Posted by Linda Kazdova on Fri, Aug 27, 2010
Business schools pride themselves on training future leaders, not just educating a bunch of people who know how to calculate an IRR and overuse the word “leverage.” They look out for individuals who are concerned about doing great work and improving the world around them. Some young business people feel that even though they have not prioritized “extracurricular” activities early in their careers, they will definitely emphasize these sorts of activities once they are more established. However, more often than not, the patterns we establish towards community activities early in our careers remain fairly steady. If you feel that your commitment over the last several years to outside causes does not reflect the balance you want to establish in your life…well, put your money where your mouth is and get involved.
Leverage your interests
Why are extracurricular activities important to begin with?
- They show that an individual is multi-dimensional. They demonstrate interests, passions, and personality.
- Being involved outside of work shows that you can balance multiple commitments.
- They can show that you have a larger view of the world – that you see what is happening outside of your office and you are interested in being involved and contributing in some way.
- They make you a more interesting person – someone that can contribute to the diversity and vitality of a class and alumni network.
- It’s an opportunity to demonstrate qualities such as creativity, leadership, teamwork, communication skills, and initiative.
If you haven’t been participating in outside activities, look up a few opportunities on the internet and get involved next weekend. It’s really as simple as that, to be honest. Candidates who get involved even early in the year they apply will have a six- or even nine-month track record by the time apps are due. Or, if you have been involved with outside activities over the last couple of years, consider stepping your activities up a notch.
When thinking about ways to become more involved, don’t get hung up on traditional volunteer work. There are many, many ways to become involved and highlight your unique contributions. A good place to start is with your own interests and passions. Think hard about what excites you, and how you can leverage those interests.
Founded in 2001, Stacy Blackman Consulting has helped thousands of MBA applicants gain admission to the most selective business schools in the world. The Stacy Blackman team, comprised of MBA graduates, former admissions officers and expert writers, editors and marketers, helps clients develop and implement a winning marketing strategy. Stacy Blackman clients have a significantly increased probability of admission to top schools and are frequent recipients of merit scholarships. The company is regularly featured in publications such as BusinessWeek, the Wall Street Journal and the Economist. Visit the Stacy Blackman blog for daily news updates and admissions tips, and check out the company’s e-publications for more in depth school by school guidance.
Posted by Linda Kazdova on Fri, Aug 06, 2010
As the MBA application season is quickly approaching, FWL in partnership with Stacy Blackman Consulting is launching a new series of articles that will give you helpful tips on how to make progress in your application process. If you are interested in MBA mentorship program that is kicking off soon, please sign up here.
Your Candidacy: Transcript Issues to Consider
Many applicants have a selective memory when it comes to their transcript. They remember the 3.8 in their psychology major but have somehow blocked out the C in Calculus and the overall 2.7. Your transcript is what it is, and it will not change, no matter how many classes you take after the fact. However, if you have low grades, there are things you can do to somewhat offset the damage. The following are some potential transcript issues that can be tackled head on with a bit of advance planning:
- Low Overall GPA – A low overall GPA may raise a red flag for an admissions committee. They are seeking individuals with a track record of excellence, who prioritize academics and achievement, and who have the ability to excel academically. By taking a few classes now, you can offset some of their concerns. While straight A’s in post-undergraduate courses will not erase your original transcript, you can demonstrate that you have the ability to excel academically, that you have identified a weakness and are making an effort to rectify it, that you are committed to learning, and that you can balance multiple commitments successfully. All of this can help mitigate the damage done by poor undergraduate performance.
- Low grades in business or quantitative classes – Even if your overall GPA is high, if the two classes that you bombed were Calculus and Statistics, this could cause concerns about your ability to excel in a rigorous business school curriculum. For some of the same reasons detailed above, taking relevant classes now will help to put the admissions committee at ease.
- No business or quantitative courses on the transcript – If you are currently in a business role that does not require fluency with business or numbers, and you do not have any of these types of courses on your transcript, you might consider taking a class now. This will demonstrate an awareness of your deficiencies and help to provide a level of comfort around your abilities.
Finally, if you do plan to take some extra classes, some suggested courses to take are Calculus, Statistics, and Accounting. These basics will set the groundwork for a typical MBA curriculum.
