The idea of a pre-MBA internship grows into a possible earlier job switch into my targeted post-MBA sector. The firm might not be willing to invest their training resources on someone who could only commit for less than a year. After the first few months of steep learning curve, the net yield derived by the firm may not be high. Impact on my present job commitment will need to be assessed and minimized before any conclusion is possible.
Dates for MBA tours are released online. Check out the websites for further details.
www.topmba.com
www.thembatour.com
Note the dates and participating schools. Tour dates before October’s application deadlines will be ideal for R1 applicants. I suppose the tours scheduled in December and beyond serve mainly R2 applicants and admitted applicants who need to decide which school to eventually attend.
I’m hoping that the organizers will hold a MBA tour in my resident country soon. I always love traveling, but a self-financed task-oriented short traveling during the Sep/Oct peak period with some stress and guilt would not be enjoyable.
Might need to forgo my year-end overseas countdown trip.
It’s interesting how the MBA application process can be the catalyst for so many changes in plans, perspectives and understandings.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Application Process Starts
I'm done with my work-related examination and can now focus on MBA applications.
GMAT test will be in August. Application essay questions should all be released in July/Aug. School research continues.
One suggested strategy is to apply to 3 tiers of B-Schools.
Tier A: Dream Schools. Just Aim High. Wil fly to the moon if get admitted.
Tier B: Targeted School. Need to stretch but they are still reachable.
Tier C: Realistic School. High confidence of getting accepted.
With each top MBA school charging an application fee of around USD 250, and I desperately need to start my MBA in 2008, should I diversify my risk or put all my chances at my dream schools?
Really hate those self-doubt moments when I worry so much over my 'qualifications' to get admitted by my dream schools. The wait is torturous.
GMAT test will be in August. Application essay questions should all be released in July/Aug. School research continues.
One suggested strategy is to apply to 3 tiers of B-Schools.
Tier A: Dream Schools. Just Aim High. Wil fly to the moon if get admitted.
Tier B: Targeted School. Need to stretch but they are still reachable.
Tier C: Realistic School. High confidence of getting accepted.
With each top MBA school charging an application fee of around USD 250, and I desperately need to start my MBA in 2008, should I diversify my risk or put all my chances at my dream schools?
Really hate those self-doubt moments when I worry so much over my 'qualifications' to get admitted by my dream schools. The wait is torturous.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Qualifications
Fake qualification claims cost a top hotelier his high position and a within-reach promotion. He apparently attended classes at both top universities but did not graduate from them.
I’m definitely not defending his wrongdoing of lying, but simply wonder if the lack of ivy-league formal academic achievement should undermine his years of proven credentials in the hotel industry? Everyone, including the MBA graduates, would agree that success is attributed by many qualities not necessarily acquired by paying high school fees.
It might sound strange coming from a MBA hopeful. Because dishonesty is no way a virtue for top management personnel responsible for the business empire, in which thousands of employees’ and shareholders’ interests are at stake. A MBA graduate, having worked hard for his golden plated qualification, would not approve of a free rider.
Some people might still question, if this hotelier, like many other successful people without a MBA training, such as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, have achieved success, then why are people crushing through the narrow gates in pursuit of a MBA??
With the countless number of self-help guide books claiming to reveal the secrets of MBA training or teach the contents of a MBA course, why pay through our nose and sacrifice 1-2 years of income-earning precious time?
To these arguments, perhaps it is because while we (perhaps) attempt to be the next one-in-billions Steve Jobs or Bill Gate, a quality MBA admission is a useful testimonial of our potentials (hopefully). By surviving the stiff competition and intense trainings, we demonstrate our competency to manage challenges.
We might not be the crème de la crème, but we are working to get better.
I’m definitely not defending his wrongdoing of lying, but simply wonder if the lack of ivy-league formal academic achievement should undermine his years of proven credentials in the hotel industry? Everyone, including the MBA graduates, would agree that success is attributed by many qualities not necessarily acquired by paying high school fees.
It might sound strange coming from a MBA hopeful. Because dishonesty is no way a virtue for top management personnel responsible for the business empire, in which thousands of employees’ and shareholders’ interests are at stake. A MBA graduate, having worked hard for his golden plated qualification, would not approve of a free rider.
Some people might still question, if this hotelier, like many other successful people without a MBA training, such as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, have achieved success, then why are people crushing through the narrow gates in pursuit of a MBA??
With the countless number of self-help guide books claiming to reveal the secrets of MBA training or teach the contents of a MBA course, why pay through our nose and sacrifice 1-2 years of income-earning precious time?
