Starting your MBA: Student Interview

Here, Andriy talks about what motivated him to take an MBA, how he chose his program and what he plans to do after graduating.

My history

What were you doing before your MBA?

I was working for the Energy Savings Group, an energy company based in Toronto, Canada, as a Senior Financial Analyst. I was in charge of forecasting the company's gross margins of Canadian and U.S. natural gas operations.

What were your main reasons for deciding to attend business school?

My main reason for deciding to attend an MBA school was to gain a better knowledge of the corporate business world and its issues at a higher level, transition to an industry where I would like to be, enhance my opportunities for career growth, and expand my career choices.

What research did you undertake in selecting your school?

- Rankings from various sources such as US News & World Report, Business Week, WSJ, and others;

- The QS World MBA Tour;

- Correspondence with current students, alumni, and admissions staff from specific schools

- Internet to search for schools' specific information;

Have you ever visited the QS World MBA Tour? If yes, did you find it useful?

I have visited the QS World MBA Tour numerous times in several places such as: Chicago, USA (in 2001), Sao Paolo, Brazil (in 2002), Toronto, Canada (in Feb of 2005 and summer of 2006), and the last one in Kiev, Ukraine (on October 11, 2006).

I found it very useful in my search for the best school that would fit me personally and professionally. The fairs gave me the chance to meet with real people from each and every school that I was considering. I met with admissions officers, alumni, and students. This gave me invaluable additional information in what each school was all about. All of the top MBA schools are pretty much similar in what they offer and, therefore, it makes it hard to decide which schools to apply to. The QS World MBA Tour gives people a chance to get important information, sometimes even non-verbal, about each school to make that crucial decision about which ones to apply and where you would have better chances to get accepted based your unique background and experience. This is what "finding the fit" means.

What were the main criteria in your selection?

In the search for the best MBA school, I was looking at several criteria.

First of all, I looked at the reputation of a school or its specialty program. I looked at the school's brand awareness within the U.S. and abroad. The size of a school was another very important factor in my selection. I didn't want to be in too large of a school where you are just a number. In smaller schools the alumni network also tends to be much closer and supportive.

Equally important were the people that represent the school - the students, alumni, and admissions officers. They convey the school's unique culture. Some schools have more of a cut-throat environment and some have more supportive and collaborative one. It depends on a person in which culture he or she would thrive the most.

The last criterion in my decision was, of course, the location of a school. I didn't want to spend important two years of my life in a place where I wouldn't enjoy living. The school itself is only part of a great MBA experience.

How well do your think the MBA is regarded in your home country?

Unfortunately, not many people and companies in the Ukraine are aware of the advantages that the MBA brings. Only foreign companies, especially U.S ones, see the value in the MBA degree. I expect it to change as the country's economy improves and becomes more global.

How many people from your country or the same origin were studying with you in your class? Do you participate in any clubs or student bodies to support each other? Say, Eastern-European club, Hispanic MBA association, etc.

At my undergraduate school, Eastern Illinois University, I was the only student from the Ukraine. And at the MBA program, at UCLA Anderson, I am the only one representing my country as well. There are two other Russian-speaking students in the program - one from Russia and the other one from Belarus. At my schools there are very few students from Eastern Europe, so it's hard to make any official clubs with them. Most of the times, they are informal.

Lifestyle

How do you balance the demands of study and home/family life?

The MBA education is challenging and requires a student to stretch his or her personal limits. A student learns how to manage the time efficiently and how to be more disciplined. This skill helps to balance study and life.

How does the school help with this?

There is help from many places. The students at UCLA Anderson are very supportive and do not hesitate to help each other. The second-year students, the counselors, the career center, and the clubs give the first-year students tips and advice on how to manage student life at Anderson better. perseverance.

What you wish you'd known before you have started your MBA?

I wish I knew how quickly the program would become intense so that I would arrive at school earlier and prepare for it a little better. (This includes things like settling down in my place by buying furniture and things for the home, getting books, driver's licence, buying laptop and solving other personal matters.

What would you advise other young professionals?

Do an extensive research on different MBA schools, contact current students and alumni to learn more about the school (they might give you some valuable tips). Don't heavily rely on rankings, divide the schools in tiers. Attend the QS World MBA Tour - you will get an important edge in finding the right school for yourself and getting accepted. Don't worry about the cost of the MBA; it's a great investment in your future.