“Too nice” to pursue an MBA? Surviving business school? Switching careers? This biochem grad tells all

There’s a common perception that you can’t be “too nice”, that you need the right personality to survive in business school and its famously cut-throat environment. Students and graduates face stiff competition when it comes to landing coveted yet limited elite jobs. Like it or not, networking and being memorable play a huge role in breaking into corporate spaces and leadership.

Biochemistry graduate Terrikia Benjamin has often been told that she doesn’t have the required traits to pursue an MBA, so she set out to prove them wrong. In this episode, we speak to her about the challenges of switching careers, what newcomers should expect from an MBA programme, and whether or not it’s true that only certain “types” belong in business school.

Listen below, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The transcript below has been lightly edited for grammar, spelling, and clarity.

 

Maryam: Hey guys, welcome back to the Extra Credit Podcast. If you’re a first-time listener, this series is where we talk about the benefits and must-knows of studying abroad with international students, graduates, and professors from around the world. I’m Maryam, your host. If you’re thinking of studying business abroad, or if you’ve ever thought about changing your field of study, but you’re not sure if doing that would be the right move for you, today’s guest can certainly shed a light on what to expect.

Terrikia Benjamin was actually a biochemistry student at the University of Rochester. But after graduating with her bachelor’s degree, she felt the pull of the business world and decided to pursue an MBA for her postgraduate degree. To an outsider, that seems like a pretty huge switch, right?

So, let’s hear it from Terrikia herself. Welcome. We’re so excited to have you join us today. How are you?

Terrikia Benjamin: Hello, thank you so much for having me. I’m doing well, thank you. How are you?

Maryam: I’m good too. The pleasure is ours. Let’s dive straight into the burning questions, right? So, let’s go back to where it started, your roots or your origin story, so to say. Back in high school and college in Antigua and Barbuda, did you always have your mind set on pursuing biochemistry or science subjects for your degree? Was a STEM career always on the cards for you?

Terrikia Benjamin: So, I would say that a STEM career was definitely always on the cards, but while in Antigua, I actually aspired to be a doctor. So, for most of my life from childhood, the goal was always to be a doctor. And I would say where that changed to biochem, it was actually the summer before my last year of high school, I did this STEM camp in Barbados. It was called SPICE or the Student Program for Innovations in Science and Engineering. And this was where I was exposed to other alternative careers in science and biochem, or biochemistry was one thing that really caught my eye.

Maryam: So, what was it about biochem that attracted you?

Terrikia Benjamin: So, I will say, I think when I first chose it, it did come from a place of a bit of ignorance. I thought, I like biology, I like chemistry. Biochemistry sounds like a combination. So, that was my first initial reasons, which was in biochemistry. But then as I understood it more, I realised that really the root of a lot of science in the natural world, like, you know, understanding proteins and all of the science processes that go on within the cells, and a lot of these different things, a lot of it is rooted within biochemistry. And so, I really like that it would give me a wide understanding.

Maryam: Ah, so then what made you decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry abroad?

Terrikia Benjamin: So, the reason I decided to go abroad is because I really felt that it would give me more access to more resources and opportunities within the field. Antigua is a very small country, very small country, population of just over 100,000. And so, I felt like if I really wanted to pursue this type of education, that it would make sense to do so, you know, at a university that had somewhat unlimited resources and more research opportunities, so that was really the first thing that drew me. But there was also a desire for more cultural exposure. So, I had spent my whole life living in the Caribbean and I felt like it was the time for a change. Like Trevor Noah has this quote, “Travel is the antidote to ignorance.” And I believe there are other ways to, you know, learn, of course, but I really wanted to experience something different.

Maryam: Oh, nice. And, um, why the US in particular?

Terrikia Benjamin: So, being from the Caribbean, I guess the US is the closest developed nation, you can say. So, it just made sense, you know. There are a lot of established pathways to going to university. The, uh, that summer camp that I did, the people who were in charge of hosting it, Diana Sa and Cardinal Ward, they were based in the US, so they provided a lot of support as well on how to apply to US universities.

Maryam: And was your family supportive of your decision?

Terrikia Benjamin: Yes, they were always very supportive of all of my dreams and everything that I decided to do.

