School is back in session. And Johns Hopkins Carey Business School kicked off the year by welcoming the Full-time MBA Class of 2026 cohort to Foundations Week from August 12-19, 2024.

MBA Foundations Week is an exciting and informative week of events designed to welcome new Full-time MBA students to Carey Business School and set them up for success during their upcoming time in the MBA program. Students networked with their new peers, prepared for their courses with behavioral science and business communication skills boot camps, explored the world of experiential learning, and more.

The week kicked off on August 12 with a welcome lunch with introductions from Carey leadership and remarks from Dean Alex Triantis and incoming full-time MBA Academic Program Director Erik Helzer. Students were introduced to the Carey Promise and Student Commitment and crafted their own Carey Vision Statement, which they can use as a guide throughout their time at Carey.

Students also participated in the Business Communication Bootcamp led by Carey Professor Steven Cohen. The session provided an in-depth look at leadership communication, which is a critical skill that students will continue to refine throughout their MBA studies. The Career & Life Design team also hosted a Resume/LinkedIn Bootcamp, offering students personalized coaching to polish their professional narratives.

“One of the key things that I learned is the power of communication and how we can always improve, build upon it, and try to foster that between the teams we work in to really come up with the best solution as a group rather than as an individual,” said Arun Asok, current MBA/MA in International Relations candidate.

A highlight of the week was a trip to the Go Ape ropes course on August 16. The adventure tested their critical thinking, and provided valuable lessons in teamwork, communication, and conflict management. And camaraderie among classmates was high!

The week continued with the Behavioral Science Bootcamp led by Carey Professor Colleen Stuart. MBA students engaged in realistic case scenarios, stepping into various leadership roles to experience running a business and the often-challenging decisions that an organization must make.

The Office of Experiential Learning introduced students to their project sponsors, giving them the opportunity to get to know each other and set the stage for upcoming experiential learning courses.

Foundations Week concluded with a celebratory party at Barcocina in Fells Point. Students relaxed, debriefed on the week, and enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere of one of Baltimore’s most popular neighborhoods–a neighborhood in walking proximity to Carey.

“Foundations Week did a great job at setting us up to get to know each other and to start relying on each other. I’ve already built a sense of connection, and feel like this is my home, where I can learn and grow with my peers,” said full-time MBA candidate, Ira Sharma

To learn more about the full-time MBA program, please visit the full-time MBA program page. View photos from Foundations Week below.