Kinsey Chandler, ’25 MBA: Building Confidence and a New Career
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Meet the Minnesota Carlson community and learn about the experiences and career connections we offer.
What was your initial reason or motivation for pursuing a Full-Time MBA?
After teaching high school for six years, I realized I had an untapped passion for marketing and the opportunity to grow businesses I cared about. I decided to pursue a Full-Time MBA (FTMBA) because I knew that a degree could not only provide me with essential skills and knowledge related to business and marketing, but the degree would also connect me with like-minded individuals who were as equally passionate as I was about positively impacting people’s lives through business.
Why did you choose Minnesota Carlson?
I chose the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management for its strong connection to Minnesota and the hands-on opportunities offered by the four Enterprise programs. Coming from the education world, I knew how valuable experiential learning would be for someone like me, who did not enter this degree with any business experience. Participating in the Enterprises meant I would be directly working with companies and applying what I had learned in the classroom.
What has been or was your most valuable Carlson experience?
I am going to choose two for this! The experiential learning projects through the Brand Enterprise and the connections I made with my peers were the most valuable things I gained from my time in the Full-Time MBA program. Working every day to practice our classroom teachings, building leadership and interpersonal skills, honing my project management style, and learning more about the ins and outs of various companies through the Brands Enterprise has enormously impacted my confidence and the knowledge I have gained. Additionally, I owe much of my happiness and success in the program to my peers who gave me advice, helped me practice for interviews, worked with me on projects, and helped me create a positive and supportive community.
Program
’25 MBA, with an emphasis in Marketing
Fun Fact
I co-founded an amateur women’s hockey team!
Undergraduate School and Major
University of Connecticut, History
Most Recent Employer & Job Title
Squash Collective, Co-Founder
Minnesota Carlson gave me the confidence to become an entrepreneur and co-found a start-up! I never thought, while I was teaching high school, that I might one day have my own company, and my experience during my FTMBA program means that I can now comfortably explore this path my life has taken.
How did being part of Minnesota Carlson’s broader business ecosystem—spanning the Twin Cities community, local industries, and global partners—shape your experience in the Full-Time MBA program?
Through the partnerships Minnesota Carlson has established with the Twin Cities community and local industries, I secured my internship at Ecolab and connected with companies through my enterprise project. All opportunities I had to engage directly with these organizations greatly enhanced my understanding of the material we were learning, helped me hone people skills, and guided me toward my current career. I am so grateful for my internship at Ecolab and all the Minnesota Carlson alums who selflessly mentored me through those 10 weeks. They were the most valuable part of my experience, and I am still so thankful for the time they took to provide me guidance and be a kind and supportive presence.
How has your Carlson experience helped you change your career path and get to where you are?
Minnesota Carlson gave me the confidence to become an entrepreneur and co-found a start-up! I never thought, while I was teaching high school, that I might one day have my own company, and my experience during my FTMBA program means that I can now comfortably explore this path my life has taken. I get to use the many skills I learned from each of my classes, lean on the amazing network I built, and challenge myself in an exciting and new way. Squash Collective is a community fitness initiative that blends mission-driven purpose with high-energy fun. Our doors are open to everyone, creating access to health, play, and connection through squash, regardless of financial means, background, or experience level.
What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Carlson’s Full-Time MBA program?
If you are considering applying to Minnesota Carlson’s Full-Time MBA program, then do it! Immersing myself in this program was the best choice I made for me and my learning, and I got to embrace everything the robust full-time experience has to offer. Consider what you might want to do (but don’t stress too much because many of us find new career paths during or after the program, like me!) and reach out to current or former students to ask them questions! It is always the right time to start building your network.
