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16 Jun 2020, 05:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: What Haas alumni taught us about entering the job market in a recession |
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Berkeley Haas recently hosted a panel talk called, “Weathering the Storm: Stories of Career Success in Challenging Times” where Haas alumni who graduated in 2009 shared tips and inspiration about entering the job market in a recession. The facilitator of the conversation, Mark Friedfeld, spoke with a panel of five MBA students to discuss what it was like to enter the job market during difficult economic times and how they still found their way to rewarding careers.
 Morgan Bernstein, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Haas School of Business, isn’t shy to acknowledge, “We all come into business school with certain intentions. We all wrote about it on our Haas applications. I can tell you that a career in higher education administration was not what I wrote about on my Haas application.” Instead, after her dream internship at Google didn’t yield a full-time job offer, Morgan had to come to terms with the fact that her first job out of b-school might be “more about paying bills than fulfilling a passion.” Morgan says, “This is a marathon, not a sprint. The first job might not be perfect nor what you conceived in your business school application, but it’s a step forward. You’ll gain skills and experience that will accelerate your career, one step at a time. Give yourself permission to envision an alternative path.” In time, Morgan’s agility led her into an unexpected path in higher education that was more rewarding than she would’ve expected. “Be open to opportunities that weren’t necessarily on your roadmap when you started your MBA,” she advises.”I never would have thought that 10 years post MBA I’d be back at Haas, but I couldn’t be more grateful.” Lean on your network  Nearly every panelist in the discussion spoke to the importance of an MBA network. Omar Garriott says, “To be part of Haas and even Berkeley at large is awesome. The Haas network was really huge for me [in 2009].” The Haas network is how Omar found his first job post-MBA degree, “By virtue of the Haas network, I got in the door. And I was off and running.” Omar also explains that the far-reaching nature of the Haas network is incredible. “There are just amazing successes that people have in the job search no matter what state you live in, and no matter what the economy looks like. What you really need to lean on is getting those referrals like I did. They make up only 7% of applicants—but 40% of actual hires. Each job you have throughout your career is going to be through your network and your ability to tell a story about where you’ve been and why you’re the right fit for this next thing.” Think in terms of long-term relationships  Dutta Satadip, agrees that leaning on your network is critical, but his advice is about realizing the importance of a network while obtaining your MBA degree. Before Dutta could rely on a network, he realized that he needed to first build it, which Haas allowed him to do. Dutta says his first year at Berkeley Haas was about making connections. To help combat some of his imposter syndrome, he realized he “needed to make some more friends and be in the ‘in-crowd’. My approach—because I love to travel—was that I joined a lot of international business seminars and signed up for class trips. There are also some programs like Haas@Work that really helped me mix and mingle with folks who were in other cohorts.” Even though Dutta still had a job after he graduated from the evening and weekend MBA program, he was still applying for a better fit and more responsibilities. He met many failures while trying to land his ‘dream job’. But, one day something clicked. “I found somebody who was in the company I wanted to work for. There was not a direct connection, but a classmate that I had worked on a Haas@Work project with wrote a glowing referral to his friend who then forwarded it to somebody in the company. That's how I ended up getting my first transition and upgrade.” Look for empowerment and inspiration  Networks at Haas aren’t only about job placement. Taking on the Student Always mindset that’s so precious at Berkeley Haas, Urvi Parekh used her network to continue learning post-MBA degree. “I think that everyone at Haas is so disciplined about having it together and knowing how to have those conversations and being proactive. I remember during 2009 alums were really responsive. I think they understood how hard [the job market] was. Even if it was a person who said, ‘I have no jobs at my company,’ they still would take a coffee with me or they'd still have a conversation.” From those conversations, Urvi said she was able to learn more about industry lingo and have more interactions. She learned that people within her industry know each other in many instances. Eventually she’d come across connections that would say, "Oh, I know someone at this other company, and I've heard they were hiring." Urvi says, “I think building those connections created a lot of power for me in feeling ready to transition and make the move.” Urvi also recommends reframing conversations with hiring managers. “Change the rhetoric from being about what you want to learn to being about what you’re going to be able to do for [the company] based on what you’ve already done.” Tell a convincing story  Jaime Colmenares admits he’s a rare breed. He went into his MBA degree at Haas with a very narrow set of interests. From day one, he knew where his academic focus would lay. This streamlined focus narrowed his job search. It also meant he could create convincing stories for hiring managers because he was leveraging his experience very squarely. Jaime says, “In a moment of crisis there are fewer jobs. There are jobs out there, but there are fewer jobs. A lot of those companies that are hiring are looking for people who are going to hit the ground running. And so you need to be really self-aware, more pragmatic and realistic than probably any time before.” To catch the attention of hiring managers, Jaime says you need to be able to tell a convincing story. Crafting the best story means, “Leveraging your previous experience and how your strengths at business school have prepared you for this next step.” Join the Haas network and weather this storm together There is no wrong time to get your MBA degree. But, perhaps there is a perfect time to go back to business school. In the midst of an economic downturn, creating a strong network of like-minded professionals can help you strengthen your industry knowledge or introduce you to your next hiring manager. All while you’ve learned the skills that keep your story convincing and help you move agilely through the job market. Learn which Haas program suits your needs best. 
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25 Jun 2020, 12:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: Women in leadership: leading transformation as CFO |
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Bahaar Sidhu, MBA 13, CFO of Berkeley Partners, empathizes with her evening & weekend MBA classmates, acknowledging, “Haas trained us well for functioning in the COVID-19 pandemic. We all had so much on our plates while we were in school part-time, working full-time, and caring for families, that juggling became second nature.” At Berkeley Partners, a vertically integrated investment management firm focused on light industrial real estate, Bahaar’s role spans operations and finance, including corporate strategy and portfolio management. She also liaises with transactions, asset management, construction management and property operations, treasury, technology, human resources, and compliance. Previously, Bahaar led the BNY Mellon San Francisco practice and spent seven years at Deutsche Bank in Asset and Wealth Management. The conversation has been condensed and edited for length. Real estate has been woven into your career in finance. What about it interests you? I enjoy the meeting point of real estate and private equity. When you think about product launches, typically consumer products come to mind. But, in real estate private equity, the launch is all about aligning the needs of our institutional investors with the appropriate fund strategies. The real estate private equity world is quite small, and I’ve been fortunate to work at some great places, from Deloitte to Deutsche Bank to AMB (now Prologis) to BNY Mellon. Moving to Berkeley Partners was a pivot to a very entrepreneurial firm, which was in the middle of a growth phase having just closed our second institutional value-add fund and a core-plus separate account. It has been a great experience to help lead that transformation. The focus for my first 18 months on the job was on building teams and blueprints for the tech infrastructure, constantly assessing the people and skills sets we needed. The transformation is an iterative process and we continue to focus on our field operations and property management business in the current environment. How have your leadership skills evolved? I was 26 when I was hired into a very responsible role at Deutsche, leading a team of people significantly older and more experienced than me. My challenge then was to form relationships based on respect for their expertise, while recognizing my authority in what was a rather formal work environment with a rigid hierarchy. Berkeley Partners is a much flatter organization with a more fluid environment. Our workforce is quite diverse while employing many millennials, early in their careers. In general, my leadership style is more of a coach, but each relationship is different, according to the individual’s and the team’s needs. I think Dr. Mark Rittenberg’s Leadership Communications class at Haas influenced my leadership style. He emphasized the importance of authenticity. If you are not authentic, people will not follow you. I also credit Connie Hardisty, the woman who hired me into that position at Deutsche. She is a no-nonsense leader but one who also exhibits tremendous empathy. She remains one of my most important mentors. What role do mentors play in leadership development? I’ve thought a lot about this. My sons, who are eight and five, are growing up in a community where they have advantages I did not have. When I stepped into the corporate world, I didn’t know what to expect at all. A mentor creates a safe space for you to ask questions and get advice. They go to bat for you. Having a mentor builds confidence and expands your network. As I’ve grown in my career, I feel responsible to mentor others, to give back what I was given. How well are women represented in the real estate private equity sector? Not well enough in executive roles. But the tide is beginning to turn. Ten years ago, there were very few female CFOs in the sector. Now there are at least 10 of us that I know personally. There is approximate equity between men and women at the analyst level, less so for mid- and senior-level executive positions. For that to change, we need to think about how to keep women in the pipeline through transformative life events, like marriage and the birth of children. If anything good comes of this pandemic, perhaps it will be recognition of the effectiveness of flexible work arrangements, which can be tremendously advantageous for working parents. We need to make conscientious hiring and promotion decisions. Of course, you want the best person for the position, but we need to address and remove the unconscious bias that the best person looks like me. What advice would you give to women aspiring to leadership positions in business? Be authentic and know your own worth. You have to be brutally honest with yourself about your needs and wants. You need to be culturally aligned with the organization where you work. When you’re a strong performer—giving 110%—and the values of the organization, and those of your boss are aligned with yours, your needs and wants tend to be met. If your organization doesn’t value you, it’s probably time to look for a different role. Don’t wait around for the organization to change; that can take a long time. Sometimes you need to look around and find the right fit where you are valued. What gives you the greatest satisfaction in your work? I get the greatest joy in seeing the people that I work with blossom in their own careers, and delivering the best results for our investors. Success isn’t always about AUM growth or reducing the G&A spend. I tell my reports, we’re in a career-long relationship. We may not always work together, but we will weave in and out of each other’s lives. My Haas classmates are a great example of that. Fifteen or so of us have kept in close contact since graduation, and even meet weekly on a video call. We’ve been there for each other through marriages, children, divorces, the death of parents, and career changes. We’ve done business together. We’ve formed industry-specific cohorts. We’ve helped people get hired and been each other’s recruiters. We’ve even counseled each other’s children! The sense of community with my classmates post-graduation has been one of the most rewarding outcomes of the MBA experience. Read more from the Women in Leadership series:
