Balancing MBA Studies with a Chief of Staff Startup Internship Experience
What happens when an MBA student takes on a Chief of Staff role at a fast-growing startup while still going to school full-time? Conghao Tian shares how he balanced classes at the Chicago Booth School of Business with a demanding startup internship at Zenblen. His story shows what it really looks like to work inside a startup while learning leadership, operations, and decision-making in real time.
Key Takeaways
A non-traditional background can still lead to business leadership roles. Conghao moved from music and art history into product management and then into startup operations.
MBA classes became more useful when applied immediately at work. Concepts from management and organizational design classes were tested directly inside the company.
Part-time work forced better focus. Instead of trying to help with everything, Conghao narrowed his priorities to go-to-market work and KPI systems.
Notable Quotes
“For a Chief of Staff hire, I have to basically go through the entire history of the company and learn about every single aspect of the company.”
“I just wanted to keep doing something that's real, that's driving change, driving impact in the real world.”
“The Chief of Staff role is such a good platform for you to learn how to be a good leader.”
Real-World Applications
Apply classroom learning immediately
MBA students often struggle to connect theory with actual work. Conghao used concepts from management and organizational classes directly inside the startup.
Example: A student learning about team structures in class could redesign communication flows for a startup team and test improvements immediately.
Focus on priorities when time is limited
Working part-time forced him to focus on only the highest-value projects.
Example: Instead of joining every meeting, a Chief of Staff might focus only on sales growth and performance metrics during busy school periods.
Use internships as long-term opportunities
The internship became a path to a full-time role because both sides treated it seriously.
Example: An intern who improves operations or solves a real company problem can become a trusted long-term hire instead of temporary support.
Startup internships can become much bigger opportunities when people take ownership early. Conghao’s experience also highlights why Chief of Staff roles are valuable for anyone who wants to learn leadership, operations, and company building from the inside. Balancing school and startup life was demanding, but it gave him practical experience that classrooms alone could not provide.
Time Stamps:
01:00 From Arts to Business: Kian's Background
02:24 The MBA Experience at Chicago Booth
03:29 Landing the Chief of Staff Internship
04:50 Balancing MBA and Internship
09:47 Role and Responsibilities of a Chief of Staff Intern
15:34 Introduction to the Michelin Star Chef
16:53 Balancing School and Work
18:05 Applying Classroom Knowledge in Real Life
20:31 Part-Time Challenges and Solutions
27:46 Internship Management and Advice
About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.