Can you tell us more about yourself?
My name is Pieter. I got my Bachelors Degree in Applied Engineering and Technology, Electro-Mechanics from Hogeschool Gent. I was given the opportunity to take part in an Erasmus Exchange Program to the Institut Universitaire de Technologie based in Correze for a semester. I trained in Industrial Engineering and Electro-Mechanics from Ghent University before joining the Jan de Nul Group.
What prompted you to apply for an MBA?
I am an industrial engineer trained in electromechanics and I had a fifteen-year career as Technical Superintendent at Jan De Nul Group. My job was too technical management in the offshore energy and dredging industries and organizing and supervision of workshops, teams and crew to service ships and auxiliary floating equipment during operations, repairs, dry docks, conversions, and new build constructions. Even though I really enjoyed the job, living far from home, in seas and difficult working conditions for over fifteen years took its toll. So I decided at 30 years of age that within the next ten years I would completely change my lifestyle and become an entrepreneur. My wife has developed a publishing house in Thailand called The Reading Room, and I wanted to spend the second phase of my career working on an education project developing the publishing house in Thailand, the home country of my wife.
Given my background, I saw that it would be very difficult for me to become an entrepreneur in the publishing sector right away and an MBA was absolutely necessary for me to acquire the fundamentals of marketing, sales, etc.
What did you find the most difficult in the application process?
The most difficult part of the process was definitely the GMAT. Having been out of touch with studies for so many years, I found the math quite difficult. My job is very operational and technical and the skills I developed there would in no way help me in the tests. So acquiring the knowledge, gaining the speed required to be able to answer the questions within the time limit, etc., proved a difficult task indeed. The verbal part of the GMAT also posed problems as the type of English that we use on a day to day basis on the work front in the seas is in no way similar to the type of English proficiency required by the GMAT. I had to relearn the language according to the requirements of the GMAT which is more academic. Added to it the fact that it was computerized testing, something that I had never done before. USC required a minimum of 640 in the GMAT. It was very challenging as I started with a score of 300.
Added to this was the fact that at that time I was based offshore in Canada and even though I was affiliated to the classes at MBA Center, it was very difficult for me to be regular for the classes or even take part in the regular classes. Dr. Hubert Silly spent time with me, disrupting his schedule to help me prepare for the GMAT. I am very thankful to him for his time and patience, helping me gain the knowledge, skills and expertise to help me tackle the difficult questions of the GMAT, and develop the aptitude for such a difficult test.
What is life like at USC Marshall School of Business?
USC Marshall is located in the heart of LA, an international center of industries and a key market connecting cultures and commerce. MBA students have many opportunities to strengthen and demonstrate their leadership skills to classmates, faculty, and recruiters through formal leadership opportunities and student-initiated projects and events. Apart from its study program and the international experience provided, USC Marshall also has many student-led programs that give back to the community.
What would be your advice to someone applying for an MBA program?
The first advice I would give prospective students is to believe in yourself. When I decided to apply for an MBA I was 40 years old. Many people advised me to do an Executive MBA. My knowledge was mostly technical, so it was difficult for me to tackle the GMAT. All these problems came, but I had the self-belief that I could be successful in my attempt. So believe in yourself, belief in your project, MBA Programs are looking for diversity, so your profile might be the one they might decide to take a chance on provided you exhibit some basic skills required to be successful in business.
Don’t underestimate the admission process. I come from Belgium where it is relatively easier to get into good programs such as the programs at Solvay and Vlerick. It is almost impossible not to get in once you apply. As such many Belgians believe that it is the same way with MBA Programs in Europe and the US. They are completely wrong. Even though these programs are very expensive, it is very difficult to get through the entire process which is very long and exhausting. It is important to be supported by a team of professionals. I met Dr. Hubert Silly and his team at an MBA fair and it is only after having worked with them that I see the difference that they have been able to have in my profile and application in order to allow me to be a successful applicant. They have an incredible knowledge of the MBA market and they recommended me to USC Marshall as they knew that it is a one year program and that it takes relatively older applicants. They also knew what USC was looking for and were able to help me translate that into my essay and my interview.