2008年2月26日 星期二

[Career Explorer]多大岁数的MBA应该放弃投行、咨询梦?

http://forum.chasedream.com/dispbbs.asp?boardid=13&id=163320&star=3#2791019
Q:
多大岁数的MBA应该放弃投行、咨询梦?
虽然说一切皆有可能,环顾四周我们甚至也能看到不少岁数不小却进了投行、咨询的个案,但是亲爱的朋友,我们的抉择还是要建立在行业潜规则和统计概率的基础上的。
因为没做过投行、也没做过咨询,所以想征询一下达人,MBA毕业多大岁数时应该挥眉耐耍?0岁?32?35?
3x

A:
See what happened in consulting industry this year
only 20+ fresh MBA got in BCG in Greater China
see how many consulting firms out there
and see how many people are applying mba every year

simply see how many members on this website
devide by the years it runs
the posibility is about 10 consultants out of 10,000 applicants
it's not about the age
it's about how competitive you are

and if you want to be a consultant
first thing is to be able to analyze yourself
analyze your own career
if you cannot handle your very own career
how can you analyze anything else?

[Career Explorer]What did I do Wrong!?

http://forums.businessweek.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=11&nav=messages&webtag=bw-bschools&tid=74497
Q:
With the application increase this year, I am really losing hope on my chance to get in an MBA class of 2010. I know that my mainweakness is my GMAT i score high in quant and extremely low in verbal total to 650 and even worse I am an international student. But I thought i had good background 3.54 UG/currently 3.5yrs work exp in Brokerage firm in the US/ co manage a small manufacturer in Thailand/ and a couple volunteer experience that are actually meaningful to me as a person. Also I have a clear goal of where i want to be post MBA and my ultimate goal is to better lives of people in South East Asia thru my consulting firm and I thought they would look over my flaw for my unique background. BUT AGAIN....I got dinged from CHicago and Wharton ALREADY and now I wonder how will i make it at YALE, CORNELL, DARDEN, MIT, and DUKE???? I'm thinking of studying for gmat and get my score up to 730+ , but seriously guys, what are my chances of the rest of the schools I apply to? and Plus I cant reapply unless i know what i did wrong beside the GMAT part? This is costing me some serious money and heartache already hmmm Pls Advice!

A:
You did nothing wrong, but frankly not in the main battle field. Even you get a 730 in GMAT, you're still not in the core competition since your work experience is still too weak compare to the almost-6-yr-in-average pool. Even a 9-yr may get a ding. GMAT is essential but not critical, instead it's your career path, the overall quality of essays for fit programs, and the deep touch of your life. Those extracurriculars are not like a check list but how you interpret the love of your life.

You have several key fields regarding your overall application package need to be improved, despite your GMAT score and work experience. First is your career objectives and the "fit" of an MBA program. The schools you applied are dramatically different in either their positionings or strengths. They reflect your career objectives and goals must be quite blur that the fit schools didn't emerge by themselves. This issue alone can fail you in any application.

Second is your myth. MBA is not a goal, it's a training process. The best schools have the most resources and highest quality faculty, but it doesn't mean you know how to use it. Harvard is a great title to make you a bigger chance to have interviews, but recruiters hire people because of you, not the school name.

Third is your competitiveness. If only 2 dings from those heaven schools can frustrate you like this, you might feel very lucky to be dinged. In those schools, every second is war. If you've been to Harvard, you'll feel the extreme tension starts from the sub station. You can sense a very uncomfortable atmosphere that about 3 people out of 10 don't dare to look at you in the eyes, even you're only a tourist. It's very clear that many of them their confidences are completely crashed by other extremely competent classmates. It's pretty easy to meet someone with full score GMAT or TOEFL on campus, or both, and others have Ph.D already or Olympic titles. Just walk through the cafe shop you'll see the case page they study is all in black that hundreds lines of notes. How can they get a 650 GMAT? It has to be 800!! If you're not from another planet also, don't even try to ruin your life. There're good reasons that recruiters like big titles, but also better reasons to hate them.

