Jane Cavalier ’23

I pursued an MBA because I wanted a skill set in financial analysis and strategy that would enable me to advise organizations on achieving their missions. Since I planned to pivot from the art world to finance, I needed a school with a strong track record of supporting career switchers. SOM had the largest alumni base of people with similar experiences, and I was drawn to the school’s tight-knit community. Coming from a nonprofit background, I was also excited about the integrated core curriculum as an opportunity to get a bird’s-eye view on the different types of roles and perspectives that a business leader must be able to take on.

Jane Cavalier with friends outside of the Taj Mahal — Clockwise from top left: With friends from the India trek outside the entrance to the Taj Mahal; building a sukkah with fellow Jewish students in the SOM courtyard to celebrate Sukkot; with friends before boarding the bus to the spring formal; enjoying an afternoon picnic in Paris during my International Experience course

Jane Calavier building a sukkah with fellow Jewish students in the SOM courtyard — Clockwise from top left: With friends from the India trek outside the entrance to the Taj Mahal; building a sukkah with fellow Jewish students in the SOM courtyard to celebrate Sukkot; with friends before boarding the bus to the spring formal; enjoying an afternoon picnic in Paris during my International Experience course

I knew coming into the MBA that I wanted to recruit for an investment banking role, and the Finance Club has been a formative part of my experience. Each year, the second-year club members help prepare the first-years for interviews. I’m incredibly grateful to have had these brilliant, kind mentors who dedicated time each week to teaching and mock interviewing me. I credit the club with helping me land my dream internship. Now, as a second-year student, I’m helping train the next class of SOM bankers. It’s a joy to be part of a community of such driven, fun, and inspiring people.

Jane Cavalier and friends celebrating a birthday at Barcelona in New Haven — Clockwise from top left: Dinner with friends in Paris during my International Experience course; with friends at the 2022 Harvard-Yale game; with friends on nearby Ragged Mountain trail; celebrating a friend’s birthday at Barcelona in downtown New Haven

Jane Cavalier with friends at the 2022 Harvard-Yale game — Clockwise from top left: Dinner with friends in Paris during my International Experience course; with friends at the 2022 Harvard-Yale game; with friends on nearby Ragged Mountain trail; celebrating a friend’s birthday at Barcelona in downtown New Haven

One of the coolest experiences I’ve had was participating in a two-week trip to India with 30 of my classmates, led by a group of our Indian peers. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see the country through their eyes and to get to know the places they call home. One of my favorite experiences was having cocktails at the house of one of our trip leaders, Aakash Dattani, in Mumbai. It was very special to be welcomed into the space where Aakash grew up and to meet his family. We traveled to six different cities in two weeks and got a sense of the rich cultural diversity of the different regions.