Founded in 2001, Stacy Blackman Consulting has helped thousands of MBA applicants gain admission to the most selective business schools in the world. The Stacy Blackman team, comprised of MBA graduates, former admissions officers and expert writers, editors and marketers, helps clients develop and implement a winning marketing strategy. Stacy Blackman clients have a significantly increased probability of admission to top schools and are frequent recipients of merit scholarships. The company is regularly featured in publications such as BusinessWeek, the Wall Street Journal and the Economist. Visit the Stacy Blackman blog for daily news updates and admissions tips, and check out the company’s e-publications for more in depth school by school guidance.
Posted by Shradha Balakrishnan on Thu, Jun 24, 2010
Guest post by Stacy Blackman ConsultingAll aspects of the MBA application process will benefit from careful preparation. From your initial planning all the way to the interview, there is a lot to gain from investing hours up front. If you are planning to apply to business school in the fall, you may be wondering what you can do now to prepare. Aside from solidifying career goals and researching target schools, you can take several actions to improve your candidacy now that will pay dividends in the fall.
Community Involvement
Now is a great time to deepen or establish your involvement with a community organization. Consider roles that will allow you to take a leadership position and create real impact before September. Offering to organize an event is a great discrete activity that will allow you to work in a team, have an impact, and show results. For more information on various opportunities to get involved, visit our post on extracurricular activities.
Academic Enhancement
Whether you had issues with your GMAT score or your undergrad GPA, you can take action now to improve your overall academics before the fall.
If you took the GMAT once or twice and did not receive the score you think you are capable of, consider a prep course to enhance your skills and remind you how to solve those high school math logic problems.
An undergrad GPA hovering around 3.5 is generally considered fine. If your GPA is a 3.2 or below, or you majored in liberal arts, you may consider taking quantitative classes to enhance your academic profile. The MBA canon generally consists of Calculus, Statistics and Microeconomics. If you took any of those classes in undergrad and scored a C or below you should certainly re-take the classes now. Where you take the class is much less important than the course material and grade (aim for A's!!). The local community college is a fine option.
Leadership and Management Potential
Being promoted between now and the fall would be the ideal scenario, but you don't have to wait for your boss to act in order to enhance your overall leadership and management potential for business school applications.
Volunteer for that cross-functional team or project, offer to help your boss with a tough long-term goal, or get involved with employee groups at work whether through volunteering in the community or promoting diversity in your company. Letting others at work know you are interested in developing your people skills may uncover more opportunities to go above and beyond, and provide great material for your resume and essays.
As you prepare for application season, make sure you are taking action that lines up with your passions and overall goals. If you are preparing for your long-term future with excitement, you will be far more effective!
Please register for FWL MBA Application Workshop hosted by Stacy Blackman Consulting here.
Stacy Blackman MBA Admissions Consulting - personalized, comprehensive assistance with every stage of the application process.
Posted by Shradha Balakrishnan on Mon, Jun 21, 2010
Calling all potential MBAs!
Thinking about going to business school? Studying for the GMAT? Mulling over the application essays?
The Harvard Club of San Francisco invites FWL members and friends to participate in a lively and interactive panel discussion with representatives of three of the world's top business schools on June 29 at the University Club. They'll be discussing curriculum
enhancements, job market prospects, global exchanges and
opportunities, and of course, admissions trends.
Hosted by Betsy Massar, Founder of Master Admissions and graduate of Harvard Business School, presenters include:
• Kirsten Moss, Director of Admissions, Stanford Graduate School of Business
• Hilary Caplan Somorjai, HBS '96, Harvard Business School Admissions Board Member and Career Coach
• Archana Ravichandran, Wharton MBA '08, Alumni Interviewer
• Erin Kellerhals, Associate Director of Admissions, Berkeley Haas
Full-time MBA Program
Plus, chat with recent b-school graduates during the networking
sessions before and after the panel discussion.
Cash bar, with complimentary appetizers
Open to Harvard Club/Ivy Plus Club members and their guests.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
6 pm cocktails, program at 7 pm
University Club
800 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA
$15 members of HCSF and co-sponsoring orgs
$25 non-members
Registration required by: 6/28/2010
Register here.
Posted by Shradha Balakrishnan on Sat, May 15, 2010
Guest post by Anna MillerNot all of us know what we want to become early in life; in fact, there are stages we go through where we move from one ambition to another before we finally decide before or in college what we really wish to do with the rest of our lives.
And even after we make this decision, there are other choices to make – do you need to continue with your education or are you ready to jump into a job? When you’re a woman, this decision becomes even more crucial considering that you have to weight your personal life against your professional one and try to balance the two equally.
