Jéremie

Hi, I am Jeremie. I worked as a Senior Analyst at Hawkpoint Partners for almost four years before getting an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. I also have a BA in Applied Economics from the Universite Paris Dauphine and a Master of Science in Computer Science and Electrical and Communications Engineering from Telecom SudParis.

I am a telecom engineer first, but I always dreamt of working in the field of investment banking. However, this was difficult for me as I did not have the requisite degree to make the career switch. I realized that an MBA would be the right framework to help me gain credibility if I intended to make the switch into the field of investment banking. Hence, I decided to go for a full-time MBA Program in a reputed program like Chicago Booth which would also allow me to get an internship in the specific field and help me attain my dream of becoming an investment banker.

Being quite good in English and a quant, I easily got 750 on the GMAT. However, what I found most difficult about the application was the personal statement. As an engineer, I am familiar with numbers more than words, and writing, in any form, does not come easy to me, specifically writing about myself. Moreover, the introspection required for this kind of writing was also a bit too much for me. Thankfully, I got the wonderful support from the MBA Center in this regard and I was able to come up with something apt for the application process.

A full-time MBA at Chicago Booth was one of my strongest periods of study. The classes are intense with students from various parts of the globe working in tandem. There are numerous societies and groups you could be a part of to make your social life more exciting. In fact, you can be a part of multiple groups. I was an active member of the Booth Technology Group, the European Business Group, and the Soccer Club during my time there. The world-class teaching, the facilities provided and the general ambiance are perhaps a few of the reasons to choose Booth.

One mistake I made while I was looking to do my MBA was being too focused on investment banking. The MBA is a degree with a lot of scopes. It is important that you have a broad approach while you think about doing this program. Sometimes, the plans will need to change midway, and it will be easier if you have a broader approach to why you want to do an MBA. Another thing that I recommend is asking yourself the right question before starting an MBA. Understand that the MBA is not just about taking the GMAT or passing a contest. It is more about convincing a committee about yourself: who you are, what you want to do, what you can contribute, etc, and I suggest that people take a deep introspection about that because people are so focused on the GMAT and other preparations that they forget to look into this part. Work in advance. Do not wait for the last few months to start preparing. And get the help of professionals like the MBA Center. They have been in the industry for longer than you have, and they understand the intricacies of the process better than you ever will.