To these arguments, perhaps it is because while we (perhaps) attempt to be the next one-in-billions Steve Jobs or Bill Gate, a quality MBA admission is a useful testimonial of our potentials (hopefully). By surviving the stiff competition and intense trainings, we demonstrate our competency to manage challenges.
We might not be the crème de la crème, but we are working to get better.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Exam is coming ...!!
Had a full day class last Sunday in preparation for my BIG exam 2 weeks later.
(oh glorious Sunday... when will I have my free Sunday...)
It's BIG because it's the final paper before I could add the title in my resume.
It's BIG because the torture will last one whole day - paper 1 in the morning and paper 2 case study in the afternoon.
I ought to utilise all free time to revise. I shall use my mind power to focus on this IMMEDIATE important task.
But... reading Economists or the newspaper prove to be more mind-stimulating and interesting than revising the > 50cm thick pile of notes. It does not help that many contents are repeating information phrased differently. And... some calculations are killing me...
It's ok... I will focus....I will focus...I will focus... (hynotising myself)
(oh glorious Sunday... when will I have my free Sunday...)
It's BIG because it's the final paper before I could add the title in my resume.
It's BIG because the torture will last one whole day - paper 1 in the morning and paper 2 case study in the afternoon.
I ought to utilise all free time to revise. I shall use my mind power to focus on this IMMEDIATE important task.
But... reading Economists or the newspaper prove to be more mind-stimulating and interesting than revising the > 50cm thick pile of notes. It does not help that many contents are repeating information phrased differently. And... some calculations are killing me...
It's ok... I will focus....I will focus...I will focus... (hynotising myself)
INSEAD information session - 8 June 2007
Just returned from INSEAD information session.
The best part of the formal information session was a Case Discussion by Professor Paddy Padmanabhan, INSEAD’s Chaired Professor of Marketing. We had a case discussion which gave us a glimpse of how a typical class would be conducted. Learning in a mind-stimulating process in itself is truly enjoyable. Of course, it could be very stressful when one is loaded with hours and days of it, and I have to learn to fight for more airtime should I eventually enroll into the program.
The friendly students really made the interaction enjoyable. It’s heartwarming to meet people who enthusiastically share their experiences because of their conviction that INSEAD is the best investment.
Here’s my summary after the session of why INSEAD could be the ONE ?
There is no right or wrong. Simply a matter of whether it matches what one looks for.
- 85% of an usual 2-year top MBA program is condensed into a 10-month program, allowing the student to return to the workforce quickly
- Could be a good demonstration of your competency and willingness to work hard since you either compromise on extra-curricular activity or sleeping hour
- Financial opportunity cost is much less for a 10-month process
- Should you choose to spend some terms (out of 5) in Singapore, the cost would be more manageable as opposed to studying in Europe & UK ( the Euro Dollar & British Pounds have been appreciating….)
- Thus it’s a wise investment decision with a faster breakeven and realization of returns. Suppose you invest €60,000 for the one year program, versus to almost double the cost, start with an average €80,000 post-MBA income package, the breakeven point could be (hopefully) 2-3 years after MBA.
(** For information on financing MBA, please note that many factors will affect the investment returns, particularly lifestyle, availability of cost-free funding and post-MBA employment package)
- INSEAD offers one of the most diverse and global class mix
- Since almost everyone is a minority and a foreigner ( French and Singaporean only made up around 16% of the class), the student community having to spend time together intensively is closely knit. It thus probably explains for its strong alumni participation.
- Internship is still possible provided you enroll into the January intake
- And of course, it is one of the top MBA worldwide.
-
Other 2-year top MBA might counter the case with the followings:
- a 2-year period provides more time to establish stronger relationships with your peers and visiting alumni, who quite probably would be your colleagues, supervisors, business partners etc
- might have a better chance of building long lasting friendships since you suffer and play hard together for longer
- can afford to have (in terms of time, not necessarily of money) more career treks, seminars by prominent speakers, projects with companies, leisure travel etc
- internship is definitely possible and almost crucial if you aim for a finance/banking position
- given that most of us need to work a further 30-years, a 2-year career break in an exciting school sounds enticing
( well.. while one might achieve financial independence to retire earlier, working by choice is usually encouraged for health reasons)
- other geographical location might be more attractive
Some of us proceeded to have a drink with a fun-loving MBA student (…he’s youngest among us..argghh..). It’s great to know friends with the similar ambition and demeanors, and exchange information on different MBA schools.
