Profile Evaluation Request
[#permalink]
16 Aug 2018, 21:35
Background & Nationality:
31, F, Vietnamese-American-Australian (dual citizenship). Spent the latter half of my life in the U.S.
Undergrad:
3.6 at a christian liberal arts college. majored in economics and minor in visual communication. Very involved on campus — from student government to diversity admissions and serving on multiple committees. Attended on full-ride leadership scholarship.
GMAT:
I have not yet taken an actual exam, planning on R2 due to time constraints and an expected promotion to come in next few months. Last practices have been 660 and 690. Aiming for at least 700, but ideally higher! Verbal has consistently been 85th percentile so I have been focusing on getting higher quant.
Work Experience & Leadership:
Current job is as a manager in the digital department of a top fashion management agency whose parent company is an entertainment behemoth. 3 direct reports. On track to receive a promotion to sr manager in a few months.
Previously have led cross-functional teams in publicity and publishing/media. Will provide quantified accomplishments (i.e., 1k+ placements in media outlets, tripled social media following, etc.)
In each of my roles I have always been involved with hiring, training, and managing lower level staff and interns.
Community & Others:
Started my career out doing 3+ years of non-profit work in the Vietnamese community and was part of a group of “women making a difference” recognized by CA state senator in 2012. During this time I also participated in multiple leadership/advocacy trainings geared toward Asian Pacific Islander and SE Asian communities.
Extra currics post-college not as strong. Was working 50-60 hours a week and burned out. Have more balance now and am currently training to be a producer with an Asian-American centric podcast. Have volunteered on and off for various Asian-Am orgs in addition to the organization which gave me my undergrad scholarship.
Post-MBA goals
Interested in marketing/strategy for media/entertainment companies or CPG/tech. Have been fairly embedded in the media/entertainment worlds both as a publicist and former journalist/managing editor — would love to synthesize my love of that world with that of business. Am interested in social impact also but worried about it coming off as being unfocused. Long-term goal is to be a senior level executive, be part of the wave of companies changing the paradigm in entertainment/media, and help open doors for more women and POC to enter these industries. A lot has been given to me so I want to pay it forward at a higher level and keep it moving.
Weaknesses I am aware of:
- Age
- Too much work experience?
- Transcript does show a trend of being stronger in qualitative work, although I was an econ major and did fine in the classes. Just not excellent. And one C in accounting! (Lots of regret there and no good excuse really.)
Would ideally like to stay in Los Angeles so am planning to apply only to Marshall and Anderson.
Very much appreciate your time reading + offering thoughts on chances at either school. I was also considering applying through consortium but not sure if my profile is strong enough to apply as an Asian American (vs Black/Latino or Hispanic/Native Am.)