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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.

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Navigating the Tech MBA Experience as an International Student

Amanda Hanggoro Amanda is a current Tech MBA student, specializing in Product Management & Strategy. Before coming to Stern, she worked as a Product Manager in an education technology company with a focus on personalization and gamification. Post-MBA, she plans to continue working in product management as she explores her entrepreneurial interest. At Stern, she is involved in the Stern Technology Association, Gaming & eSports Management Society, Asian Business Society, Stern Women in Business, and Stern Football Club.

Moving across continents as an international student in the Tech MBA program is both exciting and intimidating. With a small cohort of only 51 individuals, I am one of two from Southeast Asia, and the only one from Indonesia. But no matter how daunting it is, the close-knit community and friendly environment here have made adapting to this new chapter much smoother, helping me soak up the learning opportunities at Stern.

Just as we got to share a bit of our story through the “Pick Six” essay during the application (which was definitely my favorite!), I would like to share my experience so far as an international student in the Tech MBA program and how I navigate the journey through six images:

Focused (Tech and Fashion & Luxury) MBA Gathering after orientation

Focused (Tech and Fashion & Luxury) MBA Gathering after orientation

 

Building a support system within the cohort

The warm and welcoming nature of the Tech MBA cohort shone even from day zero. Before summer classes kicked off, my classmates arranged a get-together for those who just arrived in the city. It was a great opportunity for both out-of-state and international students to connect, especially since most of us couldn’t attend the admitted students events. Despite the differing backgrounds and experiences, it was comforting to meet the people that I am sharing this journey with.

The sense of warmth grew over the summer as the Focused MBA students were the only students on campus. From happy hours to picnics, game nights, and spontaneous trips, every gathering helped us bond more. The Tech MBA cohort turned into a little family I could lean on, even as the courses got tougher and our paths diverged in the Fall semester.

Lunch with Indonesian Stern MBA Class of 2024 and 2025

Lunch with Indonesian Stern MBA Class of 2024 and 2025

 

Building connections beyond the Tech MBA cohort

Fall brought along opportunities to mingle with the broader MBA community at Stern. The program’s structure allows me to participate in student clubs and electives that pave the way for making connections with the Two-Year Full-Time MBAs, Langone Part-Time MBAs, and Executive MBAs.

I chose to actively engage in student clubs as an AVP in the Stern Technology Association and Gaming & eSports Management Society and as a member of the Asian Business Society, Stern Women in Business, and Stern Football Club. The unique range of student clubs allows me to balance my personal and professional interests, getting the best of both worlds.

Beyond the student clubs, I also get to connect with other Indonesian students in the Full-Time MBA program. Although the group is fairly small, they have been a great resource for all things from finding good Indonesian restaurants to curing homesickness and answering specific questions about recruiting as an international student

Eid Al-Adha prayer in Washington Square Park with NYU Islamic Center

Eid Al-Adha prayer in Washington Square Park with NYU Islamic Center

 

Accessing NYU’s diverse communities and support

Being at Stern is like having a key to a vast, diverse community. NYU’s larger ecosystem has many international student events, student clubs, collaboration labs, and other supporting facilities. NYU Entrepreneurial Institute (Leslie eLab), for example, allows you to put up posters to seek potential collaborators for your project or join an existing project. Who knows you may stumble upon future co-founders coming from different schools within NYU!

Among the various facilities that NYU has, Global Spiritual Life has accommodated me to practice my faith. The center provides multifaith support through four major religious centers including The Islamic Center, the Catholic Center, the Hindu Center, and the Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life. As a Muslim, I usually celebrate two major holidays, Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha, through communal prayer, family gatherings, and feasts. Despite being thousands of miles away from home, I still got to celebrate Eid Al-Adha during the summer with the NYU Islamic Community and feel the warmth of the holiday.

Impromptu public speaking exercise in Communication class

Impromptu public speaking exercise in Communication class

 

Getting support from the faculty

Navigating the professional landscape in a second language is a unique challenge that extends beyond language; it also requires cultural understanding and strategic individual approaches. Even though I could connect well with my peers and have worked in a cross-cultural team, mastering communication in a professional context in an entirely new country can take a while to crack.