The last one is your attitude. Career competence is intrinsic that lies in your personality and your capabilities, not extrinsic from a school name or from a score. You perform extracurriculars for those needed people, not for a school admission. People success by themselves, not given by others. Schools have different positionings and it depends on which one is your true fit, also how smart you leverage it. People not from top schools don't need to die, instead they have better agility and flexibility that no need to compete with imposible rivals and have more time to focus on their own paths.

2008年2月25日 星期一

[Testimonial]感謝David Lee 李大衛 生涯諮商有機會interview with Google

這時候是MBA一年級尋找Intern的季節,雖然每個學校都有career center,不過跟david Lee談過之後,再修改履歷或許會有比較清楚的方向。David會從交談中幫你分析人格特質,並從你工作經驗或者社團經驗去挖掘自己以往沒發覺有興趣但符合市場需求的職位當作未來生涯努力方向。例如原本我的履歷上是尋找Market Analyst Intern但是與David談過之後,依據個人經驗與興趣以先切入Product Management為比較可行方向。而有了這個方向之後,再修改履歷才有辦法將尋找Product Management與相關工作經驗呈現在履歷上面。或許也是這樣才有機會與Google interview,雖然結論未知。目前在尋找Intern的各位,若在履歷上有困擾,不妨可以與David Lee聯絡!

Hello Ming , Thank you for taking the time to talk with one of our Google engineers! I have your phone interview scheduled based on the availability you gave to Marisa . Please plan for Bala to phone you at 602-516-XXXX. Your interview will last up to 45 minutes. Feel free to contact me via phone or email if you have questions, concerns or need this to be rescheduled! Please confirm receipt of this e-mail at your soonest convenience! -- Kirsty Henry Recruiting Coordinator Engineering Operations (Platforms) kirXXXX@google.com p: 650.214.XXXX f. 602-532-XXXX For more information on the Google recruiting and hiring process, take a look at www.youtube.com/google

[Program Fitting]MBA到底怎麼選校?(地區/學費/課程導向)..有介紹Top50商學院的書籍或網站嗎?

http://www.chemy.idv.tw/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?p=197355#197355
Q:
最近實在是有點confused 美國這麼多商學院.到底各位是怎麼選校的~ 即使我把目標鎖定在Top 50 還是不知道該從何了解他們各自的 校風/強項領域/教學特色/招生習性/提供給國際學生宿舍的比例等細項 我看網路上大多推薦US NEWS 出版的頂尖研究所書籍.. 但是想請問有看過的人分享.裡面大概是介紹些什麼ㄋ?會有我想知道的那些資訊嗎? (因為他是各科系都有..不知道對欲申請MBA的人受用程度如何) 拜託各位好心前輩順便分享一下你們選校重點/順序 的經驗好唄^^ 除了個別上學校的網站去探尋.有沒有其他書籍或是網站 會做個比較detail的介紹和比較ㄋ 小妹在此獻上無盡的感謝 x 100

A:
simply put have your GMAT and TOEFL scores ready first
then you'll have a pretty focused range for less than 20 schools by cross-comparing 3 major ranking systems
BW, FT, and US News

then assess your career passion and capabilities in detail
and compare your specific needs with different currirula
the "fit" schools will emerge by themselves
if you're really focus enough
it should be less than 6 schools for your laser-focused career options
since every school has dramatic different positioning and unique strengths

after all these career requirements then it's time to select schools by regions, tuitions, weather...etc.
and when you're choosing schools
schools are also choosing you
it all lies in the best mutual fit to maximize your career value and the equity of the school

2008年2月23日 星期六

[Program Fitting]MBA 選校問題 Minnesota vs Colorado


Q:
諸位先進, 目前小弟申請的MBA結果都已經出來了,兩勝兩敗一和(WL) 這兩勝讓小弟陷入了難以抉擇的窘境 先介紹一下小弟的資歷資歷好了, 國立大學電機系畢業後因為不用當兵, 在IC設計公司累積了大約三年半當工程師(FAE)的經驗
小弟不是研發部門,工作的內容主要是幫客戶解決設計上問題, 所以也常常要跑客戶端,歸在行銷及業務部門 (PS.IC設計公司行銷及業務部門包含 1.技術支援 2.業務 3.行銷工程師)

