It’s hard to believe that over 10 years ago I made one of the biggest decisions in my life to move across the country and start at MIT in the Leaders for Global Operations program. In many ways, the decision was one of the easiest I’ve made – honestly, who could turn down an acceptance letter from MIT?!
All joking aside – even though it was an easy decision for me, it wasn’t one that I made lightly. I had been at Northrop Grumman for over 5 years and I’d held a variety of exciting roles ranging from Industrial Engineer to Financial Analyst and was being promoted to positions with increased responsibility and breadth. I also loved the product I was working on (planes!) and the team and leadership were amazing. So, why did I want to leave? It’s hard to pinpoint one thing specifically, but I knew deep down that I was looking for an opportunity in my career that would open up more doors for me in the future. I yearned for a challenge that would push me outside of my comfort zone and allow me to grow in a way that I didn’t think I could experience with my current career path.
I knew the LGO program was a perfect fit for me from the moment I decided to apply. In fact, I felt so strongly about the program that it was the only place I applied for grad school. I was specifically drawn to LGO because of the balance of content that would allow me to grow as an Engineer, a Businesswoman and as a Leader. It sounds cheesy but that balance of content in the program really allowed me to expand my skills while also doubling down on my passion for operations.
I still look back at my two years in LGO as some of the most fun (very busy and challenging – but mostly fun!) years of my life. The variety of experiences I had both personally and professionally during that short period are hard to surpass. I was exposed to not only challenging curriculum, but also to different cultures, a variety of business situations and world class faculty. There are also some unique aspects of the LGO program that I loved:
· Domestic plant trek – A whirlwind 2-week trip across the USA where you get to visit a variety of partner companies, enjoy line tours and have Q&A sessions with some of the top leaders in the organization.
· Operations Labs – Coursework where you partner directly with a company that needs help with operations challenges. You get to see behind the curtains to help come up with a solution they could actually implement. I worked with companies ranging from large businesses like Victoria’s Secret to small local Massachusetts startups.
One of the most important things you gain through the LGO program are the relationships with your classmates. The summer starts quickly and you’re all thrown together trying to get bearings in a new city and with a new routine. The special bond between the class is formed immediately and lasts even today, over 8 years since graduation. I was recently married and had many LGO and Sloan classmates at my wedding, I work closely with LGOs from all years and I turn to many of my LGO classmates for career advice and guidance when I’m in need of wise opinions. The strength of the LGO (and Sloan) network cannot be denied or minimized and it will truly be something you can rely on for years after you graduate.
As you consider whether LGO is the right program for you, I’d offer two pieces of advice that helped me decide:
1) The culture of the program should not be undervalued. Visit the campus, meet alumni, current and prospective students, talk to staff and professors. Gather any data you can to help determine if this a community you see yourself being part of. The value you get from your experience comes from more than just the lectures in a classroom.
2) Ensure you have a clear goal for what you want to accomplish in grad school. Don’t worry, the goal will probably evolve over time, but by being clear (and honest) with yourself about why you’re considering embarking on this path it’ll help you know if it’s the right decision and will also (most likely) help you tell a more compelling story to the admissions team.
Today, I look back on that day in 2008 when Don Rosenfield called to tell me that I was accepted into LGO as a pivotal moment in my life. Because of LGO, I’ve been able to be part of a team that solves the most challenging supply chain problems in the world. I’ve helped launch dozens of new products, been to many new countries working with suppliers all over the world and have had the opportunity to mentor young professionals just starting their career in Operations. It was no doubt the right decision for me and one that I benefit from every day.
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By Johanna Wonsowicz, LGO Class of 2010