Other than the career office providing resources for international students, the courses and faculty at Stern have shown a commitment to supporting students through this journey. In my Communication course, Professor Brian Hanssen incorporated many practical exercises in the class ranging from planned group presentations to impromptu personal ones. The constructive feedback from both him and my peers throughout this exercise made a huge difference in boosting my communication confidence.

Beyond that, he also sets aside time for office hours where we could discuss specific challenges we face in our academic or professional journey. This offer is extended even after the course ends and allows me to regularly check in to formulate an actionable plan for my strategic communication.

IBM Watson office in Astor PlaceIBM Watson office in Astor Place

 

Adapting to a global work setting

What stands out in the Tech MBA program is the hands-on learning experience through the experiential learning courses. New York City Immersion, Tech Solutions, and Endless Frontier Labs not only let us apply what we learned in class but also gave us a unique chance to collaborate with big tech companies and emerging start-ups.

While I had prior experience working with regional teams and international partners, working in a US-based company presented a new set of challenges. Through experiential learning, I gained firsthand experience working within New York City’s diverse community, including my classmates, who brought diverse professional and cultural backgrounds to the table.

Working with IBM in the Tech Solutions course was one of my favorite experiences. Every discussion and checkpoint was a learning curve, not only on the business-technology case we were working with but also on collaborating with diverse stakeholders in technology. 

Whether you plan to work internationally or stay in the United States, these courses provide invaluable insights into real-world applications of business and tech, ensuring your readiness for any professional environment.

Google Trek with Stern Technology Association

Google Trek with Stern Technology Association

 

Navigating professional career prospects

The post-MBA recruitment process can be intimidating for an international student, but Stern provides essential support through the career office and professional clubs. I get to regularly check in with a career coach specializing in the tech industry for international students and participate in knowledge management events organized by student clubs. The collaboration between the two gives me access to resources for recruitment, workshops, study groups, alumni talks, company presentations, and company treks.

One of the most recent company treks I joined was the Google Trek to its New York City office which was organized by the Stern Technology Association. During the event, we got to talk with current part-time students and alumni working at Google and had an office tour to better understand the company. The diverse speakers with various roles and backgrounds, including international ones, and the intimate setting made the conversations more engaging and tailored to our interests.

Being an international student in the Tech MBA program sure has its challenges but the community really gives me endless opportunities to learn, connect, and thrive. Pursuing this degree has helped me grow so fast in the last six months and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store for me!

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New York City Immersions

Sofia Aliste Paez

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sofia is a current Tech MBA student, specializing in Product Management. Prior to Stern, she worked at Samsung Electronics as an E-commerce Product Manager. Post-MBA, she plans to pursue Product Management in tech. At Stern, she is involved in Stern Tech Association, the Latin American Business Association, and the Entrepreneurship and Startup Association, and enjoys traveling and discovering new coffee shops in NYC.

 

Experiences in the NYC Immersion

The NYC Immersion is the only all-summer course in the Tech MBA program. It is built to introduce students to the tech ecosystem in New York City. Throughout the course, we learned from different experts in fields such as fintech, security, ethics, health tech, and real estate, and we even got to learn how to leverage NYU Library Resources for our project research. Overall, it was an experience that gave us a head start on what we will experience as tech advocates in the future.

The Essence of the NYC Immersions

One of our most memorable visits over the summer was our visit to the Uber offices in Manhattan. We learned about different projects involving Stern alumni who are currently working at Uber. Part of the presentation included a challenge related to a potential endeavor or new revenue stream. We worked as a team, using our collaborative skills and creative ideas to devise a solution. The visit encapsulated the essence of the NYC Immersion—bridging the gap between theory and practice, learning and application.

Learning to Use Tech for Good

We had many memorable sessions. One of them was about the future of Finance by Andrew Chang. He was an engaging and thought-provoking speaker who filled in the gaps in our fintech knowledge. By assimilating diverse perspectives on the future, we honed our own viewpoints. Undoubtedly, the prominence of Gen AI dominated many discussions, reflecting the pivotal role it occupies this year and in the years to come. We analyzed the potential uses of this technology and the risks as it becomes mainstream. Addressing the risks of Gen AI was a lecture that was enlightening and reflective, as Mike Posner and Paul Barrett shared the latest research and insights from the Center for Business and Human Rights at NYU Stern. We all have the responsibility to make sure that this technology is used for good. 