Maryam: I’m glad to hear that. So, when you finally got there, what was your experience like studying in the US? Did you find it easy to adjust to a new country, new cultures, and the American education system overall?

Terrikia Benjamin: I would say, I think, looking back, it wasn’t extremely difficult. I think it was helpful that I went to a university that was very, I would say, international student-friendly, the University of Rochester. So, there were classes in place and a lot of programmes to help you adjust to living in the US. I also had a family from Antigua who was living in Rochester and they also became somewhat of a host family for me.

So, it was also nice to have that piece of home. And I know a lot of my international student friends at University of Rochester also had host families. So, that did help with that transition.

Maryam: It’s nice to know that you had familiar faces around you as well. It’s much easier to adapt and adjust to a new life there, right?

Terrikia Benjamin: Of course, there were things I had to adjust to, some of the cultural things.

So, in the Caribbean, we have a culture of really greeting and acknowledging everyone everywhere you go. So, saying good morning, good afternoon, you know, never entering a room and not acknowledging people, and I think coming to the U.S. and getting used to the fact that, okay, it is seen a bit strange sometimes when you go out of your way to say good morning or good afternoon to people you don’t know. Maybe that was in upstate New York, but that was one of the first things that kind of caught me off guard. I realised, like, I would meet people that I thought I knew, but then, later on they would not acknowledge me when I met them again. So, those were like little cultural things that I quickly got used to. You kind of learn not to take it personally.

And one thing I had to adjust to was, I think in the US, is a different way of teaching and learning sometimes. I found in the Caribbean, it tends to be a lot more structured, and there’s a lot of rote learning so, [there’s a] kind of emphasis on memorisation and things like that. I did feel that when I entered the U.S. system, taking exams, I did have to adjust to the way questions were asked. And I think it did require you to think outside of the box more sometimes versus kind of recalling just what you’ve already learned. So, that was interesting. I think that helped me to grow a lot as well.

Maryam: So, speaking of the education system in the US, right, can you walk us through what your biochemistry course was like at the University of Rochester?

Terrikia Benjamin: The way it works at the University of Rochester is when you begin, you don’t declare a major immediately, but you start by taking, you know, core classes that relate to that area. So, in my case, I was taking core biology and chemistry classes that other bio-related majors were taking. So, microbiology, uh, you know, [with] other people who were in biochem as well. So, that was helpful in getting a broad exposure. And then after the first year, you make the decision to specialise. And so, that was when I chose biochemistry. And then, from that point on, I was able to take more biochem classes. In senior year, you also take grad level, more advanced biochem classes. So that was also very interesting.

I think my favorite part actually about learning at University of Rochester is the fact that it’s a very open curriculum. So, even though I was a biochem major, I was able to take a number of courses in a number of different things. So, I had an interest in French. I took a lot of French classes. Also, I discovered a love for public health. So, I also took public health epidemiology classes. So, there is a pretty wide curriculum and a lot of flexibility. That was something that I enjoyed.

Maryam: Ah, so, I’m sure your programme was very research-based as a STEM student. I assume there’s a lot of lab work going on as part of your curriculum. Could you share what kind of research and projects you enjoyed working on?

Terrikia Benjamin: Ah, yes. So, the University of Rochester, actually, one of the reasons I chose it is because it really is a premier research institution. So, there were so many opportunities to conduct research. And even, like, from freshman year, they start priming you, teaching you how to apply to labs and how to identify labs that you’re interested in. So, that was a big part of going to school at the University of Rochester. And so, I began doing research my sophomore year. And it was actually a more microbiology type [of] lab. I was dealing with yeast.

So, it was very interesting, like identifying this process called chromosomal rearrangement. And I think that was very useful because typically when you’re pursuing a biochem degree or any of these things, the next step would be, you know, going to grad school, maybe doing a master’s or PhD.

I think what I really took away from a lot of these research experiences was that I really enjoyed it, but it helped to give me that experience of working in an academic lab.

And then, when I contrasted it to my experience working in biotech companies, on internships, I think it helped me to make a very informed decision as to what I wanted to do next, which was probably not remaining in academia doing research.

