Sternie testimonials:
“Elena is smart, funny, and an overall great person. She’s extremely down to earth and chill and the type of person that’s always down to talk and build her friends up!”
“Elena’s the best. She was one of my first friends at Stern and I’ve been lucky enough to work with her in a few different classes since we started the program in 2020. She was a lifesaver during our Accounting class, and her positive attitude and sense of humor give me something to look forward to every day when I show up to class or group projects. Most importantly, I’m grateful to have her in my life, and anyone who’s lucky enough to meet her will be eager for the opportunity to get to know her better.”
“Elena is really a ray of sunshine. She’s so positive and makes every experience more fun – whether it’s Zoom breakout rooms in financial accounting or grabbing wine after class. Trust me, you want this girl in your life!”
Welcome to the spring semester, Sternies! A certain commercial holiday is fast approaching, and whether you prescribe to it all or not, know that you could be grabbing bagels with February’s bachelorette, Elena Politiski. She is a Langone student and I’m hearing lots of things in her testimonials about how sunny and positive she makes the world, which we all need in the dead of winter right now! If you like wine bars, are self-aware and confident, and want someone to light up your life, keep on reading.
Thank you for being the first Stern Singles bachelorette of the spring semester, and of 2022! What are three words your friends would describe you as?
I just texted my friends and they said: loyal, ambitious, inquisitive.
And how would you describe yourself?
I’m a fun-loving, really curious person, with an always down for anything attitude. I also think I’m very loyal to my friends.
Where did you grow up and how did you get to New York?
I grew up in Orange, which is a city in Orange County, California, and then I went to SMU [Southern Methodist University] in Dallas where I majored in public relations. I moved back to California for a bit after graduation and lived in Newport Beach. Then I wanted to live in New York City, so I got a job here, and have been here almost five years!
What are you looking for in a man?
I want someone who’s supportive, who can do their own thing, but we can come together to be better together. I’m a really independent person, so I don’t need someone, but if I want someone, I’d want him to make me a better person.
Did you pick up any fun quarantine hobbies?
I bought a Peloton last Valentine’s Day! ?
What’s your go-to way to relax?
I love reading fiction, actual books. I also watch TV to relax – my favorite shows are Gilmore Girls, This is Us, and Grey’s Anatomy.
Alright, I’m going to get us going on some fast hitters. Favorite restaurant in the city?
I think I’m going to go with Odeon – it’s a French place in Tribeca.
Red or white wine?
White or Champagne!
How about desserts?
All of them…? But probably marble cake with buttercream frosting.
What brought you to Stern?
I wanted to do a part-time MBA program in New York and Stern was the best one! I wanted to get an MBA to continuously learn and improve myself, plus gain business skills that I would need one day to be a chief communications officer. My background is in PR, and everyone in leadership at my company has an MBA, so I figured I should get one too.
Has anything about Stern or business school in general surprised you?
How collaborative and friendly everyone is! Going into b-school, I thought everyone would be super competitive, and I’ve found quite the opposite of my classmates!
What’s the worst dating experience you’ve had?
I was on a date with a guy and we were about 90 minutes into the date when he pulled out his laptop at the table and was like, “Sorry, I have to make sure this release goes through.”
We don’t love to hear that. What are some deal-breakers for you?
Someone with a big ego. I think confidence is very attractive, but being cocky isn’t. Also, someone who is not ambitious, and someone who is not family-oriented or isn’t willing to get to know my friends and family.
What’s your ideal Sunday with a partner?
Get bagels from Zucker’s, go on a walk or run on the West Side Highway, then relax and watch sports or a movie, then make chili or get Sticky’s.
What a New York Sunday. What’s your ideal Sunday alone?
The exact same thing! I wasn’t kidding when I said I just want someone to go on adventures with and who’ll make me a better person, but I’m perfectly fine doing these things alone!
Fair enough, the ideal partner just makes you a better version of yourself! Have you recently taken up running?
Yes, I made it my 2022 resolution to run a half marathon! I’m running the Brooklyn Half-Marathon in April, so I’ve been running the West Side Highway if it’s above 30 degrees.
What kind of sense of humor do you have?
Light and kind (think Ted Lasso)!! I love to laugh so I find a lot of things funny.
Ideal first date?
Drinks at either Terroir Wine Bar or Skin Contact for natural wines!
Sternies, if you’d like to reach out to the lovely Elena, you can find her on Instagram at @elenajessie, email here, or LinkedIn here. If you would like to nominate a classmate (or yourself) for future features of the Stern Spotlight, please email the Oppy staff at [email protected] or fill out this form.