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02 Jul 2020, 15:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: Women in leadership: expanding access to those underserved by the traditional financial system |
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The World Bank estimates that about 1.7 billion adults around the world are without a bank account at a financial institution or through a mobile money provider. Those are the customers served by Tala, a fintech firm with a mission to expand financial access to people underserved by the traditional financial system. Tala’s CFO, Jennifer Loo, EMBA 14, “manages the company’s financial health so we can improve the financial health and circumstances of our customers.” When she started the Berkeley MBA for Executives program, Jennifer was VP Finance, Business Strategy, and Analytics at LegalZoom, a company she could have “worked at forever.” But her MBA studies and classmates inspired her to pursue new opportunities. Before landing at Tala, she served as CFO at a sustainable apparel retailer and a Latino digital media company. She also holds a JD degree from New York University. The conversation has been condensed and edited. What is it about finance that compels you? I really love puzzles and I find that finance is really one giant puzzle. You’re trying to figure out how to make all of the pieces of the business work with the available resources. You deal with a lot of different stakeholders, many of whom may have divergent motivations, needs, and demands. Finance puts you at the epicenter of a business, where you can have a birds-eye view of the entire enterprise. I have to look at operations, product, marketing; I love the freedom to dig in anywhere to figure out what is working, or not. How well are women represented in leadership roles in finance? It’s getting better. But there’s still a long way to go. The good news is that we are seeing many more women take CFO or heads of finance roles. A few years ago, I attended a Women CFO event in Los Angeles – five of us showed up. But my Rolodex of female peers has since increased manifold. That said, the investment community is still woefully underrepresented. I remember when I was raising debt at the apparel company I worked for, and our broker urged us to take a particular term sheet – not because it was the best, but because the firm was the only one that had a female partner, and she would ‘get us’ better. We turned down the term sheet. And the broker. The reality was, we didn’t need a female partner to understand our business because the numbers, economics, and operations spoke for themselves. We need more representation in the investment community so that investing in female-centric brands or female-led companies is simply good business. What gives you the greatest satisfaction in your role? Beyond driving revenue and a healthy bottom line, the companies where I’ve worked have each had a bigger purpose. At LegalZoom, it was providing access to legal services and products—something that typically requires a certain level of affluence in the US. Tala has the most audacious mission of anywhere I’ve worked. We are trying to solve a massive, trillion-dollar global issue one customer at a time. Even though Tala does not have a single customer in the US, we hear and read customer stories on a daily basis about how the financial access we create is changing lives by helping them start and maintain businesses, send their children to school, or weather unexpected storms. I find this incredibly rewarding. What is your greatest challenge? Immediately, it is helping drive the company’s near- and long-term decisions in times of unprecedented uncertainty. Some element of uncertainty always exists in Tala’s business. We work in emerging markets, where things like regulations and the competitive landscape can change on a dime. We need to be on top of those dynamics and continuously adapt our business model. In a time when no one – not VCs, lenders, customers, or us – can see clearly around the corner, we need to remain alert, nimble, and adaptive. I graduated law school in the middle of the 2009 financial crisis. My best advice is to be open to all opportunities. These times call for resilience, flexibility, and open-mindedness. You need to have the courage to change." What prepared you for your current role? Every experience I’ve had along the way! I love finance because you can always grow your core skill set, learn more. I’m now at my fourth company and my fourth industry. So much of what I’ve learned in one place helps me in the next. How did you develop your leadership style? My CFO at LegalZoom defined a lot of my style, and it was reinforced at Berkeley Haas: Lead honestly and transparently. Don’t avoid the tough questions. Be supportive of your team’s development and always foster healthy debate. Leadership requires rolling up your sleeves, but also being able to pull back and see the forest for the trees. What advice would you have for women aspiring to leadership? It is important to be authentic, tenacious, vocal, and present. Make sure you’re being heard. Don’t let little setbacks or self-doubt hold you back. Trust yourself and keep going. What advice do you have for graduates entering the workforce right now? I graduated law school in the middle of the 2009 financial crisis, so I understand the feeling that life has thrown you a massive curveball. My best advice is to be open to all opportunities. These times call for resilience, flexibility, and open-mindedness. You need to have the courage to change. The Berkeley MBA for Executives program and my classmates taught me that. I remember the first time someone announced to the class that they had quit their job. You could have heard a pin drop. No one knew how to respond. After a few months, when someone made that kind of announcement, they received a standing ovation. The program gave us the courage to change. Most of us have – during or since the program – taken on new roles or started our own companies. Always give yourself the freedom to explore something different, because every new chapter is guaranteed to bring new adventure, new learnings, and growth. Read more from the Women in Leadership series:
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06 Aug 2020, 05:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: Pivoting to the business and technology of healthcare to promote the collective good |
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Emergency nurse, informatics coordinator, business analyst, and product manager. Patrick Eronini, RN, MBA 22, knows the US healthcare sector from many perspectives. The consistent thread in his career has been wanting to change the inequities he sees in the US healthcare system. “As an Emergency nurse, it became clear to me that upstream non-clinical things have to happen to improve our healthcare system,” he said, “I realized that the major changes we need can only be achieved through policy or through business and technology. In the US, business seemed the more effective path.” Now, in his second year of the Evening & Weekend MBA program at Berkeley Haas, Patrick is a clinical producer at Apple. He describes his role as “synthesizing the clinical utility and use cases for features, being a link between functional teams, and shepherding product development.” He added, “What is really important to me is the collective good we’re doing.” Haas creates a safe space to entertain another viewpoint, to wonder if there might be two right answers to a question." Having spent his entire career in the healthcare sector, Patrick is using his MBA studies to gain the confidence that comes from knowing he is as well-prepared to succeed in business as he is to succeed as a clinician. Patrick says his pivot from nursing to product management was unplanned and noted that “the MBA program is a great lever for making a pivot, but you still have to apply your skills, time, and energy. Don’t be afraid to explore.” He also values the opportunity to learn with and from people who “don’t have a healthcare background.” The varied experiences of his classmates, Patrick said, “force us all to be a bit uncomfortable and to grow. When you encounter an idea you might not share, it can make you question your own assumptions. Haas creates a safe space to entertain another viewpoint, to wonder if there might be two right answers to a question.” Classmates and professors offer generosity and expertise For Patrick, it’s important to understand who his leaders and teammates are as individuals, not just as job titles. “You form better relationships and do better work if you bring all of you to what you are doing,” he said. He notes that, “the mentorship, instruction, and learning from others at Berkeley Haas all strengthen me in ways I would not otherwise have access to.” Patrick encountered that generosity of self in his professors, like Ross Levine who taught Economics in the Global Economy. “I grew up with a rich appreciation for the world beyond the US because of my family background,” he said. His parents left Nigeria to live in the USSR and then England, where he was born. From England, they moved to Maryland and Texas. “Professor Levine shared a lot of his personal research interests, such as inequity in economics and how discrimination or lower economic status affect economic outcomes. He brought his own authenticity and vulnerability to the classroom. That extended our learning well beyond the syllabus.” Learning to lead with head and heart Some of Patrick’s most valuable lessons came from Leadership Communications, taught by Mark Rittenberg, PhD. The class incorporates lots of large group activities—think chants and physical exercises—with small groups where students tell their own stories. “These powerful opportunities to be intimate in a safe setting give people the confidence to take their authenticity back to work and tell their stories there,” Patrick said. “I brought with me to Haas the ability to lead with my heart. What I’m learning here is how to lead with my mind too—with data and objectivity. The synergy of those two things will make me more effective as a leader, more well-rounded and balanced,” he said. Read more about Patrick in his Evening & Weekend MBA student perspective. 
