Cultivating Inspiration During Kellogg Social Impact Days
by Saketh Kalathur and Mariam Topuria, both 2Y 2020
More than 120 incoming Kellogg students came to the Global Hub in August to dive into social impact and find community before KWEST, before CIM, before anything else. Two students share what motivates their interest in social impact and how they valued the Social Impact Days experience in August. For two days, students learned from impact experts, innovated around core social and sustainability challenges and connected with one another around what mattered most to them.
A warm welcome – Mariam
I decided to leave my home in the country of Georgia early and come to campus just in time to attend Kellogg’s fourth Social Impact Days. After a 30-hour flight, I finally arrived on campus. At 8:30 the next morning, we began the day listening to Megan Kashner, a clinical assistant professor and the director of social impact at Kellogg, who welcomed us to our new home with warmth. Being surrounded by more than 120 incoming MBA students and feeling the energy to do social good in the room was the best welcome I could imagine to business school.
Seeking social impact in the MBA – Saketh
Throughout the MBA application process, I was specifically looking for schools that made a strong commitment to social impact programs. Kellogg certainly fit that bill. Before school, I was working for an organization called MiracleFeet, a nonprofit devoted to expanding treatment access for clubfoot around the world.
A desire to serve – Mariam
Coming from the country of Georgia, I feel fortunate to have been given the opportunity to attend some of the best institutions in my home country and the U.S. Passion for education and a drive to help those in need has inspired me to serve on the Alumni Foundation Board of the Guivy Zaldastanishvili American Academy in Tbilisi and engage in charity work for the Gremi Temi Community in Kakheti, Georgia. I look forward to being engaged in the Kellogg social impact community during my journey here.
The Social Impact Days experience – Saketh
Social Impact Days were the perfect way to start my MBA journey. It was amazing to hear from accomplished social entrepreneurs like Brian Hill, to participate in a case competition with my new classmates, and to be advised by Kellogg professors and experts from the Chicago area. Most of all, it was inspiring to hear stories from the other students who had committed to give up their last few days of summer and come to campus for this event. The best part of Kellogg is meeting and building friendships with a diverse and accomplished group of students from all across the world. Not everyone who came to social impact days worked in the sector before or will even work there in the future – but we are all united in the core desire to use our MBAs to make positive impacts on the world.
Jumping in with both feet – Mariam
Kellogg indeed offers many opportunities to make a positive impact. I am excited that I have already taken on a consultant’s role in a social impact consulting project that aims to help social entrepreneurs from India. Planning to transition into a consulting career, I was excited to take advantage of the experiential learning opportunities offered by Kellogg Impact Consulting Club.
Leaving excited and inspired – Saketh
I also left Social Impact Days extremely excited about all the other opportunities available at Kellogg. Through programs like Kellogg Board Fellows, student groups like the Net Impact Club, classes offered in the Social Impact Pathway and opportunities like the Social Venture Competition, there are endless ways to pursue social impact at Kellogg. I can’t wait to dive in!