Alessandra Nunez - Stern ‘23
Where are you from? I’m originally from Miami, FL but grew up in Atlanta, GA.
What was your background before Stern? My first role was in 2016 as a Founding Member of a music and tech startup aimed at facilitating affordable influencer marketing for musical artists. I loved supporting independent artists who typically didn’t have big teams or budgets behind them, and decided to explore the nonprofit sector where I felt I could help more vulnerable populations while expanding my professional skill set. In 2019, I joined an education-equity focused nonprofit as a Project Manager. I hope to combine my passion for entertainment with my goal of supporting nonprofit organizations and social impact causes in my future professional roles.
Why did you choose to pursue an MBA? Why Stern? I chose to pursue an MBA for multiple reasons. To start, I wanted to gain the foundational business skills and acumen to position myself for success in whatever future role I have. Additionally, I wanted to explore the different functions I could pursue within the entertainment and/or nonprofit sectors to see what best aligns with my skills, goals, and interests. I also wanted to expand my network and connect with ambitious professionals like myself. These were a few of the many reasons I chose to pursue an MBA, and I feel that so far, my MBA journey has either met or exceeded my expectations.
I chose Stern because it is a globally renowned business program with challenging courses and esteemed professors, so I knew that I would get a really great education alongside classmates who also wanted to challenge themselves. Additionally, its location in New York City cannot be underestimated. I knew that not only would there be plenty of opportunities within the nonprofit and entertainment sectors for me to pursue, but the access and proximity to network with and learn from professionals already in those industries would be invaluable. Lastly, NYC is a global business capital and one of the greatest cities in the world, and I wanted to be where the action was. It certainly has not disappointed!
What did you do to explore careers in your first year (resources you used, networking opportunities, club events, etc.)? What was most helpful? LinkedIn and club newsletters were the most helpful for me. The OCD Career account was helpful for sourcing internships, too. I’d also suggest speaking with both MBA1s and MBA2s who may have previously worked or interned in industries you’re interested in.
What do you wish you’d done differently / what advice do you have for MBA1s or prospective students? Go at your own pace with both professional and social endeavors! Starting business school can be overwhelming, so don’t be alarmed if someone has an internship before you’ve even applied for your first one. (True story.) On that same note, don’t feel like you have to go to every club happy hour/block event/Stern event/etc - there will be plenty of time and ways to meet your classmates, and burnout is real. That being said, make sure you do things that push you outside of your comfort zone or things you wish you did in undergrad. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions! Whether it’s what a job title actually means, or where the MBA lockers are, no question is dumb and people are willing to share their experiences and insights.
What was your internship recruiting process like? I’m interested in working at the intersection of two industries, so I cast a really wide net and applied to many internships. I liked this process for myself because I could see myself in many roles and I didn’t want to limit myself, but at the same time, casting a wide net means not being a perfect fit for many of the roles I applied for, so a high volume of applications does not always translate to a high number of interviews or offers. Nontraditional industries can be stressful to recruit for since they happen later in the year and there’s not a set path to follow like there is for more traditional industries, but don’t let that discourage you! I ended up with more options than I thought I would and really enjoyed my internship this summer!
Tell us a little bit about where you interned and the work you did over the summer. What skills were most helpful? What did you learn? I interned at Monigle as a brand strategist. Monigle is a brand consultancy headquartered in Denver, CO with an office in midtown NYC. I wanted to explore the various functions I could have within a somewhat niche space (entertainment for impact), and branding and strategy have always been a top interest of mine. I strengthened my consulting and problem-solving skills while learning more about the (re-)branding process and strategy best practices. Branding is something that can be applied to many industries, so it was the perfect opportunity for me.
What are your goals for post-MBA? I want to find a job that allows me to support nonprofit or social impact causes that are important to me through the power of the entertainment industry and its influencers.
What have been your favorite classes at Stern (sisa focused or otherwise)? Data Science for Business: Managerial , Sustainability for Competitive Advantage, Consulting Lab: Branding & Innovation, and New Media in Marketing.
How has SISA played a role in your Stern experience? SISA has provided me with career support, opportunities to network with professionals in this space, leadership opportunities, and a community of friends who care about similar things. Most importantly though, SISA has continued to grow my excitement for a career that helps others!
What would you say to a prospective student who is interested in exploring careers in social impact or sustainability? Businesses are realizing the necessity of social impact and sustainability work, and I really believe now is an excellent time to pursue an MBA if you want to work in these spaces. Sustainability and social impact shows up in unexpected ways in business, and that has been really exciting to see as a student!