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11 Aug 2020, 08:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: What can you contribute to an MBA class? |
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*Editor's note: This post was originally published in June 2017 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness. One of Berkeley Haas’ Defining Leadership Principles is Beyond Yourself. When working to shape our world ethically and responsibility, Beyond Yourself means putting larger interests above our own. Demonstrating your allegiance to Beyond Yourself starts at the application phase. MBA applicants commonly describe their pursuit for an MBA in terms of:
How will your contributions to an MBA program impact the entire academic community? Learn the types of data and personal accounts that will showcase your potential contributions to an MBA program, how different perspectives make a more profound educational experience, and how to mine personal experiences for a compelling MBA application. Contributions the MBA admissions office focuses on The application review process for the Evening & Weekend Berkeley Haas MBA, Full-time MBA, and Berkeley Haas MBA for Executives programs is quite holistic, meaning that your whole application is examined to determine the value of your experience and expertise, including your: Professional accomplishments Your work experience and leadership potential is best demonstrated through your letters of recommendation and your resume. Make sure both elements of your application showcase:
The MBA program at Berkeley Haas is rigorous. Your academic readiness is evaluated from the following:
Aside from professional and academic experience, the admissions office at top MBA programs want to see students who fit the culture of their school. Character contributions can be demonstrated through your essays, letters of recommendation, and video interview. Consider:
Why it's important to focus on character contributions When we talk about diversity in an MBA program, it’s not just about gender or race. It’s also about ethnicity, religion, culture, socioeconomics, sexuality, age, personal and professional backgrounds — both the visible and invisible aspects of an individual that create a unique story. A room full of different outlooks benefits everyone. Diversity stimulates conversation, broadens perspective, and provides more comprehensive education which assists students as they enter an increasingly global business world. Evening & Weekend Berkeley Haas MBA program alum, Shivam Goyal, MBA 19 and senior product manager at Adobe, says when demonstrating how you can contribute to an MBA program, "It is important not to discount the uniqueness of your own journey." We all go through life, enduring unique moments, having individual experiences, and meeting special people that transform our story in a very personal way. Leverage this distinctiveness. When writing your MBA application, ask yourself questions like:
Inclusive, diverse, and comprehensive education is essential, and that’s why Haas places a special emphasis on what you can contribute to an MBA class. Our driving force is to cultivate a diverse network that helps extraordinary people achieve great things by embracing our culture. Does this sound like you? Check out our eBook Five Signs You're Ready for an MBA. 
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18 Aug 2020, 07:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: Berkeley Haas MBA students share tips for improving your GMAT quant score |
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If you’ve already started looking into the admissions process for a Berkeley Haas MBA, you know you need a good score on the Quantitative section of your GMAT or GRE. A high quantitative score on your admissions exams will have a direct positive impact on your business school application—and it’s often what prospective MBAs worry about most. Whether your MBA leads to a career in consulting, marketing, product design, finance, or entrepreneurship, you’re walking into a world of big data and statistics. You’ll need to be able to efficiently work with complex formulas and calculations and apply them to real-world situations. For this reason, many top MBA programs require you to have a good quant score. GMAT quant tips from former Haas MBA students who’ve been there Because it’s such an important step in the business school application process, we know MBA candidates are concerned with getting the best possible score on the quant portion of the GMAT. We sat down with two Berkeley Haas MBA grads to gain insight into their experience. In this post, Andrea Michaelian and Alicea Wu, both MBA 16, share their tips for improving quant scores. A quick note about the GRE vs. GMAT: we accept scores from either test as part of your Berkeley Haas application. The biggest difference between the two is that the GRE is used as part of admissions for a wide variety of graduate school programs, while the GMAT is strictly for applying to business schools. In our Evening and Weekend and Executive MBA programs, we also accept the Executive Assessment if you have over 8 years of professional experience. Although the three tests have a slightly different format, these tips can be applied to preparing for the GRE or Executive Assessment also. 1) Review mathematical concepts The GMAT Quantitative section measures your knowledge of basic math concepts including arithmetic and number properties, algebra, and geometry. The test requires more than just simple calculations, though. To solve the two question types – data sufficiency and problem-solving – you’ll have to quickly apply these foundational math concepts to different hypothetical situations. And, you’ll need to remember them when you're under pressure in the test environment. So you’d better have your mathematical foundations down pat. “You want it to be like muscle memory.” - Andrea Michaelian The more you practice the skills you learn, the faster you can put them to work in the test environment (and later, in the classroom). 2) Simulate test conditions with timed questions Alicea adds that while reviewing math concepts is important, doing practice questions was critical for improving her GMAT math scores. For the GMAT quant section, you have to complete 31 multiple-choice questions in 62 minutes. So, to improve her quant score, Alicea simulated these test conditions every weekend for four months. Especially if you’re not a natural test-taker, this tactic will help you score higher on the GMAT. By running through a full set of questions within the time limit, you will know what to expect on test day. The practice questions serve as a template for what you’ll see on the real test, and working with the timer running will get you used to the challenge of working under pressure. “Doing practice questions is important. That is exactly how the test will be.” - Alicea Wu 3) Track your practice scores and adjust accordingly Success on the GMAT comes down to preparation. Andrea and Alicea both said that doing practice problems contributed to raising their quant score on the GMAT. You can take your preparation one step further by analyzing your practice test scores. Andrea recommends periodically doing diagnostics throughout your study plan. By analyzing your practice scores, you can see the positive results of your training, and figure out which quantitative skills you need to improve. Based on your scores, you can hone one skill at a time until you’ve built up all the necessary core proficiencies. “Being consistent in preparation had the most impact on my GMAT quant score.” - Andrea Michaelian Andrea adds that having an idea of the range in which your score will fall can also help with nerves on the day of the test. The benefits of GMAT quant prep Like other top MBA programs, your quant score is an important part of your Berkeley Haas application. All Haas candidates must take the GMAT or GRE exam prior to the deadline for which you are applying. Showing up prepared for the GMAT will help you get a better score so you can take your pick of the schools you want. More importantly, a strong score will help you succeed in your MBA program. Your performance on the quantitative section shows the admissions committee that you’re data-savvy, you can think critically, and you won’t struggle in quantitative classes. Rest assured, however, the Admissions Committee takes a holistic approach to the application. We are looking for a lot more than just strong performance on the standardized test. We will also look to your undergraduate transcript, taking into account:
We traditionally recommend a Calculus or Statistics course taken online or through a community college. If you go this route, let the Admissions Committee know your course timeline and submit midterm/final grades when available. If you’re still anxious about the GMAT or GRE, our Admissions Application Bootcamp will answer all your questions. And our free eBookis full of tips to help you avoid the GMAT/GRE/EA blues. Curious about our Evening & Weekend Berkeley Haas MBA, Full-time MBA, and Berkeley Haas MBA for Executives programs? Compare MBA programs now! Editor's note: This post was originally published in June 2017 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness. 
