Get to Know: Aileen Frotten ’22
In this series, Yale SOM's Student Ambassadors ask their peers some quick questions about life outside the classroom.
Where are you from?
I’m originally from the greater Boston area, but spent my formative years in Nagoya, Japan. I came back to New England for my undergraduate studies at Brown University and most recently spent four years in NYC.
What did you do pre-SOM?
I was working in the fashion industry as senior merchandiser and planner at Dover Street Market/Comme des Garçons.
What interested you in pursuing an MBA and what led you to choose SOM?
While I had started my career with a product focus, as the business and my position grew I realized that I was more interested in the strategy-level issues within the retail industry; I decided to pursue an MBA to complement my specific luxury retail savoir faire with a wider scope of core business skills. I chose SOM because it recognized the value of having a student body with diverse professional and personal backgrounds. I knew that I would be able to learn so much from my classmates and be able to share my own expertise in return.
What can we find you doing on a weekend?
I’m probably on State Street, enjoying a drink at Oak Haven with my roommates.
When the world reopens, where is the first place you’ll go?
Ireland. I had a family trip planned for April, and we’re hoping to still make it happen!
What advice would you give prospective students?
Know that your non-traditional background doesn’t put you at a disadvantage—if anything, you’ll have unique talents and insight that will be welcomed by your SOM classmates.