Arielle Samet didn’t have to be sold on Vanderbilt or Nashville. She’s a Vanderbilt alum.

So when she looked to gain the credential to help her advance in the career she had established with Surgery Partners, which operates facilities around the country, Vanderbilt was the logical place to turn. Owen, Arielle says, was an excellent fit due to its collaborative atmosphere, academic offerings, and Nashville location. “In addition to the core curriculum,” she notes, “I was able to tailor my MBA experience to my interests and career goals by specializing in Health care and Finance.”

She also knew that Nashville, as a health care capital, offered excellent access to business and professionals in the industry — including a number of Owen alumni who could become part of her extended network.

Just as valuable, she found, were other resources outside the classroom. Arielle credits her participation in the Leadership Development Program with improving soft skills that she believes will be essential to her future success. “I found the individual track and meetings with my coach to be highly valuable,” she says. “It allowed me to focus on specific skills I wanted to further develop during my internship, my job after graduation and beyond. I am particularly appreciative of the opportunity to have additional meetings with my coach prior to graduation to focus on specific goals related to my job post-graduation.”

 That job turned out to be with her old company but with a jump from a position as Director of Development and Acquisitions to one as Associate Vice President. It involved another move she has enjoyed, too — from the Tampa-St. Petersburg area back to Nashville.

Fun Fact: One of Arielle’s favorite hobbies is making jewelry.

“[The LDP] allowed me to focus on specific skills I wanted to further develop during my internship, my job after graduation and beyond.”