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20 Aug 2020, 05:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: From fixing shattered windows to funding a Black business revival |
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Politically engaged and eminently practical, Elisse Douglass, MBA 16, leapt in to help clean up downtown Oakland during the Black Lives Matter protests. The vice president at Signature Development Group immediately started a GoFundMe account, designed primarily to fix storefront windows and doors. But it quickly morphed into the Oakland Black Business Fund, an ambitious effort to help boost the local Black business community. What prompted you to get involved in helping Black-owned businesses in Oakland? I think my lane has always been the relationship between Black people and real estate as a means of community investment. And real estate and impact investing was my focus during my time in the full-time MBA program at Berkeley Haas. So, when the protests started, I had these visceral feelings as a Black woman and, at the same time, I had this professional knowledge and skill set that saw how our businesses were struggling. After the protest, I walked around the next day (May 30) and saw a wide range of damage. I could see Black businesses were more vulnerable. I’m what’s referred to as overly practical, and I’m pretty engaged with politics. So I just said let’s raise some money; I didn’t think we needed to delay. So, overnight you started a GoFundMe account. What was it for? At first it was just to fix things. I’m very involved in real estate in this community. I know how much it costs to fix a piece of glass and what these business owners are paying for rent. Lots of people I know spent the night in their shops, protecting them. I wanted to make sure we could quickly fix those shops, and I didn’t want my friends to put their Black lives at risk in order to protect property. I thought, let me do my part. I can’t spend the night with people in their shops, but I know how to fix their windows. How did you feel about the protests themselves? I am supportive of protests in all forms. So I was aware of the people who were more responsible for the damage—but it’s easier to fix windows than racist systems. I felt the conversation around the damage was a distraction. I thought, if we fix the windows can we stop talking about damage and go fix the real problems? Was it difficult to raise the funds? No, we quickly raised the first $5,000. I was aware there were people I knew who could help. Even though I have a lot of business relationships and sit on a lot of boards, I didn’t want to have to explain to people why we needed to prioritize Black businesses. I was worried that explaining that these protests are the result of Black people being killed on the streets would be too emotional. So I reached out to people I knew. I went to family and friends—some of which ended up being Haas people who volunteered and donated immediately, for which I am very grateful. What made you want do something larger than fixing windows? I have always been interested in the built environment and its relationship with the Black community. I’ve wanted to find ways to serve my community and work to improve it toward a better future. As soon as I realized there was energy and resources out there, I thought, let’s channel it beyond just an initial reaction. From my technical experience, I knew that the problem is bigger than protest damage. But how do we channel that into longer-term action beyond cutting checks? So I partnered with Trevor Parham, owner of Oakstop, a Black-owned coworking space that provides support to Black entrepreneurs, and they established our fiscal sponsorship through the Alliance for Community Development, to start the Oakland Black Business Fund. What have you done so far and what are your goals? We’ve raised about $150,000 so far. We initially spent $30,000 on windows, signage, merchandising equipment, and inventory. We’re also providing technical assistance with accounting, PPP loan applications, tax returns, lease negotiations, outdoor seating permits, design built services, curbside pickup, marketing, and e-commerce support. Based on our estimates, we need $10-$25 million in technical assistance and rent-debt clearance funds. The goal is to reach the first million by October. Then scale up to $5 million by the end of the year to support 50 businesses in damage and debt relief. Then serve 500 businesses with $25 million by 2021. You mentioned turning to your friends from Haas for contributions and volunteers. Yes, a lot of the people who ended up contributing dollars and larger relationships were my classmates. That’s because there is an idea of community at Haas which says let’s support each other. I always considered it a school in the community. It’s not meant to be an ivory tower. Haas is uniquely positioned in thought leadership to figure out how Black businesses can survive in the post-COVID-19 world. Actually, we have an internal culture at the Oakland Black Business Fund, and it is inspired by the Haas Defining Leadership Principles. The principles are the real deal—I feel very strongly about them. 
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25 Aug 2020, 05:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: How to examine your past to differentiate your contribution to an MBA program |
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For many prospective MBA students, applying for a program can call up a lot of emotion. You’ll go through plenty of self-reflection when thinking through what you can contribute to an MBA program and how you can differentiate your application. The exercise is therapeutic, but can also be challenging to navigate on your own. Don’t fret if you’re at a loss. For inspiration, examine your contributions by delving into these areas of experience. We’ve included writing prompts to help you brainstorm further. 1. Reflect on your personal history Berkeley Haas Evening & Weekend MBA program alum, Shivam Goyal, MBA 19, and senior product manager at Adobe says, “Self-reflection helped me think about what I am bringing to the program, why that makes me unique, and what past events shaped my work and education experiences.” Shivam says that even in his childhood he can remember applying design thinking techniques to his day-to-day life. He saw issues like a digital divide between rural and urban populations and the lack of technology penetration in all strata of the society. Shivam says this personal history, “Instilled a sense of humility and keenness to solve difficult social problems and made me think about the benefits of a design education." From this, he found inspiration to provide a unique perspective to the MBA program he was applying to. Writing prompt: What lessons from your childhood have made you who you are and led you to an MBA program? 2. Assess your employment history Sera Lee, MBA 19, and bank examiner at the Federal Reserve Bank in San Francisco did a lot of research before applying to the Berkeley Haas Evening & Weekend MBA program. She realized that her work experience was one of her most valuable assets. "Looking at the statistics, I knew that fewer Evening & Weekend MBA students were on the banking side," says Sera. "When considering what I could contribute to the program, I thought about how I could provide the value of my work experience in classes like ethics, finance, or macroeconomics.” By finding her differentiating factor, in this case her employment history, Sera positioned herself as the voice of the banking industry as a way to set herself apart from other applicants in her MBA program. Writing prompt: What have you learned in your previous jobs that can help your colleagues in an MBA program? 3. Explore lessons from your past education Don’t discredit the experience you obtained from an undergraduate program. Inside and outside of the classroom, you were exposed to different perspectives and gained unique skills. Shivam determined that the combination of his undergraduate studies in design, and his work experience post-graduation were his differentiating factors. “I knew I could talk about customer empathy and solving real-world cases for a particular user problem to get the right outcome when introducing a product into the market,” says Shivam. As a result, when Shivam started writing his MBA essays, he leveraged those experiences to tell a unique story about himself, that dove into more than just the statistics of his accomplishments. “I wanted to tell a story about me as a person," says Shivam. Writing prompt: What lessons from previous education contribute to your unique story? 4. Show boldness People are creatures of habit, which means that showing ability and receptiveness to change can be a unique selling point. Sera says, "I sometimes tell my friends that they should get an MBA, and they tell me they don't see themselves as a 'business person' or a 'leader type.' I'm sure all of us have thought that at one time during the pre-application or application process.” While fear is a common emotion for those pursuing a change in their life, overcoming the fear can make an interesting and unique story. “If you're open to learning, being adventurous, and meeting new people, you're ready to contribute to an MBA class," says Sera. Writing prompt: Can you recall a time where the voice inside your head tried to prevent you from taking a step forward? How did you overcome the doubt and fear? 5. Examine personal activities What you can contribute to an MBA program isn’t only based on your professional and academic past. There are also character contributions that go a long way during the application process. Sera says, “I also have a passion for community volunteering. In my admissions essay, I wrote about the possibility of creating a program or student club committed to volunteering as an example of how I could contribute to the program outside of class." Writing prompt: How will you contribute to an MBA program, when you’re not on campus? 6. Play to your competitiveness When considering academic potential, admissions offices also examine undergraduate and any graduate transcripts and overall academic progress in chosen areas of study. It’s clear when applicants take an active role in making themselves as competitive as possible. For example, some Berkeley Haas MBA applicants show initiative by bolstering their quantitative abilities with math courses like the UC Berkeley Extension Math for Management course. Writing prompt: What do you do to position yourself as a Student Always? For more tips, take a look at our guide to crafting your best MBA application. By welcoming a unique blend of perspectives and experiences into our MBA program, Berkeley Haas can break away from the status quo and allow our students to enjoy education in a place where different perspectives are valued. If Berkeley Haas’ Defining Leadership Principles resonate with you, learn more about what it takes to join one of our MBA programs. 
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01 Sep 2020, 06:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: 3 Berkeley Haas alumni on how an MBA helped them break into product management |
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If you want to have a hand in creating products that impact people’s lives, you might be eyeing a career in product management. The product manager role requires a broad skill set while allowing you to dive deep into many aspects of a business. While an MBA is not required for a career in product management, it can be immensely helpful for building the leadership, research, analytical, and negotiation skills needed to excel as a product manager. Three Berkeley Haas grads share how an MBA helped them pivot into product management from more technically focused positions. Build relationships and create networks Sung Hu Kim, MBA 06, worked as a management consultant before earning his MBA and moving on to a career in product management. For Sung Hu, who had moved from the East Coast, an MBA from Berkeley Haas was incredibly valuable for building ties in Silicon Valley. While classes like New Product Development exposed him to fundamental problem-solving strategies and techniques for product management, he says it was the culture of community that had a lasting impact on his future. “I have friendships and professional relationships through Haas that will last a lifetime.” - Sung Hu Kim While earning his MBA, Sung Hu was very active in making connections with students and alumni. Sung Hu and fellow classmates formed a campus group aimed at meeting industry leaders, learning about key companies and trends, and building relationships with classmates who shared his interests. Gain the courage to step outside the box For Promeet Mansata, MBA 15, earning an MBA was about more than building a large toolkit of applicable skills—it was also about building courage. Promeet knew he wanted to be “at the intersection of technology and business.” However, after several years as an operations engineer, he felt trapped in a career box. The skills he built during his MBA studies allowed him to build Confidence Without Attitude, which helped him leap into product management. “You need to understand technology, the business value, and the strategic direction—and be able to balance all three.” - Promeet Mansata Promeet said an MBA taught him many things, including how to be both a generalist and a specialist (and context-switching between the two), how to deal with ambiguity, how to work in teams, and how to use data to help you make tough decisions. Flex your skills and build experience Going from Bloomberg equity analyst to Amazon product manager was a big pivot for Stephanie Curran, MBA 14. But the flexibility of the Haas MBA program allowed Stephanie to make the most of her learning experience. She hand-picked classes and projects, customizing for the exact skill set she would need after graduation. Especially if you have no technical background, Stephanie says an MBA could be crucial for success in product management. For her, an MBA was key to catapulting her into a new role and industry. “You get to work cross-functionally with software developers, designers, finance, editorial, legal, and product managers in other programs...” - Stephanie Curran While earning her MBA, Stephanie practiced skills and built practical product management experience she could talk about in interviews. Stephanie says she learned how to manage a program, how to prioritize feature development, the nuances between marketplaces, and the principles of user experience, user interaction design, and tech development. Stephanie says she still uses fundamentals she learned at Haas when creating plans for new features or products. In one class, she drove a product from concept to minimum viable product (MVP), noting “I still think back through this exercise every time I begin writing a Business Requirements Document for a new product or feature we are planning.” How an MBA can make you a better product manager At its core, the product manager role is collaborative and requires well-rounded business knowledge. In your time at Haas, you’ll learn and practice the skills that will make you a better product manager including organizational behavior, customer and market development, statistics, financial modeling, negotiations, leadership communications, market research, strategy, and entrepreneurship. The MBA experience also provides great opportunities for internships where you can apply what you’re learning to real-world projects. Like most business schools, there’s no “product management track” at Berkeley Haas per se. But future product managers find valuable learning and development opportunities within our MBA programs through classes, activities, clubs, internships, networking, and career development services. Think an Evening & Weekend Berkeley Haas MBA, Full-time MBA, or Berkeley Haas MBA for Executives degree could help take your career to the next level? Compare MBA programs now! 
