How The Consortium Helped Me Achieve My MBA Dreams

The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management enhances diversity in business education and leadership by helping reduce the underrepresentation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans in MBA programs and in the ranks of management. As a member school, Georgetown McDonough provides scholarships for students who are admitted as part of The Consortium. All eligible applicants are considered upon submitting a completed application to the Full-time MBA Program at Georgetown McDonough through The Consortium.

We spoke with Tory Paez (MBA’20) about her experience in The Consortium, why she applied, and how the program helped position her for success in her career as a manager at The Bridgespan Group. 

Prior to business school, I was serving in the U.S. Peace Corps on a remote island in Costa Rica. I applied to pursue my MBA because I saw it as an opportunity to further develop the necessary hard skills and leadership capabilities needed for a long-term career in social impact. I specifically saw The Consortium as an opportunity to further my passion for diversity and inclusion, as well as to build a meaningful network with like-minded individuals. But I underestimated the career opportunities it would provide me. 

In my Consortium application essay, I wrote:  

“After receiving my MBA, I plan to alleviate economic challenges for marginalized individuals by serving as a consultant at a nonprofit management consulting firm, such as The Bridgespan Group, to assist their International Development team with projects around the globe.”

Upon acceptance into the Consortium family, I attended the annual Orientation Program Conference, a week-long introduction event for incoming MBA students. The Orientation Program provides the chance for Consortium university students to connect with one another as well as with top employers across the country. You can imagine my excitement (and nervousness) when I saw The Bridgespan Group as an employer at the Orientation Program Career Fair. Michelle, my Orientation Program roommate, fellow Georgetown student, and new friend of three days, pumped me up prior to heading into the employer gauntlet. I waited in line for more than 30 minutes to speak with employees of Bridgespan. From that initial connection, I was able to cultivate meaningful relationships over the next year to eventually secure a full-time offer upon graduation. 

This experience demonstrates the power of the Consortium. Not only was I able to secure my dream job upon graduation because of this organization, but I also met my best friends in the MBA program. These friends are more than just my professional network – my Consortium friends got me through finance and accounting, they showed me how business can be better for society, and they were always there to catch up over a beer at KEGS, our weekly MBA networking event. I am so grateful for what I learned as a Consortium scholarship recipient. It provided me with the career opportunities, support network, and endless encouragement to achieve my MBA dreams.

-Tory Paez (MBA’20)