Can you tell us more about yourself?
My name is Michel and I am an Engineer. I completed my Bachelor in Electronics and Electrical Engineering and a Master in Applied Computer Science from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. While I was pursuing my Masters I was also working as a Sales Executive for a Personal Financial Planning Software working to promote Distriplan. I began working for IBM in 2000, starting as an Account Manager and eventually moving up to Chief Information Officer, Senior Manager Channels, EMEA, a position I still hold. I am also a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
What prompted you to apply for an EMBA?
I am a software engineer by training with a Master's in Applied Computer Science. I had a career at IBM where I evolved from a software developer into a key account manager and then into a software consultant. My job, however, has always stayed on the lines of an engineer. During this time I also decided to invest in ventures. Some of these turned out to be successful while the rest weren’t. After a point I decided that it was time for me to make a career switch and after talking to several of my friends who advised me to go for formal training before doing so and I thought that the best program for me would be the MBA Program at Chicago Booth as it would not only give me an excellent education but also a degree that is known worldwide and it would allow me to get the post MBA career that I was looking for. The Chicago EMBA program gives you an MBA degree upon completion of the course which was something I wanted. My interest lies in finance and Chicago Booth focuses on finance. Also, Chicago Booth offers a truly international MBA as it offers classes in London, Chicago, and Hong Kong. I could complete my studies at any of the three locations and this was a great opportunity for my career development.
What did you find the most difficult in the application process?
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business does not require a GMAT. They pay more attention to the application and the interview. Apart from Chicago Booth, I had also applied to the MBA programs such as TRIUM and NYU. Writing the applications for such programs was quite difficult. This was because even though I was pretty successful at what I had done so far, it was quite difficult to explain that I was looking for more through a change in career. Dr. Hubert Silly was very helpful in this regard as he helped me pick the right tone for my essays to explain to the committee what I needed and why I felt the MBA and a career change were necessary for me. Another challenging aspect of the process was the interviews. Interviews for Executive MBA programs carry a lot of weight. Considering that, and the fact that I had no real experience with managing people even though my work was mainly team related, it was very difficult to justify my choice of a program like Chicago Booth which places a great deal of importance on the leadership and management attributes of its candidates.
What is life like at Chicago Booth?
The EMBA classes at Chicago Booth are very flexible and they suit the life of a professional like me. I was very happy with the quality of the program and the wealth of study material provided. There are many EMBA programs but I preferred Chicago Booth as it is a prestigious program with a great tie-up with MBA programs in other continents. Also, the degree of MBA that I would be getting upon completion of the course was very valuable to me as I looked to make a complete change in my career.
What would be your advice to someone applying for an MBA program?
Do not be influenced by rankings. Rankings are not the only criteria by which you should judge a school. You need to understand the school and its values first. Find a program that aligns with your values. Chicago Booth was the perfect choice for me but might not be the same for you.
I made the mistake of not asking for sponsorship. Find a sponsor for your MBA, someone who believes in you and will help you finance your MBA and also help you with your post MBA plan. I had to do this on my own and I realized it was my mistake. So I strongly recommend that you find a sponsor.
Finally, at MBA Center I was in class with a lot of students who got admitted to NYU, LBS, INSEAD, and other top MBA programs and I could see that MBA Center really made a difference. I can blindly recommend the MBA Center and Dr. Hubert Silly to all candidates wanting to apply for an MBA as their approach really makes a difference.