MBA Love Stories: Growing in partnership from Google to Kellogg
Meet Pauline Kulka ’23 MBA and Josh Hribar ’23 MBA who met each other at their workplace but it wasn’t until Kellogg that they realized they had more in common than their desire for professional development. Learn more about their MBA love story including how they supported each other while pouring into each other — all while balancing work and school.
Kellogg: Tell us about your MBA application process and how you each landed at Kellogg. Was selecting the same school intentional?
Our journey to Kellogg wasn't initially as a couple. Josh and I first crossed paths in the fall of 2019 while working at Google – he was in finance and I was in sales.
Our encounters were limited to random run-ins at the office coffee bar. However, when the pandemic hit in March 2020, we were both sent home, and our paths diverged until we found ourselves accepted at Kellogg.
As two independent, driven individuals with distinct career aspirations, we saw Kellogg as a crucial stepping stone toward our post-pandemic goals. While we shared a desire for professional growth and skill development, our focus differed. Pauline dreamed of entrepreneurship and launching her own venture, while Josh aimed to deepen his expertise in finance and organizational dynamics.
In June 2020, Pauline reached out to Josh to share her excitement about being accepted into Kellogg. To her surprise, Josh revealed that he had also received acceptance! It was a serendipitous moment that paved the way for our shared journey at Kellogg.
Kellogg: Josh, you opted for the Accelerated part-time MBA Program and Pauline, you did the Traditional Evening & Weekend MBA Program. What did you consider when looking at the different degree programs?
Pauline: I aimed to maximize my Kellogg experience by immersing myself in a variety of courses and expanding my professional network. Choosing the traditional Evening & Weekend MBA Program felt like the perfect fit allowing me to pursue these objectives without compromising my career trajectory.
This program's structure not only resonated with my ambitions but also offered the flexibility required to juggle academic pursuits alongside my career at Google and personal responsibilities such as serving as the vice president of the Legion of Young Polish Women nonprofit organization.
Josh: After learning about the Accelerated Option from friends and colleagues who had completed it, I saw an opportunity to capitalize on my undergraduate degree in business (finance). The prospect of waiving certain courses appealed to me as it enabled a seamless transition while keeping me fully engaged in my career at Google.
The Accelerated program perfectly complemented my dedication to ongoing professional growth allowing me to focus on refining skills directly relevant to my role. This strategic decision ensured I could enhance my capabilities without halting the momentum of my career progression.
Kellogg: Being in different programs, in what ways did you create space to pour into your relationship while in business school?
During business school, there were weeks when our schedules seemed to run parallel rather than intersect. Considering our respective professional and personal commitments, coupled with different class schedules, finding moments to connect became intentional.
We honed our time management skills and took advantage of mundane moments like rising early to work out together or connecting over morning coffee. Weekends emerged as our sanctuary, offering a reprieve from the frantic pace of the week. We dedicated blocks of time to tackle coursework and made a conscious effort to spend quality time together.
Additionally, we set aside at least one night per week to be together and do something fun like explore a new restaurant or get together with friends.
Kellogg: Did you discuss expectations and/or boundaries before starting your MBA journey or what do you think contributed to your success both as individuals and as a couple?
Our approach to navigating the MBA journey as a couple was rooted in clear communication and mutual respect for each other's paths. From the outset, we established a shared understanding that maximizing our personal MBA experiences was paramount. This allowed us to select classes that aligned with our individual goals and interests, even if it meant attending classes on different days and having limited time together during certain quarters. However, we did have the fortunate opportunity to take Advanced Negotiations together with professor Nour Kteily.
At Kellogg, we learned how to operate “separately together” to achieve our goals. Mastering this skill as a couple has proven invaluable as we navigate our careers at Google, plan our destination wedding in Italy, and help Pauline grow her startup, Aveil.
Kellogg: What did you enjoy most about completing your MBA as a couple at Kellogg?
One of the most rewarding aspects of completing our MBA together at Kellogg was the camaraderie born from sharing this journey. It's peculiar how pursuing an MBA suddenly reintroduces the phrase “I'm sorry, I can't. I have homework” into your vocabulary after years. Having a partner who understands these time constraints (and frankly also has homework to do) was incredibly beneficial. It provided us with unwavering mutual support as we navigated the challenges of coursework and projects.
Our experience at Kellogg was spent meeting ambitious and diverse individuals. We enjoyed sharing a mutual group of friends throughout our Kellogg journey and beyond graduation.
One thing we'll definitely miss is telling people, "We’re sorry, we can't. We have homework," when we don't want to go out or attend a specific event. Jokes aside, we both genuinely miss the continuous learning and academic development.
Sure, it was tough with the rigorous schedule and demanding curriculum, but the journey was incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. Constantly challenging ourselves and discovering something new kept us on our toes and made every effort worth it.
Kellogg: Any advice you’d give to other couples contemplating business school?
It's undeniably rewarding to embark on the business school journey with your partner, but it's equally vital to carve out your own distinct paths. Throughout our time, we intentionally opted for different courses and schedules to tailor our experiences to our individual needs. Ultimately, we earned the same degree; however, our experiences were uniquely shaped by our ambitions.
In the hot seat with Pauline and Josh:
What’s your favorite date night in Evanston/Chicago?
Ciccio Mio - It’s our go-to for any celebration!
What's your favorite place on campus?
The Global Hub is truly fantastic, but Wieboldt Hall will always hold a special place in our hearts because we spent most of our time there.
Name three words (or a phrase) to describe your Kellogg experience as a couple:
Fulfilling, inspiring and stimulating.
What is the biggest takeaway from going through an MBA program together?
Together, we can do anything.
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