Some women are happy being wives and full-time moms; they’re fulfilled by taking care of the home and looking after their families. Others need to achieve some level of professional success even before they can think of settling down. They usually take a break from work during their pregnancies and come back in a few months or when they feel their children are old enough to cope without them. And yet others prefer to immerse themselves in their profession without thinking too much about their personal lives; for these women, career success is an important life goal.
Grad school is a choice for those who are career oriented – if you want to become a doctor or a lawyer, you must apply for graduate studies and dedicate a good portion of your life to academia. But some aspiring professionals prefer to test the career waters before they go back to school to earn a graduate degree. For example, if you want to do an MBA or any other advanced business degree, it’s best to have some work experience under your belt.
Another deciding factor is money – it’s not cheap to earn an education these days. So if you’re struggling under a mountain of debt because of outstanding student loans, you’re likely to work for some time, pay off your loans, and earn enough to put yourself through grad school.
Also, women find that online education works well for them when they’re trying to juggle their personal and professional lives. Most of them don’t want to put their personal lives on hold just to pursue an education or a career – they prefer to do both simultaneously either because they’ve met the right man or because they feel their biological clocks ticking and want to start a family before it’s too late.
The choice of grad school or a job depends on:
- Your choice of career – some require you to apply for grad school immediately after your undergraduate degree while others allow you the freedom to work for a while before you decide to earn a master’s degree to further your career in terms of a promotion, raise, or both.
- Your personal preference – you may decide to stay in academia for a few more years rather than find a job.
- Your finances – you may be averse to taking out another loan to finance your graduate degree, so unless you’re able to find a scholarship, it’s best to start working so you can pay off your debt and start saving up for grad school.
This guest post is contributed by Anna Miller, who writes on the topic of online degree. She welcomes your comments at her email id: anna.miller009@gmail.com
Posted by Megan Bergtholdt on Wed, Feb 10, 2010
Future Women Leaders recently had the opportunity to chat with Jessica Wan, former FWL officer and currently a student at Berkeley's Haas School of Business. Jessica is this month's featured leader!
:: Tell me a bit about your background.
I'm originally from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and also grew up in Columbus, Ohio. I headed out west to attend Stanford University for my undergraduate studies, where I double-majored in Product Design (a multidisciplinary blend of mechanical engineering and art) and Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance. I've always enjoyed having diverse interests and hobbies in my life, and this really showed in college when I would be in the machine shop by day working on a lathe and singing in an opera at night.
:: Why did you decide to get an MBA?
I had been working for the San Francisco Opera as a marketing manager for three years, and I really enjoyed my job, loved the people I worked with, and admired the company. However, looking at my goals for the next 5-10 years and wanting to give more to my work required a basic level of business knowledge that I didn't yet have. I felt that of all types of companies, nonprofit organizations absolutely had the most to gain from their employees pursuing MBAs. On a personal level, I realized that I needed to learn more about the business world in general and that I wanted to make connections with a diverse set of people outside of my field.
:: What are the biggest work-related challenges you have faced? How did you overcome them?
Some of the biggest challenges I have faced have been in situations where I didn't have formal power or authority. Being a young professional in mature organization presents both a challenge and opportunity to implement change where it's needed. But getting buy-in from colleagues can be difficult as it may be perceived that the old way was flawed. The way I overcame these types of challenges was through building rapport and trust with colleagues and providing concrete information and data about the change. Also, don't underestimate the amount of time it may take for people to sway in your direction.
:: Tell me about the mentors you have had in your life.
I typically haven't set up formal mentorships with people I see as mentors; my mentors tend to be people whom I very much admire who have gone through the experience that I am going through at the time. For example, I see my voice teacher as an incredible mentor -- she plays multiple roles of teacher, coach, performer, businesswoman, mother, wife, and artist. And through it all, she remains authentic, passionate, and committed. Many of my mentors play many roles in their life, and it is their desire to be so multifaceted that draws me to them.
:: Anything you wish you had known when you were in earlier stages of your career?
Speak up! Negotiate! Don't be seen as over-willing or desperate. These are things I wish someone had told me in the beginning of my career. I think that when you're just starting out in the working world, you are so eager and excited to take on projects and challenges that you end up saying "yes" before you even hear the question. However, there is a fine line between enthusiasm and being taken advantage of. It's great to be excited about work, but just make sure you're truly wanting the opportunities you're seeking -- not just because you're expected to want them.
:: What are leadership qualities you value most in others?
Honesty, empathy, enthusiasm, authenticity, creativity, strong will, and a great listening ear.