Maryam: Did you face any challenges while doing your bachelor’s degree?

Terrikia Benjamin: Uh, challenges, I mean, biochem, it is a very challenging degree in general. You know, the core courses, I would say organic chemistry. I feel like it’s one of those things that people love or they hate. It was super interesting. I actually took organic chemistry in my freshman year. I think, because I was going through such a big transition, like coming to the US, learning how to cope in this environment, and taking such a difficult class. I think it was kind of difficult to maybe do those things at the same time. So, that was one of the challenges. And then, of course, the more advanced biochem classes that you take in senior year are also pretty challenging.

So, I would say that this degree, it really required a lot of resilience and mental fortitude. That’s how I would say it because it, you know, I really come to realise that you really grow when you’re in a state of discomfort, and I would say that it provided that. And it made it even more satisfying when I was finished with the degree. I think that was actually one of my biggest accomplishments, just getting through the biochem degree successfully and having learned and experienced so much.

Another challenge that I would say I experience, and international students in general, experience — so when, you know, coming to the US and going to school, the pathways are kind of set for this to happen. When it comes to getting an internship or finding a job, it can be a bit more difficult for an international student than a domestic student because a lot of companies actually have a requirement where you might have to be a citizen or a permanent resident, especially if it’s in an industry where they’re working with the US government. So, maybe, defense or some pharma companies, things like that. So, that was one challenge, I would say, that kind of persists throughout studying in the US as an international student.

Luckily, I did have access to a programme that was linked to the SPICE programme that I had done in high school. So, they helped to connect you with internships in the US. So, because of that, I was able to do a number of really cool biotech internships while I was in the US.

Maryam: It’s really cool that you mentioned internships just now because while in the US, despite all the challenges you faced, right, you still managed to complete a lot of internships while you’re there, like, in various biotech companies like Camp 4 Therapeutics and Voyager Therapeutics. And you even worked in a lab as a research assistant at your university. So, can you tell us a bit more about the internship experience itself?

Terrikia Benjamin: Ah yeah, you’re right, I interned in a number of different places and I think those experiences were super important for me, especially coming from a small developing country where, you know, I had seen biotech companies and pharma companies on the news. But just being within that space and being able to see the company in real life, I think it did wonders for helping me to realise that there are no limits to what I can achieve or what I can aspire to. And so, as an intern in these companies, it was really a great opportunity to apply what I learned in school. So, all of those academic principles, apply them to real life doing research.

And it was cool to know that that research would have the potential of directly impacting patients. And so, of course, you know, as an intern, there’s a steep learning curve. There’s a lot you have to learn before you can create value or truly work on a project. And I would say at each of these companies, I had such supportive mentors and people who were looking out for me and willing to help and teach me. And, you know, after university, I decided to stay in biotech and to continue to do research. And that’s — I think it was easy to make that decision because I had done it and enjoyed it during these internships. And actually, my job that I got after undergrad, I made that connection through an internship. So, it was someone that I had not directly worked with, but had gotten to know in one of the companies. And so, once I was looking for a job, I reached out to her and she helped me to get a position at the company I worked.

Maryam: Okay, that’s such an eye opener. Of course, getting that experience abroad is just invaluable, right, especially with all the opportunities available, the facilities and resources you’re exposed to. I mean, for international students, that also gives us a leg up should we ever want to continue working abroad or even boost our career prospects if we’re to return back home, right? So now, years later, in 2023, you’ve completed your bachelor’s degree. You’ve done plenty of research work throughout your internships, and you got a full-time job as an associate scientist at Atalanta Therapeutics.

But it was then that you thought, hey, perhaps this is the right time for me to pursue an MBA. So, what caused the change of heart? Why did you want to pursue business after dedicating more than half a decade to science?

Terrikia Benjamin: That’s a good question when you say it like that, half a decade. So, I will say, I worked in Atalanta Therapeutics. I really enjoyed the science part of the job, working in the lab. I was there for three years and it was actually very fulfilling and cool to apply what I had learned in school. But what I came to realise is that while at the company, there are things called “lunch and learns.” So, basically opportunities to learn about what other people within the company are doing. And there are also opportunities to understand more of what was happening on the business side.

