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Issue date: 4/14/09 Section: News

MIT Sloan Alum Daya Fields '07

Daya Fields '07 from Estee Lauder Companies (ELC) returned to MIT Sloan on March 16th to co-teach a SIP workshop to students currently participating in MarketLab this semester. It was an amazing opportunity for MarketLab students to learn first-hand about using the research design framework to get the root of a business to consumer organizational challenge. Daya shared a B2C issue ELC has encountered in the past and used the framework to demonstrate to students how their own MarketLab projects can be approached. As SIP attendee Jennifer Clark MBA '10 puts it best, "Daya's teaching illuminated the real reasons why students are participating in MarketLab in the first place: to gain concrete marketing knowledge and apply it to real-world business problems. Her tips and research how-to's nicely complemented the MarketLab SIP course, and helped students learn about how research is facilitated at a Fortune 500 firm. Seeing a young alum come back to teach just makes the coursework that much more interesting to learn and absorb."

Having personally benefited from Daya's coaching to land two internships in the beauty industry, I was excited to talk to her about her experience in coming back to Sloan to teach a SIP class less than two years after graduation.

Q: How was it coming back to campus to teach? Can you talk about that experience?
A: It was an honor when Professor Chatterjee telephoned me and asked if I could present a business to consumer case from the beauty industry to her class. I've been out of school for less than 2 years so going back in a teacher-like role was almost surreal. When I came back to campus, went to the classroom that the SIP workshop was held in, I was tempted to just sit in my old seat, listen, and take notes…but then I remembered, ok Daya, you're actually here to teach!

Q: You've been responsible for helping members from the class of 08 and 10 get internship offers in the beauty industry. Can you talk more about the role you've played in opening the door for Marketing in beauty?
A: First, you're giving me way too much credit. I am in no way responsible for getting anyone a job. The students you're referring to performed in their business interactions and interviews and subsequently got offers. I've just tried to provide advice when asked and be a helping hand. Everyone needs to rely on someone else for help some of the time. These students had the skill, persistence, determination, and that spark of luck that was on their side. With all of this going for them, these students already have a great deal of what it takes to realize their dreams of entering the industry. They really tried to get a firm handle on the elements that were within their control. The only thing they couldn't control is getting that first break or chance from that hiring manager or alum. That's where luck comes in!

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