Full-time MBA | Nelson Perello

Hometown
Queens, NY

Undergraduate
School: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Major/Minor: Civil Engineering

Previous Company / Industry
JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Summer Internship
American Express

Specializations at Stern
Marketing

Student Clubs
Co-President - Association of Hispanic & Black Business Students (AHBBS)
AVP of Admissions - Association of Hispanic & Black Business Students (AHBBS)
VP of Corporate Relations - Stern Technology Association (STA)
AVP of Knowledge Management - Stern Technology Association (STA)
AVP of Admissions - Stern Student Government
AVP of Knowledge Management - Entrepreneurship and Startup Association (ESA)

I realized Stern was the right place for me as soon as I started meeting my classmates. From the early class trips to the flurry of campus events during orientation, Stern's "IQ + EQ" philosophy was on full display. People were incredibly accomplished, but they were also approachable and genuinely invested in helping each other succeed. 

Whether it was sharing recruiting advice, preparing for interviews, or simply learning from one another, there was a culture of collaboration that made it feel like everyone wanted to see each other do well. One of my favorite examples was when one of my blockmates volunteered to host accounting office hours for our entire block, taking the time to help all of us better understand the material. Moments like that showed me that success at Stern isn't viewed as a competition, it's something people genuinely want to help each other achieve. 

Before starting Stern, I focused on making the transition as smooth as possible. I reached out to current students and alumni to better understand the program, recruiting, and how to make the most of my MBA experience. They were instrumental in helping me understand how to navigate the first semester, which courses and professors to consider, and how to avoid feeling overwhelmed. I also spent time thinking intentionally about what I wanted to accomplish during my first semester, socially, academically, and professionally. 

Just as importantly, I wanted to start building relationships before classes even began. I attended admitted student events, connected with classmates, and made an effort to meet people early. By the time orientation started, I already knew many of my classmates, which made the transition feel much more natural. 

Looking back, the biggest thing that helped wasn't trying to get ahead academically, it was coming in with an open mind, being willing to meet new people, and saying yes to opportunities. The relationships I started building before day one became the foundation of my Stern experience.

Come in with an open mind and be intentional about how you spend your time! Stern offers an incredible number of opportunities, but you can't do everything. Focus on the experiences that align with your goals, whether that's recruiting, entrepreneurship, leadership, or exploring a new industry. 

Also, don't be afraid to reach out to classmates, alumni, and professors! Some of the most valuable conversations happen outside the classroom (including following up with professors during office hours), and people here are remarkably willing to help if you take the initiative. Having conversations with my Consortium peers helped me immensely in zoning in on what I wanted to learn, what I wanted to focus on, and where I wanted to spend my time. Given that it is Stern, everyone is open and excited to chat and help you out!

The level of ownership students take in shaping the community surprised me the most. Clubs aren't just social organizations, they're truly student-run organizations where you're trusted to build programming, lead initiatives, and create meaningful experiences. If you see something that could be improved, you're encouraged to take the lead rather than wait for someone else to do it. 

In my case, I love anime, so I started an anime group chat that brought together students across classes. It's been amazing to watch it grow into a community where people connect over a shared interest, even outside of academics and recruiting. 

What surprised me most is that you really have the freedom to build the communities you want to be a part of. For such an ambitious and high-achieving environment, I didn't expect so many people to be equally passionate about creating a welcoming, connected community. People genuinely show up, not because they have to, but because they want to.

Being in New York means opportunities are constantly within reach. I've been able to attend company events, connect with alumni, meet professionals across industries, and build relationships that would have been much harder elsewhere. It also makes balancing academics with internships, networking, and leadership much more practical because so much of the business world is right outside the classroom. 

Being within walking distance of incredible companies across nearly every industry has been one of my favorite parts of the Stern experience. As someone interested in technology and product management, I've had the opportunity to visit companies like Adobe, IBM, Google, and LinkedIn, all while still being able to enjoy campus life and stay involved in leadership organizations. 

Those experiences have helped me not only with recruiting, but also with exploring different industries, learning directly from product leaders, and even connecting with startup founders. Being in New York has made professional development feel like an extension of the classroom rather than something separate from it.