MBA

Profiles

Jeff Bernstein, MBA 2009

Problem-solving drives Jeff Bernstein's ambitions. After graduating with bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering, he managed projects on some of the United States' busiest roadways, such as the Long Island Expressway and the Meadowbrook State Parkway. "As I progressed into the 'real world,'" Jeff says, "I found that I enjoyed the business aspects of my job more than the technical part. I preferred leading teams to solve problems as opposed to getting drawn into specific design issues."

Jeff's interest in the big picture – what he calls the "way things fit in the larger context" – led him to pursue an MBA education. His precise ideas of what a real education should be led him to HBS.

Leadership, case by case

As a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Jeff realized that his official license was just the beginning of his preparation for the rigors of the street. "I found that my license was just a start – a license to start learning. I really learned, not from books and lectures, but with each emergency case I handled."

His EMT experience made Jeff "a big believer in the case method. HBS is the best possible place for me. In classes, I face challenging situations I've never faced before. I can apply processes that I've learned to genuine events. As a proxy for the real world, the case method is tremendous." Through his cases, Jeff says he has "a better sense of who I am and who I'm not – especially in terms of the roles I can play in a team environment. I know when to lead, when to follow."

"HBS is also second to none in resources," Jeff says. "You get a world-class faculty, extraordinary interactions with your peers, and a number of services that support you and make your experiences better." An observant Orthodox Jew, Jeff also appreciates the accommodations the school makes such as providing kosher options whenever food is brought to student classes or events.

Lessons for the future

Jeff got married last August. His wife, Sara Bernstein, is currently pursuing a master's degree in speech pathology from Boston University. Looking ahead, they seek a balance between rewarding careers and a rich community life. "I'd like to find something at the intersection between infrastructure and business," Jeff says. "I'm interested in solving problems to make all our lives better."