Part II: What I'm looking for in a School....

Its always interesting to see how individuals narrow down their school choice. Motown nice selection critera! I also have a list of things that I'm looking for when choosing an MBA program. Check it out...

• Concentration: Since I'm making a career change my #1 criteria is that the school I'm interested in have the concentration I'm looking for ( HR Management). I feel the best way to prepare me for my future career is to make sure I receive the best fundamental knowledge available.
• Culture/ Student Clubs: Making sure the schools culture will be a fit for me is another important thing that will keep a school on or off my list. I can't visit every school before I apply so talking with students and alumni will have to do. The student clubs that are available will also heavily influence my decision. Student clubs are one of the many reasons why I fell in love with my number #1 school choice. They have so many clubs that sound so cool for example "extreme sporting and outdoor club". Sounds fun to me and the description sounds even better!! ... its the little things that make me happy :)
• Class Size: Coming from University of Michigan and a big company , I want to try a smaller class size out. The expectation is that almost everyone going to business school will become someone great one day. I hope with a smaller class size I will be able to build a stronger network with my classmate.
• Cost : Hefty loans are something I wish to avoid if possible so I am definitely looking at the tutions cost vs the percentage and profile of students who receive scholarships and grants. Lets be real, Money matters! No one wants to come out of business school with more debt and the same pay or even less pay. The avg starting salary for school is something I also like to look at. It sort of lets me know how valuable companies think that schools MBA is.

Those are my top things I look for when school shopping. Madsmom & folks out there, what are yours?!

-Ms. Hr

Read more...

Part I: What I'm looking for in a School

Source

 Sometimes I think looking for the 'right' school, similar to posting a personal ad:

Wanted:

Top MBA program with robust academics, pretty campus and cool people.  Low tuition/High # of scholarships distributed desired.

::sigh:: 

If only it was that easy.  Basically I’m looking for a few things that will make a school from good to great (in my head)

• Ranking/Recognition – This does NOT mean I need to go to a #1 school; I’m more concerned with what a school is known for.  Are they known for developing quant jocks? Do most people end up in supply chain?  I want to know where most graduates end up and how well they are known in the few fields I’m interested in (as a reminder…I’m looking at social enterprise, consulting and marketing)
• Location – I’ve had a slightly nomadic lifestyle in the past 3-4 years so I’m starting to get a little particular about where I reside.  I prefer an urban environment that isn’t too far from home (Michigan),  so I can:  #1 travel home cheaply and #2 volunteer in a urban environment.  On that note, I’m not 100% opposed to schools in more remote environments, but its not necess what I prefer.
• Culture – This is a hard one to put in words.  But I rely on student conversations/school visits to bring this one home.  As I speak with students/alums I think: #1 Could I be friends with this person? #2 Is this person similar to the last person I spoke to? #3 Can I fit in?  Also, I look at a few statistics of the makeup of the student body and see how I could mesh/not mesh into that.
• Academics – Most schools are on par with each other it seems.  I desire a wide curriculum and also I prefer schools with a Social Enterprise course track or something similar to it.
• GMAT/GPA – Although I’ve already preached about “How im not a number”….If I’m well below…or well above the ranges…I’ll just say, it plays a factor :-)

What else do you look for in a school?  Any tips?

-Motown

Read more...

[Deciding] My Path to an MBA

In September 2010, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, law school, business school, joining the Peace Corps….. I had no direction. ..and in many (but fewer) ways I still have no direction.  I’ve just accepted the fate that I’ll always be figuring out the answer to the question “What do you want to do with your life?” for the rest of my life. 

Thankfully, I narrowed down my goals to a few industries/functions I know I don’t want to pursue and careers that I will explore more:

·       Banking & Finance  Although its crossed out I do want to learn more about micro-finance

·       Marketing  -- It’s my backup plan…. In case things fall through

·       Social Enterprise  -- To reach my Long Term goal of revitalizing Detroit

·       General Management -- to learn to manage a non-profits and understand org behavior

·       Consulting   (Note: It’s only half crossed out b/c I think the concept of being a Consultant is cool..but I would have to find the right nonprofit/govt firm  that will have a good work/life balance)

·       Entrepreneurship  I like the idea but just not sure if I’m a risk taker; I will, however, take part in some start-up competitions at school since I have a few ideas up my sleeve bwahahahahaha.

