With graduation less than a month away, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on the last two years and how quickly they have flown by. Business school has been an extraordinary period of growth. It challenged me, humbled me, and ultimately helped me rediscover a sense of confidence and direction. But above all else, when I think about my Wisconsin MBA experience, I keep coming back to the relationships I built along the way.
I entered the Wisconsin MBA program with a background in Public Health and earlier aspirations of becoming a physician. My undergraduate years were focused on studying, volunteering, and completing research, and there was little time for intentional networking. While I understood relationships mattered, I had little experience navigating the professional business world. Many of the norms that seemed second nature to others were brand new to me.
In fact, I didn’t even have a LinkedIn profile until the summer before starting the program. Around the same time, I was preparing to attend the Forté MBA Leadership Conference as a Forté Fellow. Eager to make a strong first impression, I sent more than 40 connection requests in a short period of time—quickly landing myself in what I can only describe as “LinkedIn jail.”
I remember feeling panicked. I was leaving for the conference in Chicago the next day and had fully envisioned displaying my LinkedIn QR code on my phone lock screen like a seasoned business professional. Instead, the platform thought I was a robot. I reached out to Tanya Hubanks, the Director of the Strategic HR Center, explaining the situation and mentioning that LinkedIn’s customer service team wasn’t very responsive. Within the hour, Tanya had worked her magic, found a (literal) LinkedIn connection, restored my account, and saved the day.
That story is funny in hindsight, but it also marked the beginning of what Tanya would represent throughout my MBA experience: someone who consistently went above and beyond to support students and encourage relationship building. She was one of many people who helped me realize that networking is not about impressing others—it is about connecting with them.
The Madison HR community has also played a significant role in my professional growth. I attended my first GMA SHRM Professional Development Summit in August 2024, where I began meeting local leaders who would become familiar faces throughout my time in the program. Through GMA SHRM events, Wisconsin School of Business programming, class panels, and alumni conversations, I was introduced to professionals across industries, functions, and leadership levels.
Over time, networking became less intimidating and more energizing for me. Each conversation expanded my understanding of what a career in HR could look like. One of the highlights of my summer internship at UnitedHealth Group was the opportunity to have a one-on-one conversation with Chief People Officer Stephanie Fehr. Experiences like that showed me how generous many leaders are with their time and how willing they can be to invest in emerging professionals.
My networking relationships did more than build confidence—they created opportunity. Those connections played a significant role in helping me secure my post-MBA role as an Employee Benefits Client Consultant with Cottingham & Butler. Through conversations and relationship-building, professionals like Matt Shefchik and Joey Backus came to know me beyond my résumé, and their encouragement and advocacy helped open doors that led to this next chapter. It is especially meaningful to know they see my potential and believe I am a strong fit for their team and culture—and that I get to begin my career right here in Madison.
Looking back on my two years in the Wisconsin MBA program, my understanding of networking has truly evolved.
I once believed networking required a perfect script, polished pitch, or constant self-promotion. I would overthink conversations beforehand and replay them afterward. Over time, however, I realized authentic networking has very little to do with performance.
Real networking is about curiosity. It is about listening actively, asking thoughtful questions, and showing genuine interest in another person’s story. It is about finding common ground, learning from different experiences, and building trust over time. Sometimes those conversations center on leadership, HR strategy, or career paths. Other times, they begin with shared hometowns, mutual interests, or simple kindness.
As I prepare to graduate, I am grateful not only for the education I received, but for the people who shaped my experience—those who believed in me, mentored me, and encouraged me along the way. Networking is a lifelong skill, and I look forward to continuing to build new relationships in this next chapter. What I value most is that people who were once strangers can become mentors, advocates, colleagues, and friends. That is the real power of networking, and one of the most meaningful lessons I will carry with me long after graduation.