Karla Wald
- Chippewa Falls, Wis.
- Master of business administration graduate
- What's next: Pursuing a position in a public agency through the Presidential Management Fellows Program or in the private sector
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Karla Wald, a Chippewa Falls resident who will graduate with a master’s degree in business administration, was selected this spring as a Presidential Management Fellow through a competitive program of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
She is UW-Eau Claire’s first student to receive this honor and is one of only 10 students from the UW System selected this year, with the other nine candidates from UW-Madison. Harvard, Princeton, Georgetown and Yale universities are among the institutions from which other fellows were selected.
Wald was among 850 finalists, from a pool of 9,100 graduate students from universities across the country, who now are vying for the opportunity to work for federal agencies and participate in the management of their public policies and programs. Such agencies include the Department of Defense, Internal Revenue Service, Federal Highway Administration and Veterans Administration, among many others.
She hopes to secure an appointment through the federal program but also will explore opportunities in the private sector. Wald, selected as the College of Business 2011 Outstanding MBA Student, has worked as a research assistant with College of Business faculty members and volunteered as a certified small business counselor with the western Wisconsin chapter of SCORE, a nonprofit association that is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
More on Karla Wald
What made her decide to return to school for her MBA at UW-Eau Claire: Pursuing my MBA seemed like a natural choice. An MBA sets individuals apart in today's competitive business world. I think it demonstrates a level of commitment to continued learning and improvement. UW-Eau Claire's reputation as a high-quality business school and the opportunity to go through the program with a cohort of other students were the two largest factors in my choice.
The “dream job” she hopes to land one day: My dream job would be to work for the Green Bay Packers in operations. Beneath the entertainment, football is still a business. For the short term, securing an appointment in the Presidential Management Fellows program is a goal. Who knows where that will lead? Currently, I am on a very short list for a position with the U.S. Department of Defense-Chief of Naval Operations, working at the Pentagon. It is a phenomenal opportunity and speaks to the high level of quality I can offer any future employer — whether in the private or public sector.
Experiences in UW-Eau Claire’s MBA program that have been most valuable in preparing her for her future goals: Overall, the program provided opportunities to elevate my analytical and leadership skills. It helped me realize the depth of my experience while expanding my knowledge base. The online elective classes provided exposure to individuals working in some large corporations around the country that I would not have had the opportunity to "meet" on campus.
A UW-Eau Claire person, class or project that's had the most impact on her life: For me, it was the Business Plan Project. I recognized I have a passion for business operations and consulting. It gave me the confidence to become a certified small business counselor with SCORE and help others to succeed in their businesses.
Most memorable highlights of her time at UW-Eau Claire: Being chosen for the Outstanding MBA Student award. I am honored the faculty and staff chose me for this, because I think there were many talented individuals in my cohort. I also enjoyed the opportunity to work directly with the College of Business faculty on research projects and know that some of my work will be published in academic journals.
How she defines the UW-Eau Claire Advantage: The UW-Eau Claire Advantage is that it offers students a tremendous return on investment. I became a finalist in the Presidential Management Fellows Program by competing against students from other renowned colleges like Harvard, Georgetown, London School of Economics and the University of Chicago. I think it speaks volumes for the program.
Advice for success to incoming UW-Eau Claire students: View your classes as an opportunity to learn something new. Even if you think you know the subject matter or have experience in it, there is always a nugget of value. Network with fellow students and faculty. Cultivate those relationships and draw on the rich experiences and insight they have to offer. You will be amazed at what you can offer them, too!
Learn about other May 2011 graduates.
