Why did you choose the Nicholas program?

My previous professional experience was in public relations. I spent many years marketing consumer products. I then helped companies protect their corporate reputations during crises such as lawsuits, SEC investigations and bankruptcies.

The Nicholas Center provided the perfect segue for me to become more connected with the decisions of the business rather than merely the communicator of them. While many schools might have been able to provide that stepping stone for me, I chose to become a Nicholas member because of the support provided by Cindie Adams and the rest of the team. The center structure offers support and advice that helps me know I'm doing everything I can to achieve my goals.

School of Business > ACFIN >


 
Rachel Nielsen
Nicholas 2006
Best Buy

What would you have done differently in your first year?

The first year at UW is very intense but manageable. In hindsight, I would not have compounded the stress by getting married during winter break.
That's probably a little too much for anybody! On the upside, the honeymoon was a great chance to recharge and relax. I'd definitely recommend a vacation or a break to anyone who can afford it.

What is your most rewarding experience in the MBA program?

By far, the most rewarding part of this program is the friends that I've met. The program at Wisconsin is unique because the students are driven but not cut-throat. The lockstep curriculum allows us to really get to know each other and as a result there is a strong collegial environment throughout the entire MBA program.

At no time did this ring truer than during the interview process. The atmosphere among students is encouraging and collaborative, not competitive and back-stabbing. I've met other students from other schools who had different experiences and they remarked at how valuable that community support would be. Upon realizing that this is not the case at every school, I am very careful to not take my classmates for granted.

Tell us a little about your internship experience.

I interned at Hewlett-Packard in Vancouver, Wash. That site focuses on ink-jet printers that consumers buy at their local retailer. I never thought it was possible to get very excited about printers, but once you work at HP, I think ink begins to run in your veins.

Considerable complexity exists in the modern printer market. My projects helped management remove some of the layers of that complexity. For example, I analyzed the amount of market share HP had at a certain price point. Then I analyzed how much of the potential profit HP captured compared to its competitors. This was especially challenging because of the varied assumptions - such as ink usage and how long people keep their printers - that factored into these analyses.

While the thought-provoking projects were fantastic, I was very lucky to experience the "HP Way" first-hand. HP is well known for its collaborative culture and my internship did not disappoint. My manager and mentor were both extremely supportive. They encouraged me to learn as much as possible about the company. They arranged for me to travel to other sites so that I could learn about other aspects of the printing business. They even introduced me to several levels of management so that I could present my findings. Overall, my experience at HP was very positive and rewarding.

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Sheldon Liu (2006) Rachel Nielsen (2006)