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Stern Life Balance as a Tech MBA Student in New York

Author: Sofia is originally from Chile. Before Stern, she worked for companies in the Tech industry such as Microsoft and Samsung. During Stern, she is a Graduate Ambassador and part of the EFL program. Her highlight of the Tech MBA program was the West Coast Immersion, where she visited Tech companies from Seattle and the Bay Area.

Sofia Aliste Paez

Stern Life Balance as a Tech MBA Student

Embarking on a Tech MBA at Stern, students typically fall into one of three categories:

  1. Those already living in NYC with local friends and family.
  2. U.S. residents from cities other than New York.
  3. International students moving to New York for the first time.

Having experienced both the third and the first scenarios over the past two years, I have a unique perspective on the transition. Before enrolling at Stern, I had already settled into New York life, as my husband was studying for his MBA at another university uptown. My initial year was a deep dive into the city’s fast-paced lifestyle, its diverse cultures, and indirectly, the MBA life through various social activities like club parties and ski trips. Even though my own MBA didn’t start until 2023, I felt like I was already part of it.

Embracing the City

For those already familiar with NYC, the Tech MBA at Stern can be an opportunity to delve deeper into specific neighborhoods or hidden gems you may have missed before. Explore restaurant pop-ups in trendy areas like Soho or Williamsburg, or take advantage of free museum nights offered by institutions like the MoMA or the Whitney.

NYC boasts a vibrant fitness scene, from boutique yoga studios to outdoor running groups that traverse iconic landmarks like Central Park or the Brooklyn Bridge. Joining a group not only keeps you active but also allows you to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for health and wellness.

Making the Most of Your International Experience

As an international student from Chile, New York initially felt very distant. However, Stern quickly became a familiar place, and the friendships I’ve formed are integral to my MBA success. The program’s demanding schedule, filled with group projects, quizzes, presentations, and recruiting events, is balanced by the support and camaraderie of classmates who are in the same boat. Even alumni emphasize this shared journey—though it might be hard to believe at first, their reassurances often prove true. Connecting with peers from similar backgrounds can offer additional comfort and practical advice, enhancing your own experience.

Beyond Stern: Building a Well-Rounded Life

Balancing personal relationships outside of Stern is also crucial. Prioritizing and organizing your week is essential, and tools like Google Calendar are indispensable for keeping track of commitments. I treat my MBA schedule as a regular workday, which frees up evenings and sometimes entire days for personal time or relaxation. Everyone’s approach will differ depending on their lifestyle preferences—some may choose to also study on weekends.

Exploring NYC advice from a non-New Yorker (for the Time-Crunched Student)

New York City offers a vast array of options for unwinding and exploring your personal interests, even on a busy student schedule. Here are a few ideas to make the most of your free time:

Catch a Stand-Up Show:  Forget the big-ticket Broadway productions for a night. Head to the iconic Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village for an intimate and hilarious experience. Witness up-and-coming comedians and seasoned stars test out their new material – you might just discover your next favorite comic.

Cherry Blossom Bliss in Central Park:  Springtime in New York is magical, and there’s no better place to experience it than amidst the iconic cherry blossoms in Central Park. Pack a picnic basket, grab a friend, and head north to bask in the beautiful pink blooms (typically around mid-April) – a perfect Instagram-worthy moment and a breath of fresh air amidst the city buzz.

Weekend Brunch in Greenwich Village:  Fuel up for a day of exploration with a delicious brunch at a charming Greenwich Village cafe. From cozy Parisian-inspired bistros to trendy brunch spots, the Village offers endless options to satisfy every taste bud.

Brooklyn Bridge Bike Adventure:  If you spend most of your time in Manhattan, try to experience the city from a different perspective with a bike ride across the Brooklyn Bridge. Once you reach Williamsburg, explore the neighborhood’s trendy shops, art galleries, and vibrant street art scene. 

Become a MET Weekend Regular: You can get free entry to The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) with your student ID. Take advantage of this incredible opportunity and explore the vast collections – from ancient Egyptian artifacts to masterpieces by European giants. 

Prioritizing Well-Being: A Student’s Essential

Ultimately, what matters most is recognizing your priorities, including your well-being. Never hesitate to seek support from fellow students, professors, or academic advisors when challenges arise. Assistance is often just a question away, and sometimes, it comes with the opportunity for a pleasant coffee break at one of the many cozy cafés near Stern. Remember, a successful MBA experience goes beyond just academics – it’s about embracing the city, building a strong network, and prioritizing your overall well-being.

