Connor Silverstein, MBA 2026
Hometown
Stony Point, NY
Undergraduate
School: New York University
Major/Minor: Media, Culture, & Communication
Previous Industry
Healthcare Communications
Summer Internship
PwC
Specializations at Stern
Strategy, Leadership & Change Management, Sustainable Business and Innovation
Student Clubs
Stern Student Government - VP of Comms
Management Consulting Association (MCA) - VP of Wellness
Social Impact & Sustainability Association (SISA)
OutClass
What moment made you realize Stern was the home for you?
When I came to preview weekend and was immediately greeted by current MBA students who helped make sure I was comfortable at the event and wanted to share their passion for Stern. They helped guide me to other prospective students and allowed me to engage in organic conversation, which jump started my friendships when I got to Stern.
How did you prepare for the program before you began it?
I went apartment hunting! Also, I started to re-integrate myself into the concepts I expected to learn at Stern, like accounting and statistics. As someone from a more humanities-based background, I had to remember how to do math. I also tried to take on more business-focused projects during my last few months working full-time before coming to Stern.
What class/professor has made the deepest impression on you?
Strategy with Sonia Marciano. I've enjoyed her classes so much that I decided to take both the strategy core courses with her. Professor Marciano makes strategy exciting and brings real-world examples into the classroom, such as those in the recent news and also those that she's experienced firsthand. I truly value the way she commands a classroom and has such a strong knowledge of strategy that she can break down difficult concepts into easily digestible pieces. She is a person at Stern I deeply respect, and her class has allowed me to understand that strategy is the area I want to focus on at Stern and after
What advice do you have for prospective students?
Put yourself out there in every sense. People at Stern are so open to speaking about their experiences and getting to know new people. It's a unique experience that you should take advantage of.
What advice would you give your first semester self?
Don't be afraid to take up space. I came into Stern on the younger side of the class, and sometimes felt afraid to speak up or take up space since I had less experience. However, we're all here for a reason, so I've been working hard to give my opinion whenever I feel necessary.
What surprised you the most about Stern?
The openness of the community. People are so incredibly friendly and collaborative, and I was afraid that people at Stern would fall into the "finance bro" cutthroat trope you hear so much about, but that has not been my experience at all.
Who makes up your chosen family at NYU Stern?
My MBA1 block (Block 2 superiority), my queer community from OutClass and beyond, and the people who have supported me through classes, recruitment, and even just by going to lunch with me between classes.
How has being located in the heart of NYC set you up for professional success?
Being in Greenwich Village has allowed me to get firsthand experience of what my professional life will look like post-Stern. While students at other business schools may have to fly to New York to experience recruiting or going to in-office events, I can just hop on the subway and have a coffee chat with people in my industry. While the world returns to in-office work, coming to Stern has allowed this shift to not impact my day-to-day whatsoever. In fact, it has actually greatly improved my time at Stern -- so many companies have in-person events with food and fun!
What Experiential Learning opportunity has been your favorite and why?
I've been part of the Stern Signature Project for Social Impact Expansion & Measurement with a world-renowned pharmaceutical and skincare brand this semester. It has been so great to see how sustainability and social impact work is valued so highly by a multinational company, even amidst the climate of instability in the industry. The project also has allowed me to see what work in the sustainability industry can look like, and has set me up for success with my internship.
How would you describe the Stern community?
Collaborative and supportive. People from all walks of life speak with one another and build deep friendships. I've met people at Stern I would never have thought would be my friends before coming here, and I'm so happy that I've been able to meet them and build these friendships. It has truly changed the way I view myself and how I present myself in these spaces.