In general, the feedback is that the European MBA culture is friendlier. Not that the key motive to get a MBA is to socialize with friendly people, but it will make the learning process much more enjoyable. Coming from an academic background of people so reluctant to share and learn together, I have been moved by the generosity of people who do not only care for themselves.
The information session exceeded my expectation. I was told that if anyone loves INSEAD, he would not like London Business School, and vice versa. The two offer quite different MBA experience. It’s an individual’s preference and there will be more to find out.
The best part of the formal information session was a Case Discussion by Professor Paddy Padmanabhan, INSEAD’s Chaired Professor of Marketing. We had a case discussion which gave us a glimpse of how a typical class would be conducted. Learning in a mind-stimulating process in itself is truly enjoyable. Of course, it could be very stressful when one is loaded with hours and days of it, and I have to learn to fight for more airtime should I eventually enroll into the program.
The friendly students really made the interaction enjoyable. It’s heartwarming to meet people who enthusiastically share their experiences because of their conviction that INSEAD is the best investment.
Here’s my summary after the session of why INSEAD could be the ONE ?
There is no right or wrong. Simply a matter of whether it matches what one looks for.
- 85% of an usual 2-year top MBA program is condensed into a 10-month program, allowing the student to return to the workforce quickly
- Could be a good demonstration of your competency and willingness to work hard since you either compromise on extra-curricular activity or sleeping hour
- Financial opportunity cost is much less for a 10-month process
- Should you choose to spend some terms (out of 5) in Singapore, the cost would be more manageable as opposed to studying in Europe & UK ( the Euro Dollar & British Pounds have been appreciating….)
- Thus it’s a wise investment decision with a faster breakeven and realization of returns. Suppose you invest €60,000 for the one year program, versus to almost double the cost, start with an average €80,000 post-MBA income package, the breakeven point could be (hopefully) 2-3 years after MBA.
(** For information on financing MBA, please note that many factors will affect the investment returns, particularly lifestyle, availability of cost-free funding and post-MBA employment package)
- INSEAD offers one of the most diverse and global class mix
- Since almost everyone is a minority and a foreigner ( French and Singaporean only made up around 16% of the class), the student community having to spend time together intensively is closely knit. It thus probably explains for its strong alumni participation.
- Internship is still possible provided you enroll into the January intake
- And of course, it is one of the top MBA worldwide.
-
Other 2-year top MBA might counter the case with the followings:
- a 2-year period provides more time to establish stronger relationships with your peers and visiting alumni, who quite probably would be your colleagues, supervisors, business partners etc
- might have a better chance of building long lasting friendships since you suffer and play hard together for longer
- can afford to have (in terms of time, not necessarily of money) more career treks, seminars by prominent speakers, projects with companies, leisure travel etc
- internship is definitely possible and almost crucial if you aim for a finance/banking position
- given that most of us need to work a further 30-years, a 2-year career break in an exciting school sounds enticing
( well.. while one might achieve financial independence to retire earlier, working by choice is usually encouraged for health reasons)
- other geographical location might be more attractive
Some of us proceeded to have a drink with a fun-loving MBA student (…he’s youngest among us..argghh..). It’s great to know friends with the similar ambition and demeanors, and exchange information on different MBA schools.
In general, the feedback is that the European MBA culture is friendlier. Not that the key motive to get a MBA is to socialize with friendly people, but it will make the learning process much more enjoyable. Coming from an academic background of people so reluctant to share and learn together, I have been moved by the generosity of people who do not only care for themselves.
The information session exceeded my expectation. I was told that if anyone loves INSEAD, he would not like London Business School, and vice versa. The two offer quite different MBA experience. It’s an individual’s preference and there will be more to find out.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Successful management
Someone commented that a successful manager aims to create a self-sufficient system and groom a successor. This is to make himself eventually redundant at the mundane operational ground and be free to focus on navigating the business forward.
Why MBA ?
I had lunch with a nice colleague who recently graduated from a MBA and has been very helpful for my MBA preparation. Frankly I do not have the luxury of being acquainted with many MBA graduates. Such qualification is not deemed necessary in my industry and most of my friends who plan to do a MBA have yet to act. Local courses are usually preferred as the total related cost will just be a fraction of getting a top MBA overseas. The local MBA my friend took costs him approximately USD $15,000 and zero extra living expense. The institution from which he graduated is decently included in the top 100 MBA worldwide. By the way, he has a good credential and a 700 GMAT score, thus in my opinion should be a qualified top MBA candidate if he wanted to. He has high praises for the MBA experience which broadens his perspective of how the various aspects of an organization function together.
The key consideration is of course financial.
