Khalil Romain, NYU Stern MBA Class of 2022
Age: 30
Hometown: Randolph, New Jersey
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Columbia University, B.A. in Political Science (International Relations subfield) and a Special Concentration in Sustainable Development
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): Right out of college, I did Teach For America and then ran a craft beer franchise location in Miami. Afterward, I dove headfirst into digital marketing. I have spent the last six years specializing in search engine optimization, most recently at a boutique agency based in Denver, FiveFifty.
Why business school? Why now?
I have spent the majority of my career thus far in startups and small businesses, which was incredibly educational. Smaller companies offer the chance to wear a lot of hats, learn by doing, and maintain a close proximity to both customers and company leadership. These are fast-paced, agile, and wonderful places for an independent personality like mine to push myself and grow.
However, after a certain point, I realized that my expertise had become a bit more exclusive to the realm of digital marketing than I would have preferred. I found myself tackling the same kinds of business problems using a similar set of tools time and again. I was really hungry to learn more, and I knew that business school would be a great way to broaden my skill set, both as a marketer and, more generally, as a leader within the workplace.
I also realized that a role managing projects with an international scope was a career goal that would be difficult to achieve as part of a smaller team. I am fortunate to have family all over the world, and I felt ready to fold that component of my identity into the sorts of business problems I work to solve. An MBA would empower me to broaden my influence, leading bigger teams at larger organizations with international reach to tackle a more diverse set of challenges.
Why NYU Stern? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
When I decided to go back to school, I knew that returning to New York City to continue my education was a priority. It is impossible to talk about the energy of the city without sounding cliché, but all things truly do become possible the moment you step out onto the sidewalk here. In evaluating schools, I was very interested in programs that would empower me to learn as much as I can as quickly as possible, and this city is the best place in the world for me to do just that.
Once I decided where I wanted to be in terms of geography, NYU Stern rose to the top of my list for a couple of reasons. A big part of the initial draw was a desire to lean as heavily as possible into the experiential aspects of a business education. I did not want my time in business school to be overly cerebral or academic. An MBA is a professional degree, so hands-on training was a major consideration. NYU Stern offers an abundance of opportunities to roll my sleeves up baked right into its curriculum. In addition to the breadth of the curriculum, this all adds up to a learning environment that features my favorite parts of startups, but on a larger, more structured, and more international scale with plenty of exposure to all kinds of subject areas. It was like I found a school perfectly designed for my personal learning style and goals.
As I did more research, the big names we have on faculty reinforced my enthusiasm. These professors are giants in their fields. The chance to take classes with the talking heads I have watched on TV for years was a dream come true.
However, the community is definitely what sealed the deal for me. When I visited prospective MBA programs, I was very sensitive to how well I felt like I “fit in.” Every single Sternie who was kind enough to make time to chat with me – which, to be clear, was everyone I contacted – immediately struck me as someone I would love to have in my class, on my team in the office, or even just join me for a drink. Each conversation was effortless. Students here are amazing people with whom I genuinely wanted to navigate the thrilling chaos of the city as a team.
When I combined the quality of my cultural fit with the benefit of a smaller class size compared to other programs I was considering, it honestly just felt right. I was confident that I would leave NYU after two years with an incredible, accomplished network of lifelong friends.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2022?
Having spent so much time in search engine optimization, I am extremely invested in process improvement. It can be very easy for high-achievers to fall victim to tunnel vision when working towards a goal. However, I am a big believer in the value of systemized iterative processes. It is not always about doing something perfectly the first time; often, what matters most is doing it even better each time after that. My hope is that pairing this mindset with my natural affinity for bringing extremely different kinds of people together can help nurture the collaborative, positive environment on campus.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I have completed the P’hall Challenge at Brick Lane Curry House and finished a bowl of what is widely considered to be the spiciest curry in the world.
Post-MBA career interests?
Marketing and General Management.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
It is absolutely worth the effort to reach out to current students and alumni. I wrote a lot of polite emails and LinkedIn messages to folks I had never met, and that is how I collected some of my most valuable information. The best way to get a feel for where you belong is to figure out what kinds of personalities tend to dominate the programs you’re considering.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
There were moments I let myself get swallowed up in the B-school application bubble. In addition to the online forums I joined, I did some pre-MBA programs to help prepare. That was amazing because I met a wonderful community of other applicants and new friends. However, at the end of the day, this is an intensely personal decision and the only opinion that matters on your journey is yours. Once that background noise starts to drown out your own gut feelings or inner voice, it is time to log off.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
After being in the workforce for so long, studying for a standardized test felt incredibly tedious. It definitely took a while to shake off the cobwebs. It helped to be extremely strategic about what I studied to maximize my efficiency. Take diagnostic tests regularly to hone in on only the parts of the test on which you absolutely need to spend your time.
What is your initial impression of Stern’s students/culture/community?
As soon as school began, it became pretty obvious that the “IQ + EQ” motto is way more than a marketing slogan. It sincerely encapsulates what sets students here apart, and it aligns perfectly with my personal values.
This year, instruction is hybrid. Even in this heavily virtual format, I am building substantive relationships with some of the most impressive people I could ever hope to meet. The kind of personality that is drawn to Stern is the one that will not hesitate to reach out randomly to schedule a remote coffee chat or invite everyone to a virtual happy hour. Socially, the emphasis on emotional intelligence means that my classmates are so assertive and self-possessed, but also deeply empathetic and curious.
People here are not competitive at all. I had some preconceptions about what constitutes a typical business student, but those assumptions have gone out the window since I started at Stern. It genuinely feels like I joined a team: we’re all in this together. When you choose to be a student in a place like New York City, access to this kind of tight-knit community, which welcomes everyone with open arms, regardless of background, makes for an invaluable (and fun!) experience.
One thing you have learned about Stern that has surprised you?
NYU Stern has been a member of the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management since 1984. Everyone knows the right things to say about diversity, equity, and inclusion these days, but Stern has been walking the walk since before I was born. As a Consortium Fellow myself, I was really excited to find how close and active the URM community on campus is, as well as how intentional the university chooses to be when it comes to fostering an inclusive environment.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
There are about one million things with which I would love to get involved, but nowhere near enough time to do it all. If I don’t learn to say “no” to opportunities sooner than later, overextending myself could become a real headache. It is important to have the discipline to focus on what matters most and the maturity to accept that there are only so many hours in the day.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am really excited to continue getting to know my fellow Sternies. With everything going on in the world, trips and treks have been postponed for now. However, I am so happy about what the student clubs are lining up for us as soon as it is safe to travel again. And, if that doesn’t pan out, even the contingency plans and virtual events on the calendar surpass all of my wildest expectations for these tough times. Even a global pandemic can’t stop the NYU Stern community.
