Students of Questrom: Part-Time MBA Edition

Name: Lauren Murphy, Part-time Evening MBA, MBA 2016

Background? I was born in Boston but raised about 50 miles outside in Worcester, MA. I earned my bachelor's degree from Boston University in International Relations. Before coming to Questrom, I worked at a small non-profit in Boston whose mission focused on social entrepreneurship development in the Middle East and North Africa. I personally oversaw outreach and operations for conferences held on the ground in the region, which gave me the ability to travel to Morocco. Currently, I work in operations at the Boston University School of Medicine at the Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, which is cutting edge research center that focuses on the effect of repetitive traumatic brain injury on athletes and veterans. 

Why did you choose BU? As a part-time student, I was looking for a program that gave part-time students the same opportunity and experiences as the full-time students. I knew getting your MBA was going to be a lot of work - especially while working a full-time job - so I was also looking for a supportive community both within the student body and the administration. I believe that I found all of that at BU. I don't feel that my education is watered down.  It is definitely a lot of work, but there is a strong community to support you as well. Part-time students are all embraced by the community and expected to participate in clubs and social events, which has only enhanced the overall experience.

Questrom Hits The Slopes

BU's Sports and Social Club planned a President's Day Weekend Ski Trip to Attitash Ski Resort in New Hampshire.  More than 30 first- and second-year Full-Time MBA, PEMBA, and MS-MS students travelled to New Hampshire for the Weekend.

The group left from Questrom Friday evening and spent Saturday and Sunday on the sunny mountain.  It was one of the coldest winter weekends of the year, with temperatures well below zero and windchills in the -30s!  That didn't stop us from hitting the mountain.

There was a great mix of expert skiers as well as first timers who had a fun time learning how to ski in Ski School.  After a full day on Saturday, we had a delicious group dinner at the Red Fox Grill and Bar right in town.  The trip received great reviews and everyone is already excited for next year!

TechConnect 2016

TechConnect is the MS-MBA Association's annual student-run technology business conference. This year, we are partnering with the Entrepreneurship Club with a theme of Platforms and the Sharing Economy.  We hosted a forum where technology experts, entrepreneurs, and students can share their opinions and hash out solutions to the question and solution of how Platforms are disrupting the technology world.

We want to host a forum

The MS-MBA Association is a student-run organization at Boston University’s Questrom Graduate School of Business that serves as a conduit for students and alumni of the MS-MBA Program as well as technology enthusiasts.  TechConnect was entirely student organized and run, with students reaching out to their networks to get speakers.  We were able to have panelists from Priceline, HoughtonMifflinHarcourt, HourlyNerd, Lyft, MediaMath, and Spot.  The keynote speech was delivered by the VP for Global Infrastructure at Disney.  

The conversations were engaging and there was a definite career focus throughout the day.  Many of the panelists said on the spot that they were hiring interns and full time employees!  

Ethics and the Ale Industry

Last week Questrom MBAs had the opportunity to meet the founders of Aeronaut Brewery during a private talk on ethics and the alcohol industry. They were also able to take a brewery tour and enjoy some taproom time as a nice break from coursework. 

Photo Credit: Hilary Hall 

Hosted by Questrom's Susilo Institute. 

Building Diverse Organizations

Yesterday, Cohort Q in collaboration with Women's MBA Association, Net Impact, and Latin American MBA Association, held a panel to discuss diversity in the workplace. 

Three leaders from diverse backgrounds discussed topics such as:

• Diversity vs. Inclusion 
• Affinity Groups 
• Unconscious Bias 
• Hiring for diversity 
• Mentorship

Pictured Below: 

Yvonne Garcia, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Client Solutions and PMO of the Investment Manager Services group for State Street Corporation.  
Tony Wieczorek - Engineering Manager at Localytics

Janet Kang, Senior Associate in M&A at PwC

Students of Questrom: MSMS Edition

Frank Lin

Masters of Science in Management Studies '16

Background:

My parents emigrated from Taiwan and finally settled in the city of Bangkok, Thailand, where I was born and raised. I grew up with my parents, three siblings and our dog named Melon. Growing up, I studied at a Thai-Chinese International School where I learned to speak English and developed my interests in science and technology. Afterwards, I studied Mechanical Engineering to pursue my interests in automobiles and design.

Why did you chose BU?

Questrom is one of the first schools in the entire nation to base an entire program on experiential learning. The opportunity to solve real business problems for a range of companies, from startups like The Paint Bar to Fortune 500 companies like AT&T, was what really attracted me. The diverse background of students that I am exposed to at BU made it an even easier decision to get my Master's degree here.

What are you involved in at BU?

Thanks to nomination by my classmates, I got involved in the Questrom Graduate Council as the MSMS Representative. The council has opened many doors for me to network with people outside of the MSMS Program, such as MBA students and professors. Also, as a member of the Leadership and Organization Transformation (LOT) Club, I had the exceptional opportunity to attend the HRPI Awards last Fall, where I had the chance to network with the best CHROs in the world today and witnessed Tracy Keough, CHRO of HP Inc, receive an award.

What do you love about Questrom?

Easily the people. The Questrom community is filled with motivated and supportive people that continuously push me to get out of my comfort zone. Throughout the MSMS program, I feel that the faculty genuinely cares about our success. They do not simply act as teachers of Finance or Marketing, but as mentors that guide us to become better business people.

Favorite memory?

Crossing the 10k Tough Mudder finish line with my fellow MSMS friends!

Sunday Funday

This past weekend Sports & Social club held a Yoga fundraiser at Shawmut yoga studio to get centered before a big football day! #namaste #questromlife

Ethics Across Questrom

"Business ethics is at the core of the Questrom School.  It is our Mission to 'prepare innovative and ethical leaders who understand the impact of business on society and create value for the world.'"

Last week the second year full-time MBA students experienced a week long Ethics intensive. During this course, they not only learned the fundamentals of ethical decision making, but met with CEO's of local organizations and worked on a Social Change Project that would have a sustainable impact for the community. The biggest take away of the week: You can make a difference in a short period of time if you put you mind to it! 

Some examples of Social Change Projects: 

• "Practice Mindfulness"- teaching students & faculty to be present 
• "From Surviving to Thriving" - support refugees who have been victims of trauma or torture to get the resources they need to restart their lives 
• "Burn Calories, Not Electricity"- campaign to show how making small changes can impact your health and sustainability