In celebration of Mother’s Day, we recently connected with Lorena Serrano and Temi Idiaghe. Lorena and Temi are current students finishing up their first year at Chicago Booth. Alongside their studies, the two mothers are also involved in the Parents of Little Ones (POLO) student organization at Booth. Read on as they discuss their MBA experience at Booth and share advice for mothers also looking to pursue their MBA.
I graduated from Wharton with concentrations in Marketing and Management and went into retail post-graduation. After some time as a merchandise planner at Macy’s, I went on to work in Corporate Finance at a bank for five years. I knew I always wanted to get my MBA and I wanted to pivot into Investment Banking (IB), so the Full-Time MBA Program at Booth was a perfect choice. My son, Ken, was two years old at the start of the program. We moved to Chicago from Oklahoma last fall and have been loving it so far! At Booth, I recruited for investment banking in the fall and have gotten involved with several student groups. I am a co-chair for the Retail & Luxury Group and POLO, and a member of the Investment Banking Group and Hispanic American Business Student Association.
Lorena Serrano
I am a proud Nigerian, a dedicated mom to my wonderful five-year-old son, and a loving wife (if I do say so myself!). My family is a huge part of who I am and has played a significant role in shaping me into the person I am today. Growing up in Nigeria, I discovered a deep passion for technology and its potential to drive positive change. This passion, combined with my desire to pivot my career into product management, has been the guiding force behind my journey to Chicago Booth.
I have a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Covenant University and a master’s degree in international management from the University of Liverpool. Throughout my career, I've had the incredible opportunity to work across various industries, including consumer packaged goods and tech. Pursuing an MBA was the obvious next step in my career journey. I knew that an MBA would give me the chance to fill in the gaps in my knowledge, expand my network, and gain exposure to fresh perspectives and ideas. This decision was fueled by my passion for personal and professional growth, as well as my commitment to being a strong role model for my son and showing him the importance of always learning and growing.
Lorena: Having an MBA was always a personal goal of mine. I knew I wanted to live in Chicago long-term, so I could not have asked for a more perfect match (both with the finance reputation of the school and location). Everyone I connected with was incredibly warm and helpful – I knew that was the environment I wanted to be in. I also knew going into an MBA program as a single mother would present challenges; nonetheless, I wanted to make sure I chose a supportive yet challenging program. I have felt that support throughout my time here and I can say the pay-it-forward culture is truly robust here.
Temi: As I embarked on my MBA journey, I was looking for a program that would not only equip me with the skills and knowledge I needed but also align with my values and goals. I wanted a school that would support me in my roles as a mom, wife, and professional, while also pushing me to grow and reach my full potential.
Furthermore, there were three key factors that made Chicago Booth the perfect fit for me. First and foremost, the flexible curriculum was a game-changer. As a mom, having the ability to tailor my courses and create a schedule that allowed me to spend quality time with my family was crucial. Secondly, Booth’s pay-it-forward culture really resonated with me. Through my interactions with Boothies, I experienced this culture firsthand and knew I wanted to be part of such a supportive and collaborative environment. Lastly, being already based in Chicago with my family, Booth's location was a huge plus. I didn't want to disrupt my son's life by moving to a new city, so having a top-tier MBA program right in my backyard was a major advantage.
Lorena: I’ve loved my experience as an MBA student! From an academic perspective, the flexibility of coursework has allowed me to choose a wide variety of subjects to take. I felt incredibly supported during the recruitment process from technical prep to behavioral interview prep during the Fall Quarter. Scheduling in regards to classes and extracurriculars is incredibly flexible and I have been able to build hobbies during the day while my son is at daycare. I finish my coursework/meetings/chores during the day, and I have completely free evenings and weekends to really focus on my son. I am accomplishing my personal goals all while having more quality time to spend with my little one. I have made amazing parent and non-parent friends who are all incredibly understanding and accommodating to my situation. Ken loves to tag along to dinners and game nights, and friends join us for museum days and strolls along the lake.
Temi: Pursuing an MBA as a parent has been a challenging yet incredibly rewarding experience. Balancing the demands of academic life with the responsibilities of being a mom has required careful planning, time management, and flexibility. In addition to the flexible curriculum at Booth, which has allowed me to tailor my schedule around my family's needs, the unwavering support of my husband and classmates has made this journey possible. My husband has been my rock, always encouraging, understanding, and ready to step in whenever I needed help, while my Booth Africa family has been a tremendous support system, with members volunteering to babysit when I need to attend classes or events. Connecting with other student parents through groups like POLO has also provided a sense of camaraderie and support that has been game changing. Despite the challenges, being a parent has brought a unique perspective to my MBA experience, making me a more empathetic leader, a better communicator, and a pro at multitasking. I feel proud to be setting an example for my son and know that the skills and knowledge I've gained at Booth will make me a better leader, both at work and at home.
Lorena: I have absolutely loved getting to meet parents in the MBA program through POLO. I think it is such a unique experience to go through the program with a child, and it is always nice to relate to others in that way. As many parents know, planning weekend activities for kids is always a necessity, so it’s a huge bonus having a social group that’s all for doing kid-friendly activities. I cannot wait to help plan next year’s events as a POLO co-chair!
Temi: My involvement in POLO has significantly enriched my MBA experience at Booth. As a parent, POLO has provided an invaluable support system, connecting me with other student parents who understand the unique challenges we face. Through POLO, I've had the opportunity to network with and learn from other parents, share experiences, and offer advice. The group's family-friendly events and workshops have been incredibly helpful in balancing parenting and academics. Taking on leadership roles within POLO has allowed me to contribute to shaping a supportive and inclusive community, which has been immensely fulfilling. Moreover, engaging with the diverse group of parents in POLO has broadened my perspective and challenged me to think about business and leadership in new ways. Overall, POLO has been an integral part of my MBA journey, providing support, resources, and a sense of community that have been instrumental in helping me thrive as a student parent.
Lorena: Go for it! One of the wonderful things an MBA from Booth provides is flexibility. I feel much more present the hours I spend with my son all while feeling accomplished with my goals. The workload is 100 percent manageable and it is such a great time to create wonderful memories with your little ones.
Temi: Look for schools that offer a flexible curriculum and/or a supportive community for student parents (like Booth!). Lean on your support system, whether it's your partner, family members, friends, or fellow student parents, and don't hesitate to communicate your needs to your professors and classmates. Be proactive in managing your time, setting clear priorities, and making use of available resources. Most importantly, be kind to yourself, celebrate your accomplishments along the way, and know that with determination and a strong support system, you can absolutely thrive as a mother and an MBA student.
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