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coolduds82
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What did you do build up your profile? 16 Jan 2010, 11:13
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Hi,

Please share your experiences/ ideas on what to do if you have time and want to invest in activities which build up your profile, resume Or developing skills in order to prepare as a candidate for one of the top 20 B-Schools.

FYI - I am based in bay area, CA and would be interested in opportunities in and around this area.

Thanks,
Amit
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GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
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What did you do build up your profile? 16 Jan 2010, 11:17
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Welcome to GMAT Club.
Pretty general question but probably fits this forum best.

How much time do you have?
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coolduds82
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What did you do build up your profile? 16 Jan 2010, 11:30
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I finished my Masters CS from in Cornell Dec, 2008. I have nice job in one of the biggest IT companies. I intend to work for another 2 years atleast, but in the mean time I prefer indulging in some additional activities to help/learn and prepare. So the answer is 2 years or little more.

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Amit
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Ginetta
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What did you do build up your profile? 16 Jan 2010, 12:09
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coolduds82
Hi,

Please share your experiences/ ideas on what to do if you have time and want to invest in activities which build up your profile, resume Or developing skills in order to prepare as a candidate for one of the top 20 B-Schools.

FYI - I am based in bay area, CA and would be interested in opportunities in and around this area.

Thanks,
Amit
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I would say focus on stuff you actually like doing and have a passion for, and not activities solely that will "build your profile". If you do a bunch of ECs but cant talk passionately about them in your essays, whats the point? It will come off as resume padding.
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coolduds82
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What did you do build up your profile? 16 Jan 2010, 12:21
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Yeah yeah..you are absolutely rite,,,I will pursue what I love..I just need some leads for different things...and I would find and stick to what I like most.

Thanks Much!!!
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What did you do build up your profile? 16 Jan 2010, 13:40
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coolduds82
Yeah yeah..you are absolutely rite,,,I will pursue what I love..I just need some leads for different things...and I would find and stick to what I like most.

Thanks Much!!!
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I am not sure where you are located, but try these sites:

https://www.volunteermatch.org/
https://www.idealist.org/if/h

Or you can look for local volunteering in your area through google. How I got started is I had an interest in teaching, so I went that path and ended up teaching ESL classes. I have found that most volunteer organizations will really let you do whatever path you want, and are just grateful for the help.

In summary, definitely start building some volunteer stuff, if you can get leadership positions great, but if you demonstrate leadership within the volunteer work that works as well. Hobbies, take up something unique that you have an interest in. I think for the most part adcoms just want to see you taking a part in developing yourself outside of work and exploring what the world has to offer. As I said above, it will be up to you what interests you.

Good luck!

-Gin
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What did you do build up your profile? 16 Jan 2010, 14:09
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I have an alternative career and completely non-quantitative education so the first thing for me (post studying for the GMATs) was to sign up for math classes at UCLA. I took Calculus and Math for Management. I'm not sure this would be helpful to the average b-school applicant-the last time I was in a math class was my senior year of high school in 1997 so I was basically answering some potential questions about a 13 year gap.

The second thing I did was try scouting around for "leadership" opportunities. This was very important for me-as an attorney (I'm a fed) and I don't have supervisory authority over anything even though I am designated as the sr. attorney in charge of a couple of different programs. But that basically means I'm the dedicated advisor, not that I work as a "lead" or anything. Also, I'm legally prohibited from volunteering for organizations that get certain sorts of federal funds, especially for the types of funds I control. Since I had been part of my union and had volunteered for various small assignments on and off for 4 years-I basically went in and talked to the president and vp and told them the next time they had an official board spot, to consider me. Their steward quit and they gave me the job. It ended up being a HUGE commitment, basically a second full time unpaid job as their attorney and steward, but gave me amazing things to talk about on my essays for all the schools-I ended up becoming good friends with them and they gave me awesome assignments like putting me on the negotiations team for the labour management agreement and such. The biggest benefit was really their friendship though-and they wrote me a joint recommendation.

I'm just putting my story out there for other people in the alternative career path boat. Good luck!