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01 Sep 2020, 14:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: How to strengthen your MBA application: a step-by-step guide |
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Choosing to get your MBA is a big decision. Applying to an MBA program takes a lot of planning and self-reflection, but the benefits of a business degree make the process worthwhile. This year we’ve put extra focus on giving you the tools you need to submit your best application. We hope these resources will help demystify the MBA admissions process. We’ve provided tailored resource portals for both our full-time and part-time MBA programs. These guides are filled with tips and advice for studying for the standardized exams, asking for letters of recommendation, writing the application essays, crafting your resume, and more. Choosing the right MBA program Once you’ve decided to take the plunge and get your MBA, the next step is to consider which program is the best fit for you. Think about whether you want to continue working or take some time off to focus solely on earning your business degree. Many top MBA programs offer both full-time and part-time options. Here at Berkeley Haas, we offer these three main degree programs: Once you’ve decided which type of schedule suits you best, you’ll need to consider other factors of the program like location, culture, and class size. After narrowing down your list of dream schools, you’ll be ready for the step that many consider the biggest hurdle: submitting your MBA application. Demystifying the MBA application While there are many fears of applying to an MBA program and the process can take a significant chunk of time, it’s not as daunting as you may think. Once you’re clear on the reasons why you want an MBA and what you could contribute to your MBA class, the application process isn’t so bad. Whether you’re considering a full-time MBA program or a part-time MBA program, here at Berkeley Haas we’ve put together extra resources to help guide you through the application process. Full-time MBA application guide Full-time MBA applicants have access to Application Bootcamp, an eight-step guide to preparing and submitting their MBA applications. The bootcamp program has all of our full-time MBA application resources at your fingertips in one accessible spot. Each bootcamp step includes:
Part-time MBA application guide Evening & Weekend MBA applicants can utilize Application Toolkit: a six-step, self-paced guide geared towards helping busy professionals complete their MBA application. This toolkit breaks the part-time MBA application down into 6 manageable steps. Each application step includes:
With the first deadline for our full-time MBA program quickly approaching and our round one evening & weekend MBA deadline not far behind, it’s never too early to begin your application. Now that you’re equipped with lots of tips and resources, we hope you feel empowered to start your MBA application today. 
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17 Sep 2020, 09:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: For this MBA, Beyond Yourself isn't just a slogan, but a way of thinking |
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It's easy to say you want to use your career to positively impact others' lives. But actually putting in the effort to make that happen can be difficult, according to full-time MBA student David Miller. Haas has helped him find others who are committed to making their work meaningful and who challenge him to think deeply about how to do it. "It may be easy enough to find a comfortable job that's interesting but not impactful," he says. "That's why it was exciting when I landed at Haas and met students who were truly interested in creating businesses that didn't just have a CSR [corporate social responsibility] component, but that had this kind of ethic built into the whole endeavor. I could see how they resonated with the school's Beyond Yourself defining leadership principle and wanted their work to create opportunities for others to also have impact — a larger perspective than simply developing one's own career." The pull towards meaningful work has been with David for a while, prompted in part by the loss of his father to cancer when he was young. "I remember being on a road trip in my early teens with my mom, looking out the car window and thinking that it didn't make sense for my life to be just about making my own situation good," he says. "That seemed circular. The loss of my dad had made me aware that life is fleeting — it's better to take action now rather than later — and as I grew up, I realized I had energy that I could use to positively impact other people's lives." David earned a B.A. in Economics and Public Policy at U.C. Berkeley. After graduation he took a job as a financial consultant at TM Financial Forensics before migrating to Juma Ventures, a San Francisco nonprofit that runs businesses that employ young people. He managed Juma's financial capability program before serving as the company's director of finance. Even though he felt he was having some direct positive impact with youth at Juma, the idea of getting an MBA kept coming up. "At that point in my career, I felt I was having some direct impact with youth at Juma, and I liked what I was doing, but I also wanted to push myself to think bigger," he says. At Haas, David is vice president of social for Q@Haas, the school's organization for LGBTQ MBA students, and vice president of social impact for the Fintech Club. Both groups offer the kind of support crucial not only to developing a career but also a peer network, David finds. "I was not out when I was an undergrad, and that's one of the reasons I find so much value in Q@Haas," he says. "It's a space that offers support and community. Both Q@Haas and the Fintech Club have connected me with people who want to do impactful work. We can meet in the courtyard and have these dynamic conversations about being proactive with our careers." One way David would like his work to effect positive change is to make tech tools more accessible to a wider variety of people than they are now – an insight he's come to in part through working with coaches from Haas' MBA Career Management Group. "I'd like to work at organizations that are creating accessible and affordable tech products that can be used by people across an economic spectrum," he says. Meaningful work translates to a meaningful life, according to David. "At Haas, there's this community of people working to do great things in their careers, but with a good sense of balance as well," he says. "The message is not about doing more for the sake of doing, but about getting out there and doing cool stuff because it matters to you." 
