An IMBA's Experience with the Job Search Process

Post by:
Brian Driscoll
International MBA, 2012

It’s OK to Change Directions: When I began the IMBA program in China in May 2011, my intent was to secure a position as a Product Manager but as my courses continued, I discovered that my strengths were more closely aligned with operations and process management than with marketing or consumer behavior. As you progress through the MBA, it’s important to continuously evaluate the direction of your interests and be able to switch gears quickly.

Develop an Initial Plan: Develop your 30-second pitch early - people are always interested to hear what you want to do after your MBA and they will ask whether or not you’re ready to answer. To develop your pitch, you’ll need to reflect on your skills, previous roles, and potential career path with target companies in mind. Be ready to tailor your pitch to your audience on the fly.

Narrowing Search Criteria: To keep the job search practical, it’s critical to narrow down your list of target companies. Each application may turn into a life-changing decision, so prioritize your most important criteria. I searched based on location, manufacturing capabilities, industry, size, and revenue. This process also helped me develop my answer to the standard interview question “Why do you want to work for us?” Even after honing in on a target profile, it’s ok if your list of companies still remains broad.

Job Search Success: In January 2012 I proudly accepted a position with United Technologies’ Operations Leadership Program. While having a BU MBA certainly breaks down barriers to get your resume on the desks of hiring managers, companies often expect more from MBA candidates than they do from others. But don’t let this intimidate you, because Boston University has more than enough resources to help you land the right job for your career.

UTC Interview Phases: The UTC Interview Process consisted of two phone screens, a weekend assignment, and a “Superday” onsite interview. The “Superday” involved an overnight stay, dinner with current OLP associates, presentations, team negotiations, and a panel interview. The sessions were intensely challenging but team skills, presentation skills, and operations concepts that I’d sharpened through the BU MBA were critical to my successful outcome.

Support from Feld Career Center and BU Professors: I first found and applied to UTC’s position through one of my weekly searches on MBA Careerlink. The Feld Career Center’s Gary Bergman provided excellent support and personal attention throughout my job search. His Career Management course, mock interview feedback, cover letter & resume templates, and advice in my negotiations were all critical to the successful progression toward my final offer. The pre-interview meetings I had with professors Janelle Heineke (OM726) and Nitin Joglekar (OM880) were also extremely important for me to readily apply their course concepts in the scenarios I faced in my interviews. And most importantly, I received a lot of helpful support from my classmates around the time of my interviews.

Brian is an International MBA candidate with experience in startup companies and bringing product designs into production. You may find him exploring around Boston with friends or studying at a nearby Starbucks.

The India Field Seminar

Post by:

Meg Meyer
MBA/MPH, 2012

The whole class at the Taj Mahal

From January 1^st through 14^th, 20 MBA students traveled through India with Professor Mark Allen, Director of the Health Sector Management Program, and Diane Reimer, Director of Graduate Counseling in the Feld Career Center. We visited three cities: Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, learning about the Indian healthcare system. From government hospitals to private for-profit hospitals to super-specialty care, we saw it all.

Visiting a mobile clinic run by one of the largest government hospitals, AIIMS

Visiting the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), a Government Hospital in Delhi

A very different experience visiting Max Healthcare, a private, for-profit hospital

We also traveled to rural areas to observe primary care facilities and meet with community health workers.

Ashas (Community Health Workers who focus on women and children) working in a rural village outside Delhi

Students waiting to tour the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Narayana near Bangalore

Part of the Narayana Hrudayalaya Super Specialty Hospital Center

It was truly incredible to see how healthcare was provided in a country of over 1 Billion people. The potential for economies of scale, mass efficiency, alternative financing schemes, and low-cost technology are exciting. At the same time, challenges such as poverty and lack of infrastructure are widespread. Throughout our visits, we had the opportunity to hear what leaders in the field think of these issues. We also got the chance to sit down with executives over dinner and get a first hand account of what it is like to run a business in India.

Throughout our time in India and for a week after, the students participating in the field seminar kept a blog. If you're interested in hearing more perspectives about our experience, you can check it out here: http://smgindianfieldseminar.blogspot.com/

Meg is a second year MBA/MPH student studying Global Health Management. She is also the President of the new Global Health and Development Association. You may find her running around Boston with a backpack on or challenging people to dance-offs.

Student Life in Pictures

Photography By:
Asad Butt
MS-MBA in Media Ventures, 2012

First years at the Warren Center during orientation

An Integrated Project team presenting in class during the first semester

Students on a spring break trip in Guatemala doing volunteer work at a clinic and schools and traveling the country

MS-MBA Media Venture students at a conference in NYC

Bananagrams break in the grad student lounge

MS-MBA Media Ventures students at the Late Show in NYC

Students staying up to date with the Wall Street Journal before class begins

The end of the year talent show

Ice skating on the Frog Pond in Boston

First year students chatting before class starts

Asad Butt is a second year MBA/MS in Media Ventures candidate focusing on digital strategies for media companies. Asad enjoys playing soccer and taking pictures when not studying or obsessing over "Words with Friends."