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Navigating My Tech MBA with Generative AI: A Game Changer in Modern Business Education

Author: Alvaro is a current Tech MBA specializing in Product Management and Strategy. Before Stern, Alvaro was a Technology Consultant and Product Manager at PwC,  supporting clients through various cloud transformations and product strategy initiatives. Post-MBA, he plans to pursue product and strategy roles in the tech industry. Outside of work, Alvaro enjoys going on long (some very long) runs, hiking, and hanging out at the nearest NYC park with friends from all walks of life.

Starting my MBA just a few months after Chat GPT was released, I knew it was going to be transformative in every possible way. As a savvy tech person, I was already leveraging GenAI in my daily life before joining the MBA and was curious to what extent I would be able to use it and even dive deeper into it during my one-year tech-focused MBA at Stern. Below are three ways in which most of my colleagues and I have been able to take advantage of this general-purpose technology.

Enhancing classwork through real-world application

From our first “Dealing with Data” class, we were taught how to connect to OpenAI API to analyze the sentiment and topics from product reviews and news articles of companies of our choice. One of my teams later leveraged this in a product that we designed, built, and launched for our “Foundations of Networks and Mobile Systems” class, where we established an API connection to ChatGPT to provide recommendations on the top 3 most mentioned dishes for restaurants in the city. Lastly, classes like “Data Science – Technical” have been instrumental in providing the theory and the practice on how to train Machine Learning models such as LLMs that power these chatbots.

From a less technical and more strategic standpoint, GenAI has been a topic of discussion in most of my classes. Through the different curricula, we have covered how GenAI can be used to enhance customer engagement initiatives, drive product innovation, and craft compelling brand narratives and messaging. We have also explored how to proactively shape a company’s or product’s positioning to adapt to potential future trajectories of this rapidly evolving technology.

Market Analysis and Research:

GenAI has been incredibly helpful for many MBA classes, where we are often tasked with mastering the ins and outs of industries and sub-industries overnight. It also comes in handy during lectures when providing additional explanations, context, or clarifications on topics being discussed, making it easier to understand complex concepts and encouraging curiosity and personalized learning.

While serving as a Venture Associate at Endless Frontier Labs, I supported a startup’s goal of breaking into the US market from abroad. Creating a market analysis and go-to-market strategy with the level of detail that was delivered and in the timeframe requested would have been nearly impossible without GenAI’s aid for research purposes. Two examples of data points GenAI was able to provide (with sources to reputable agencies) within seconds are the average km of aqueducts owned by the top 10 aqueduct operators and the number of hydropower generators in the US whose water source comes from snowpack.

Your personal recruiter:

For recruiting purposes, GenAI can be used in many helpful ways throughout the whole cycle. Here are some ways I have used it:

  1. Gather information on company culture, mission, and values, as well as recent news that might be relevant to the position.
  2. Analyze job descriptions and match them with your resume to identify areas that align with the specified qualifications and areas that do not.
  3. Hold mock interview sessions, inputting job descriptions and asking for a mock interview session with detailed feedback after every answer in return  (using ChatGPT mobile app voice chat feature).

LinkedIn Premium has also added AI-powered insights, job fit assessments, and tips, all in the form of an AI chatbot. With this chatbot, you can ask questions like “How can I best position myself for this job?” or “Can you review my profile and suggest specific experiences I should highlight?”

As this technology continues to advance, there’s no doubt that GenAI will become increasingly integrated into business education and business as a whole. My experience at Stern has shown how transformative it can be when embraced and leveraged effectively.

Disclaimer: No, this blog post was not written using Generative AI.

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West Coast Tech Immersion: A Game-Changer for NYU Stern’s Tech MBA Students

Author: Diana Rossi is a current Tech MBA student at NYU Stern, set to graduate in May 2024. Before her MBA, Diana made significant strides in the marketing field in Europe, particularly as Marketing Manager for Alibaba, Digital Marketing Manager at VF (The North Face Company), Digital Manager at Johnson & Johnson, Marketing Specialist at Amazon.  Post-MBA, Diana aims to delve deeper into the intersection of marketing and technology, exploring opportunities that align with her passion for digital transformation and AI-driven solutions. At Stern, Diana is deeply involved in various organizations, holding positions such as the VP of Marketing for Stern Women in Business and VP of Events for the European Business Society. 