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13 Oct 2020, 05:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: The Berkeley Haas scholarship guide for full-time and part-time MBA students |
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Scholarships provided by Haas give financial flexibility to students who are ready to continue pursuing their passion for business education. By awarding students gift aid, Haas is able to continue building its classroom experience with high-performing, diverse, and engaged students. According to Jamie Hayden, Director of Financial Aid, the University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business, Haas awards over $8 million in scholarship funding each year. And, approximately 75% of Haas students receive some form of financial assistance, with 40% of gift aid reserved for full-time MBA students. Learn what Berkeley prioritizes when it comes to giving scholarship funding, how the process works at Haas, and tips for applying and securing financing for your MBA degree. Scholarships opportunities — and their criteria — at Berkeley Haas Whether you’re considering a Full-time, Evening & Weekend, or Executive MBA, Berkeley Haas has a number of scholarships, loans, and assistantships to help bridge the gap between your tuition costs and your career goals. All applicants, domestic and international, full-time and part-time, are considered for scholarships through the admissions process. According to Hayden, the primary criteria admissions officers look for when awarding scholarships to MBA applicants are merit, industry, commitment to diversity, and financial need. Each MBA program has different scholarship lists and different application requirements. For example:
Below you’ll find a sampling of recent scholarships available at Haas for full-time and part-time students based on merit, financial need, industry, and commitment to diversity. Full-time MBA scholarships opportunities Merit-based scholarships
For second-year, full-time students, scholarships for the following career paths are available:
Needs-based scholarships
Dean’s fellowship
When applying for a scholarship at Haas, remember to keep the Defining Leadership Principles in mind as you start to craft your application. It’s critical to exemplify how you embrace the principles like Question the Status Quo and Beyond Yourself as a way to show your willingness and ability to continue your business education, while fostering an inclusive culture at Berkeley. If you’re unfamiliar with these principles, here is a recap:
Tips for applying for scholarships Additionally, consider the following tips to increase your odds of securing gift aid. 1. Research thoroughly and match yourself with the requirements With an abundance of options for gift aid, it’s natural for students to experience ‘application fatigue’ if they don’t limit the number of applications they send. Rather than submitting applications to as many options as possible, take your time to select the options that match you best. Not only will you give more attention to the scholarships that are better suited for you, but you’re less prone to making mistakes on the application, which can increase your odds of receiving aid. 2. Apply early Funding at Berkeley is limited, so if scholarships or financing are a part of your final decision it’s important to apply early in the admissions cycle, before financing has been awarded. Early applications will have more financing considered for all available scholarship opportunities. 3. Present your case well In addition to satisfying the requirements of the prompt, proofreading your work, and following instructions like word count, it’s also important your content is meaningful. When speaking to the Defining Leadership Principles in your personal statements go beyond simply listing how your values align with the schools. Try using narratives and case studies to show how these values resonate in your life. For need-based scholarships, use personal statements and stories to explain factors that have prohibited you from securing funds to support your MBA journey. 4. Negotiate It’s not surprising that members in our high achieving community often receive more than one acceptance letter for a top-ranking MBA program. This desirability can be used as a bargaining chip. Financial aid can be a tool business schools use to woo top students away from competing schools. Try exercising Confidence Without Attitude as you negotiate for a portion of Haas’ scholarship fund. Non-scholarship financing options Whether you’ve received gift aid or not, there are many ways to acquire additional funding to help finance your MBA. 1. Internship opportunities Many Haas students obtain internships by working with career services or connecting with business leaders in the Bay Area from Berkeley’s extensive network. In some cases, second-year students work up to 10 hours per week by continuing to work for the company at which they held their summer internship. Additionally, special groups like the Haas Social Impact Fund (HSIF) provide grants to first-year, full-time MBA students who accept summer internships in the social sector. Each applicant received $500 to $7,000 that could be used to pay salary, living expenses, or travel expenses. 2. Become a graduate student instructor More common is the opportunity for second-year students to serve as graduate student instructors (GSIs). According to the Berkeley Haas’ admissions office, “nearly 20% of full-time MBA students serve in this role, which partially reduces their rate of tuition and also provides them with a small monthly stipend.” 3. Federal or private loans The University of California, Berkeley participates in the Federal Loan Program, which allows students enrolled at least half-time (6 units) to borrow money directly from the federal government at fixed interest rates (6.08% for Direct Loans; 7.08% for the Grad PLUS Loan). Students should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and complete the FAFSA any time after October 1st for the upcoming academic year in which you will begin your MBA program. For private loans, students should begin the process as early as May with the lender. Haas encourages students to complete the private loan application process by the end of July to ensure funds are processed in time for the fall semester. 4. Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) LRAP, which is supported by Berkeley Haas, is designed to provide financial support to graduates employed in the public or nonprofit sectors where salaries are typically lower than in the private sector. 5. G.I. Bill and veteran benefits Because Berkeley Haas is part of a public university system, veterans with qualifying length of service can obtain funding for up to 100% of schooling fees, a monthly housing allowance, and an annual book stipend. 6. Employer funding Some students, especially those in the executive MBA program, receive financial assistance from employers. If you’re unsure whether your employer participates in tuition reimbursement, learn the best steps for approaching your company. For more information about scholarships and how to apply you can attend an Admissions Event. Check the list of upcoming events to find a time and location that works best for you. 
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15 Oct 2020, 14:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: Robert Reyes’s road from rapper to accountant to paratrooper to full-time MBA candidate |
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No sooner had former accountant, turned Army paratrooper, Lt. Robert Reyes, MBA 21, leapt out of the C-130 for his last jump as part of the 82nd Airborne than he landed at the Berkeley Haas campus as a full-time MBA student diving deep into corporate finance. It was a well thought out transition. Robert, the son of immigrants from central Mexico, graduated from high school in northern Virginia. No one in his family had attended college before him, so he put off thoughts of college for a while. Instead he sold cars to support himself. He also pursued music, focusing on reggaeton – a blend of hip-hop and Jamaican dance-hall music – even opening for Grammy winning artist Pitbull. Six months after graduating high school, a friend asked Robert to keep him company while signing up for classes at Northern Virginia Community College. There, his focus turned toward higher education and he didn’t look back. Later, he transferred to Virginia’s George Mason University, graduated with a degree in accounting, and ultimately landed a full-time position with a Big 4 accounting firm. “My family was blue-collar,” says Robert. “My father was a brick mason and my mother a homemaker. So, I was happy to be invited into a white-collar profession. But I felt stuck in a cubicle without a clear roadmap toward my future.” He was conducting an audit of a Federal Agency, when he met a colonel who’d been a paratrooper. “The stories about the things the colonel had done were inspiring. At the age of 25, I was craving excitement and was hungry for leadership. Accounting wasn’t giving me those avenues.”  And there was a third reason to join the Army. Robert’s parents emigrated from Mexico to give their children the opportunity to excel in ways that weren’t possible back home. “I saw the poverty that my father had escaped, and it was clear to me that I was in a privileged position having been born in this country. So, it was with deep appreciation that I wanted to give back.” It took three months of intense workouts to get into shape for bootcamp “and in a few months I was being screamed at by drill sergeants," he says. Assigned to the famed 82nd Airborne Division, Robert found the excitement he craved jumping out of planes and helicopters. “I loved it,” he says. “It’s a little bit of panic before you jump. If you’re not scared, then something’s wrong with you because it’s not normal to jump out of a plane. It’s fear at first, then, once you jump, it’s exhilaration. There’s nothing but the sky and one minute of pure peace.” Robert says in the Army he learned to be resilient mentally and physically. “And not just to trust,” he says, “but to know that you have to trust other people because you have a mission to deliver and you can’t do it by yourself.” Excitement aside, Robert knew that he was not destined for a 20-year Army career. “Accounting and the Army are two very different sides of a spectrum,” he says. “I wondered: how do I connect those two dots? I felt an MBA was best way to amalgamate those two experiences.” Of all the schools Robert looked at, Haas stood out as a place where the students were the warmest. “They were the most inviting, the most willing to provide a plethora of information over phone calls that lasted much longer than the ones at other schools,” he says. “That had the biggest impact. It felt like an environment where I could let my guard down for the first time. And that brought Haas to the top.” It wasn’t an easy first year. In his second week at Haas he got a midnight call telling him that one of his best friends, a brother in arms, in the Army had been killed in Afghanistan. A few weeks later, he learned his mother had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and ultimately had 6-months to live. “It was a tough year,” says Robert. “But resilience helped me stay the course.” And he’s passing a bit of that on as a mentor involved in Haas’ LIFT program, which he helped revive this year. Standing for leadership, inclusion, future opportunities and thrive, LIFT pairs undergraduate students of color with MBA program mentors. “We’re there to support them academically and professionally,” says Robert. “Most importantly, we’re there to listen and provide empathy from someone who knows what they are going through. That and sharing our experiences of the real world – our mistakes and our successes. We like to say we’ll demonstrate that they can be what they can see.”  Robert, whose goal is to be a management consultant, says the most influential course he has taken so far has been “Lead Com,” or Leadership Communications. “That’s where I learned to leverage my experiences and tap into vulnerability,” he says. “The military can be an anti-vulnerability environment. At times it can be transactional; you have a point to get across for the betterment of the mission. Coming here helped me understand who I am as a person. It’s one thing to know your story; it’s another thing to own it. My parents came here undocumented, eventually gaining their U.S. citizenship, and I’m here now – living their dream. This is my story.” 