Experiential Product Consulting

A substantial part of the summer was dedicated to collaborating with companies as Product Consultant. Grouped into teams, we tackled distinct prompts for different companies. Employing design thinking methodologies, our task was to find core issues within the prompts and create impactful solutions. After several check-ins, we were able to deliver a final project and recommendations. One of the most interesting parts was learning about other teams and their work process during the summer. 

As the NYC Tech Immersion journey comes to an end, we are now more familiar with the tech ecosystem and its inner workings. We are also more confident in our ability to navigate the ever-changing landscape. We will be responsible and ethical advocates for technology, using it to solve problems and improve people’s lives.

 

Students at Uber Offices during the NYC Tech Immersion

Students at Uber Offices during the NYC Tech Immersion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Beyond Borders, Beyond Expectations: Reflections of an International MBA Student

Omotoke is a recent Tech MBA graduate with specializations in Strategy & Business Analytics. Prior to Stern, Omotoke worked with KPMG as a Technology Assurance Consultant and is now looking to pursue Technology Risk & Strategy Consulting. At Stern, she was on the Board of the Association of Hispanic & Black Business Students and a member of the Management Consulting Association. Omotoke enjoys listening to good music and attending dance classes.

It’s graduation week as I write this, and nostalgia has begun to creep up on me. I have really enjoyed a great time since I arrived in New York from Nigeria a year ago to start my MBA. As I think back on the year-long experience that now feels like only a few weeks, these are tips I would give a prospective or newly admitted student.

1. Start your visa application immediately 

Backstory– I got my admission offer in January 2022, but as of May 2022, one week from orientation, I was yet to secure a visa interview appointment – let alone a visa. Even though I already resigned from my job for school, it didn’t seem like I was going anywhere 😅.

By divine providence, in that final week, I was called to interview. I finally received the visa, one day behind the official resumption for International Students. I hurriedly packed and made the 20+ hour trip within the next two days. You can imagine the rollercoaster this was, yet the saddest part was having no time to say goodbye to all my loved ones in person.

There are not many things I could have done differently in my case; however, securing my admission in round 1 instead of round 2 probably may have saved me the headache. So, if that is what it will take for you to get your visa ahead of time, by all means apply in round 1.  

Along the same lines, if you want your family or other guests present at graduation, start their visa applications very well ahead if they are from countries with long wait times. I started  making arrangements for my parents’ graduation trip 3 months ahead and by then it was too late.

2. Ensure you’re capturing all the important expenses in your budget planning

No one forgets rent, food, entertainment, utilities etc. but two expenses I find can be easily omitted are: loan interest repayments and co-curricular/leisure travel expenses.

Private loans are often very helpful for international students to cover some of their cost of attendance; however, a common oversight is to not plan interest repayments into estimated monthly budgets. Some forget this expense and some assume that it would be trivial.

Depending on your loan amount and terms, it may not be trivial, and you may need to start making payments early on. Get your estimates and factor it into your monthly budget and estimated cost of living.

Next, travel! You need to have a budget for travel. There will be lots of travel opportunities for coursework and for leisure with your classmates; planning ahead for this will allow you to take on these great experiences without much pressure.

On a road trip to Stamford with class friends

Additional tip: Request and review the school calendar for the year before starting the program to note the school holidays and make your own holiday plans.

3. Pack the right outfits

I wish someone whispered to me in the middle of my frantic packing, “Toke, you’re packing all the wrong clothes.”

I remember being unsure about how formal I would need to dress for classes and eventually settling for business based on my quick Google search. I brought in work clothes and a number of pumps…haha, but it only took a day or two to know the pumps were going back into the box. 

There’s a lot of flexibility around the dress code for classes. You can be as formal as you would like but you’ll find most people dressed in smart casuals. There will be company visits, corporate presentations and interviews, for which you could be required to be more formally dressed. 

Pack accordingly and whatever you do, make sure your shoes are “subway and walking friendly” because you can’t miss those. 