And I just realised with time that I always felt most interested in understanding the business considerations that went into decision-making. While the science was very interesting, that was just the part that intrigued me the most. And so, luckily at Atalanta, you know, it was a relatively small company growing very rapidly. But because of that, I was able to form close connections with everyone in the company, including senior leadership. And so, I approached our chief corporate development officer. His name was Morgan.

I basically expressed interest in understanding more of what he did and asked if there was any work that I could do with him. And he allowed me the opportunity to work on projects with him by helping to conduct competitive intelligence for other biotech companies and other academic labs that were in spaces that we were considering expanding into. And so, that was very cool, just getting at least some insight into what he did. I think that was part of what gave me that encouragement or gave me that feeling that, yes, like, I would enjoy working in business, and this is something that I do want to pursue. So, I would say that was really where that conviction started.

So, working with Morgan, it was a very eye-opening experience because it allowed me to get real-life insight into what it was like to work in the business field, in biotech at least, in the pharma industry. But it showed me that, you know, I would potentially enjoy this career path, and that was partially why I decided to do an MBA.

And then another reason was that after working in the scientific field, especially as a scientist, after a certain number of years, there really is a ceiling that you have to have and an advanced degree to kind of surpass. And so, I knew that pursuing a PhD was probably not the best option for me, and I wasn’t as interested in a Master’s in Science in BioChem. And so, I like the idea that pursuing an MBA would be more general and give me a wider variety of experiences.

Maryam: And how did your colleagues react to that?

Terrikia Benjamin: So, I had a mixture of reactions from my colleagues. I had some people who were surprised that I was planning to, as they would say, leave science because they assumed that, you know, if I was to pursue another degree, it would probably be a PhD or maybe a Master’s of Science in Biochem or Biotechnology. But I would say the people who knew me most were not very surprised because I think they knew that I was a very adventurous person, very ambitious, always like trying to expand my horizons. And so, they were very supportive and very encouraging. Everyone was very supportive and encouraging of me, I would say.

Maryam: Although there was that LinkedIn post, a LinkedIn post you wrote, you know, one of your former colleagues thought you were “too nice” for business school. Do you think there’s any truth to that statement?

Terrikia Benjamin: So, yeah, there was one person, one of the people who were very surprised, as I would say. When I told them, they were like, really? But Terry, you’re too nice for business school. And I guess I wasn’t shocked to hear that because I know for people who aren’t working in the business field, there’s this kind of perception of, you know, the fact that to work in business or to be that type of leader, you have to almost be like a shark, right? You have to kind of be very serious or be very assertive in order to kind of drive business decisions forward and that kind of thing. And I will say, like, when I heard that, you know, there’s always a bit of impostor syndrome that we face. And even though I was planning to make this big leap, of course, I knew it would be something very different from anything I’ve ever done. And I’d be lying if I didn’t say that. It did make me wonder, huh, would I succeed in this type of space? But I really tried to take it as more of a challenge. It was good to know that people could potentially have that perception of me so that I could really work to kind of combat that.

Maryam: So, now that you’re in this space, do you believe that there needs to be the right personality to thrive in business school or business in general?

Terrikia Benjamin: Good question. I will say I have learned that some personalities definitely do have the potential of finding success more easily than others, especially if, you know, you’re working in a space where that is the perception that you need to be that type of personality. But one thing that I will say I’ve learned from business school is that business, even though it’s a very diverse industry, every company is different. There are so many different types of roles that different personalities help you to succeed in. Now that I’ve gone through that process, I don’t think that there is a personality that you need to have in business school.

I do think it’s important for everyone to identify their strengths and maybe to also identify those areas of opportunity that can help them to be more effective in the field. But I would say, coming in, like, everyone has the opportunity to be successful regardless of their personality.

Maryam: So, when you finally took that leap of faith, you got the support of everyone around you, you made that switch from biochem to business, was it a challenge for you, that big of a transition?

