MBA

Profiles

Kelly Carson, MBA 2010

While a freshman at the University of Kansas, Kelly Carson approached The Center for Community Outreach, the school's "volunteer clearing house," with a bold proposal. "I saw an immense groundswell of people who wanted to learn English," Kelly says. "And I knew there were many KU students who wanted to improve their second language skills. My idea was to bring them together to form a mutual partnership." The resulting program became Project Bridge, in which KU students tutor community ESL students in their homes. By the end of Kelly's sophomore year, Project Bridge had connected more than 50 pairs of language learners. "It took off more than I could have imagined," says Kelly. "It was like creating a business from the ground up, which I had no idea how to do. But I just did it."

Expanding her skills — and herself

Kelly's experience with Project Bridge, and with a for-profit, LifeBound, a publishing and coaching company that teaches study skills, made her "more interested in business in general and nonprofits specifically. I wanted knowledge and skills that would make me a more effective contributor." She had the opportunity to explore many of these skills through El Pomar Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Colorado Springs that provides grants to support the arts, education, health and human services. As a participant in the organization's fellowship program, Kelly received two years of leadership training.

HBS, Kelly believed, would advance her leadership potential. Her career at HBS the school began with the summer Analytics program. "It's fantastic — it puts everyone on an equal level," Kelly says. More importantly, it gave her confidence. "When I first arrived, I wondered, 'What could I possibly bring to a room of private bankers and venture investors?' Then I learned that management experience is valuable wherever it comes from."

"I'm really attracted to the case method," Kelly adds. "You're not just learning; you're learning by doing. You learn to question your own assumptions. When you speak in front of 89 other smart and accomplished people, you want to be sure you're prepared."

But HBS isn't just about new skills; it's about a renewed person. "HBS is really a lesson in balance. Not just between class and social life. But of the value of what's happening now, in class, and of the opportunities you see for yourself in the future. The truth is, you don't just come for career enhancement. You come to be transformed. Often, you don't realize the evolution you're going through until you step away. When I went home on winter break, I couldn't read a business story without thinking about how I would handle the same issues, how I would lead."