Our Challenge to YOU: Be the Change

The events of the last few weeks, let alone the last few months, have left me feeling, well, a lot:  anger, sadness, disappointment, discomfort, and yet hope for a better tomorrow. But I know that is nothing compared to what our black friends, neighbors, colleagues, and fellow citizens are, and have been, feeling in this country. As a white woman, I’ve been struck by the realization of just how deep and pervasive racism still is in our systems and organizations, and I still have so much more to learn.

As I’ve begun my journey in self-reflection, research, and engaging in difficult conversations, I started thinking about what this means for my MBA applicant clients – young professionals who will likely be the next generation of corporate leaders. While it’s disheartening to see the terrible inequality that persists in our country, I believe that now more than ever it’s important to focus on what you, what we, can change and start taking steps to make those changes a reality. These unprecedented times present an unprecedented opportunity: to rebuild our economy and our organizations in the right way to benefit more people and pave the way for a more equitable future.

So, what does that mean for you as an MBA applicant? That means that YOU, as a future business leader, should be thinking long and hard about what kind of role you want to play in creating a brighter and better future. As MBA admissions consultants, we’ve always pushed our clients to do the reflection and introspection necessary to put together truly authentic applications. But now, more than ever, is the right time to be asking yourself “what can I do differently going forward?”, “how can I use my MBA experience to grow as a leader who will have the courage to enact change?”, and “how can I use my skills and experiences to level the playing field?”  

And that’s why, you’re why, I dare feel hopeful for the future.

As for us and our team, our work is only getting started. Meredith and I have already been discussing changes we can make to our hiring practices to have better representation and diversity. (Yes, we realize that being a woman-run business is far from enough.) We’re also looking at ways that we can make our services more accessible and relevant for a broader audience. More to come on this topic and we absolutely welcome your thoughts and input.

Change is a community effort and we’re all in it for the long-haul. We want to keep up the dialogue and keep learning, growing, and improving indefinitely. That also means we want to hear from you!  We want to hear your feedback on what you just read here, and your ideas for us and our industry of people who are coaching the next generation of business leaders. More than ever, we’re humbled and honored to be a part of the MBA application journey with all of you and we can’t wait to see how you will rise to the challenge of taking a stand and creating positive change throughout your careers.