Terrikia Benjamin: So, I’m actually right now in a stage of reflection where I’m trying to, you know, assess what were the most challenging parts or were the least challenging parts. I will say overall, looking at the whole experience, I do think it was slightly less challenging than I maybe anticipated, at least when it comes to the academics part, like comparing it to a biochem degree. I think I will say academically that might have been more challenging, but I think the interesting part of business school, a lot of the challenges aren’t necessarily coming from the classroom itself.

So, there were some challenges, of course, with learning because I was learning everything completely new. I was taking economics, finance, marketing courses with people who had already worked in these fields, who had gone to the university to study these subjects. But I think it was great because I was able to learn from their experiences through class discussions.

What I would say was the most challenging was, going into business school, there’s this expectation that you kind of go to business school to find a job. That’s what people say. A lot of people are trying to transition their careers or kind of move further up whatever ladder they’re on. And a big part of that is networking, being able to kind of sell yourself and your experience to anyone you’re talking to. Going into business school, I don’t know if I was the most extroverted person, so the constant networking, I remember, after orientation, I was exhausted because you’re like trying to talk to so many people, trying to pitch yourself in so many different spaces.

And then for me, it was also another level of challenge in trying to communicate why my science experience would translate to valuable business experience in an organisation.

And so, that took a lot of practice. I had a lot of help from a lot of my peers.

Peers who were more senior than me, faculty, there were a lot of resources and support at the University of Rochester, I would say, to help navigate those challenges.

And so, coming from Atalanta, I had been there for three years, had gotten to know everyone there. Networking, it felt less of a buzzword and more of just like forming relationships with people. Whereas in business school, it really involved you getting out of your comfort zone. Sometimes cold messaging people on LinkedIn, going to conferences and, you know, having to walk up to people and start conversations.

So, it was a lot more intentional and a lot more, I would say, structured and strategic. That was something that I really had to get used to. And of course, I would say, most of my opportunities did come from networking eventually. So, it was a super important skill to learn and one of the biggest parts of business school.

Maryam: Well, despite all the struggles and the challenges you had faced first, you still succeeded. And that’s something to be proud of. That’s amazing. So, let’s focus back on your MBA. Was continuing your postgraduate studies at the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School your first choice?

Terrikia Benjamin: So, okay, good question. When I was applying to business schools, I did apply to a couple of different options. And luckily, I didn’t get accepted into all of them. I think what really brought Simon to my first choice was visiting in person. So, I already knew that I loved the University of Rochester. That was why I applied. From going in there, I knew that they were very supportive of international students.

It kind of felt like home to me. But going back to Simon and seeing how that translated to the business school as well, and especially seeing how many resources they had and how many people were, you know, really wanting to support you and see you succeed, that was really what brought Rochester to my first place position in my lineup. And then another thing is, of course, financial aid or scholarships are also very important. Of course, this is a big decision and I didn’t want to have to go into a lot of debt to pursue this, and they also gave me a pretty competitive scholarship package. So, I would say it was a combination of all that, that yes, did bring Rochester to my first choice.

Maryam: And what was the course itself like? Were there any key differences in the way lessons were taught and class projects were structured when you did your MBA, you know, having done your bachelor’s in biochemistry before this?

Terrikia Benjamin: I will say the MBA, it’s a lot more general. So, you are really in the beginning taking almost all of the courses you need to know. So, marketing, there’s accounting, there’s economics. There are a lot of core courses. And that was very important to me because I really like having, you know, a wide breadth of knowledge. And so that was very exciting for me. And then, I guess, the other differences. So, after taking these core courses, it’s up to you what electives you want to take. And you can take any elective you want. You just have to meet a course number. But after those core courses, there’s no requirement for you to take any specific class.

So, I also love that that allowed me to really explore the things that I was interested in and the things that I thought that I would need for my future career. And that flexibility was super helpful. And I think that was especially attractive at Rochester. So, Simon is basically like the premier school for pricing. And going into the MBA, I didn’t even know that pricing was something that I was interested in, but I think I was able to explore a lot of other career options as well by being there and having access to these courses.

Maryam: And what was the most exciting or memorable project or assignment or activity that you got to work on during your MBA?

