ISB - How will you add to the diversity in ISB?

Question

This is the question on ISB : 
How will you add to the diversity in ISB?

I have been thinking on this a lot but not actually able to mark the target of the essay for myself. I have had good academics, got a decent job in campus, moved to USA for work. I have a good exposure to various cultures and work at a place with people from around the globe. But I am not sure if this background has the "separator" in it... I see many people around me with a background similar to mine.

Can someone give few pointers on this as to what can I stress on such topic? Should it be the past couple years of experience/exposure in US or the "smooth steps" I have climbed to get to where I stand now? Please help!

aurobindo · Answer

Perhaps you can mention diversity aspect of your work experience, if you work with people from different cultures. 
 
One common background to some software engineers I met in Bangalore is they are from rural background. That can be a differentiating factor. 

Have you been part of any technology community? Did you write any white papers or presented any?

Are you from a community such as Gujarathis or marwadis that is primarily into business? People from those communities get lessons on business since they are 4 years old.

amd08 · Answer

Well, work experience is what comes to my mind but I am afraid whether thats actually a similarity in many applns.

I am a maharashtrian though come from a small town. Technology papers wise I have a few but again just a "few". I doubt whether I should stress on something that I haven't given dedication.

One thing I have is I love to cook and I am an expert at that. But I do not want to go for this one because 1) I haven't participated in formal competitions and 2) I doubt if cooking adds any value to mgmt diversity they are asking for.

I have a hobby to read books like geeta and dasbodh and try to find the applicability of spritual thoughts in such books to real life events. But is that something I should dwell in? Pls. advise.

trahul4 · Answer

Streess on your work ex if oyu have worked with people belonging to different cultures. Do you know any other foreign language? A bit at least ? Have you ever had experiences of working with rural people.. Add your community work here if you have done. Write whatever you feel you have unique. Dont think that if something is un-important to you, the same may be the case witg adcoms also. Just give your honest shot.

paddyboy · Answer

Your uniqueness need not lie in your professional experiences - what are your hobbies? Cooking, reading religious texts... Hmm - sounds to me like you can say that you have an unconventional way of looking at things.

Worked with several cultures - you can say you have the ability to perform in a multi-cultural environment.

etc etc... go through your essays, your strengths and weaknesses - try to put a new spin on them. The story you tell them in the interview has to match the one you have sent in the application.

Remember, you need not be unique, you just need to sound unique! :wink:

trahul4 · Answer

well said <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" title="Smile" />

MBAbot · Answer

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ISB - How will you add to the diversity in ISB?

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