WAs a recent graduate of the General Electric Experienced Leadership Program, you’ve been on rotational assignments in California, India—and now you’re in New York City. Have your experiences taught you how to network more effectively?
The way I operate, I am always networking—no matter where I am or what I’m doing. It’s not just about meeting someone and taking down their number. It’s about connecting with them, and building some sort of relationship. If you recognize that someone is in a position or an industry that you’re interested in, then you need to be proactive. Find a chance to get to know them, and give them a chance to get to know you.
Being in the GE program, I’ve had a lot of opportunities to meet and work with leaders. I wanted them to get to know me so that at the end of the project they could say, “I know Shaman and this is what she can do.” That builds your network, and your reputation.
What’s been the “return on your investment” in the MBA program? Can you apply what you learned in your MBA classes to what you do now?
The accelerated program is fast-moving, and I think that’s carried one of the greatest impacts. I think that the whole point of an MBA is to make you think differently, and find new ways to approach challenges. The professors did that, and they put the rigor in the speed. That’s something that I’ve had to do well at GE. When I’m on a six-month assignment, there’s no time to dilly-dally. I have to jump right in and run.
In the MBA program, you’re also learning how to work on teams—how to balance everyone’s strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, you’re learning how to get everything done. So the coursework, the cases, the methodology—all of that helps, but the greatest value is in how the professors challenge you.The six-week project overseas is another strong component of the program. You’re put into a situation where you want to deliver, and deliver well. My project was in Heidelberg, Germany, and I wound up presenting something that the client utilized. The fact that I was able to do that set me up for the GE’s Leadership Program.
What prompted you to earn an MBA?
I love design strategy. I wondered what it would be like to be on the client side—and I knew that brand managers have MBAs. So that was partly what motivated me to go back. Now I get to set the strategies for the campaigns I run, and work with the agencies to create my vision. I love that.
What are your long-term ambitions?
Consumer marketing for NBC is my ultimate dream job. It marries components of entertainment with trying to create these relationships with people on a very emotional level. I love going to work every day—and I think you need that.
As it is, my last program assignment will be up in a month, so I’m trying to figure out what I’ll be doing next for GE in an off-program role. I do feel like I’m in a good place, even though it’s a tough time in the economy. At the end of the day, if I find a role that allows me to be creative, strategic, and bring new ideas to the table, I’ll be happy.
Has earning your MBA bolstered your career?
My MBA degree was probably the greatest turning point in my life. That was the gate that I had to go through. I think of my life now in two periods: Before my MBA, and after it. The MBA gave me not just the knowledge that I needed, but also gave me confidence, credibility, and some kind of leverage to succeed in the business world.
My primary interest is in aerospace, and my MBA internship with GE Aviation was very, very useful—probably one of the most important things that I achieved during the program.
How well does the Miami alumni network function?
In my opinion, it functions well. Master Chemical in North America sent notice of a job opening to the FSB marketing department, and then the marketing department sent the job description to the MBA office. I said, “Hey, that looks good,” and I wound up getting the job.
Also, when I was doing my internship with GE Aviation, I found a Miami MBA alumna who was already working for GE. She gave me some insights, and it was quite beneficial to understand what the company was all about. That was a classic alumni story.
Do you have any networking advice for today’s MBA students?
If you want to find a job in a particular industry or company, you can probably find an alum working there already. Ask FSB staff members and faculty if they know of anyone, and if they can help you find out how to contact them. Getting in touch is a good way to get some useful knowledge—and who knows?—maybe something more. These connections can also be beneficial for students with a particular international interest.
I understand that as an alumnus, you’ve extended that kind of help to later students. How did that happen?
When I was leaving my company in North America to come to Europe, I suggested to my boss that he find a person from Miami to replace me. I got in touch with Brad Bays, the director of the MBA program, who offered to arrange things. So we went down to Miami, conducted interviews, and found someone for the job.
As it turned out, the company was also looking to fill another position, and a supply chain management major filled that. Miami University turned out to be a great source of good people for that company, and it was a good way for Miami students to get exposure to a potential employer. Everyone benefits.
Why did you enter the MBA program and did you accomplish your objective?
I entered the MBA program to achieve a career change in a meaningful way. Before applying for a new job, I wanted to broaden my perspective and gain exposure to new industries and people to better understand into which direction I should take my career.
The program helped me become more fluent in my interactions with people and boosted my confidence. Through many different interactions - at the internship, during the Molson Case Competition in Canada, and during the Global Consultancy - I became more comfortable dealing with the business environment. I used the time at Miami to learn how to listen to people and how to present my ideas in a strategic way.
Tell me about your experience networking during the program and then eventually finding a job in Europe.
I am probably not the best one to talk about networking as this concept is somewhat foreign to Europeans. Talking to people and passing around my business card was definitely a different approach and a new experience for me. However, it was great to meet so many interesting people and I built contacts not just for the benefit of finding a job but to expand my horizon and learn from other people's experience.
In the end, I realized that my initial goal of working in private equity was going to be difficult to achieve in the U.S. as the financial sector was hurting. Thus, I started looking at opportunities in Europe more closely. The contact with Danaher Corp. came through Brad Bays [the director of the MBA program] and after interviewing both in Denmark and Germany, my wife and I were happy to move to Copenhagen as she found a job working for the United Nations in the city.
What are you future career aspirations?
Over the next couple of years, I want to learn the ins and outs of the Radiometer Medical group at Danaher Corp. I like that my options to grow within the company are plentiful - an important goal for me is to manage other employees. For the time being I want to spend more time perfecting my current job which is a complicated one.
In my pre-MBA job, as an auditor for Deloitte, I missed having a direct impact on the business. My position as Global R&D and Operations Business Controller at Danaher, Corp. allows me to work in a fast-paced and metrics-driven environment that pushes me to absorb a huge amount of information quickly and put my multitasking abilities to use. Danaher’s ability to adapt well to an ever changing environment makes me feel like I operate at the forefront of the global business community. I am very happy at the company I work for now.
Alex, what is your advice to incoming students?
I took advantage of the abundant opportunities to meet business leaders through the MBA program and would advice incoming students to do the same. By talking to people from different industries with different backgrounds, such as guest speakers, fellow students, professors, and business leaders, students should explore what excites them and what type of work they could be passionate about.
Sometimes it is better to wait until you find a job you really want and not just take any job. Otherwise you won’t perform at your maximum potential and cannot compete with another person who is excited about the position. But also know that you should push your employer or manager and demand the things that you would like to get out of a position if your requirements are not met.
