‘You belong here’: How one MBA student found growth and purpose
By Blessy Mathew ’25 MBA
Like many others, I came into Kellogg feeling a strange combination of excitement and intimidation. I knew Kellogg had a reputation for its world-class education and outstanding network, but nothing quite prepared me for the sheer caliber of people I’d be surrounded by. My classmates were doctors, entrepreneurs, lawyers, nonprofit leaders, parents and everything in between.
Each individual seemed to carry a resume and experiences that could fill a TED Talk. I remember sitting in my first session at CIM, having just met my cohort, thinking: “How did I even get here?” I wondered how I would measure up, whether I had anything meaningful to contribute, and whether I’d ever find my place among so many remarkable people.
But almost immediately after my first session, I realized something special: this was a group of people who weren’t trying to impress each other. They were showing up as their authentic selves.
From day one, there was this unspoken permission to be open, to be honest, to be human. The vulnerability was palpable, and it created this deep sense of safety and connection. In classroom discussions, at Kellogg Table when the part-time MBA students gather for dinner at Wieboldt and chat before classes, during group projects, hallway chats and late-night dinners after class — people opened up.
They spoke freely and candidly about: burnout, personal struggles, career uncertainty and so much more. They opened up about dreams that felt too big to say out loud until they were met with nods of encouragement and echoes of “you absolutely have got this.”
That vulnerability changed everything.
Kellogg has a way of encouraging you to bring your whole self to the table. It doesn't just push you to be a better student or a sharper professional, Kellogg also challenges you to be more authentic in every area of your life. The program and the people within it teach you that true strength comes not from having all the answers but from being willing to ask the real questions.
One of the most powerful lessons I learned was that leadership isn’t about commanding the room but rather about connecting with it. Some of the best leaders I met during my time at Kellogg weren’t the ones with the loudest voices or the boldest titles. They were the ones who showed up fully, who listened deeply and who made space for others to shine. They led with curiosity and humility, and they taught me to do the same.
Over time, the intimidation I once felt gave way to admiration, and more importantly, to connection. The community I found here has been one of the most unexpected and invaluable parts of this journey. We’ve celebrated promotions and engagements, mourned losses, supported new ventures, gone on trips, celebrated birthdays, met each other’s families, sent late-night encouragement before big presentations and shown up for each other in ways big and small. These aren’t just my classmates; they’re my lifelong friends.
Before starting at Kellogg, I used to think the value of an MBA was mostly in academics, career coaching, networking sessions and alumni access. And while those things matter, the real transformation for me came from the people. The unexpected conversations sparked over the candy basket in the 2M office at Wieboldt were just as valuable as the lectures I attended every week. The realization that no matter how polished someone seems, we’re all just figuring it out as we go — and that’s more than okay.
If I could go back and talk to my pre-Kellogg self, I’d say: You belong here. Let people see you. Let yourself see them. Lean into discomfort. Say yes to everything. The dinners, the group projects, the spontaneous trips, the late-night Facetimes, the random coffee chats – they’ll become the most treasured parts of your experience.
At the end of the day, this program wasn’t just about becoming a better professional. It was about becoming a fuller version of myself. Someone who leads with her heart and is not afraid to be vulnerable; that’s where true connection lives.
And that’s what Kellogg gave me: not just an MBA but a community. A family. A belief that shooting for the moon isn’t just encouraged, it’s expected. And if you stumble along the way, knowing that there’s always someone there to help you get back up.
To anyone just beginning their journey or considering one: trust that you will grow in ways you can’t even imagine. Be open, be kind and be brave. And most of all, cherish your connections.
From late-night ice cream runs to final presentations — what a journey Kellogg has been
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