在還沒知道第二勝之前,第一勝是一個USNEWS大約50多名的學校 那個時候覺得大概剩下的都沒希望了,所以也想好了之後的發展 1.暑假找有關半導體方面的Intern(包含台灣) 2.畢了業回台灣快樂的就業,作業務工程師或行銷工程師 我想這方向大致上沒啥問題,如果我想要轉換到其他領域的IC設計公司或許有點小難度(ex.手機相關=>電腦相關),不過在怎麼差小弟在本來自己的領域也認識很多人,找個年薪100來萬的工作應該不成問題
想不到就在不久前另一個USNEWS上約20多名的學校也通知小弟錄取了, 先不論一般人說的USNEWS idiot ranking,確實兩間學校在curriculum及對學生未來的積極度有很大的不同,這間學校在寄來的文件中已經開始Push學生要開始對自己畢業後的出路作規劃,跟第一間學校比起來差別不小,問題出在這是一間中西部的學校,我自己看畢業生的發展大部分也是在中西部上班,(可以看的出來是一間Regional的學校),假設這兩間學校的學費差不了多少也就算了,偏偏算起來,會差將近台幣80萬以上,這間應該會破300,第一間應該250以內就解決了

小弟目前看起來,要在這間中西部的學校找到小弟喜歡的工作機會應該不大(IC設計相關行業),假設回台灣的話,這兩間在小弟的產業大概也差別不大(聽說金融業有50門檻,但是就我的觀察,IC設計感覺不出來,除非是Harvard之類的..),所以真的頭很大不曉得自己的未來該往哪邊走,我相信這是一個很關鍵的選擇,有沒有前輩能給小弟指點迷津的,或是點破小弟看哪邊有想法的錯誤. 先謝!

回應板主: Minnesota vs Colorado 再補充一點,或許有人或覺得很奇怪,如果要走IC為什麼不去加州,當初Minnesota很吸引我的一點就是,它的exchange program有到慶應大學三個月(One semester),小弟的日文大概有二級的水準,希望藉這個機會更加磨練自己的日文.

A:
absolutely Carlson
there're something $ can't buy
and something you can never earn it back

In the States, IT is one of common industries that doesn't require spcific core school list like IB or MC
but it does select dedicated and well-trained graduates from higher tier schools like Carlson

IT career is about marketing and general management
both fields Carlson's curriculum is more than twice completed and dedicated than Colorado Colorado's marketing is frankly quite weak that only have 5 courses to choose
most of the critical parts like Consumer Behavior, Market Research, CRM, Pricing, Channel Management, Brand Management are missing.
Instead, Carlson offers all these and really completed and sophisticated

In terms of management, Carlson is very strong in general management that the curriculum is well-balanced like a small Wharton
but you can see Colorado only has entry-level fundamentals, not much committed.

You learn what you pay for.

US$90k is a pretty average spending for a competitive MBA program in the U.S.
the US$20k difference is a very small amount that you can probably earn it back in half year after graduation
and you have much better chance to earn it back after a top 20 school
it'll be much harder if you're from a #50 school

the ranking is from 3 major criteria student satisfaction, academic excellence, and post MBA outcomes
there are good reasons for the ranks they deserved
the average salary in Carlson is US$10k higher than Colorado in almost every function
while Colorado is a pretty local school that 90% work in the same region
Carlson is gerenally nationally competitive with a very decent reputation and solid training

it's not about exchange program in anywhere else
you can't learn any language in 3 months
since most of us cannot master English after decedes of study
it's about the intensity and excellency of the program
and that's the bargaining power to gain an alignment with top school like Keio University

2008年2月21日 星期四

[Personal Branding]Stanford Application

範例請見此連結
http://www.mbacareerfitter.com/pdf/PhaseIII_sample_MrV.pdf


以下為來信往返內容

Q:
Hi,

I got your mail id from a chat forum on businessweek.......you offered to help a prospect there, and I too am one.....would you be willing to assess my chances of application to Stanford R2....have applied already, was just a little keen to show it to someone who'd give me an informed advice.....

