Profile Evaluation - 22 and need Brutal honesty from experts
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14 Mar 2012, 11:09
I understand this section is generally for those who have already taken the GMAT, or a bit further in their lives, but I honestly do not have ANY one close to me that I can rely on for brutal honesty. I've read many of the FAQs and lurked this forum for some time. I finally thought I should join and become an active member of this board.
1) Basic demographic info: age, gender, nationality
22 - male - African American
2) Educational Background: undergrad major, GPA, GMAT score, any grad work you've done
BBA-Marketing - 2.8 - n/a - recently graduated from a sister school of Texas A&M (Kingsville)
I haven't taken my GMAT yet, but I think I can honestly score a 630+ because of some practice tests and my test taking ability. I tend to do well on tests. The last major test I took was the CBE for graduation and I did fairly well.
3) Work experience: what is your current role? Have you had any promotions? What industry do you work in? For how long have you worked?
I've done retail for sporting goods and apparel since I was 17, working for Footlocker INC. I was promoted to an assistant manager for awhile, but reduced back down to sales associate because I played NCAA basketball.
Towards the end of my college career, I became a assistant manager for Hibbett Sports, and then was promoted to lead manager once I played my senior season. So to sum things up, I have 1 year of solid managerial experience
Aside from that, I haven't been able to garner much work experience at business firms, banks etc. because those are full time jobs. I was balance 30 hour work weeks, 15 hour class schedules, and 30-40 hour basketball weeks for my entire college life.
4) Extracurriculars: do you participate in any extra-curricular activities? What is your role there? For how long have you been involved?
Aside from basketball, I've managed time to join the AMA and Accounting Club at my school. I've done various volunteer works through out the cities I've lived in. As of now, I am working on developing a non profit marketing firm, in hopes of helping upstart businesses get their push into the forefront.
Its a fairly new concept, but I have one client, a clothing line, in Houston that I feel really good about.
I've also had much experience in online sales, including moving electronics and apparel from behind the computer screen. It has always been a side hustle to maintain more money in my pocket.
5) Short/Long term goals: what do you want to do after your MBA? Any geographic preferences?
Short term, I would definitely like to find some direction as far as MBA programs. I haven't JUST BEEN a regular college student for 4 years. The one year I redshirted from basketball because of a broken foot, I manged a 3.8 gpa while taking 36 credited hours over the fall and spring semesters, so I know that athletic distractions aside, I can do great things.. I want to have my graduate degree before i'm 26, and be well on my way with my career.
Choosing an exact career is what I'm having trouble with. I want to do so many things its not even funny! Investment banking, marketing, financial consultation, and business structures ALL interest me a great deal. I'm up from 7:30 am to 12 am every day bouncing from different things in the business world.
Truth be told, money is also a driving force for me. I've heard that you can make 100K at a miserable job, or 50K at a job you enjoy, and people would choose the latter. I'm wired a different way, and always looking at ways to do things better to generate more income for myself and whoever i'm working for.
Long term, I want to reap the benefits of attending a highly touted MBA program, socially, economically, and psychologically. For a side hobby, I want to help promote and market up and coming businesses, giving them knowledge and exposure that would take them many failures to recognize.
6) Schools: Which schools have you considered already? Any on your initial short list?
I graduated from a Texas A&M school. I heard that sister schools are a tad favorable to students within their own system. UT Austin is, from what I researched, a very good school, but I'm just not sure of my potential.
My thing is that I've never feared leaving home. I live in the Houston area, but absolutely love the possibility of meeting new people on the east and west coast, and even overseas. Califorinia, Illinois, New York, and every state in between is an option for me because I will make the best out of any situation.
Please provide me with some brutally honest feedback. Like I stated, I don't have too many other people to take to because most of my friends are more concerned about heading overseas to play basketball than their immediate future if their dreams don't come true. A have a few cool professors I can talk with, but I want to go past just teaching at a university, or having a few failed business.
I've thought about finding work for a solid year or two to help boost my savings and credentials when applying for schools. I've also thought about joining the military in hopes of getting some of the loans taken care of once I enter school...
So... LEMME KNOW WHAT YOU ALL THINK!!
thanks.