Real Humans of the University of Washington Foster School of Business
Meg Quintero, UW Foster Hybrid MBA
Age: 27
Hometown: I moved around a lot so I don’t have a true hometown.
Undergraduate Institution & Major: Harvard College, Computer Science
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Prior to the program, I was a Product Manager at Uber working on fleet management. I also spent several years at Microsoft, also in a product role. Since joining the program, I have joined FLEXE, the creator of On-Demand Warehousing and Fulfillment, as a Senior Product Manager. In this role, I am currently working on Network Optimization and Order Management.
Why business school? Why now? When first considering business school, I first needed to determine if the content and curriculum would help me grow my skills as a product manager and as a leader. To answer this question, I completed an online MBA program, Smartly. While the content of Smartly was only touching the surface, I still found value in learning the basics of fields I never had the chance to explore in college. After I completed this program, I was left wanting more. In terms of timing, there is no better time than the present! Part of my DNA is to always be looking towards the next set of challenges. I ultimately wanted to invest in myself and in my future in a way that doesn’t require me to step away from the tech workforce.
Why the UW Foster Hybrid MBA program? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?In my early research, I stumbled across the newly formed Hybrid MBA program. Not only was the program incredibly flexible, but it also had an in-person component that would allow me to form meaningful relationships with my cohort. What ultimately sold me on the program was my interview experience. Through this conversation, it became clear that the administrators and instructors really go the extra mile to ensure that students are able to capture the best parts and feeling of a full-time program, with the convenience of a part-time program.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to your MBA class? In my career, I have been lucky to have worked on a range of products from internet browsers to order management systems. I am able to bring my industry, technical, and product chops to classroom discussions and projects.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? When I was in high school, one of my part-time summer jobs was driving an ice cream truck.
Advice to Prospective MBA Applicants:
Greatest highlight so far at UW Foster? The absolute most rewarding part of this experience has been the wonderful relationships I have formed with classmates. I have an excellent cohort and I have learned so much from them!
Thing you were most anxious about in your first year? Finance has always been a very daunting field. As a computer science major, I have always been in love with math, however, adding a dollar sign makes number incredibly intimidating. Diving deep into accounting, economics and finance was one of the core reasons I decided to pursue my MBA, however, this challenge was a bit anxiety-inducing.
Thing you were most excited about in your first year? Tackling my fear of “money math”! More seriously, I was excited to build up a new toolset that I bring to my role as a product manager.
About the Author
Matthew Korman
Matthew Korman is a writer on MetroMBA. Since graduating from Rowan University with a degree in journalism and political science, Matthew has worked as a music industry writer and promoter, a data analyst, and with numerous academic institutions. His works have appeared in publications such as NPR and Sports Illustrated.
