Standing Out Among the Outstanding: Recession, Competition, and Business School Admissions

One of the strongest messages to emerge from the distinguished panel on the Microsoft campus in June is the importance of networking.  Another powerful message is to highlight your passions in your MBA school applications – you want your individuality to shine. 

You can hear the wisdom of the 2nd Annual MBA Panel – on many topics -- at www.MBAPodcaster.com in just a few days when the show is released.  The program is Standing Out Among the Outstanding: Recession, Competition, and Business School Admissions, assembled by "Africans at Microsoft."

The panel includes Scott Shrum, the Director of MBA Admissions Research at Veritas Prep, Barbara Thomas, President and CEO of the National Black MBA Association, and Cassandra Pittman, Assistant Director of Marketing at INSEAD. There are also two “experts-in-our-midst” whom Moderator Chika Ekeji called on frequently to round out the conversation.  They are Bryan Tomlinson and first-year MBA student Edward Gali, both representing the University of Washington, home to the Michael G. Foster School of Business.

While Scott Shrum opened with the trouble many students, especially international, have been having financing their MBA education, the panel discussion focused mostly on the positives.  For example, Bryan Tomlinson says students in the class of 2009 are great networkers, which will serve them well.

Cassandra Pittman frequently jumped in with excited comments, usually underscoring her persuasive remarks that the MBA is, maybe, two years out of your life, so if you have a few years leading up to B-School, live a passionate life, not one that will simply look good on a resume.  Coming from the vantage point of a first year MBA student, Edward Gali suggested those in the auditorium to seek out people different from them.

And, Barbara Thomas urges students to focus on the three P’s – passion, purpose, and power. 

The event wrapped with each giving personal tips for how to network -- worth the price of admission.   And, they reminded the audience that networking is really about creating true friendships.  Good advice for anyone, at any stage of a career.

Stay tuned to hear this show coming in a few days!

Microsoft's 2nd Annual MBA Panel: Soliciting Questions from You!

UPDATE (6/25/09): The Panel was a success! Hear the event here: http://www.mbapodcaster.com/MBA_MoreInfo/BizSchoolPanelMicrosoft.asp?iEpisode=74

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As we all know, the current economic climate is prompting thousands to consider going for their MBA and in turn propelling upward the number of applications to business schools. With the increased competition, how do you gear up to get an MBA in this climate? One contribution comes from a special business school panel presented by Microsoft. The focus is a current and compelling one -- the theme is "Standing Out Among the Outstanding: Recession, Competition, and Business School Admissions"

Guests on this year's panel include:

• Cassandra Pittman Assistant Director of Marketing at INSEAD and responsible for MBA recruitment in North and South America
• Scott Shrum Director of MBA Admissions Research at Veritas Prep
• Barbara Thomas, President and CEO National Black MBA Association, the world's leading organization for black professionals
• There will also be "experts in the audience" contributing to the dialogue: Bryan Tomlinson and Edward Gali, both representing the University of Washington, Michael G. Foster School of Business

MBA Podcaster will be attending the event and bringing your questions to the panelists. So we're asking you: if you're seeking your MBA -- or considering it -- what questions would you have for this panel? Send your questions to info@mbapodcaster.com

The Business School Panel will be held at the Redmond, WA headquarters of Microsoft on June 18th, 2009, hosted by Africans at Microsoft.

This is the second annual panel put on by Africans at Microsoft. Below is a link to our podcast on the event from last year. The show covers the entire MBA process from the applications to acceptance.

2008 Business School Panel: Pursuing an MBA -- Motives, Values, and Opportunities
http://www.mbapodcaster.com/MBA_MoreInfo/BizSchoolPanelMicrosoft.asp?iEpisode=74

We had representatives from Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, University of Washington, and the GM of Microsoft's global recruiting team. Also participating were students from Harvard, Wharton, Darden, and Cornell Business Schools.

The energy generated by the audience and the panel made for a lively, informative discussion that covered and broke the bounds of the topic. We expect no less this time!

This is a valuable topic -- how to stand out among so many outstanding candidates!

Please let us know what questions you have for this event, and likely you'll hear them answered by these elite panelists on our next podcast.