4. Start preparing for recruiting from Day 1

Depending on your target, recruiting activities may kick off really early in the programme, with applications opening in June/July and interviews rolling in by August.

As part of your early preparation, my recommendation is to make a long list of companies (not three or five) within your target industry that do not have a permanent work authorization hiring requirement (if you are an International student within this category) and get the timing of their recruitment. 

While many companies hire on a rolling basis, some have specific times of the year when they do MBA recruitment and missing that window could mean waiting another 6-12 months. 

Making this list upfront helps you identify many prospects and pace your interview preparation. Stern has very helpful databases for this research on the Careers Portal gathered from previous  years. The Careers team will be ready to help you when you arrive, but it’s nice to begin planning ahead anyway.

5. The communities really want to be helpful, ask for all the help you need

You’ve heard how fantastic the NYU clubs are 99 times already so I’ll try not to make it a hundred. The recommendation I have here is to join at least one, very early, before you travel down, if possible. You would be unable to register as an “official” member until the clubs open up for admissions in Fall but you could join the Whatsapp groups of some affinity clubs anytime after you accept your admission offer. Joining before you travel down will allow you leverage the community for the help you need with onboarding, settling in, temporary accommodation, renting, finding housemates, choosing courses and all the initial hard stuff. 

So find a community, join, and ask for whatever help you need. Sternies are always willing.

As a final note, immerse yourself and enjoy the diversity of NYU and New York. You will do great.

 

 

 

 

 

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Entrepreneurship in the Tech MBA with J.P. Eggers

J.P. Eggers is a Professor of Management & Organizations, and the Academic Director of the Tech & Entrepreneurship MBA Program at NYU Stern. His research focuses on how organizations often struggle developing new, innovative products, and how they deal with technological change. Prior to academia, he was a strategy and technology consultant working with large and small companies trying to adapt to digitization. He has a PhD from Wharton, an MBA from Emory, and a BA from Amherst College.

How does the Tech MBA prepare students for entrepreneurship?
We’ve built this program with entrepreneurship at its core, on the assumption that everyone here will want to start a business at some point in their career. From hands-on courses designed around the ecosystems in New York (summer) and the west coast (January), to foundational technology and business courses, to a wealth of electives, the program seeks to strike the right balance for future founders to get them the tools they need, and then get them out building.

What resources are available to Tech MBA students interested in pursuing entrepreneurship?
Within the program itself, you will spend time with founders, funders, and advisors to learn about their perspectives and journeys. You will get access to a growing network of deeply committed alums, many of whom have founded and even exited their businesses. More broadly within Stern, you have full access to the resources in the Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship, which hosts pitch competitions and advising network opportunities. You can also take the Endless Frontier Labs course, helping many of the top funders (VC and corporate) in the world shape brand new science and technology based companies. Beyond Stern, you have access to NYU’s Entrepreneurial Institute and the Leslie eLab just down the block, which give you access to the entirety of NYU and hosts events, meetups, competitions, and advising opportunities.

Do students interested in entrepreneurship typically have a business idea prior to the program, or do they come up with ideas through their coursework?

Our first cohort in 2018 had two students who were founders before they came to Stern. They already had companies they could build while in the program – one student started their company as a side hustle, while another was one earlier in the process. Both built their Tech MBA experience around trying to help build and launch their companies. Subsequent founders, however, have come in at virtually every stage – one had a blog post and nothing else, two created the idea together to enter the Berkley Center’s pitch competition. We’ve even had students who came to Stern after founding and exiting companies, with the idea of building new skills and a new network, and getting back out there.

How have you seen the intimate cohort size benefit students interested in entrepreneurship?
The power of the cohort is incredibly strong. Everyone comes in with a deep interest and background in technology and/or entrepreneurship, so the shared experience provides a perfect foundation. Your cohort could easily include your co-founder, your target customer and focus group participant, your connection to funding, and the subject matter expert who can help you solve that crazy challenge you’ll face in three years. The small cohort size and the intense shared experience, especially in the summer, builds exceptional bonds. Entire cohorts have gone on vacation together, and attended each others’ weddings.

