Jasmine Brown ’26

The media industry is changing at a rapid pace. How are we going to deal with AI? How are we navigating shifting revenue streams, subscriptions, and viewership? I came to SOM to gain a better understanding of the business behind journalism and to obtain a clear perspective on how to sustain this important pillar of democracy over the next 30, 40, and 50 years.

In the general track of the EMBA program, I learn a little bit of everything—macroeconomics, population health, climate policy, law—which is also what I do as a journalist. There’s been an immediate crossover between the classroom and newsroom. Within a week of taking the course Financial Markets and Macroeconomic Policy, I was working on a piece about interest rates and market conditions for World News Tonight. We were citing research from the Yale Budget Lab, and I was able to apply course knowledge. That synergy was so exciting.

During Global Network Week, I went to the Amazon on an expedition to the Tapajós region of Brazil, which was life-changing. We learned from communities that are directly impacted by some of the decisions businesses make and saw how they’re adapting and surviving. In my final year, I’m learning more about organizational behavior and how to empower employees, not just to lead but also to drive change. I aspire to be a servant leader who amplifies voices, fosters collaboration, and helps people take pride in their work.

One of the best parts of the EMBA program is the opportunity to learn from and alongside leaders across industries. I’m constantly in awe of my peers. Being in the trenches together—and seeing how we all are navigating similar challenges—is what keeps me going. Balancing work, life, and school is tough. It pushes you to your limits, but I think it’s at those limits where we grow.