PQU Campus Correspondent Justine Murray (Wharton)

Justine Murray

University of Pennsylvania, Wharton

Hometown: St. Catherine, Jamaica

Year: Senior

Major: Marketing and Social Impact and Responsibility

25 Questions with Campus Correspondent Justine Murray

When did you know you wanted to go to business school?

In high school after I took my first class in Economics

When you found out you were accepted into Wharton, what was your reaction?

I screamed, cried then proceeded to run around my house celebrating (my neighbors thought something was very wrong). Words still do little to convey the magnitude of my joy in that moment.

What other schools did you apply to?

Cornell, University of Chicago, Princeton, Drake University

Why should students preparing to enter college consider going into business school?

I believe high schoolers should consider going to business school because it provide students with opportunities to both learn about and work with businesses whilst they are still in college. Therefore by the time they graduate, they have both a theoretical and, more importantly, a practical understanding of the business world.

What has been the most surprising thing about B-school?

I think the most surprising thing for me was how different all its students are. Sometimes its easy to perceive a very narrow picture of the “type” of person that goes to business school; but there really is no one type. After only a few weeks at Wharton I realized how diverse the interests, backgrounds and goals of its students were; and that has made the experience even better

How many internships have you done and with what companies?

I have done two internships both with JP Morgan

Have you studied abroad?

Yes

When, where, and what was the experience?

I studied abroad at King’s College London during the second semester of my junior year. The experience was nothing short of phenomenal

If you had to choose one: an internship or studying abroad?

Study abroad; Internships serve as an introduction to work that one may end up doing long term; and though that introduction is invaluable, it is something that one can build on once they enter the business world. Studying abroad, on the other hand, was a once in a lifetime experience

What has been your most memorable moment in B-school?

Meeting my best friends

Why should students apply to Wharton?

Because Wharton doesn’t just teach you how to succeed in the business world, but it also introduces you to other people whose drive propels you to do better than you could even imagine

What are your goals after graduation?

Short term I want to work in the world of finance and figure out which area best matches my capabilities. Long term, I want to work with a social impact firm; specifically one that targets education.

When you’re not studying, where on campus can we most likely find you?

In the gym

What are you most excited about for the new semester?

Spring fling; As the winter ends, it’s as if the campus becomes alive again and spring fling represents the celebration of this.

What are your hobbies outside of B-school?

I love to read, workout and eat desserts

What advice would you offer your freshman self?

Don’t worry about the future; enjoy each moment as it comes (there’s no problem with planning for the future, but don’t obsess with it, it will work out )

What is one thing that could improve your business school to make it an even better experience?

Wharton offers students with a multitude of experiential opportunities outside of the classroom. I believe my experience could be so much better if I took greater advantage of these opportunities because they give students the opportunity to apply the concepts they have learnt in class to real life situations.

What is the one class or who is the one professor every B-school student should take?

MGMT 241: Knowledge for Social Impact with Professor Katherine Klein.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Getting my PhD

What is one life changing moment you’ve experienced as a business school student?

The moment where, with perfect clarity, I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. (working within the realm of Social Impact)

What one word would you use to describe the professors at Wharton?

Engaging

What word to describe the students?

Driven

What is the culture like there?
Collaborative; Wharton students, and their individual ambitions, drive others around them to want to be the most successful versions of themselves; and its curriculum is crafted in such a way that that version is often met via a collaborative effort

Who is your favorite professor and why?

Professor Niedermeier. He is one of the Marketing Professors at Wharton and his style of teaching was so engaging that it made me not just want to learn, but thoroughly enjoy the experience as well.

When you graduate what do you think you’ll miss most about business school?

The people; the resources; the opportunities . At Wharton I truly believed the sky was the limit and I hope that that belief in myself continues even after I’ve left.