:: What is your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement was to succeed at work, apply for business school, and maintain a peaceful home all while going through the most difficult personal period of my life. I had lost my mom - my best friend - and was going through all the cycles of grief and despair, yet I knew I had to somehow move forward. I continued working, devoted myself to my family, and took on the huge job of applying to grad school. It was the most intense year of my life, but I feel I came out of it a more mature and composed person. After that challenge, I felt I could take on anything.
:: Who inspires you?
Andy Goldsworthy, Placido Domingo, Mohammad Yunus, Jacqueline Novogratz, Barack Obama. My parents, my husband, my in-laws.
:: Do you have a mission statement or a tenet that you try to live by?
I really, really like Eleanor Roosevelt's tenet of doing something every day that scares you. I try to live up to this and hope to improve at it. I suppose my own mission statement would be something like "give your all, infuse creativity into your work and play, and let go of doubts and worries." Not as elegant as Eleanor's one-liner, but it works for me!
:: Do you have work/life balance?
At the present moment, I am blessed with incredible work/life balance as an MBA student. I know that will probably change once I move back into the working world, but I yearn to find a compromise such that the line between work and life isn't so defined. I desire a job that fulfills my life and a home life that supports and may even complement my work. My hope is that my life as a whole doesn't need to chunk into specific categories, but can operate as one well-oiled machine.
Posted by Shradha Balakrishnan on Mon, Jul 20, 2009
Are you interested in going to business school? Would you like to know
more about what it means to have an MBA and meet other women who share
your goals? Bring all of your questions about business school and the
years beyond the degree.
Come join other FWL women and hear a
fabulous panel of MBA women in various industries and stages of
careers. They will share their personal experiences and perspectives
on how they chose a career, what motivated them to pursue an MBA, and
what types of victories and challenges they encountered as part of the
journey.
Panelists include graduates of:
Haas
Harvard Business School
Wharton
other schools TBD
Agenda6:30-7:00PM Registration & Networking
7:00-8:00PM Panel Presentation
8:00-8:30PM Q&A
Event Details: July 28 | 6:30pm | Mechanics' Institute, San Francisco
RSVP NowContact Jennifer Hoffman at mba@futurewomenleaders.net if you have any questions.
Posted by Andrea Heilbronner on Wed, Jul 01, 2009
I was happy to come across an article in the New York Times yesterday about new loan programs pushed through by the Obama administration. (read the NYT article here)
Starting today, the federal government begins offering a loan repayment plan that lets graduates reduce their loan payments based on their income.
Additionally, the interest rate on new Stafford Loans will drop from 6% to 5.6% and will continue to fall to 3.4% in 2012 based on a schedule created by Congress.
While the interest rate cuts only apply to those taking out new loans, the repayment plan might apply to anyone with Federal higher-education loans.
Those whose income is low enough will have the balance of their loans forgiven after 25 years. Anyone who works in public service (and the definition of public service is broad and includes the government, nonprofits, education, public health, etc) can have their loans forgiven after 10 years.
As someone contemplating more school (graduate degree? MBA? a certificate program?) and working at a non-profit, I'm thrilled at the prospect of cheaper loans. Hopefully this will help some of the FWL women out there who are joining our MBA mentorship program or are paying off college loans.
For more information on the new income-based repayment, check out the Dept of Educations new website here.
Posted by Katherine Monahan on Wed, Jun 10, 2009
The Harvard Club of San Francisco invites FWL members and friends to participate in a lively and interactive panel discussion with representatives of three of the world's top business sc
hools on June 30 at the University Club. They'll be discussing changes in business curricula given the new economic environment, U.S. and international trends in applications and student profiles, the job market for post-MBA grads, and other current issues of the day.
Hosted by Harvard Business School graduate Betsy Massar, presenters include:
- Derrick Bolton, Stanford GSB '98, Assistant Dean and Director of Admissions, Stanford Graduate School of Business
- Hilary Caplan Somorjai, HBS '96, Harvard Business School Admissions Board Member and Career Coach
- Archana Ravichandran, Wharton MBA '08, Alumni Interviewer
Plus, chat with other recent b-school graduates and learn about their experiences before and after the panel discussion.
Click here to register: http://www.harvardclubsf.org/events/index.asp#568
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
6 pm cocktails, program at 7 pm
University Club
800 Powell Street @ California
San Francisco
$12 Members of Harvard or Ivy Plus Clubs (inc. Stanford, MIT, UC Berkeley, Northwestern)
$20 non-members
Price includes appetizers and cash bar
Posted by Megan Bergtholdt on Mon, Jun 01, 2009
:: Current Title & Company
Account Manager, Axioma Inc. I sell quantitative tools to asset managers and hedge funds.
