Fellows of the Month: Alice Lin

University of Pennsylvania, B.A. Psychology, 2007
Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth 2014
Hometown: Calabasas, CA
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Actuarial consulting at Ernst & Young in NYC, energy consulting at PowerAdvocate in Boston

Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?
Health and fitness are key aspects of my life, and whether volunteering at health fairs, acting as a running buddy, or planning outdoorsy activities through Social Boston Sports, I have only fostered this component of my personality through extracurricular outlets. I craved the opportunity to combine my passions for fitness and sustainability into my career. However, I realized I still lacked the management fundamentals that were necessary in helping me reach my professional goals.

What advice do you have for women who are considering business school?
Definitely do your research on each of the schools to which you are applying and make sure that you would enjoy being there for two years. Reach out to current students, alumni, or anyone else who might be able to give you a perspective on the program.

What’s the most surprising you learned about business school during the application process?
People in business school like to have fun!

Do you feel prepared for business school?
Although I have some business experience, everyone is coming from such diverse backgrounds. The school provides many resources, whether it be math camp, study groups, tutors, etc. that will help everyone get on the same page.

What do you do in your free time?
I enjoy running and participating in pretty much any outdoor activities (why I love Hanover!). I have run marathons in Barcelona; Huntington Beach, CA; and Philadelphia. I also recently completed a Tough Mudder event in Vermont (if you haven’t done one, I highly recommend it).

Please share something about your experience with Forté.
My first experience with Forté was at a Forté fair in Boston. I was a bit intimidated as I didn’t know a single person. However, I made conversation with a girl who also seemed to be in a similar position. We realized we had much in common and she has since become a close friend. In fact, we were both out at the Forté Conference in LA this summer and I was able to show her around Southern CA where I grew up.

You have to go with your gut about what is right for you. Don’t do something just because of its prestige or because it’s something you think you should be doing. Ultimately, it is your life and your career and you want to make sure that you will enjoy it. Check out How Remarkable Women Lead: The Breakthrough Model for Work and Life.