Lauren Miller 

University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management

“Resilient, driven, intensely curious. After on-campus recruiting? Tired, over-caffeinated, but cautiously optimistic.”

Hometown: Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am a big fan of art and music! I love to draw, and I play saxophone and piano.

Undergraduate School and Major: I am proudly a “Double Gopher.” I got my undergraduate degree in Neuroscience, with an Art minor from the University of Minnesota.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: I am currently the graduate assistant coach for the women’s rowing team here on campus. I rowed during my undergraduate career, and am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with the team again.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of the school’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? As an undergraduate, I became familiar with Carlson through friends and colleagues who attended the school. Carlson is well-known for its experiential learning through the Enterprise programs. They also have an incredible network in the healthcare and medical device space, and their Medical Industry Leadership specialization is exceptionally strong.  I knew that the hands-on learning, combined with the support of the Carlson network, would effectively prepare me for my future career.

At Carlson, you are part of one of the most dynamic business environments in the country. What has made the Twin Cities such a great place to live and learn for you? The Twin Cities is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and serves as one of the central hubs for healthcare and medical devices within the United States. As I mentioned previously, the Carlson network within these Twin Cities companies is incredibly supportive; anyone is willing to give you some time off of their calendar for a virtual coffee chat. Aside from a great business environment, there are hundreds of fantastic restaurants (for takeout) and parks (for masked gatherings). For as large as the city is, there is also a surprising number of outdoor activities and available during all seasons. I personally am determined to learn to cross country ski this winter.

What quality best describes your MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Badass. Can I say that here? But seriously… each person I’ve met so far has been uniquely talented, incredibly driven, and compassionate in a way I didn’t think was possible through a predominantly virtual environment. We have found ways to support one another through the rigorous fall core curriculum and on-campus recruiting season – and we’ve had laugh-out-loud side conversations through dozens of different class and club group chats. I can say, without a doubt, that these are some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: As I write this, I just finished my final on-campus interview. Five years ago, I never could have imagined myself at business school, let alone interviewing for internships with some of the largest medical technology firms in the country. I think the biggest accomplishment in my journey so far was making the decision to pivot my career and attend Carlson. I am continuously surprised by the opportunities found through this experience and feel both challenged and supported throughout my career path.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career?I spent much of my undergraduate career in neuroscience research. Following graduation, I trained full time as an athlete in hopes of securing a spot on a national team. In addition to my own training, I got heavily involved in coaching and young athlete development. Throughout these experiences, I realized that not only did I enjoy the intellectual challenges in scientific research, but I also love building relationships and connecting with people. I knew that an MBA from Carlson would be the most logical next step in bridging these two skill sets and would accelerate my career by developing the necessary business acumen to be a successful leader in the medical device industry.

DON’T MISS: MEET MINNESOTA CARLSON’S MBA CLASS OF 2022