Isabell, were you accepted by other MBA programs comparable to Miami’s? If so, what were the strongest deciding factors in Miami’s favor? I was accepted at The Ohio State University to the Fisher MBA program and at The Pennsylvania State University to the Smeal MBA program; both excellent options. However, these programs did not allow me to integrate an internship or a working-abroad opportunity as Miami’s MBA program does. Moreover, my undergraduate experience taught me that I perform best in an environment with fewer students. At Miami I share a classroom with 26 other students when in the other two programs I would have been one student among more than 100.
What are your thoughts so far with Boot Camp nearly completed? So far, Boot Camp was a great way to refresh my knowledge of finance and accounting, two business functions I was not too fond of during my undergraduate studies. I actually became to like accounting very much because the course is taught by an excellent teacher who also has a lot of relevant business experience. Given my undergraduate major and work experience, classes such as marketing and strategy were easier for me and allowed me to spend more time on finance. Managing my time and prioritizing my tasks are probably the most valuable lessons learned during Boot Camp. Hopefully, this training will help me to cope in the fall when we add the internship and the graduate assistantship to the regular class work.
What advice do you have for international students considering Miami’s MBA Program? Appling to the program early is probably the best advice that I followed because it allowed me to consider all programs I applied to side by side and then decide for the best fit. If you feel that Miami is a good fit for you, please take into account that Miami University is located in a small town, not a metropolitan area with public transportation. Many of the international students opted to buy a car since they arrived, which allows them to explore the surroundings of Oxford, OH, by taking trip to Cincinnati, Columbus or even Chicago. I actually purchased a bicycle and enjoy riding to class across the beautiful campus.
How do you foresee your MBA experiences affecting your previously-established career goals? While I did not switch the area of marketing that I am interested in since I started the program, I am now much more confident that I will find my ideal position. This is because the people associated with the MBA program and the Farmer Business School are connected to many top level executives in major multinational corporations around the world and they help me network by putting me in touch with their contacts.
Living in this region of Ohio and attending another area school for your undergraduate degree, you know universities in the vicinity well. Why did you pick Miami for your MBA? This program is the most unique and diverse. The built-in local internships and global consultancy simply can’t be beat. Our program provides incredible opportunities which prepare us well for future business success.
You are one of the MBA’s who commutes to campus. How is that working out? Is finding time for team meetings difficult? The drive definitely takes time out of each day. It pushes my time management skills to the limit. One of my classmates living close to campus has graciously offered the opportunity to stay with her, and I have been doing that twice a week. Some other members of my study team commute, and we’ve adapted by meeting during our long mid-day class break and immediately after class. Everyone is willing to work around each others’ schedules.
As one who previously studied business, what is the value of the program’s summer bootcamp, which covers basic business concepts, vocabulary, best practices, etc.? I am a recent business graduate, yet have found bootcamp very useful. Some topics have been introduced that are completely new, while yes, there is some review. However, even the subjects that are mainly review have been helpful as they have solidified my understanding and provided slightly different perspectives. Expertise in a certain area (in my case statistics) gave me the opportunity to assist other students in their learning. Overall, the result is a better understanding for everyone and the opportunity to work with classmates outside our immediate teams.
What are your post-graduation career plans? How will this program help you achieve your goals? I would like to stay with our family businesses, as one day I will be full owner. The program is helping me gain broader perspective and knowledge. Through my internship at Kodak, I also have the opportunity to see first-hand how a larger company conducts business. Our program provides amazing networking opportunities that will be useful long-term. Also, having an MBA from Miami University’s Farmer School of Business will provide a great foundation should I decide to change careers down the road.
What do you think of Miami’s 14-month program format as opposed to the traditional two-year format? Will you be missing out on anything? I feel the 14-month program is great as it allows someone to only forego 14 months of salary and return to the workforce quicker than a traditional 2-year program. The shorter program also allows for cost savings from tuition, rent, etc…
I understand Miami MBA’s often work in teams. Describe your current team and what you see as benefits of Miami’s focus on teams? My team is very diverse. We have a range in ages from 23-32 including three American students, one South African student and one Chinese student. The diversity has been an excellent way for me to experience other cultures and other viewpoints.