Okay so I have A LOT more research to do….like ALOT

The Ross School of Business at University of Michigan helped me learn more about industries and functions here.

I’m still working on a plan to narrow it down……which I need to finish ASAP!!!

I also plan on tapping into my network just to ask people “What do YOU do?”

::sigh::

I hope that helps.

How did you narrow your selections down?

-Motown

Read more...

Recap of Fuqua Visit

Honestly this was a tough entry to write.

Not because of the visit itself, but moreso on how to make it NOT sound like a book report lol.

Anyways, the main takeaway from Ms. HR and I’s visit to Fuqua is this: GO VISIT SCHOOLS

I know that sounds trite.  But until last weekend, I held school visits at an arm’s length.  I would love to have the money and time to visit alllll the schools I am interested in, yet I never really mapped out that plan nor narrowed down my list of schools I’m dying to visit.  An Alum said it best.  He said, “Your business school education roughly costs 150 to 200K which is the cost of a house.  Would you buy a house without seeing it?”

Nuff said.

There’s nothing like being on a school campus.  It totally outweighs any interviews, website visits or Facebook stalking.

::steps off soapbox::

Lets get to the visit.

First thing, the Fuqua students and Alums were really open and honest about their experiences. which was great for all of us prospective students.  Luckily, it was a small group of us, so we got to really interact closely with the admissions directors and alums…which was AMAZING.

Furthermore, we attended a conference intended for MBA students but honestly, it was extremely engaging and interesting regardless.  It really made me realize that in a year, that will be us.  Yes….ALL OF US.

Thus, another takeaway I had was to start to think NOW about what I want out of business school.  Yet another somewhat obvious takeaway.  Tons of questions were going through my head throughout the weekend.  What organizations do I want to be in?  How can I be a leader amongst leaders in Bschool? Where will my internship be? Are there any other experiences I should be having NOW before I go back to school? What alums should I connect with? Etc…etc…etc…

Also last takeaway, Business school is tough.  Yes, another duh moment.  But between listening to speakers, networking,  panels, bar nights, etc.  I was literally exhausted by Sunday and looked forward to going home to just sleep….and that’s how it will be once WE…yes all of us….Go to business school.

So get used to it.

::shrugs::

Has anyone else visited schools and learned anything surprising?  How did it influence your goals and ideas?  Ms. HR…anything you would like to add? Anything I missed?

-Motown

Read more...

When I grow up I want to be...?

…an employee of an innovated, technologically savvy, major name band, kick a** company. Is that too much to ask? A part of the whole MBA/b-school process is to research where you want to work once you get your degree. I have been doing just that. I’ve been looking at companies like Apple, Amazon, Google, Nike, Cisco, Adobe…places I would not mind working at all, trying to figure out how I can market myself to get into one of these or something similar, and an MBA is pretty much my next step. I am one of those students who wants to go to b-school because they are switching careers,  and I’m doing a complete 180. I studied sociology in undergrad, because I thought I was going to go to law school, obviously that went out the window. Currently I’m in art school, trying to get my graphic design on, I probably should have studied that in undergrad, but hey I didn’t know back then. Now that I’m doing the graphic design thing I need my MBA to help push me to the next level for these companies, I am just not sure what my concentration should be!! Should I do marketing, e-commerce, general administration?!? So many options. By researching these companies and plenty more, I hope to figure out which concentration would be the best fit for what I’m looking to do. For example, Apple has certain jobs for those with an MBA working with the graphic design department. :ding ding ding: Sounds right up my alley. Now if I could just figure out how to get that job I will be on my way. Any suggestions?!?! Leave it in the comments!

-mads mom

Read more...