Sarah King (MBA/MPIA ’26), from the University of Pittsburgh School of Business, was named an MBA to Watch by Poets&Quants. This feature highlights some of the outstanding MBA students from schools worldwide.
Before enrolling in Pitt’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, King earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She spent 10 months in Central Asia as an English second language teacher, and most recently, was a contracts manager at Asymchem, Inc.
Dedicated to Making an Impact
Working as a teacher made her realize the impact one person can have on another individual.
“One of my students emailed me afterwards to tell me that I inspired him to study abroad and widened his perspective on what’s possible for his own life trajectory,” she says.
Her internship in the summer of 2025 at Wavestone turned into a fulltime job; she’s currently a senior analyst with the firm, where she continues to value making a difference.
“I feel the proudest and most accomplished when making a lasting and positive impact on someone else (individual or organization). Cliché as it may sound, making the world a better place is one of the main motives for working,” says King. “If we just work for personal gain, the gain would only last for a few years, but if we are able to spread the goodness, then it becomes a domino effect that can reach more people and last beyond our lifetime.”
Learning by Getting Involved
It was the experiential learning opportunities and the comprehensive curriculum that were the deciding factors in attending graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh.
This recent graduate took advantage of several opportunities to gain experience while still a student. She volunteered her time as a Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG) Elections Committee Member, and she gained hands-on experience through courses and extracurricular activites.
First, as a diversity and inclusion fellow with the David Berg Center for Ethics, she worked as a student consultant on market entry and digital skills for Binga woman entrepreneurs. Second, as the engagement manager for the consulting field project, she led a team of students working with an international construction company on joint venture governance. And third, she was chosen by Pitt Business to represent the school at the Baylor Ethics Case Competition.
“I took advantage of the Consulting Field Project (CFP) and the Global Research Practicum (GRP) courses, which gave me hands-on experience and interaction with businesses that allowed me to practice book knowledge as well as soft skills in a fail-safe environment,” says King. “In addition, since I am a joint-degree student with the School of Public and International Affairs, I know the GRP would also allow me to bridge the gap between the two degrees, providing a space to explore how international affairs and policy affect business and vice versa.”
Overcoming Heath Challenges
During the middle of her last semester, King needed ankle replacement surgery. Her plate was full—having two consulting project classes and other school obligations—yet she persevered.
“I am proud that despite having to overcome physical pain and being behind in all my classes by several weeks, I was able to produce quality client deliverables and show up to client meetings prepared and in a professional manner,” she says.
Her can-do attitude enabled her to complete a joint masters program while maintaining a GPA of 3.94.
Learn more about King by reading her complete profile in Poets&Quants.
MBA Options
Realizing students have different needs, we offer the 18-month Signature MBA, the 12-month Accelerated MBA, and part-time MBA programs. Our part-time programs can be completed on campus or online. If you are interested in admissions information, have your questions answered by reading this page or write to admissions@katz.pitt.edu. To discover all the business graduate degree options, visit our website. The School of Business is among only 5% of business schools accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).