While spending 8 years immersed in the digital sector across Europe, my motto was always to lead with innovation, not just follow it. This mindset propelled me to apply to NYU Stern in August 2022, fueling my ambition to drive change through innovative leadership and leverage advanced technology for societal impact. What better place to pursue this than at New York University? New York City, a city synonymous with innovation. I knew that an MBA here was the key to unlocking my future. Joining the NYU Stern Andre Koo Technology and Entrepreneurship MBA program, I envisioned transcending traditional educational boundaries. This vision materialized during our transformative 10-day West Coast Tech Immersion trip, exceeding my expectations by plunging us into the innovation epicenters of Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco. This trip emphasized the crucial role of continuous innovation for staying relevant in the fast-evolving market and spotlighted AI’s pivotal role in revolutionizing industry standards and enhancing customer experiences.

Fostering Connections and Gaining Insightful Learnings

This journey provided us an opportunity to connect and network with NYU Stern alumni who have made significant impacts in the tech industry. These interactions allowed us to dive deep into the essence of leadership, innovation, and the art of integrating business savvy with technological prowess for success. As we navigated the cutting edge of technological innovation, I identified several key industry trends that became the focus of my observations.

In Los Angeles, we immersed ourselves in the media industry with visits to Hulu, Disney, Amazon, Riot Games, and NFL Media. In San Francisco, our class collectively experienced the formidable power of tech and data at Saildrone, Salesforce, NVIDIA, LinkedIn, and Palantir. We were among the first to experience the innovation of Upside Foods, tasting meat grown directly from animal cells, and explored intriguing venture capital endeavors at 500 Global. Our journey at Airbnb felt like an ‘around-the-world trip’ within their offices. The trip culminated in an inspiring talk by David Ko, a Tech MBA board member, who emphasized that this moment is our “Momentum.”

AI has clearly established itself as the leading driver of technological evolution, reshaping business operations and customer engagement across various sectors. The role of company culture in the tech realm is paramount; organizations that champion continuous learning, openness, and adaptability are spearheading revolutionary achievements. Furthermore, the tech landscape is characterized by shifting technology patterns, battles over standards, and the emergence of dominant designs. These elements are vital for comprehending the progression of technology and the widespread adoption of innovations.

These experiences have not only broadened my understanding of the state of technology today but have also highlighted the essential factors that will influence the direction of future innovations. As I continue my journey at Stern, I am keen to explore these trends further, equipping myself to make meaningful contributions to the next wave of technological advancements.

Reflections and Future Prospects

This immersion trip has been an invaluable segment of my MBA journey, enriching my understanding of the tech industry and honing my vision for the future. It underscored innovation, AI, and a conducive organizational culture’s indispensable roles in molding future technology leaders. I’m immensely grateful for the insights and connections garnered, especially to the Stern faculty and staff, and my peers, for their companionship and shared passion for technology.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to apply these insights and experiences as I transition into the tech industry, ready to face its challenges and contribute to its evolution. Here’s to embracing the boundless opportunities for innovation and success in the dynamic world of technology!

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My West Coast Immersion Journey

Author: Syd is a current MBA student at Stern where she specializes in Strategy, Product Management, and Accounting. Before her MBA, Syd launched and grew a business in the food industry, bringing nutritional products with sustainable cricket protein powder to grocery stores nationwide. She later went on to offer consulting services to other growing businesses. Post-MBA she plans to pursue a strategy role in the tech industry. Outside of work, Sydney enjoys going to see live music and outdoor activities – hiking, skiing, scuba diving.

NYU’s Tech MBA offers a West Coast Immersion Course during January before the regular semester begins. It’s an important part of the curriculum providing exposure to a wide range of tech companies. Join me for a personal account of the experience!

Early January, we’d enjoyed three whole weeks off school – one of the perks of being back in school! So far, the Tech MBA program surpassed my expectations in many areas. Never did I think at this point I would have already done projects with companies like IBM, Salesforce, and Warner Brothers Discovery. What did the West Coast trip have in store for us? 

The trip involved visiting tech companies in different fields, learning about their ecosystem and current state, as well as diving into tech innovation and trends. The schedule looked packed, and we had assignments due throughout, culminating in a final presentation. Our group was split into two for the first part, half of us going to Seattle and half of us going to Los Angeles. As someone keenly interested in entertainment technology, I was excited to be in the LA group, where streaming, gaming and sports tech thrive.

LA 

Touching down in LA, I knew I’d made the right call – warm weather, palm trees, sunshine – a drastic change from my trip back home to Canada over the holidays. Any nerves I had about the trip were quickly set at ease when I met up with my classmates and Stern alumni at a welcome event.

