Hello!
I'm early on in my path to business school, but thought early feedback about where I need to be and what's realistic would help me out. Please note that I'm looking at the afternoon/evening program - not full time. My current salary is probably pretty close to the average exit salary for FT, so I can't justify quitting my job, taking two years of lost wages, and paying out of pocket. I also enjoy what I do and like my employer, so PT makes a lot of sense.
Background and nationality25 Years Old
Male
Half White / Half Korean (should I just put white on any apps? I don't look Korean at all, and I'm not culturally Korean at all.)
First generation college student if that matters
Undergrad Information University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering with a minor in chemistry
2.90 GPA, with a downward trend (3.5 freshman year, 2.5 sophomore year, 2.0 junior year, 3.5 senior year. No F's or W's. Did poorly in engineering classes, did well in humanities and math classes).
I recognize the GPA is going to be a limiting factor and a weak point in my profile. There's a few factors that caused it:
(1) I was a first generation college student. My mother was a single parent that made close to minimum wage for most of my life. My father is mentally handicapped after a traumatic brain injury during a car accident when I as young. I was always working throughout undergrad so I could afford groceries or rent.
(2) When I was 16 and 17 years old, I went to community college. I earned an Associate's degree (3.91 GPA) and transferred the credits to my university. Unfortunately, the 61 credits I transferred to university are not calculated into my GPA - only the credits I took at university. So the easier, intro level classes most people take - they're not part of my 2.90 GPA.
(3) If you take out all my STEM courses, it's like a 3.9. And even between differential calculus, integral calculus, differential equations, and multivariable calculus, it's like a 3.5. I just really sucked at engineering.
Obviously (2) will just come off as whining, so I have no intention to discuss that in any essays. Similarly, (3) will jut come off as being salty and paint me in a negative light, so that's not something I'd discuss in essays either.
GMATHaven't taken the exam yet. First attempt on the official practice exam was 710 (Q48, V40), that was before ever studying. I just purchased the
OG books and plan to study ~10 hours a week for the next 3-5 months before taking the exam.
Work experience and leadership2 years as a sales applications engineer at a very very small equipment manufacturer in the environmental industry (<$20MM revenue)
2 years as a product manager at a slightly larger equipment manufacturer in the environmental industry (<$150MM revenue)
I was offered a promotion to become a product manager at company 1, but transitioned to company 2 instead.
The second company is recognized as a leader in my niche industry.
The first position is nothing to write home about, but the second position includes leading a team of 4 (with two direct reports). Responsibilities include defining and implementing product strategy, managing sales and marketing activities, developing sales strategy and product road-map, and acting as the company's technical expert on the product lines I'm responsible for. I have launched several products and acquired a competitor during my two years.
Significant international work experience, especially in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the rest of Southeast Asia.
Community and othersMinimal extra-circulars. I am involved without engineers without borders, but have not taken on a leadership role. Avg 2-4 hours per month.
Post MBA goalsTransition from product management to strategy, preferably at my current employer. Ideally I'd like to end up a C-level in my industry. I am passionate about the environment, but most firms in this industry have used the same path-to-market for 50+ years with little disruption. I believe that anyone making a concerted effort to define the market strategy and develop new market channels will create a successful business, but few firms in the industry have made that concerted effort. I want to be the firm that upends everything.
Anything else?Eligible to receive my professional engineering license in July 2020.