I am not a deep-pocketed person. So he asked, why do I bother to burden myself that much? Is the key motivation to study overseas?
It all boils down to the different career path we are seeking. I think.
Living overseas certainly is a huge pull factor. Less so for the glamour attached to an overseas study experience which I already have, but more for the exposure and exploration while I am still young and carefree. After spending 14 years in the same country, it is time to venture beyond this comfort zone and learn different skills. I can’t wait to learn in a dynamic environment with classmates from all around the world. Thus, even if I eventually enroll into INSEAD MBA, I would spend a maximum of one term in Singapore for my mother.
From what I understand, to switch career to my targeted industry post-MBA, a top MBA well recognized for its strength in finance will give me a higher success rate at getting a job overseas. It is impossible to get the same quality of learning environment, internship opportunity and experienced faculty staff except at the top MBA. The overall MBA experience should accelerate one’s career progress, among the rest, to justify the high opportunity cost involved.
The networking opportunity is another reason for choosing an overseas MBA. Who could undermine the power of networking to bring you to the right places? The industry here is still at its developing phase and the main playing fields are thousand miles away. I need to learn from the best before deciding the place to settle down.
The road chosen is tougher but challenging. So best wishes to all who are seeking the same path.
The key consideration is of course financial.
I am not a deep-pocketed person. So he asked, why do I bother to burden myself that much? Is the key motivation to study overseas?
It all boils down to the different career path we are seeking. I think.
Living overseas certainly is a huge pull factor. Less so for the glamour attached to an overseas study experience which I already have, but more for the exposure and exploration while I am still young and carefree. After spending 14 years in the same country, it is time to venture beyond this comfort zone and learn different skills. I can’t wait to learn in a dynamic environment with classmates from all around the world. Thus, even if I eventually enroll into INSEAD MBA, I would spend a maximum of one term in Singapore for my mother.
From what I understand, to switch career to my targeted industry post-MBA, a top MBA well recognized for its strength in finance will give me a higher success rate at getting a job overseas. It is impossible to get the same quality of learning environment, internship opportunity and experienced faculty staff except at the top MBA. The overall MBA experience should accelerate one’s career progress, among the rest, to justify the high opportunity cost involved.
The networking opportunity is another reason for choosing an overseas MBA. Who could undermine the power of networking to bring you to the right places? The industry here is still at its developing phase and the main playing fields are thousand miles away. I need to learn from the best before deciding the place to settle down.
The road chosen is tougher but challenging. So best wishes to all who are seeking the same path.
Moving Forward
Having to start a new life so fundamentally different without all my close friends and family around is overwhelming.
To at last have the chance to fulfill a dream much delayed is exciting.
The journey began because the fear of living in regrets when I am older grew stronger. As life got absorbed into the hectic mundane, the energy to pursue one’s dream could be worn out.
Here’s wishing all of you a fulfilling life which embraces any change bravely.
To at last have the chance to fulfill a dream much delayed is exciting.
The journey began because the fear of living in regrets when I am older grew stronger. As life got absorbed into the hectic mundane, the energy to pursue one’s dream could be worn out.
Here’s wishing all of you a fulfilling life which embraces any change bravely.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Friendliness is not necessarily preferred
It's a fine thin line between being friendly and having no opinion.
I usually prefer to be courteous and listen more when approaching strangers, especially when I'm at the receiving end of a favour or advice.
Who likes to help someone who takes thing for granted?
It appears however, a higher dose of aggressiveness or super-confidence is preferred when at the other end I have the successful confident MBA achievers.
Pardon my ignorance, but if I already have 100% information on the 'what-to-do-and-not-to-do' I would not throw myself to ask 'stupid' questions. Forgive me for I don't view myself as the 'come-beg-me-to-attend-your-topMBA' candidate.
I practise risk management, ie. use all known resources to assess the possible strategies so that the risk is minimized.
When the stake is high, I have many considerations.
I usually prefer to be courteous and listen more when approaching strangers, especially when I'm at the receiving end of a favour or advice.
Who likes to help someone who takes thing for granted?
It appears however, a higher dose of aggressiveness or super-confidence is preferred when at the other end I have the successful confident MBA achievers.
Pardon my ignorance, but if I already have 100% information on the 'what-to-do-and-not-to-do' I would not throw myself to ask 'stupid' questions. Forgive me for I don't view myself as the 'come-beg-me-to-attend-your-topMBA' candidate.
I practise risk management, ie. use all known resources to assess the possible strategies so that the risk is minimized.
When the stake is high, I have many considerations.
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