Why I Coach—Nikki Yurkoski

I coach because I believe everyone has a compelling and authentic story waiting to be told. The MBA application provides a unique opportunity to unearth this story – a process that will benefit you far beyond business school. My own MBA application process took over two years to complete but has shaped the way I approach my career ever since.

I began by preparing for the GMAT and was ready to take the exam when I was consistently scoring 750+ on all of my practice exams. However, I didn’t sleep the night before my first exam from test anxiety and walked out of the test halfway through. This unleashed a yearlong battle of repeated testing attempts, repeated nights of no sleep before the exam, and eventually accepting a score that was below the average of my target schools. As a side note, I can provide tailored coaching on test anxiety and exam re-taking strategies if needed.

But just as much as I hated the GMAT, I loved the process of brainstorming for and writing my essays and short answers. When I sat down to start writing, I knew that I wanted to dedicate my career to combating climate change. But what I didn’t know was: What originally sparked this interest? What moments in my life transformed this from an interest to a passion? How did this passion shape my personal and professional decisions?

I pushed myself to think beyond my career – to distill those crucible moments that shaped me. Through months of reflection, I remembered the shock I felt as a ten year old when I saw the scenery of my favorite hiking trail destroyed by coal mining. I remembered walking around Copenhagen as a study abroad student and recognizing that cities can foster sustainability through their design and infrastructure – a realization that influenced my decision to work in the public sector 5 years later. I remembered a conversation with a song-writer who uses music to educate about climate change – a moment that triggered me to reflect on how I am best-equipped to contribute to this cause.

As your coach, I will help you to identify the transformative experiences in your own life – and craft a story that will empower you in applications, interviews, and decision-making in your career. I will also help you to prioritize your time, focus, and anxiety on what matters most. I coach to empower others with what they need to realize their full potential. I look forward to meeting you and supporting you on this journey!

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Interested in working together on your MBA application? Click here for my Leland coaching profile.