Wall Street Farm Girl

We will be dedicating the month of June to alumni posts. So, check back frequently to see what BYU MBA alumni have to say. And if you are an alumni with something to say, please send us an email with the topic you would like to write on. Our address is byumbablog@gmail.com.

-Blog Staff

When I started the MBA Program I only had one desire and that was to never return to Wall Street!! I lived 6 years in NYC and spent 3 of those years chained to my desk. It was a great experience and I am so grateful for it; however, I had a strong desire to return to my farm girl roots.

As graduation approached (2008), I remember sitting in Professor Heaton's class and he asked us to send him an email one year out with an update. He mentioned that close to 50% of us would likely change jobs within the first year. I laughed at this because I had my next few years planned out....or so I thought.

Since graduating in 2008, my life has taken hundreds of unexpected turns. I worked for a year for a Private Equity firm in SLC and loved my job. However, I decided to marry and ultimately moved to Oklahoma City for my husband's job. We have been here for about 6 months and I am so grateful for the education I received in the MBA Program. It was the greatest preparation I could have in coming to the "wild west". 



Oklahoma City is different than most cities. Although there are over 1 million people, the financial markets are not highly developed and most do not have an understanding of capital markets or entrepreneurship. Given that constraint, networking has been incredibly challenging but rewarding. Through networking, I have utilized my knowledge and skills in a variety of ways, namely: 1) train individuals on critical business and communication skills, 2) research new investment opportunities for private equity firms raising capital, 3) teach a college seminar on entrepreneurship, and 4) work with undergraduates interested in investment-related careers.



The MBA program also changed my outlook on life. I went believing that there was only one choice for my career path, to gaining a superb education that has opened more eyes to seeing the opportunities are endless. I am currently expecting my first child in November and look forward to the undefined path that lies ahead, whether it is related to my family or to my career.

Rachael Hawkins Walker, Class of 2008, Finance

I am working part time for Graduate Capital (Private equity firm out of NYC), I have been teaching courses in Entrepreneurship and Business Style Writing, and have done some research for a long-only investment fund....among other things.