My Core Stories
Tell me about a time you took initiative to do something without being told:
This past September, I served as a Production Intern during New York Fashion Week. Working with national and boutique designers, my role was to oversee runway production from end-to-end. Some of my specific responsibilities included organizing backstage logistics, overseeing model fittings, and coordinating media and VIP guests. As we rapidly approached our second runway showing, I noticed that several groups of models were scattered backstage. Without being instructed, I took the initiative to organize and cue models in the correct presentation order before the show began. This action significantly reduced preparation time and lowered stress for all involved parties. The designer and his guests were both extremely pleased by the on-time start, and the guests showed their enthusiasm by placing over $250,000 in orders after the show.
Tell me about a time you worked in a team:
During my Junior year of high school, I served as a Marketing Intern for a multi-national apparel company, C&A. Working at the company’s headquarters in Düsseldorf, Germany, I was tasked with serving as a liaison between Marketing team members in 16 different countries. In doing so, I was expected to gauge our social media presence in each market, analyze patterns, and develop strategies that I presented each week. Because it was such a large team, navigating cultural and linguistic differences was challenging. Still, I wanted to ensure each team member felt heard and valued. Several days after my internship began, I researched different cultural norms and practices and consistently sought feedback that could improve my communication methods. My teammates were touched by my efforts, resulting in record-high social media engagement and overall productivity. Above all, I’m grateful for everything I learned working in this diverse team.
Tell me about a time you gave a presentation:
In my first semester at WashU’s Olin Business School, I took a class called Individuals in a Managerial Environment. Throughout the semester, we were expected to work in teams to develop and ultimately present actionable recommendations to Disney executives. As we approached the final presentation, I implemented several strategies to enhance our delivery. First and most importantly, I structured the presentation around a compelling story. With that story in mind, I guided our team to practice the presentation several times and consistently evaluated points of weakness. Finally, I brought the team together to discuss and support one another’s comfort levels—the most successful presentation is a confident one. On the day of the presentation, these efforts strengthened our public speaking, improved our preparedness for questions, and helped us place among the top five teams.
Tell me about a time you showed leadership:
Last January, I was elected as the Professional Chair of my business fraternity, Phi Gamma Nu. In this role, I was responsible for the professional development of 80 existing members and guiding the professional recruitment process. During recruitment, one of my biggest responsibilities was facilitating a university-wide case competition for over 250 participants. In the weeks leading up to the competition, I began by communicating a clear vision and deliverable timeline to the relevant parties. I also chose Build-A-Bear as a corporate partner because they reflected our desire to encourage creative, out-of-the-box thinking. Above all, I ensured that my team and the broader chapter were comfortable and excited with the progress. Not only did these actions achieve record-high chapter participation rates, I was honored to help hundreds of rushees believe in themselves during a stressful time.