I am currently a Mechanical Engineering, Business Management, and Japanese language (minor) undergraduate student who is in need of some guidance regarding MBA programs.I hope to pursue a career on the international level where I can be an executive, or representative, of a company who manages:
-Negotiations
-Collaborations
-Project development
-etc
…within the high tech engineering field.
I am doing everything possible to become a more well rounded, diverse, and “one of a kind” candidate.
I have done is tried to achieve a global perspective and understanding of international markets (mainly Asia). I have:
-Studied in USA, China, and Japan (#1,2, and 3 economies in the world)
-Studied in California, Hong Kong, and Tokyo (largest american economy, most stable Chinese economy, and largest metropolitan economy in Asia)
-I speak 4 Languages
-Pursuing multiple degree background to understand both aspects of the industry (engineering and management)
-Competed on international teams
-Current honors student within my university
-4 internships
-and much more
I am trying to determine which program would be right for me and when I should seriously pursue it.
One program that has heavily peaked my interest is
-Booth Business School in Chicago
I understand that I will have to gain professional experience, work off some/much of my undergraduate debt, etc; however, I know where I want to be in my career and where I will be able to be myself. I just turned 22; but, by the ages of 27-31, I want to seriously be pursuing my MBA.
Is there any advice you might be able to offer me?
Thank you.
(Sorry for the terrible grammar, wrote this on my phone)
There are lots of well respected MBA programs. It’s sort of like asking what’s the best engineering program. It depends on who you ask. In the case of business though there’s even fewer tangible measures. Facilities and labs don’t come into play like they do in assessing an engineering program. Expanding on why you’re interested in Booth might give some guidance to other posters. You might also try the business forum.
@eyemgh hello, I am heavily interested in Booth because of the fact its heavily respected for the international MBA, alumni network, and ability to network overseas; however, the more I reach out to the university, the less information I receive.
I understand that they might be busy, or they don’t deal with undergrads asking questions; but, it gets frustrating not being able to talk to an operator or assistant about the program.
I am hoping others might be able to give me some advice regarding this topic of Booth and my career path.
There are so many top notch MBA programs, Harvard, Wharton, Stanford, Haas, London, Duke just to name a few, that I certainly wouldn’t focus just on Chicago. Beyond that, you need to broaden your search to make sure you find one you’re certain you’ll get into (top schools like that receive more qualified candidates than they have spots for) AND that you’ll be able to afford. As for which one, I’ll leave that to others to answer. My suspicion though is that it’s better asked in a business forum.
Now for the bigger issue. Why are you even thinking about this now if you won’t even be applying for 5 years. Your interests may change and many dynamics in the world will certainly change. Maybe your energy and focus could be better spent elsewhere, keeping this simmering on the back burner.
I’m currently in the same situation (undergrad engineering student anticipating earning an MBA in the next fiveish or tenish years), and the best advice I can give you would be to talk to your network - hopefully at your four internships you made connections who could share where they got MBAs/from where they tend to hire MBAs. Now, that is a little less relevant if none of those companies are the sort of company you can see yourself working in the future, but hearing why a particular MBA program was chosen from people and companies you respect can be really worthwhile. The business schools I’ve encountered the most interning at a major tech company have been: Harvard Business School, Tuck School of Business, Johnson Graduate School of Management, Darden School of Business, and Mendoza College of Business. Hope this helps!
@eyemgh I understand; however, I have been pursuing this for quite some time. Nearly 4 years. I dont really want to be settled down. The international life is where I am happy. studying, volunteering, working, etc.
Also, the reason I have not been focused on Harvard, Hass, Stanford, etc is because I don’t like the atmosphere of the school. All those are amazing schools; however, after I got accepted into some of them and my initial visits, I did not enjoy the campus or student body. My personality was a little more aggressive and focused. But, things will defiantly be different; however, I dont know if they will be worse or better. I also dont want to take a risk to find out.
If you are choosing an MBA institution based on the culture of the undergraduates you are being silly and artificially limiting yourself. In your MBA program you won’t be schmoozing with the anthropology undergraduates or math undergraduates or anything like that. You’ll be dealing pretty exclusively with the small cadre of your peers who are also in the program with you and your professors, plus whatever business connections are involved at said program. Don’t be silly here.
@boneh3ad It goes beyond the classroom. Being comfortable in a city, surroundings, etc is a major part of where one can truly be able to flourish.
I never said I disrespected the regions; however, I did state that I felt very uncomfortable there.
My decisions overall is heavily influenced by the ability to go into the international scale. The research I have done leads me to believe Chicago is the best option for me; however, that is why I asking for others guidance.
What can help me become best situated for my goals? How should I go about research? Etc.
Have you considered where you might be working at that point in your life? There are companies that help pay for MBAs while you are one of their employees.