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22 Oct 2020, 11:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: The MBA from the eyes of a hiring manager at Salesforce |
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How companies recruit MBAs in 2020 has changed; what they are looking for in MBA candidates for internships and full-time positions has not. Layne Austin, an MBA recruiter at Salesforce, acknowledged that, “Webinar-fatigue is real. We've rethought our approach from the way we sell to the way we do events to the way we recruit. We’re offering more frequent and more intimate engagement, and more opportunity to network with alumni.” Salesforce’s 49,000 employees work in 63 cities worldwide (maybe a few more, now that Salesforce staff are able to work remotely through August 2021). Opportunities for MBAs—interns or full-time positions—cover a wide variety of disciplines: marketing, and strategy, in both customer-facing and technical roles. The company also has a strong commitment to social impact, practicing what CEO Marc Benioff calls “stakeholder capitalism.” We are very focused on corporate philanthropy, so candidates who already have a passion for volunteering and giving back tend to do really well." We talked with Layne about how MBA candidates should approach recruitment at Salesforce. “I struggled to find my own path early in my career. When I discovered recruitment, I realized I would be in a position to help others in that same situation. I love working with MBAs, especially career switchers, who are taking the reins on their careers. I can look creatively at their résumés through the lens of their potential and competencies, not just their qualifications for a specific role,” she said. Answers have been edited for brevity and clarity What does Salesforce look for in MBA candidates in terms of skills? Experience? Characteristics? I truly believe that there is something for everyone at Salesforce! With that, the required skills are going to vary. We are open to career changers, but candidates need to clarify and highlight their transferable skills on their application. For example, marketing requires strong presentation skills, while our analytics roles will require Excel chops. In terms of experience, we typically look for folks with three to five years of work experience under their belt before business school. For characteristics, this probably comes as no surprise: we are looking for folks who are comfortable with ambiguity and a rapidly changing environment. Last, we are very focused on corporate philanthropy (check out our 1-1-1 model!), so candidates who already have a passion for volunteering and giving back tend to do really well. What makes an MBA recruitment candidate stand out from the crowd? First and foremost, the candidate needs to map to the core competencies for the role, which are listed in the job description. Competency-based interviewing is how we ensure an unbiased process. Usually, the final stage in our interview process is some sort of case study or presentation. This is where creativity and resourcefulness can serve a candidate well. There is a whole lot of information about our business online, and candidates who have prepared in advance and can pull information from different sources stand out. Are there specific roles at Salesforce for which having an MBA is essential? Why? Our Business Value Services organization is staffed by a lot of MBAs. I think of these folks as our sales SWAT team; they come in during the sales cycle to help make an effective case for the customer to purchase our products. This role pulls from so many essential MBA courses: financial modeling, negotiation, analytics, and marketing, among others. Given equal skills between two candidates, what tips the balance? Usually, the scale is tipped with proven alignment to our values, coupled with a genuine interest and excitement about Salesforce. Our core values are Trust, Customer Success, Innovation, and Equality, so interview answers that align to these values can make a candidate stand out. I’ve noticed talking with Haas students that these align closely with your Defining Leadership Principles! Like I mentioned earlier, there is a lot of information out there about Salesforce, so the ability to pull blogs, articles, interviews, or product demos into the final stage of the interview can show us that you understand and believe in the company and the product. How does Salesforce factor DEI into its recruiting? For me personally, as someone who doesn't identify as an underrepresented minority, the first step is education. For example, we as university recruiters can't recruit at an HBCU campus without understanding the history behind these institutions. Everyone in the recruiting process needs to start with education. After that, we need to ensure the opportunity is marketed and available to a wide variety of audiences. Next, we implement a consistent competency-based interview process that is the same for every candidate we speak with. For example, we created SIFT, the Salesforce Interview Feedback Tool, to standardize the interview process and help mitigate bias. Of course, the work doesn't end there as it's imperative that all of our interns and new hires feel included and supported once they're here. We partner with our Office of Equality for summer programming and manager enablement. I've been super impressed and inspired by Salesforce's response to racial injustice and its support of communities of color who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. There is a lot of work still to be done, but I believe we're moving in the right direction. Read more from the From the eyes of a hiring manager series:
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28 Oct 2020, 06:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: From nonprofit to tech—this entrepreneur holds her roots in impact and community |
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Yannell Selman, MBA 21, began her professional career in nonprofit, starting with an assignment with Teach For America in Richmond, CA. This sparked her interest in education policy, and she brought this passion back to her hometown of Miami, FL. She founded P.S. 305, a nonprofit whose mission is for every student in Miami to receive a high-quality education. Yannell first applied for various fellowships and grants and immediately received $75k in funding, and another 40k soon after, making her dreams a reality. P.S. 305 grew to have the support of bigger philanthropies, such as the Walton Family Foundation and the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative. While working on grassroots campaigning and policy issues, she spoke with hundreds of teachers and families about their educational hopes and goals. Yannell discovered screen time and lack of focus were their biggest concerns. She knew she had to do something about this issue, and Haas was the perfect place to start. Connecting with fellow entrepreneurs “I came to business school because I was really eager to learn how to build a sustainable business that would grow and scale and have a global impact,” Yannell says. “I chose Haas not only because of the entrepreneurship, but also the reputation for social impact.” Once at Haas, Yannell took advantage of the network of students and programs dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs. Through Berkeley STEP, a 10-week experiential program, and BearX, a Berkeley networking site, she founded Cultiveit with Dunja Panic, MBA 21, Jacob Holesinger (2019 CS graduate), and a growing passionate team by her side. Cultiveit’s mission is to help people reconnect to the things they care about by taking meaningful breaks and proactively avoiding burnout. Berkeley felt like a place I could thrive Another major reason Yannell chose to attend Berkeley Haas was because of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) action plan in place. Her parents are both immigrants and neither attended college, and she knew few people with an MBA before starting her full-time MBA program. Yannell applied to Berkeley Haas through The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, which helps to elevate the representation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans. “For me, it was really important that the school understood my experience and has systems in place to support people like me,” she says. “I looked at a ton of business schools. I remember visiting GSB and HBS, and not really feeling like, as a Latina, they were going to be places that I would really thrive or be celebrated, and I just felt really different at Berkeley.” She is also part of The Forté fellowship, which is a nonprofit community that works to empower and support female MBA students. This includes an annual leadership conference, which Yannell attended in Chicago before starting her MBA program. “Forté has continued to be a source of support professionally in thinking through entrepreneurship and technology, even since the conference,” she says. Learning how to scale impact from Big Tech During her internship at Amazon, Yannell worked on the Alexa International team, which supports growth in Latin America. Given her Latina background, it was very personal to bring access to opportunities and jobs to these communities. She also wanted the opportunity to bring valuable business tactics from a huge tech company back to the social impact sector, and was pleasantly surprised. “What does it look like to have impact at scale and work at a global company and have a sort of rigor around the bottom line? I've never even worked in the private sector so all of that was something I wanted to learn more about and be involved in,” Yannell says. “I was really blown away by Amazon. I was just so impressed with the whole company. I’ve never seen any sort of structure of people that was so well run.” Tapping into the Haas community Between internships, a full time MBA program, and launching Cultiveit, it would seem Yannell’s plate was full, but she still sought out a creative outlet. She took on Haas Art Club as co-president, built up their leadership team to eight people, and currently organizes events (now virtually) for the community to stay active. She also teaches salsa dancing classes and is involved in the Berkeley Haas LatinX Business Club. Citing her diverse background, she advises future Berkeley Haas applicants to be crystal clear about their story, values, and identity before starting the process. Then when it’s time to apply, connect those values to the values at Haas. “I feel like there are different components when people say ‘your story’, but for me it really comes down to your identity, values, the work you’ve done, and Haas as a place, with our Defining Leadership Principles,” she says. “That is what I still remain grounded in—my understanding of myself, why I’m doing this, the purpose of the struggle, and the purpose of this part of my journey. It serves you long after the application.” 
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05 Nov 2020, 06:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: How to reframe your thinking to overcome imposter syndrome |
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When deciding whether or not to pursue an MBA, the biggest obstacle for Laura Teclemariam, EMBA 18, was her own self-doubt. She pushed through her fears because she realized there’s immeasurable value when you make the decision to invest in yourself. Laura recently shared her story of resilience with a virtual room of a few hundred prospective MBA students during the annual Berkeley Haas Diversity Symposium. She started by asking the group what myths they’d heard (or even believed themselves) about getting an MBA. These common misconceptions were shared:
Decide you're worth the investment Laura said, “In undergrad, I wasn’t the valedictorian. I got a computer science electrical engineering degree; I didn’t know business or finance. Every time I walked into a corporate room, nobody looked like me—and as an engineer, they definitely didn’t look like me. ” Nobody in Laura’s close community had an MBA, so when she approached her friends and family to ask what they thought of the idea, she received a lot of hesitation.
Lean on and learn from others Laura also admits she faced imposter syndrome—not just when deciding whether or not to get an MBA—but also when she first started the MBA for Executives program at Berkeley Haas. Imposter syndrome is defined as a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments. It’s a phenomenon that isn’t always talked about openly because people are either unaware they’re experiencing it or are hesitant to admit it, but it’s something that commonly affects MBA students. “Imposter syndrome is real,” said Laura. “Remember that everyone has it—the fear of not knowing, the fear of feeling out of control, the fear that you can’t control your destiny.” She recommends to start with seeking to understand, and remember that no one can get through the curriculum by themselves. Take the opportunity to lean on and learn from other students. “You may have been a Princeton or Harvard top-notch super wizard—and you come to Haas, and the program will eat you up and spit you out. You learn quickly who knows how to do supply and demand. You learn to leverage your cohort,” she said. “I think it’s around Term 2 that you don’t care as much about grades and start focusing on learning the material and building relationships with each other. That imposter syndrome doesn’t exist anymore.” Realize your perspective is a gift Laura recalled a defining moment in her leadership development at Haas during her Turnarounds class taught by Distinguished Teaching Fellow Peter Goodson. She was cold-called during an in-class simulation of Marvel Entertainment going through Bankruptcy Chapter 11. “He’d brought in an actual judge and lawyer that day. I was playing CEO, going up to testify why I’m proposing the restructuring. So not only did I need to know the 50-page case, I needed to be able to structure and debate the arguments in front of the class,” she said. After being congratulated by classmates for knocking it out of the park, she felt she’d made the turn of becoming a Haas leader. In that moment, she felt Confidence Without Attitude, one of four Berkeley Haas Defining Leadership Principles. She finally believed she was “truly worthy of the degree, ready to take on ‘Corporate America’ and the business world.” The Defining Leadership Principles are lived loudly at Haas, so these pivotal moments are common. “To say that Goodson’s class is the only place you’ll learn that is not true,” Laura said. “On your journey, you’ll have an experience where you’ll feel that moment.” That turning point reframed her thinking. She realized her perspective was a gift to others. Laura advised the prospective MBAs attending the Diversity Symposium to think about what they know really, really well. “It could be ping-pong playing. What hobbies do you have or industries have you worked in? You’ll be able to translate that knowledge to your classmates over a two-hour session much faster than they would read any book or go learn in an internship,” she said. “What you have to do is think about what value you can bring. What unique things do you know that someone else would find valuable? Your perspective is a gift to your classmates.” She notes that the celebration of different perspectives at Haas is what made the learning so rich. “It wasn’t just the textbooks. It was all of my classmates.” 
