30 Days of Reflection: Day 9 (If You Can See It, You Can Be It)

“I didn't conquer a fear, I rose to meet it.” — This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley

Success doesn’t always look like the picture in your head. In May, I graduated with my first degree, a Master of Business Administration, despite not having an undergraduate degree. While I've completed all 4+ years of coursework, I was forced to leave my undergraduate thesis unfinished due to failing health and finances.

Every school I applied to listed a bachelor’s degree in the admissions requirements, but I didn’t let that deter me. I had nearly 20 years of work experience in tech and education, and I was the CEO of a startup. This was my third time attempting the MBA application journey, and I was determined it would be my last.

Despite coming from an educated family and having spent years recruiting students to attend UC Berkeley, it would take seeing myself reflected in a real-life example to move past my insecurities.

Over 4 years earlier, during Gina’s workshop at SpeedUpAfrica, she told a powerful story about how though she did not come from an educated family, they valued hard work. After she graduated high school and spent years working her butt off, she decided she wanted to pursue a law degree. And even though all the schools said a bachelor's degree was required, she refused to take no for an answer. After being denied admission, she repeatedly called to explain why she would be a great candidate. She even showed up at the school, many miles from her home, to speak with the dean in person. Eventually, they admitted her. Gina’s story planted the seed in my mind that getting accepted to grad school without an undergraduate degree was possible.

With this seed, I could finally take the advice I give to so many job seekers — you can only work with what you have. There's no alternate life, no alternative job experience; this is it. All you can do is command your story. And that’s what I did. After surgery, I set the goal to apply to 1 school. I ended up applying to 9.

Each denial and admission letter served as an affirmation that I was in the arena, commanding my own story, looking forward, doing the work.

I received admission into 3 (nearly 4) of the 9 schools I applied to — Hult, Emory Goizueta, and IE Brown admitted me. To my surprise, I even received a call from Howard University saying I'd be accepted if only I had an undergraduate degree.

My 20 years of work experience was enough. My time at Berkeley was enough. I was enough all along. I just had to believe it and not let fear stop me. The Cole Arthur Riley quote from the beginning of this post is worth repeating here, “I didn't conquer a fear, I rose to meet it.”

Now, I am a proud graduate of the IE Brown Executive MBA , a triple-accredited, globally-ranked program; a collaboration between the renowned Spanish business university IE and Ivy League institution Brown University.

Thank you to IE Brown for creating a transformative program where experience is valued — special shout out to Meghan O'Farrell , who recognized the value I brought to the table; our conversations during the interview completely changed my perspective.

Thank you to my recommenders — Heidi Lorenzen , Beverly Watson , and Dr. Elisa Diana Huerta — for supporting me. Special shoutout to Heidi for writing 9 recommendations; that’s a lot! You’re a true champion.

To my classmates — your perspectives and stories have made an imprint on my heart, mind, and career. I’m grateful to have you as colleagues and friends.

To those considering a next step, but wondering if it's even possible for them — you can do it!

To Gina Kloes — thank you for expanding my possibilities by sharing your own story. This was a critical moment that impacted the trajectory of my life. Thank you for standing in your power.

Last but not least, I must express my eternal gratitude to the best editor to ever do it (who is also my husband ??) Jae Henderson, MBA , who read every draft of every essay — you are the personification of being “side-by-side in the trenches.” I’m blessed to have a partner in you. Just like you said, “We got that MBA!”

#reflection #MBA #MBAadmissions #ExecutiveMBA #ifyoucanseeityoucanbeit #ivyleague #successstory #thearena #30daysofreflection