Terrikia Benjamin: The most exciting experience, I would say, was a course. It was called Advanced Marketing Strategy. And it was one of the classes that I took in my last semester. So, it was basically a simulation class. So, the entire class, beginning to end, involved us playing in teams representing a company on this platform called Mark Strat. And basically, it’s like you own a company in this industry and you have to make decisions about every aspect of that company. So, the pricing of products, the volume of products to produce, what products you want to R&D, how you want to market it, where you want to market. And I think that was really a great opportunity to just put together everything that we had learned in all of our different diverse courses.

And it was just an amazing experience. It really validated. I think that course really validated for me that this was the right decision in that, you know, now I have all of this knowledge, even though I don’t want to necessarily, say, work in marketing, I have the knowledge I need. I have knowledge from finance, from strategy, consulting, and just seeing how it all came together in that course makes me really excited to, you know, finally apply this to the real world.

Maryam: That must have been such a rewarding experience, for sure. So, while completing your MBA, you participated in many different societies. You coached first-year MBA students and even held a key position as the president of Simon Women in Business. So, that must have been really hectic, right? How are you able to shoulder so many responsibilities while juggling your degree?

Terrikia Benjamin: Oh yeah. So, I would say this degree was also a big exercise in time management and prioritisation. How I was able to juggle this, I will say firstly, it helped that I had only chosen to engage in activities that really aligned with my passions. So, very passionate about elevating women in business. So, Simon Women in Business, that was a no-brainer coming from a life science background, being in Simon Life Sciences.

I also love helping and connecting with people. So, the other coaching positions allowed me to do that. So, I think the key was having jobs that almost didn’t feel like work. It felt like an opportunity to just, you know, be in a space with people who had shared interests and also make those connections. And I would say through these jobs, that’s actually how I got to know a lot of people, even outside of my class. So, the first-year MBAs or other MS students who weren’t MBA students and I think that was really key to feeling like a part of the Simon community and not just the MBA class.

Maryam: Right. So, through your academic experience during MBA and all these extracurricular activities and experiences you participated in, what are the most important lessons that stood out to you overall, in life and also career-wise?

Terrikia Benjamin: So, the first lesson that stood out to me, and it’s something that I keep being reminded of recently, is how important it is to just ask for help. And remembering that no one expects you to know everything. Most times there are people, there are resources to take advantage of to help you. And so, that was one of the things that I really learned during this MBA. I can be a very independent person. I think prior to this degree, I found it very hard to ask for help. But I think doing this experience and just being one of the people in a space that just didn’t have that experience, being with people who were more experienced in business, it really forced me to leave my comfort zone and learn how to ask for help. And that has paid off, you know, that also helps in networking and learning new things. I think just kind of getting rid of that pride and recognising when you need help is super important. That’s the first thing.

So, the second lesson I would say this programme really reinforced for me is the importance of not limiting your own potential. And that lesson really, I learned through, you know, battling a lot of impostor syndrome, feeling like, my goodness, I’m the person who knows the least in the space. Since, you know, you’re doing the MBA with people who already have experience in the industry. And it really showed me that…I think this really validated for me that I can achieve anything I put my mind to. And it’s important for us not to set limits on ourselves. If we think that there’s something we want to go for, we should focus on how to get there rather than focusing on the reasons it won’t work. So, that was something that I’m really taking forward with me.

Another lesson that I would say I learned through this programme is the importance of really focusing on your strengths in terms of applying them to whatever setting you’re in. So, coming into the MBA, I knew that being able to make personal connections with people was a strength or being kind, it’s something that comes naturally to me. And I think it helped me to see that that is something that I can use to connect with people, something that does help me to be a good leader in this space, something that helps people to identify with me and want to work with me. So, rather than focusing on maybe a lack of assertiveness, which is something that I’m still working on, I focus more on what I am good at and how that can, you know, help me to excel in the space.

Maryam: Right. Those are important lessons that hold true, I think, for all of us, even if we’re not pursuing a business career. So, that was wonderfully put. Now, when it comes to applying your business acumen beyond the campus, right, you got the chance to pursue another internship during your degree, this time at Bimbo Bakeries USA as a summer associate in corporate strategy and development. So, tell us, what was that experience like and what did you learn from that whole period?

