Getting an MBA has always been a goal of mine, but the Fashion and Luxury program here at Stern offers so much more than that. My name is Ally Reiner and I am part of the programs inaugural class. Prior to Stern, I worked in the fashion industry at Ralph Lauren in sales and merchandising. In my day to day work, I was yearning to utilize my analytical side of the brain and also knew that growing my career required strong business skills.
Picking Stern was a no brainer for me. The community is magnetic, you instantly feel welcome by just stepping on campus. There are so many ways to get involved and the strong Alumni community was just proof of how much this experience at Stern matters to the students. Although I knew I wanted Stern, picking the program required a little more debating. Ultimately, I chose to apply to the Fashion and Luxury program and it could not be a more perfect fit.
Focus
Compared to the two-year MBA program, this program is extremely targeted. I am very focused in my career ambitions and know exactly what I want to do upon returning to the fashion industry. Having this expedited program allows me to have that focus academically, taking classes that are specifically formulated to my interests.
Immersion
What also attracted me to the focused MBA was the experiences through the immersion programs. In the two-year MBA, I would have one internship. In the Fashion & Luxury MBA, I view it as having a multitude of internships where I am involved in different companies doing different functions; thus, enhancing a variety of my skills.
Connections
The connections within this program are one of the most impressive aspects. In our mentorship program, I got matched with the CEO of Tommy Hilfiger. The industry is excited about this new program and helped aid in shaping the curriculum to develop us as the new leaders of retail.
Resources
Additionally, being a part of such a small program allows for impeccable visibility. The Stern faculty and professors are known for their guidance and help, but, being one of only 60 students here during the summer, we got to take advantage of these resources to the fullest.