helping others and making people laugh.

Hometown: Queens, NY

Fun Fact About Yourself: In 6th grade, I participated in a prestigious musical advancement program as a violinist at the Julliard School.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Pennsylvania, Communication

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: Booz Allen Hamilton – Consultant, Senior Consultant and Qubit – Executive Strategist

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:The biggest accomplishment in my career occurred recently when I received a text from a mentee of mine stating that he secured his first summer internship with the NYC Department of Small Business Services. This was especially impactful for me because I was able to use my professional experience to help him rebuild his resume and prep for his interview, but more importantly, give him the confidence to know he could secure a professional internship. He had the raw intelligence and talent, but needed some guidance in order to put It all together. As the first person in his family to go to college, he established a solid foundation through our work together for which he and his family can continue to build on. I’m hoping I can inspire him to apply to Kellogg one day, but one thing at a time.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? The business school application process is an opportunity to sit down and engage in serious life introspection. It’s a chance to think about all your life experiences to date and how they’ve blended together to make you who you are. Authenticity is key to any essay and application and without considering the past you, the present you and the future you, it will be very difficult to thoughtfully construct a complete application. In this process, it’s easy to get caught up in the rankings of each school, but I urge applicants to consider a simple question: Is this the best school for me? Consider your optimal learning style. Do you prefer small or large class sizes?  Do you prefer hands-on learning or case-based learning? Did I feel at home when I visited? Every school has its own culture and style, so figure out where will you be the most comfortable and happy during those two years. I believe in happiness over everything!

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? The moment I read about Kellogg’s MMM program, I knew it was the program for me. The MMM Program awards each graduate with an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management + MS in Design Innovation from the McCormick School of Engineering. More importantly, MMM students develop a unique/creative/innovative/analytical skillset that spans over design, business and technology.  As we evolve into a more digital society, having a deep understanding of the synergy between these key areas will be a huge value add.  The MMM program marries innovative problem solving approaches such as design thinking with real world application.  We don’t just discuss problems  – we build prototypes to create solutions.

I also choose Kellogg because I wanted to be part of a family and not just another student.  When I spoke with alumni and admission officers, I could tell they were invested in my future and deeply wanted me to share the Kellogg experience. Kellogg is a place that embraces big ideas and inspires the mind, but most of all, empowers its students with the confidence to create. 

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? My dream job is to become a Venture Capitalist who uses a design perspective to make strategic investments.  Analyzing businesses through a design lens allows for an additive aesthetic and usability insight, which is often overlooked in early stage companies. User-centered design should be incorporated into all products and I plan to use this skillset to invest in companies that will change the world.

As a tech nerd, I’ve always researched aspirational products of the future, so Venture Capital is simply turning a passion into a career. I’m especially interested in the future applications in the augmented reality, virtual reality, and consumer internet space, which have the potential to revolutionize the world we live in. A career in venture capital is a perfect alignment of my deep interest in future innovative technologies that will not only make our lives simpler and more efficient, but also help make the dreams of entrepreneurs a reality.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program?  “Quasie is the guy I call when I have incredible news, but also the guy I call when my world is falling apart.”