Terrikia Benjamin: That was a great experience. And I will say it was actually a life-changing experience. And it really helped to validate to me the lesson I said of not limiting your potential. Because going into the MBA, I initially thought, oh, I’ll probably work in a business role in the pharma industry. And then I realised, oh, there are all of these other industries that I’m super interested in. And consumer packaged goods and the food industry was something that I was interested in. So, it was super cool to just be able to work in one of these more traditional companies versus like a biotech company, a company that kind of produces a good, has manufacturing, all of these things.

And working in the strategy crew, I would say it was an excellent opportunity to really understand the business considerations that go into decision-making, which is, you know, one of the big things I really wanted to achieve by doing the MBA. So, I was able to apply a lot of the consulting skillset that I had picked up and learned in school. And I was also able to see how these decisions can impact a company’s strategy. And just, I think that was super cool to finally put those skills into action in the real world.

I think another super cool part of working at that company was the opportunity to work at the company that was producing an item. So, because Bimbo Bakeries is the largest baking company in the US. And being able to see the manufacturing, the marketing, all of the different business lines that went into, you know, making, getting products to the shelf and having a successful business, and seeing how they all play together. That was super important for me because I’m really interested in breadth understanding how all of the different pieces work together. And I would say that internship helped me to achieve exactly that.

Maryam: And so, can you give us a little bit of insight as to what your role was, what you did, like, on the job?

Terrikia Benjamin: Yes, so I was a strategy intern. My actual position, it was Corporate Strategy Summer Associate. And basically, I was in the Corporate Strategy and Development team. Basically, the strategy team, it has a number of different projects that all have the goal to improve the business, expand the business. And I had a specific project that I was able to work on on my own, which was also very cool. It was a growth project. It involves growing and expanding and sizing a market. And so, through the process of doing that, it involved talking with a lot of stakeholders throughout the company who all worked in different business lines. So, that was also really cool because it gave me exposure and helped me to get their thoughts on my project.

And I think the coolest part of this project was eventually becoming the expert on that specific topic. Even as a new intern, I was the one that people turned to. They wanted to hear my thoughts and the strategies that I recommended, which was very cool to feel so important in such a small space of time. And my internship actually ended with a presentation to senior leadership. And even the president of the company was in the room, super interested in the project, asking questions, wanting to hear my recommendations. So, that was super rewarding.

Maryam: What an awesome opportunity that must have been. So, what’s next for you? What’s next for Terrikia Benjamin? What are you looking forward to the most?

Terrikia Benjamin: Yeah, so what’s next for me? Actually, in a week or two, I’m going to be moving to California, to Los Angeles. I’m going to be joining Capital Group, an investment management firm, in a project management or project…senior project analyst position. So, I’m super excited for that. Coming into the MBA, finance was always one of the fields that I was interested in, but it kind of seemed out of reach. That was me limiting myself and my opportunities. But the fact that this came about and I’m able to pursue this, I’m just super excited to see where it goes.

Maryam: That sounds super awesome. Okay, last but not least, I’m sure our listeners would like to know, what’s your advice for students who wish to study abroad and also those who are thinking, considering, or maybe unsure about getting an MBA?

Terrikia Benjamin: So, I would say, if you have any interest at all in studying abroad, the first step is to really do your research. Talk to people who are abroad if possible, try to hear from their experiences. I think that’s super important and, you know, the best way to have an idea of if it’s the right path for you. It’s also important to really sit and think about the reasons why you want to study abroad and what you hope to get out of it. And that can also help you to inform that decision. And, of course, anyone who wants to study abroad, I would say, yes, do it. But of course, you know, there’s a different decision that’s right for everyone.

And the other thing is, in order to really evaluate the ROI, if you’re interested in the MBA, that’s why it’s very important for you to decide what you want to get out of it and what you want the MBA to unlock for you. So, first, it’s important to do that self-reflection. And then you can talk to others and see if they were able to achieve those things that you’re looking to achieve in the future. So, I would say overall, talk to as many people as possible, do your research. And that also helps to make it easier for you to figure out the best way to get there.

Maryam: Terrikia, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and tips with us. All right, guys, if you’re interested in listening to more cool stories from fellow international students and grads, don’t forget to check us out at www.studyinternational.com.

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