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12 Jan 2011, 23:12
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Hi Alex,
I've been reading your posts for a little while now, since I started thinking about doing my MBA, and I think you might have the insight to help me out with some of these thoughts. I tend to ramble (sorry)
Thank you in advance, it's much appreciated.
A little about myself. I'm 25; graduated from the University of Toronto. Good school, not the greatest sense of camraderie or collaboration but pretty tough academically. I graduated with a liberal arts degree, majoring in Semiotics and Communications Theory (which is really interesting). I actually was enrolled in the business program for my first year, but didn't like the heavy emphasis on Finance at Rotman. I took courses in economics, accounting, calculus and marketing and had a 3.75 GPA. Then I switched to Semiotics and Media Studies and ended up finishing with a 3.65, while still taking some economics courses. I got a 710 on my GMAT and 6/6 on the AWA. 83rd percentile Verbal and 82nd percentile Math.
I've been working for about 3.5 years (graduated June 2007). I started interning at Warner Home Video in Toronto and then worked my way up, working in Operations and Finance for brief stints, before taking a Marketing Coordinator job. Then I got promoted to Associate Marketing Manager, but I left this past August to start an independent TV/film production company. A lot of people have said I'm crazy (..and the jury's definitely still out on that one..), but I wanted to work for Warner given my love for film and I ended up feeling like a white collar assembly line worker, as all the product development was done in the U.S. Great experience though, if anything, it made me a little more sure about what I didn't want to do.
So I started my business in August and I'm not quite sure what my next step is. I know I want an MBA because I know my career can go three ways from here and pretty much all of them would benefit from an MBA. I'm either going to 1) go back to Marketing (which I really enjoy) but for a consumer packaged goods company like Johnson & Johnson, Kraft, etc. 2) If its sustainable (although it's very tough), I'd like to get a business education and pursue this entrepreneurship venture but on a much higher level. Right now, I feel a little tepid when I reach out to financing sources. I haven't had any exposure to capital markets or private equity, so an education in at least the basics would be helpful. Or 3) I'd pursue management consulting. I say that only because the thing I enjoyed most about working at Warner was looking at strategic issues that crossed every functional area. I loved my experience working in different departments because I got to analyze decisions from every perspective and it gave me a more holistic view of the company. It's strange, but that almost made the company seem a little more like an organism where everything was somewhat connected, rather than just working in one functional area and having a tunnel, assembly line view.
I had never really researched the consulting field before I started looking into MBA schools, but it seems really appealing. You seem to have solid perspective on the different fields/options post-MBA. Can you tell me a little more about management consulting? All I know is that it's long hours (but I don't really mind that). But can you tell me a little about the kind of personalities that do well and the skillset required. I also wanted to get a sense if my background would preclude me from consideration at companies such as Deloitte or small mid-size firms (like OC&C Strategy Consultants), given that I'm from a marketing/liberal arts background, rather than a technical quant-heavy pre-MBA background.
Regarding schools, what I know so far is that I want a 2 year program because I'm fairly young and would perhaps pursue a career switch. That rules out Ivey and Queen's. So in Canada, I'm looking at Schulich (York University). I was also considering UCLA and Georgetown in the U.S.. I want a school that's good in the areas of marketing and consulting and where my liberal arts background would not put me at a disadvantage with other students. UCLA and Georgetown seem to fit the bill. I really want a collaborative environment where everybody helps one another out, an environment full of study groups where people split readings (divide and conquer). I'm a little put off by overly aggressive personalities and it doesn't really suit my learning style to be in a tense environment. What are your thoughts? Do those schools fit what I'm describing? Would you recommend any others? Also, would I be able to stick around and work in the U.S. as a consultant (if thats what I pursued) after my MBA? I'm a Canadian citizen, so I think I would quality for a TN visa, but not sure if companies just flat out don't hire non-Americans (especially given the unemployment rate right now).
As you can see, I'm a bit all over the place. I was hoping you can provide me with some insight as I try to find my way before filling out MBA applications.
Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks for taking the time to read my story
Thanks,
Tentative in Toronto
I've been reading your posts for a little while now, since I started thinking about doing my MBA, and I think you might have the insight to help me out with some of these thoughts. I tend to ramble (sorry)
Thank you in advance, it's much appreciated. A little about myself. I'm 25; graduated from the University of Toronto. Good school, not the greatest sense of camraderie or collaboration but pretty tough academically. I graduated with a liberal arts degree, majoring in Semiotics and Communications Theory (which is really interesting). I actually was enrolled in the business program for my first year, but didn't like the heavy emphasis on Finance at Rotman. I took courses in economics, accounting, calculus and marketing and had a 3.75 GPA. Then I switched to Semiotics and Media Studies and ended up finishing with a 3.65, while still taking some economics courses. I got a 710 on my GMAT and 6/6 on the AWA. 83rd percentile Verbal and 82nd percentile Math.
I've been working for about 3.5 years (graduated June 2007). I started interning at Warner Home Video in Toronto and then worked my way up, working in Operations and Finance for brief stints, before taking a Marketing Coordinator job. Then I got promoted to Associate Marketing Manager, but I left this past August to start an independent TV/film production company. A lot of people have said I'm crazy (..and the jury's definitely still out on that one..), but I wanted to work for Warner given my love for film and I ended up feeling like a white collar assembly line worker, as all the product development was done in the U.S. Great experience though, if anything, it made me a little more sure about what I didn't want to do.