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12 Nov 2020, 06:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: A coaching approach to leadership on the job, on the field, and on Zoom |
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Paulina Lee, MBA 22, cheerfully admits to being a tad obsessive about her calendar. She says she “ruthlessly prioritizes the best ROI and value for the time I spend on schoolwork, my job, social life, and community work.” Work is demanding these days. She is a sales director at Procter & Gamble working with Walmart’s ecommerce division to make sure “crucial products like Charmin, Bounty, and Puffs reach the consumer.” She does that by getting hands-on with data and the supply chain. “I have been given a lot of ‘white space’ roles at P&G, where I could define my responsibilities and influence. As I rise in my career, the skills I’m gaining at Berkeley Haas will position me to help P&G adapt as the economy shifts and shoppers change their habits,” she said. We have a finite period of time in the program, but your growth can be exponential if you really go for it." Paulina is highly involved on campus. She was selected as a social rep by her cohort, elected as EVP of Marketing/Secretary for the EWMBA Association, and is a host/producer for Here@Haas, a student-run podcast sharing the stories of current students and faculty. When evening & weekend MBA classes shifted online in March 2020, Paulina organized weekly online high-intensity interval training sessions open to all EWMBA students. “The Haasie HIIT sessions took on a life of their own, sometimes drawing as many as 20 people. But really,” she says, “they are a continuation of activities we’ve always done as a program, like yoga during weekend lunch breaks or hikes.”  Going beyond as a leader and coach Paulina describes her leadership style as a “coach approach. I enjoy helping people find their own process for growth and supporting them. I value the Haas emphasis on self-reflection and use it in my own process.” Her preference for a coaching leadership style may be rooted in her love of sports. As an undergrad, she co-captained her Central Michigan University Division I field hockey team. While she continues to play on a couple of adult teams, she also coaches for San Francisco Youth Field Hockey. “I love being able to hone my own coaching style and spread love of field hockey,” she said. She also goes beyond herself by volunteering with Reading Partners as a tutor at an elementary school near her Bay Area home. “Growing up, I needed some additional help with reading,” she said, “So helping kids fall in love with reading as I did is really important to me.” Getting the most from every experience Paulina’s eye on her calendar reminds her that “We have a finite period of time in the program, but your growth can be exponential if you really go for it. I want to get as much out of this experience as I can while I’m still in it.” She already is bringing her MBA experiences back to her job at P&G. Taking classroom lessons into the workplace gives her the confidence and the vocabulary to ask the right questions. “You have to recognize that innovation isn’t just about the next new thing,” she said. “It’s about asking what we can do differently to have a better impact on the community and on the world.” 
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19 Nov 2020, 07:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: On track to create positive change through impact investing |
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“Demonstrating that I could pivot to the funding side of investing without having a traditional quant background, while leveraging my operations background, was one of my hypotheses going into business school,” explained Jessie Tang, MBA 20. And not just any kind of investing, Jessie wanted to go into impact investing, where her work would have a positive impact on the world. Her pivot succeeded. Jessie is now a principal and head of Strategic Initiatives at Gratitude Railroad, an impact investing platform & network headquartered in Utah. Its community of investors believes in capitalism, and in capitalism’s ability to solve environmental and social problems through the profitable deployment of financial, intellectual, and human capital. “My role stretches from developing strategies to ensure we involve a diverse network of investors, to identifying impact infrastructure gaps in the market that we could fill,” she said. She also does due diligence on prospective investments, monitors deal flow, and works closely with the companies Gratitude Railroad has invested in. It is a role that didn’t exist until Jessie was hired. Testing hypotheses with real-world experiences Jessie first encountered Gratitude Railroad as an extern in her first year of the Berkeley Haas full-time MBA program as part of the Impact Investing Practicum, which comprises the New Venture Finance class, followed by an externship with an impact investing firm. She followed the externship with a summer internship at REDF, a venture philanthropy. “I was curious about the venture philanthropy model and eager to see if the consultancy approach was right for me,” she recalled. “The work was rewarding, but I realized it was not my path.” Following her externship, Jessie stayed in touch with her Gratitude Railroad colleagues, as she planned a post-graduation move to Los Angeles. “We stayed connected and I asked who I should talk with in Southern California about impact investing. During my last semester, my now manager reached out because one of the firm’s investment associates was leaving and they were expanding the team. Following that call, we started to scope out a potential role for me,” she said. “Getting this position is proof of the importance of building relationships and of doing lots of hands-on projects while you’re still a student.” Bolstering skills with extra-curricular activities Other examples of project work that bolstered Jessie’s skills, confidence, and résumé include her participation in the Venture Capital Investment Competition and the Investing in Inclusion Pitch Competition, sponsored by EGAL (Center for Equity & Gender in Leadership), now in its third year. “The Investing in Inclusion Pitch Competition provided me with the chance to select and work with mission-driven startups from MBA programs across the nation. The opportunity to see them pitch, with a few ultimately receiving first funding, was incredibly rewarding.” Jessie also served as an EGAL student fellow and on its student advisory board. She also honed her impact investing skills as a founding principal of Berkeley Impact Venture Partners. “Working with BIVP allowed me to gain direct experience of all parts of the investment lifecycle, from sourcing, to taking first calls with entrepreneurs, to completing due diligence. I also received really valuable feedback from our advisors, who are seasoned investors and social entrepreneurs." According to Jessie, taken together, her coursework and extra-curricular activities allowed her to test her hypotheses and build the skills and relationships that she knew she needed from her time as an MBA student. Calling herself a “natural connector,” she encourages others to “build connections everywhere you can; don’t be shy about introducing yourself and engaging with other people. That includes faculty, guest speakers, and of course, your fellow Haasies. You’ll be grateful you did.” 
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27 Dec 2020, 10:31
05 Jan 2021, 10:00
| FROM Haas Admissions Blog: How to describe your career aspirations in your 2021 MBA application |
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It’s the beginning of a new year, and many of us have thought about and set goals. Goal-setting is important for moving forward in life, relationships, and career. If you’re thinking of starting an MBA program in 2021, you'll need to learn how to define your goals when writing an application. With a thorough application, you can get one step closer to your ultimate professional dreams. The following tips will help you define and describe your career aspirations and stand out from other MBA applicants, whether you’re applying to the Berkeley Haas School of Business, or elsewhere. Appeal to your audience Before investing significant time and money into an MBA, you’ll want to know if it’s a good fit for you academically and culturally. Admissions committees see a large number of essays throughout the application process. To stay committed to the MBA program's core values, admissions officers are trained to look for specific elements in an application that deem you an academic and cultural fit to the school. Appeal to these needs by assessing yourself as a fit first. Get a feel for the school’s guiding principles, academic approach, campus, and culture before beginning your Berkeley Haas application.
MBA application essays help the admissions committee learn about who you are as a person and how you will fit with their academic community. Admissions officers look for students who can concisely describe their career aspirations. If this isn't an exercise you've performed in the past, you may quickly realize how difficult it can be to express your dreams. The following exercises can help you understand and write to the prompt when crafting essays for your Berkeley Haas application:
Every applicant has a unique background, interests, and personality. The essays are your biggest chance to let your voice shine through in your Haas application. Don’t be afraid to include your personal experiences when describing your career aspirations for your MBA application essays.
Admissions committees look for indicators that show how you will add value – both to yourself and the overall program. Use precise language and real-world examples to show how an MBA is a bridge to the next step in your professional life.
In addition to the content of your essay, the admissions committee will be looking to see that the candidate follows directions. Here are some best practices to follow when writing your MBA application essays:
If you're planning to apply to the Evening & Weekend MBA program, you'll want to utilize Application Toolkit. It's our six-step, self-paced guide geared towards helping busy professionals complete their MBA applications. Not sure which program is the best fit for you? Compare Berkeley MBA programs. 
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