SciCheer Samantha here! It’s been a while since we’ve talked to some of our Science Cheerleaders. So we’re Keeping Up with the SciCheers with the latest from SciCheer Lauren!
Remind us of your background, and tell us about your new degree!
I graduated in 2009 with two degrees from Washington College, one in Mathematics and one in Economics. I knew from the beginning I was going to be a Math major; however, after being exposed to the social science of economics, I once again extended my math basis into a ever changing science in economics. After a few years of experience working at a Fortune 500 Corporation, I decided to pursue an MBA, which I just completed with Honors from The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania.
What was your favorite graduate course?
Microeconomics or Operational Strategy were some of my favorite classes, most certainly because they were courses with heavy quant aspects.
What was it like cheering for two professional teams?
I grew up in the DC area and have lived in or around DC all of my life, so I grew up in a DC sports household. Once I graduated from college, I knew my dancing career wasn’t over and therefore, decided to audition for professional teams. The opportunities that cheering in the NBA and NFL offered allowed me to continue my passion of dancing while also still pursuing my growing career. The most rewarding and surprising aspect of professional cheerleading however, was the strength and impressiveness of the network of other professional cheerleaders that I met over during my tenure on both teams.
Last time we talked, you said you’d like to go back to school to earn a PhD and start your own business. How’s that going?
I just completed my MBA from The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania and have recently just started my own business. So not too bad for a few years later!
Any new math experiences?
I traveled to Bletchley Park and studied the Enigma Machine. What a fascinating story!
New fun facts?
I own a farm and am starting a vineyard! I also have an entrepreneurial passion.
I love your site. I dropped out of an MBA program because the quant courses, i.e. Finance etc. overwhelmed me. I was thoroughly confused and fell behind. To say Lauren beat me out would be a gross understatement. She has earned an MBA from Wharton with honors, Wow! She has a towering intellectual capacity. Beauty AND brain power go hand in hand. The stereotypes are really getting disproved and the glass ceiling is getting KO’d. We have a changing workforce. Women will continue to excel and this should be celebrated. The future leaders of business and science will be women!
Thanks, Jeff! We agree that inspiring women like Lauren should be celebrated!