Have you added Darden Admissions’ podcasts to your weekly download yet? Experience Darden is your source for conversations all about the Darden full-time MBA experience. The ExecMBA Podcast features regular conversations with members of our Executive MBA community.
We know this holiday season may be a little different than past years’, but wherever you are and whomever you’re with, we hope you have a happy, restful and grateful holiday. Here at Darden Admissions, we’re so thankful for each and every one of our prospective students, and we look forward to seeing you online in the coming months and weeks.
Hardly Slowing Down
Listeners to the Experience Darden podcast know that Darden has over 50 student organizations, and student leaders are regular guests on the pod. Many of our prospective students have been inquiring about life on grounds during the time of COVID-19, and the podcast has you covered!
Most of our recent student interviews take a few minutes to check in and discuss how things are going this semester. In addition, Zakiah Pierre, associate director for the office of student affairs, recently joined us to talk about the creative ways student clubs are finding to offer programming and create community during this time of social distancing.
Executive MBA Student Life is Not an Oxymoron
Speaking of student life, October featured a host of online events highlighting our growing number of Executive MBA student organizations (six and counting). The ExecMBA Podcast has followed suit with recent conversations featuring leaders from the Network of Executive Women, the Black Executive MBA student organization as well as the Veteran Executive Students at Darden.
During these episodes, we talk with the students about how their respective organizations have enhanced their Executive MBA experience, but we also find time to talk about the students’ MBA journeys, the impact of their time at Darden, their advice for prospective students and much more.
- Network of Executive Women (NEW) – Ep. 148
- Black Executive MBA (BEMBA) – Ep. 145
- Veteran Executive Students at Darden (VESD) – Ep. 147
Paint by Numbers and Educational Equity
Emily Kelly (Class of 2021) is the president of Darden’s Black Business Student Association. Prior to her arrival at Darden, Kelly graduated from Howard University and worked in the education and nonprofit sectors.
During this wide-ranging conversation we talk with Kelly about everything from pandemic puzzling to how she decided to pursue an MBA to her plans for BBSA in the months ahead and more. We’re pretty sure this is our first interview that references both painting by numbers and educational access.
Kelly also shares insights about this year’s Case for Inclusion event hosted in partnership with the Hispanic American Network at Darden (HAND). This annual event takes place in September, at the start of the recruiting season, and its goal is to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion are at the forefront of community members’ minds as they embark upon their respective job searches.
Socially Conscious Startups
Entrepreneurship is one of our regular conversation topics on The ExecMBA Podcast. Whether you’re passionate about launching your own venture or you’re simply interested in gaining the tools necessary to drive innovation within your existing organization, these conversations provide powerful examples of how Darden’s case method-based Executive MBA experience helps students gain the tools, skills and confidence to lead.
Peter Webb (EMBA ‘19) launched Grow.DC, a vertical hydroponic farming venture, to provide communities with a sustainable, nutritious food source. David Black (EMBA ‘19) and Heather Townsend (EMBA ‘19) started Even.Health to increase access to mental health resources. Hear how these graduates are leveraging their time at Darden to address some of our most urgent challenges today:
File Under ‘Essential Listening’
As we have often mentioned on the blog, the Darden interview is conversational in nature, and you will have around 30 minutes to tell your story. Great! But how might one prepare for this conversation? Once again, the podcast has got you covered.
Admissions Committee members Whitney Kestner and Catie Yeilding share tips and insights for Darden interviewees. Whether you’re interviewing next week or simply trying to get a feel for what Darden’s interviews are all about, this episode is essential listening for all Darden applicants.
Be sure to consult the Latest News regularly for the most updated news releases and media hits. Check out faculty thought leadership published on Ideas to Action. And stay connected with us via social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat
