Emily Rauch, MBA 2027
Hometown
Phoenix, Arizona
Undergraduate
School: University of Southern California (USC)
Major/Minor: International Relations
Previous Industry
Operations
Summer Internship
Consulting - Deloitte
Specializations at Stern
Leadership and Change Management, Global Business
Student Clubs
Stern Women in Business (SWIB) - VP Admissions
Management Consulting Association (MCA) - VP Knowledge Management
Member - Stern Management & Strategy Club (SMS), Stern Cellar, Entrepreneurship & Startup Association (ESA)
What moment made you realize Stern was the home for you?
The moment I knew Stern was home was at my birthday dinner this year. Looking around the table of close friends from the program, I realized that despite not having known each other for even a year, these were people who'd shown up for me in so many ways since meeting during the school year. I realized I didn't just find a great school, I found my community.
How did you prepare for the program before you began it?
I kept it simple - two things to prepare: I reached out to students to hear about their favorite classes so I knew which professors to prioritize once I got to school. I also spent quality time with my family before the big move to NYC, knowing how busy the next two years would be and how far away I was moving. Both were exactly the right call.
What class/professor has made the deepest impression on you?
Firms and Markets with Professor Said. It can be a tough class, but he made even the hardest concepts engaging and treated every question like it was the best one he'd heard all day. The class set the tone for me and made me excited for two years of being back in the classroom.
What surprised you the most about Stern?
The truly collaborative community surprised me. I knew I wanted a business school where classmates supported one another rather than competed, and while Stern emphasizes this during the admissions process, I didn't realize how true it was until I experienced it. Even during the recruiting process, which could easily have become competitive, it simply wasn't - the spirit of mutual support has been one of the most defining parts of my time here.
How has being located in the heart of NYC set you up for professional success?
Being in the heart of NYC means I can do coffee chats in-person instead of Zoom calls, and visit the actual offices of companies I am interested in. It's made networking feel more personal, and gave me a sense of what my life could actually look like at these companies.
What Experiential Learning opportunity has been your favorite and why?
My favorite experiential learning opportunity was my Stern Signature Project (SSP) with Professor Mike North in Spring 2025, researching how longer lifespans are reshaping the way generations work and live. Our student team conducted over 40 interviews with affected individuals and experts, synthesizing our findings into a journey map of key pain points across generations. The research was really interesting, but what made it special was the close relationship I built with Professor North and the team - that kind of mentorship on real, meaningful work is what makes Stern special.