What classes do you recommend future entrepreneurs take in the Tech MBA?
Aspiring founders have many options for electives, including (but not limited to) the Endless Frontier Labs course I mentioned earlier. Many students choose to pursue at least some more “traditional” MBA courses, helping them hone their finance skills and become better leaders. Some courses that are particularly appropriate for entrepreneurship include Entrepreneurial Finance, Managing a High Tech Company: The CEO Perspective, Managing the Growing Company, Technology Innovation Strategy, and Emerging Technologies & Business Innovation, just to name a few.

Can you share some success stories from past Tech MBA students?
It’s tough to limit the success stories to a few, but hopefully I can paint the picture of different entrepreneurial paths our Tech MBAs have during their next chapter. One thing that I’m especially proud of is how entrepreneurial our Tech MBAs are regardless of their role, function or company – they’ve shown that you don’t (necessarily) need to be a founder to create real change and flip a traditional process. We’ve had the opportunity to connect with alums who see themselves as “intrapreneurs” guiding new visions through a company to create real change, as well. In our eyes, both paths –  intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship – are success stories to demonstrate how our strategic curriculum supports new ideas and new ways of thinking during the program and beyond. Alums like Akanksha and Vera are driving innovation efforts at top global companies, whereas Ethan and David joined companies early on to support the launch of the business. We also have a few success stories that fit the more classic entrepreneurial path like Sam and Jeff who have completely chartered their own courses. Entrepreneurship can take many different forms and paths, and we’re proud of our Tech MBAs that are driving positive change no matter the size or scale.

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Building Your Tech Network

Aafiya Jamal is currently an MBA Candidate in the Tech MBA Program at the NYU Stern School of Business. She recently moved to New York City from Dallas, Texas. Prior to Stern, Aafiya worked in technology consulting and supported clients in the financial services space, from traditional, global banking institutions to FinTech companies. Outside of the classroom, Aafiya serves as one of the Cohort Leaders for the Tech MBA and is involved in the Stern Technology Association and Stern Women in Business.

As you are exposed to different areas of technology during the Tech MBA, you will likely find yourself wanting to learn more about specific roles, domains, and companies. Networking is a great way for you to understand what a professional’s career journey looks like, what a specific company’s culture looks like from within, and what kinds of skills employers are looking for. These are examples of types of questions I had and can tell you the steps that I took to effectively network during my time in the Tech MBA:

Find a Mentor

  • Firstly, I would highly recommend that you find a mentor to have career-related dialogues with during your time at Stern. I was fortunate enough to have formed a connection with a Tech MBA alum fairly early on and formally asked her to be my mentor for the duration of the one year program. We met in-person on a quarterly basis (while exploring some cute coffee shops in the city), where I would typically share what my career interests were and how they were changing based on what I was getting exposed to in the program. She would almost always connect me to someone in her network as a result of our conversations. These 1:1s also served as an accountability point for me to share what concrete steps I was taking to land my next career opportunity. 

Build Your Connections

  • There are many ways for you to form connections outside of the cohort. First, I would suggest that you maintain and / or re-kindle connections within your existing network. It is a great way to keep your current relationships warm, which can open doors to additional connections and employment opportunities. People move roles and companies all the time and individuals in your existing network may end up pursuing something that you’re interested in. Secondly, I highly recommend that you take advantage of Stern’s robust alumni network. I have found that Sternies are willing to connect, share their experiences with you, and almost always offer you a referral at their company, which can come in handy during recruiting season. You can easily get the conversation going by reaching out to a professional interest via LinkedIn. 

Start Early

  • Finally, I cannot stress the importance of starting to build your network early during your time in business school – especially if you are recruiting for specialized roles in the industry. Fall is when I had the most time at Stern, and I aimed to have at least 1 coffee chat or catch up on the books each week. This may seem like a lot, but definitely becomes easier to incorporate within your schedule over time. As a result, I felt like I had my bearings straight when I began to recruit in the Spring, knowing that I had a strong and supportive network.

Networking can often get a “bad rep,” but is an important habit to develop, particularly during your time at Stern, which can have long-term benefits. You can re-kindle existing relationships, while developing new professional connections, by using the Stern brand. I wish you the best of luck – happy networking!