Over the next few days, we visited Riot Games, Hulu/Disney, NFL Media, and Amazon. I was blown away by how Stern alumni at each of the companies took us in and provided us with an inside look at their operations and the current tech landscape. Let me share couple of highlights: 

Riot Games 

Riot Games are the makers of one of the most-played online games – League of Legends. To set the tone of our visit, when we arrived there was a photoshoot going on out front of some of their top gamers – really showing how they lift up their community, and giving us a taste of how dedicated their following is. We got a tour of their impressive facilities, filled with art and nods to their gaming community. A panel of Stern alumni gave us a detailed look at their marketing tactics and strategic direction. Many from our group left in a slightly stunned, wide-eyed state, impressed with the world of gaming and the growth opportunity. 

Hulu/Disney

It’s hard not to be impressed seeing posters of your favorite TV shows and movies in the lobby. We heard from a panel of people in departments across Disney Streaming and got a detailed look into some of the technical aspects of the platform. I found the panel quite engaging, as their competitive landscape seems to be shifting, more ad-supported platforms, and possible increased cross-over with sports and gaming (my speculations! not company secrets shared during our visit).

NFL Media

NFL Media is the team behind the league’s presence online and on mobile devices. Part of our trip was more like a studio tour, getting to see behind the scenes of some of their shows and meet hosts. The other part of the visit was hearing from leaders in NFL Media’s content, product, strategy and operations. It will be interesting to see how the delivery of NFL games continues to evolve with more people looking to digital platforms. Outside of the sports fanatics in my life, I don’t know of anyone who still has a cable subscription!

San Francisco

After three intensive days in LA, we flew to San Francisco to meet up with the other half of our cohort. It was great to be reunited as a group and swap stories. The Seattle group visited some big tech companies – Microsoft, Amazon, T-Mobile and DirectTV. We got the weekend to relax and explore the Bay Area. On Sunday, we all got on a bus for a wine-tasting tour in Napa – a well-deserved break!

The following week was set to be busy again – loads more companies on the schedule: Salesforce, Saildrone, Upside Foods, AirBnB, 500 Global, NVIDIA, LinkedIn and Palantir. Here are a couple of the most memorable visits for me: 

NVIDIA 

NVIDIA was one of the companies that I was most excited to visit. As their chips have become a preferred hardware for AI, their stock has skyrocketed over the past year. I was eager to see inside the business of such a driving force of modern technology.

Their campus in the Bay Area is huge, giving you the feeling that you’re walking into an airplane hangar that has been thoughtfully designed to optimize creativity and output. Rama Akkiraju, the VP for AI for IT, went over in depth the practical use cases of AI and how it has driven growth at NVIDIA.

We also heard from a panel of employees about their work and experiences at the company. Their passion for quality and their high standard of work came through in their thoughtful answers, making it clear that a company like NVIDIA doesn’t rise to the top by accident. 

Airbnb

We visited Airbnb on the last day of our trip. We’d had a long week by this point, visiting companies all around the Bar Area.Walking into their building in downtown SF, I was immediately rejuvenated – it’s thoughtfully designed from top to bottom and they have a three-story high plant wall. Now they had my attention.

Judson Coplan, VP Product Marketing, and Iain Robert, VP People and Culture, spoke to us about the values of the company and the approaches that they take to their work. What stood out to me is how they both seem to approach their work in a thoughtful and precise manner – truly reflective of the user-friendly, well-designed Airbnb app.

Industry Analyses and Predictions

Throughout the trip, our professors Melissa Schilling and Vasant Dhar led us through lectures and discussions about the role that technology plays in transforming industries, how technology can be developed and managed, and how companies might optimize their positioning. 

To culminate the trip, we split up in groups and analyzed different partsof the tech industry: chips, gen AI, mobile payments, semiconductors, streaming and wearables. This served as the perfect final note to leave the course on – predictions from classmates on how these industries will evolve, and what companies will come out on top (some of which we visited!). 

Final Words

Stern alumni and CEO of Calm, David Ko, visited us on our final afternoon for an intimate talk. Throughout the trip, many of us had been starting to think about our next steps after graduation. Most of us are planning to build a career in tech, but are graduating during a time of layoffs. David brought some perspective by providing us with insights from his career journey. He reminded us to look at the big picture and to be thoughtful about our next step. With 30+ years of career in front of us, it’s ok to take a step sideways or back to get to where we want to go, especially for a new industry or a learning opportunity.