A:

Hi V,

Sorry I was quite busy yesterday. I read your package and would like to comment that you may have a 70~80% chance to get into Stanford GSB. As I interacted with Stanford's adcom last year in national MBA career fair, they positioned GSB as a general management school like a compact Harvard, not particularly entrepreneurial or high-tech. Of course they have major presense of super successful entrepreneurs and high-tech professionals, but it's because of the location and the regional environment, not by intention, according to the adcom.

You have some extraordinary achievements in several giant companies, lots of impressive extracurricular activities, especially flying, and you leveraged it as your major value in terms of "freedom." You also positioned yourself as an entrepreneur to match the aspirational entrepreneurship spirit in Stanford GSB. And obviously you'd read lots of novels that your essays were really splendid and attractive for adcoms to keep reading your stories. All of these were great advantages to your essay package.

However, your essays and stories were, not critically, but somewhat incomplete. While not only your stories, but also your career logic was a little bit vague. Your GPA, even not in the U.S. 4.0 system, could make adcom frown, either. Your 700+ GMAT can make up a bit for your academic capacity, but the break down matters that your V was only 35.

The essay materials you picked was majorly "freedom" and "entrepreneurship," also altruism to poverty. All of them were great, but the freedom part was not assertive enough. It worked well with your flying hobby but it was quite empty beyond this freedom value. You may need 1 to 2 steps deeper to fulfill this value with more progressive extension like "innovation" or "exploration" to achieve some goals ahead. You also need to correlate all these values with your career goals, and these goals should be lined up with a core theme that inevitably need the Stanford GSB. So far these values are saperated from each other.

The 3rd and 4th essays could go 1 step further, too. And the financial plan for poverty and be connected with the entrepreneurship one, while you need a clear and specific business plan for your entrepreneurial dream, or at least have a clear direction that you're already on your way. The 4th one was a bit pity that you could leverage the constraint to explain what and how will you leverage GSB.

But don't get discourged by any of these, you still have big chance. Overall, since you have pretty decent and solid experience, also quite well-rounded personality and interesting life, you should be able to get the interview, and may be blessed to have an admission if you correlate all the dots and ace in the interview.

Sincerely,

David

[Program Fitting]Darden Vs. Duke - Which is better?

http://forums.businessweek.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=31&nav=messages&webtag=bw-bschools&tid=74404
Q:
Hello....I've been having some serious insomnia at night trying to decide between Fuqua (with scholarship) and Darden. I wake up one day sure that I'm going to Duke and the next day that I'll be going to Darden.
Any thoughts on which school has a better finance program?

A:
You can see the comparison of both finance courses. Darden is simply one-level more sophisticated and detailed.

Fuqua:
Corporate Finance
Investment
Entrepreneurial Finance
Advance Corporate Finance
International Corporate Finance
Corporate Restructuring
Emerging Markets
Venture Capital & Private Equity
Raising Capital: Financial Instruments, Institutions & Strategy


Darden:
Corporate Financing
Investment Strategy and Arbitrage
Entrepreneurial Finance & Private Equity
Fixed Income Instruments
Derivative Securities: Options & Futures
Managing Turnarounds and Workouts
Capital Market Flows & Institutions
Small-Enterprise Finance
Strategic Mgt of Financial Srv Org
Corporate Financial Policies
Mergers and Acquisitions

2008年2月20日 星期三

[Program Fitting]谁能比较一下duke vs. U of Virginia

http://forum.chasedream.com/dispbbs.asp?boardid=13&id=306890&star=1#306890
Q:
谁能比较一下duke vs. U of Virginia
拿到这两个学校的offer,
除了告诉我要看自己适合以外,
谁能比较一下duke vs. U of Virginia? 谢谢。

A:
Dardan is top 10 B-school in the U.S. and is one of the most important core schools in management consulting and investment banking industries.
it's highly regarded in top consulting firms like McKinsey and investment banking like Goldman Sach, Morgan Stanley and others in Wall Street.

