Military --- Good Fit for Corporate Life

The next generation of CEO's could very well spring from the military. And Melissa Knueven -- the Associate Director at the Global Citizen Initiatives at the Graduate Management Admission Council -- says military are strong young leaders, who have been tested under stressful situations most of us could never even imagine. They are able, she says, to solve problems with imperfect information. Knueven says, add the MBA, and you have a strong leader who now has an operations, accounting, and finance background -- a holistic view of business.

I interviewed Melissa for an upcoming show we call Military MBA: From the Military to Corporate America. There are two shows, actually, one subtitled Getting In, and the other is Fitting In. I'll let you know when they're posted on MBAPodcaster.com. And, while we're explaining things -- Melissa is with the council that owns the GMAT and the Association of Graduate Schools of Business around the world.

If you are military, and, at this point, searching for the right fit to pursue your MBA, Melissa says the best schools will be in close proximity to military installations, offer part-time or flex-time programs, and they'll have strong military networks and alumni base.

She says look for military-friendly schools. GMAC considers schools military-friendly if they do things like waive the application fee, they have financial aid available, and they offer a one-year deferment policy, keeping the spot for MBA students who may be deployed.

We have interviewed more than a dozen people for this show, so keep watching this space. One more comment from Melissa Knueven with GMAC:

"Whether you're transitioning out of the military into corporate life, or staying in, career-military, the MBA combined with that experience just makes these people forces to be reckoned with."

Standing Out Among the Outstanding: MBA Schools

An animated discussion rang out in one of the auditoriums on the Microsoft campus in Redmond Thursday, June 18th. The panel of three diverse and knowledgeable guests was assembled by "Africans at Microsoft." The subject, however, broadly applies to anyone considering an MBA who is seeking guidance and, at times, assurance.

Hear the event here: http://www.mbapodcaster.com/MBA_MoreInfo/BizSchoolPanelMicrosoft.asp?iEpisode=74

The full title of the event, the 2nd Annual MBA Panel, is Standing out among the outstanding: Recession, Competition, and Business School Admissions. Moderator Chika Ekeji asked the panel for changes they've seen as a result of the current economic crisis. Scott Shrum, the Director of MBA Admissions Research at Veritas Prep, says the surge in applications to MBA schools has dropped away because of the lack of financing available. It's become, Scott says, a "lost season.." The desire is there among would-be MBA applicants, but the money isn't.

Bryan Tomlinson, one of two experts-in-our-midst, along with Edward Gali, both representing the University of Washington, home to the Michael G. Foster School of Business, added that it's "tough out there." Later in the conversation, Bryan said that the classes of 2005 and 2006 didn't build up their networks -- they didn't need to. But the class of 2009 are great networkers, and that will serve them well over time.

Barbara Thomas, President and CEO of the National Black MBA Association, offered her tips for networking to the Microsoft employees gathered in the room and on the conference line. Barbara says she collects about 100 business cards every week, writing on the back of the cards where she met the people and what she said to them. She follows up with notes every six months.

To the issue of improving your candidacy, Cassandra Pittman, Assistant Director of Marketing at INSEAD, frankly told the potential MBA candidates that they shouldn't be preparing for the more narrow role of being accepted at a choice school. Instead, they should be living a dynamic life, focused on what they are interested in, their true passions. She suggested they take some math to prep, but also travel, explore their passions, and meet a lot of people.

While I heard anxiety trip in the voices of the potential students who asked questions at the mic, the answers supplied by the panelists were even, honest, and provocative. The take-away from the panel follow your unique passions and network!