Andrea Seven
MBA, Expected Graduation Term, Spring 2010
Background:
I am originally from Circle Pines, Minnesota—a hidden gem of a North suburb. I attended New York University and the University of Minnesota as an undergrad where I received a BA in Political Science with a concentration in Global Politics. Upon graduation, I worked in the Publishing and Professional Services industries for a variety of organizations including Milkweed Editions, the Minnesota Women’s Press, and Thomson Reuters\West in a hybrid of roles including operations, project management and new product development. I spent my MBA summer internship as an Education Pioneers Fellow with the Chicago Public Schools Office of School Turnaround; I worked with CPS leaders and school staff to productize universal school processes.
Why Carlson?
I chose Carlson because quite simply—it is the best program within a great city. Carlson offered me the opportunity to build quantitative skills and gain hands on experiential learning by working with real life clients on real time problems. Minneapolis/St. Paul offers both an amazing quality of life and top notch employers.
Why MBA/MILI?
I knew that I was ready for Business School when I began working on large scale, high impact projects at work. Although I felt comfortable as a content expert at my company, I had begun developing a list of skills that were necessary for me to make more significant contributions; the list pointed me directly to an MBA.
MILI stood out immediately. I am interested in essential service industry models—like healthcare delivery and education—and the direct impact they have upon the quality of life for consumers. MILI allows me to gain a foundation within the healthcare industry through coursework, industry leading guest speakers and networking.
Future plans
I plan to spend my final semester of Business School at the Stockholm School of Economics. Beyond that, I’m seeking an opportunity to flex my project management muscles, learn a new industry, grow professionally and make an impact.
Recommendations to prospective students
Read the Wall Street Journal, take Steve Parente’s Health Care Marketplace and, if you’ll be a full-time student, the Carlson Consulting Enterprise.
Most interesting thing you’ve learned this year
Accounting and Finance. They’re big buckets, but as a liberal arts undergrad with no prior experience with either, they’ve been the more interesting and useful things I have learned this year.
What do you do when not in class
Travel. Pretend to be a foodie. Spend time with my amazingly supportive husband, Scott, and two dogs at our home in NE Mpls.
Greatest accomplishment so far
The successful operations integration of an acquisition at Thomson Reuters\West.
What do you see as greatest need in medical industry?
Comparative effectiveness research and the reinvention of equitable reimbursement.
Who has influenced you the most – role model?
My professional role model is my former director at my former employer. Her ability to break down an issue to its most basic elements is awe-inspiring.
Most rewarding MILI experience
Far and away, I am most proud of MILIsa and our team’s successful launch of the first annual Medtronic Interdisciplinary Healthcare Case Competition in April 2009.
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