What are your post-graduation plans? How will this program help you achieve your goals? I plan on returning to work with a focus on distribution and supply chain management. The program has better educated me on those daily business activities that I had little or no exposure to in my previous work experience. Having a broader and better understanding of multiple business functions will allow me to make a bigger impact and better serve the company and its customers.
You received your undergraduate degree from Miami and obviously decided to return for your MBA. What advice do you have for other Miami alums considering the program? Don’t let the fact that you went to Miami for undergrad deter you from looking into the MBA program. Professors are different (though not all), classes are different and the overall atmosphere inside and outside of the classroom is different from what was experienced during undergrad. Take a look at the programs benefits and weigh them against other accelerated programs and 2-year programs. Miami should be at the top of your list.
Toni, you are one of the students married, with a family. How big an impact is the MBA program on your family time? I’ll say the impact is moderate. Don’t get me wrong, the program is demanding, but it is a matter of time management. I am still able to make time for the family when I get home after class, but my wife has really been very supportive. Without her support, it would have been more difficult. So for me now, life is normal… as if I’m in a job. The MBA Program is my job now.
As an international student, how has your experience been with becoming part of the MBA student community? Have you been welcomed? It has been a wonderful experience for me so far - the caliber of students in the class, the Professors, the various extra curricula activities, etc. I feel welcomed and part of both the academic and social environment.
You came to the MBA program with an engineering background. How easy or difficult has it been to adapt to studying business? How helpful has the bootcamp been in providing business basics?I think I am the person benefiting the most from this program (at least that’s how I see it) because of my Engineering background. There are so many new things for me to learn; now I am developing a solid business mind-set as opposed to only technical problem-solving. If you hold an undergraduate degree in Business, you may not appreciate it as much as some of us engineering students do. The gradual immersion into business through the Boot Camp keeps the program from being frustrating for me. It is short and concise providing me with the basic tools I need for the program.
What advice would you give an international student considering the Miami MBA program? I’ve found that Miami makes a point of bringing together people from different cultures. The variety of cultural influences makes for a unique global learning environment. The Business School is highly recognized and respected in the business world, which is important. Additionally, the location of the school is convenient, the weather is beautiful, the people are friendly and the standard of living is economical. I would say it just feels like home. You’ll have fun. Plus, I love sports and there is a wide variety to choose from.
Julie, you were living and working on the East Coast and were admitted to some programs in that area prior to joining Miami’s program. What were the main factors in choosing Miami? I wanted an accelerated program so I could get back into the work force, but I didn’t want to give up certain opportunities offered in the traditional programs such as an internship and opportunity to study outside the U.S. Miami offered the whole package. Plus, the Business School and University have outstanding faculty and strong reputations.
What do you think of the Miami program’s 14-month format as opposed to the traditional two-year format? Will you be missing out on anything? I don’t think I will be missing out on anything. I was looking for a general MBA program vs. specializing in a specific function, which is more common in a traditional two-year format. The Miami program includes a challenging internship that runs simultaneously with the fall and spring semester. Instead of spending the time to look for an internship during the first year, Miami does all the work recruiting companies and assigning students based on their work experience and interest.
Miami’s class size is small. How does that impact learning? I find learning in a close-knit environment the most beneficial. It forces everyone to contribute, which leads to great class discussions and a lot more faculty interaction. The professors are always available outside of class and many times provide cell phone numbers.
MBA programs are often criticized for ignoring “soft-skill” development. How does Miami’s program address these skills? We have a lot of team projects and presentations. The teams are diverse with each member having a particular strength in a field based on prior work experience. The smaller program also provides ample opportunities to get to interact with all of your classmates.
Last modified on 9/19/08 | Content maintained by MBA Program