So I started my business in August and I'm not quite sure what my next step is. I know I want an MBA because I know my career can go three ways from here and pretty much all of them would benefit from an MBA. I'm either going to 1) go back to Marketing (which I really enjoy) but for a consumer packaged goods company like Johnson & Johnson, Kraft, etc. 2) If its sustainable (although it's very tough), I'd like to get a business education and pursue this entrepreneurship venture but on a much higher level. Right now, I feel a little tepid when I reach out to financing sources. I haven't had any exposure to capital markets or private equity, so an education in at least the basics would be helpful. Or 3) I'd pursue management consulting. I say that only because the thing I enjoyed most about working at Warner was looking at strategic issues that crossed every functional area. I loved my experience working in different departments because I got to analyze decisions from every perspective and it gave me a more holistic view of the company. It's strange, but that almost made the company seem a little more like an organism where everything was somewhat connected, rather than just working in one functional area and having a tunnel, assembly line view.
I had never really researched the consulting field before I started looking into MBA schools, but it seems really appealing. You seem to have solid perspective on the different fields/options post-MBA. Can you tell me a little more about management consulting? All I know is that it's long hours (but I don't really mind that). But can you tell me a little about the kind of personalities that do well and the skillset required. I also wanted to get a sense if my background would preclude me from consideration at companies such as Deloitte or small mid-size firms (like OC&C Strategy Consultants), given that I'm from a marketing/liberal arts background, rather than a technical quant-heavy pre-MBA background.
Regarding schools, what I know so far is that I want a 2 year program because I'm fairly young and would perhaps pursue a career switch. That rules out Ivey and Queen's. So in Canada, I'm looking at Schulich (York University). I was also considering UCLA and Georgetown in the U.S.. I want a school that's good in the areas of marketing and consulting and where my liberal arts background would not put me at a disadvantage with other students. UCLA and Georgetown seem to fit the bill. I really want a collaborative environment where everybody helps one another out, an environment full of study groups where people split readings (divide and conquer). I'm a little put off by overly aggressive personalities and it doesn't really suit my learning style to be in a tense environment. What are your thoughts? Do those schools fit what I'm describing? Would you recommend any others? Also, would I be able to stick around and work in the U.S. as a consultant (if thats what I pursued) after my MBA? I'm a Canadian citizen, so I think I would quality for a TN visa, but not sure if companies just flat out don't hire non-Americans (especially given the unemployment rate right now).
As you can see, I'm a bit all over the place. I was hoping you can provide me with some insight as I try to find my way before filling out MBA applications.
Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks for taking the time to read my story
Thanks,
Tentative in Toronto
13 Jan 2011, 10:56
Kudos
Bookmarks
Forgot to add some other info which would be useful: I was born in Egypt, raised in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai/Abu Dhabi), came to Toronto for school and stuck around and worked in Toronto afterwards. I was a member of student council during my undergrad and worked on the executive committee for two different student orientations. During undergrad, I also peer tutored when time permit. Post-graduation, I volunteer with the Canadian Diabetes Association giving presentations to the various public groups regarding diabetes prevention and management (I'm type I diabetic, so this was more for my own sense of giving back). I also volunteer at the Toronto International Film Festival and have been doing so since 2007, answering questions and managing traffic on-site.
....And if I apply to U.S. schools, I'll be applying the dreaded Round 3. I know that's not the best idea but I really feel that if there's ever a time where an MBA is right for me, now is it. Too bad I discovered that in December really close to Round 2 deadlines. So far, I'm considering UCLA and Georgetown, but would welcome your input on whether those schools fit what I described above.
Thanks man!
....And if I apply to U.S. schools, I'll be applying the dreaded Round 3. I know that's not the best idea but I really feel that if there's ever a time where an MBA is right for me, now is it. Too bad I discovered that in December really close to Round 2 deadlines. So far, I'm considering UCLA and Georgetown, but would welcome your input on whether those schools fit what I described above.
Thanks man!
14 Jan 2011, 17:06
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Bookmarks
Don't apply Round 3. Give it a few more months, and wait to apply for R1 this coming fall. It may feel like you know, but if you just "discovered" this b-school thing in December, you need time to sort it out for yourself whether it's something that is sensible or merely a passing impulse (and judging from the tone of your writing, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a passing impulse). You're young, and you can wait another year to think it through.
In the meantime, rather than me spoonfeeding you what you should do, I encourage you to take this time then to go and visit some of the schools. Sit in on classes - not just the Canadian schools, bu the American ones as well - make a trip/vacation of it while classes are still in session (until the end of April). You will get a far better clue of what you want, whether consulting is right for you (talking to current MBA students), and so forth through these visits which will give you firsthand experience. And don't say that you can't afford it -- you can. It can be much more enlightening and educational by seeing it with your own eyes, and talking to many current students from various schools (you don't need to visit every one - just 2-3 schools in the US is more than enough to get a sense for what b-school is about and the kinds of possibilities out there).
In the meantime, rather than me spoonfeeding you what you should do, I encourage you to take this time then to go and visit some of the schools. Sit in on classes - not just the Canadian schools, bu the American ones as well - make a trip/vacation of it while classes are still in session (until the end of April). You will get a far better clue of what you want, whether consulting is right for you (talking to current MBA students), and so forth through these visits which will give you firsthand experience. And don't say that you can't afford it -- you can. It can be much more enlightening and educational by seeing it with your own eyes, and talking to many current students from various schools (you don't need to visit every one - just 2-3 schools in the US is more than enough to get a sense for what b-school is about and the kinds of possibilities out there).