:: Online Profile
LinkedIn
:: Favorite Book(s)?
The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen
Breaking Trail by Arlene Blum
Annapurna by Maurice Herzog
Eiger Dreams by Jon Krakauer
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
You may notice a theme here!
:: Women Leader That Inspires You?
It's very difficult for me to name just one as I am inspired by many women leaders in my life. Tonya Olpin did an independent study at Rice University about how to engage and connect professional women MBAs across the country and is now doing an amazing job running the National Association of Women MBAs as the Executive Director. Jen Klafin holds down a day job and also co-runs an organization called the Bay Area Adventure Racing Babes and Dudes. Arlene Blum who led the first all women's expedition to climb Annapurna, an 8000 meter peak in the Himalaya at the time unclimbed by any Americans, back in 1978 and now dedicates herself to the Green Science Policy Institute to reduce the toxins we are exposed to in everyday life. Kate Reid also has a day job and recently became a sole proprietor of a women's adventure travel company. Susan Bernstein who's career is totally dedicated to helping people find meaning in their work and being inspired in their lives. I could go on but you get the idea that if we look around there are women in our lives doing amazing things to lead, inspire, and contribute to society.
:: Who Was Your Best Manager? Why?
My best manager was Buck Rumely at Moody's KMV. Buck was a very warm, open person who seemed to always anticipate exactly when I needed help and when to step back and let me figure things out on my own. He was adept at giving credit where credit was due, and he was an amazing communicator.
:: Your First "Real" Job?
My first paying job was a Walgreens cashier at age 15 in Texas. I started working at that age because I just simply loved the independence and freedom that came from working. My first career-type job was as an industry analyst for an M&A broker called the Geneva Companies in Southern California. I really loved that job because I was always good at school. Being a research analyst didn't feel like a big departure so I grew into the role quite well. After three years of researching various technology industries, I moved over to the valuation side to stretch myself. I remember being very intimidated because there were almost no women and very few non-MBAs in that role, but I learned a valuable lesson that if I applied myself, it didn't matter what my age, gender, etc was as long as I performed. It's also the role that inspired me to get my MBA at Berkeley and move forward with a career in finance.
:: Where Do You Do Your Best Thinking?
For better or worse, I am an intense multi-tasker. I find that I have ideas and strategize when I am in the middle of something else. People often remark they don't understand how I do it all, but I have a healthy level of energy and I always keep my notebook with me to write things down as I think of them. I get intense satisfaction from checking things off my list!
:: What Do You Value Most in Employees? Colleagues?
Contrary to some management beliefs, I believe the most important characteristic in a person, whether employee, colleague, boss, client, is being a downright nice and decent person. The most technically competent employees that cannot get along with others won't go very far. However, most hard skills can be learned and being enjoyable to work with is priceless.
:: What Would You Like to Be the World's Best At?
Inspiring others to greatness, whatever form that may take for each person individually. I can't imagine a better legacy.
:: What Do You Consider Your Greatest Achievement?
Although my passion outside of work is high-altitude glacier mountaineering, which can be extremely difficult and rewarding, I would have to say that my greatest achievement was putting myself through undergrad while graduating first in my class. I have never worked so hard in my life as during my undergraduate studies when I held between one and three jobs at a time to pay for my schooling. I remarked at how much more I seemed to value my studies than many of my classmates - I didn't want to waste a penny by not taking advantage of what I could learn in each class. It was a very intense experience and I learned how to be organized, multi-task, and be resourceful financially. These are lessons that stick with me today even though life feels so much easier!
:: What Is Your Personal Mission Statement?
Generally, I want to have a positive impact on all those around me. With regard to my professional life, I am a bit of a unique salesperson in that I enjoy spending time with my colleagues sharing information or holding training sessions to share key learnings. With my clients, I think of them more as real people with real problems that hopefully I can help with my companies' solutions, rather than just seeing dollar signs across their foreheads. I am dedicated to several women's organizations to help break barriers so that women can achieve whatever they want. It doesn't matter to me whether that's to become a CEO or take as much time off as they want for personal growth. I also really love mentoring women individually - whether applying to business school, in job searches, breaking down fear of networking, or in outdoor activities such as backpacking, snowcamping, or climbing.