Darden's curriculum is also more committed in MBA program design, more sophisticated and well-rounded in general management, leadership, marketing communication, and finance management.

Entrepreneurship is a solid new highlight with deep commitment.
Strongly well-connected across multidisplinary management strategy and tactics.
Emphasize on quantitative analysis and consulting tools.
Case study is one particular highlight, but it depends on personal taste.
http://www.darden.edu/uploadedFiles/Programs/MBA/curriculumGuide.pdf
http://www.darden.edu/html/standard.aspx?menu_id=22&styleid=4&id=540
you can see the commitment when faculty explain the details of program design in 2nd-yr.

Duke is strong national school, generally ranked around 20. Emphasize on teamwork.
Good general management but a bit less sophisticated than Darden.
Particularly strong in bio-tech and medical industry.
Some people believe Fuqua is a great marketing school since lots of health sector giants have strong preference for Fuqua graduates.
http://ee.fuqua.duke.edu/courses/

[Career Explorer]帮老公求助。37歲CFO 500強要念美國MBA還是中歐?

http://forum.chasedream.com/dispbbs.asp?boardid=13&id=306946&star=1#306946

Q:


想请教这里的NN们,
偶老公37岁,国内一所普通院校毕业的,8年管理经验,现在一家500强公司做财务总监,直接向亚洲区财务总监汇报。本来想让他去U。S或者欧洲顶级BSCHOOL深造一下的,一来圆自己的一个梦,另外也好充下电。。但现在感觉他身体没以前好了,看他在职复习GMAT那个痛苦啊,真是于心不忍;另外他老板也非常不乐意他离开,推荐信也是大问题。不知道如何是好。而且,我们是想移民的,本想读个好学校受认可,到时候工作也好找一些。
综合以上背景,大家帮忙给点意见和建议吧,像他这种情况:
1. 去美国读好的BSCHOOL的MBA意义大吗?
2. 难度大吗(如果GMAT大概就670左右)?
3. 中欧是否可以选择下?OR 欧洲?
4。之前还想过中欧的EMBA,可以在职,但貌似人家要的都是老总级的。
另外,如果以后想在香港工作,是读国外的MBA更好还是港校的?
谢谢谢谢,万分感谢大家帮忙支招!!

A:

37 is still a decent age for full-time U.S. MBA.
no particular physical struggle if you see the MBA age profile, almost 10% U.S. MBA students are in your age. The MBA studying is even tougher than GMAT preparation, and it's 2-long years.
GMAT capacity depends on personal intelligence and learning efficiency. A bunch of materials on this website for GMAT takers.
If your husband is already a CFO in a Fortune 500 company, why he still needs an MBA?
It depends on what's next for his career.
The only thing in his career should be to even broaden his global capacity, then a U.S. MBA should be more helpful, in terms of a more global economy, international language fluency, global scope of finance expertise, and a more competitive business training.
CEIBS is the best MBA program in China, so if you want to stay in the regional market, it's absolutely the choice. But it still depends on how competitive is his scores and application package.
EMBA is for senior executives with more than 10 years enterprise administration experience. So far your husband is frankly too young for that.

[Program Fitting]Choosing Between $s and Fit

http://forums.businessweek.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=bw-bschools&tid=74454
Q:

I'd like to get everyone else's opinion on choosing between being accepted at one school that fits perfectly with my career goals, personality, and personal situation, and one that is a good fit in all these categories (but not nearly as perfect as the first) and that has offered me $s.
Some examples to help the discussion might be Sloan vs. Columbia w/ $, Kellogg vs. Ross w/ $, Tuck vs. Fuqua w/ $

A:
Half tuition is although a big incentive, it's almost only your half-year salary if you go to the very top school. Compare to your whole rest-of-life career, half year is nothing. It always goes to your true fit and passion if the very top school can offer. And if you can get offers from these very top schools, making $ is only a piece of cake while your career is half-guaranteed.

Kellogg is one of the absolute top schools that can make your career thrive even higher. Ross and Fuqua are of course great, but Kellogg is something $ can't buy. And that's the power that Kellogg doesn't need to offer scholarship that often to vie for brilliant talents like you guys.