Diversity Essay - Enough reasons??

Question

I could use some advice from the experts here. I'm working on Kellogg's #2 essay:

Describe how your background, values, academics, activities and/or leadership skills will enhance the experience of other Kellogg students.

I've decided to focus solely on my work experience as my background growing up was pretty traditional. The main points I bring up in this essay is my combination of two different career functions (sales and then marketing) as well as two very diverse companies (Fortune 500 and private, family-owned). I've easily reached my limit (2 pages) but part of me feels I need more. I have a couple of options but am not using them for a few reasons. (Personality - Using that for topic of another essay, Leadership - See Essay #3) I could add something about working on my classic car or cooking as a hobby but I'm not sure if it would add a lot of value (I guess could put a business/leadership spin on it though). Or I could talk about being a risk taker as is evident with my career/job change (I did mention it in the goals essay though) and a few other things.

So my options are:
1. Leave as is focusing on work experience with 2 functions and 2 companies
2. Add a hobby such as working on a classic car or cooking
3. Add paragraph about being a risk taker
4. Add paragraph about fun personality even though I'm focusing on it for another essay

Thoughts from the group?

mbagal1 · Answer

Hi

Your option 2 would actually work great if you have a lot of experience and can talk in depth about how the hobbies have impacted you, why you chose those particular hobbies, and how your experience with those hobbies would bring diversity into the class. However, if that is not the case, it may be better to leave this essay as is with 2 different companies and functions, as long as you explain clearly how they have impacted you and how it would bring diversity to the class.
Number 4 is best left to another essay if you have planned it that way already. 
Number 3 from what you have said seems a bit too generic and may not have the impact you would like.

My 2 cents. Hope this helps.

cpgmba · Answer

I appreciate the response.

My cooking hobby may be able to play a role in the essay. My career is in consumer packaged food and I have quite a love for food so I could easily tie it all back to part of my reasons for wanting to stay in this industry and pursue brand management.

sam77sam7 · Answer

CPG,

Hopefully I'll be joining you at Kellogg in Fall 2009!

As I approached my second essay, I really tried to concentrate on my outside of work activities, my upbringing (also pretty typical), and my values.

I think that with the second essay Kellogg is really giving us the opportunity to discuss our life outside of work. I would use the other essays to discuss the roles and responsibilities you took on at work.

Obviously, I won't tell you how to write your essays, but I really used the second essay to accentuate my outside of work activities and personal qualities.

~Sam

cpgmba · Answer

Sam - Same here!!

I defintely realize and understand that they're looking for more than work experience in #2. However I feel my work experience really is what makes me diverse. Although I think I've realized I need more than that which is why I'm looking to add a few other examples. I want to tie back into how those examples will help me contribute at Kellogg. I love playing golf, running and hiking with my dogs but I don't see what unique value that adds to my profile. (Also, it's not like I've played in the majors or hiked Mt Everest so these examples haven't changed my life or anything.)

Appreciating the feedback everyone!!

sam77sam7 · Answer

I think if your work experience is what makes you diverse, then you should really emphasize it. I think it is definitely important to touch on your other interests and activities as well. Golf teaches ethics, hiking and running emphasizes setting a goal and reaching for it. Quick, obvious conclusions for sure, but I think it is important to mention how your outside of work qualities influence you on a daily basis.

~Sam

~Sam

kryzak · Answer

for Kellogg, I used my professional background and two personal "uniqueness" to talk about what I would bring to the class.

So in your case, i would spend 2/3 or 3/4 of your essay talking about your different functions and how those functions shaped your thought process. What did you learn that you can bring to the classroom discussion to enrich the leaning of your peers?

Then throw in one paragraph on your hobbies or cooking, and link that also to how it will help add color to the class profile (like lead some teaching classes, or host an "Iron Chef" competition among classmates, etc...).

That will help end the essay on a lighter note while allowing your personality to show through.

fooFighter · Answer

One of the things I do on the side for fun is web and graphics design, photoshop etc. (i'm a fin analyst by trade). I have a few ideas of my own, but any suggestions on how this (media, design, graphics stuff) would add to the class?

MBAbot · Answer

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Diversity Essay - Enough reasons??

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