The economic downturn made looking for jobs only more difficult even for MBA degree holders. Searching for high-paying jobs in finance and business industries is no walk in the park, since a lot of companies are now more selective. In effect, some MBA graduates have to consider other industries and even non-business careers just to survive what seems to be a meltdown in some sectors. According to some MBA students and graduates, this made them evaluate their options further besides the targeted finance and business industry. Here are some of the non-business career options for MBA graduates:
Career in education
With your MBA degree, you can teach in technical colleges, universities, and training institutions. You can even offer employee training through workshops and work as a consultant in some companies. Knowing the latest in business philosophies and technologies, you can aim for a teaching position and use your MBA skills to train other people. Some find this career more rewarding than working in finance and business industries.
Career in publishing
Finance articles are a hit among consumers, especially during the recession. With your knowledge and skills in business, finance, and marketing, you can use it to your advantage as a business writer for a newspaper, website, or any other publication. Aside from being a writer, you can also work as an editor or other positions in the editorial staff. You can work part-time or full-time.
Career in the government
If job security in today’s economic downturn is your primary concern, then you may want to consider working for the federal government as a career option. There are various opportunities for people with MBA degrees in different agencies of the government, especially since budget and finance has been a top concern of the government when making policies and implementing law.
Personal statement MBA is one of the most important requirements in entering the MBA school of your dreams. It is important that you know the ins and outs of writing a personal statement for MBA. Owl Purdue shares some of the rules and the pitfalls to avoid when writing a personal statement for MBA school.
Personal statement MBA rules
Strive for depth rather than breadth. Narrow focus to one or two key themes, ideas or experiences
The rule here is quality over quantity. You don’t have to talk extensively about many things. All you need are a few subject matters that are relevant to your application. The point here is to present these topics as best as you can. Some other tips include the following:
- Try to tell the reader something that no other applicant will be able to say
- Provide the reader with insight into what drives you
- Be yourself, not the ideal applicant
- Get creative and imaginative in the opening remarks, but make sure it’s something that no one else could write
The point of writing a personal statement is to introduce yourself to the admissions panel. And because of this you have to speak through your own voice. Adding a dose of creativity on your admission essay will grab the attention of the admissions panel. However, you must be careful not to overdo it.
Personal statement MBA writing pitfalls
- Do not submit an expository resume; avoid repeating information found elsewhere on the application
Your essay should contain information that could not be found in your resume. The personal statement is your means to sell yourself, do not waste it by repeating your resume. Another pitfall to avoid is whining and preaching.
- Do not complain or whine about the system or circumstances in your life
- Do not preach to your reader. You can express opinions, but do not come across as fanatical or extreme
Whining is an immature way of handling problems, so you have to avoid doing it. Preaching is also a no-no. This may offend the admissions panel.
UC Davis’ admissions advising blog shares other no-nos in writing a personal statement for MBA.
Avoid cliches. Don’t start your statement with a quote from a famous person, the committee wants to read what you have to say.
There are many other means to be creative than opening your essay with a line from a famous person. For instance, you can start with an anecdote. It is also important that you strike balance among the elements in your essay. Avoid being too gimmicky.
Your personal statement for MBA school should be perfect in all aspects. You have to edit the content over and over again. Aside from this, you also have to ensure that the content is flawless.
Some applicants to business schools make the mistake of taking the admission essay for granted. Regardless of your grades and GMAT/GRE scores, your MBA admission statement should be exceptional. It is the part of the selection process in which you have more control over, so use this as an opportunity to present yourself as something more than just a set of numbers. Here are some tips on how you can write an outstanding application essay:
Looking at an MBA sample admissions essay for elements that make an essay stand out
Even a good writer can fail to deliver if he or she does not know what the readers are interested in. To find out what your readers-the members of the selection committee-are looking for, use sample essays as reference. Instead of just browsing through any sample, pay particular attention to essays written by MBA applicants who have passed the admissions process. Since they succeeded in getting into the business school, using their essays as guide gives you the advantage of learning what actually works. The key components of an effective admission essay include your personal motivations, life experiences, and achievements. As you study sample essays, examine how the writers present their perspective on the role an MBA degree plays in advancing their personal and professional goals. Notice that these samples simply do not tell but show how and why the writers were inspired to pursue their studies. This will help you assess your own reasons and give you ideas on how to get started.
Online MBA sample application essays as guides
You can count on the Internet to direct you to good sources. Use your preferred search engine or go directly to the website of the business school you are applying at. A word of caution, though: Do not fall into the trap of using these essays as your template. MBA essay writing secrets work well only if you can communicate reasons and experiences that are specific to you. If you simply replace the details in the sample essay with your own, you will put your chances of getting accepted at risk. Your essay will fail to present your personal perspective, and even worse, the admission board will most likely realize that you simply copied it from a sample.
You need to set yourself apart from thousands of hopefuls. Let your essay give you an advantage. Study sample essays written by successful candidates to learn what components should be included in your essay. However, use these only as a guide and not as a template.
Related questions:
1. What important elements make an admission essay effective?
2. Why do you need to study essay samples written by successful candidates?
3. Why should you these samples serve only as a guide?
The Stacy Blackman Consulting blog is a must-read for people who are planning to take their MBA because it has great inputs for MBA programs that are offered in various parts of the world. It does not merely discuss the programs, but the admission process and requirements are also thoroughly discussed. There are also valuable advice that everyone will find very helpful.
The posts
One informative blog post discusses tips on how to write the admission essays for Kellogg School of Management. If you are applying for the MBA program at Kellogg, you must read this and take all the advice to heart. The thorough discussion in this blog post will really help you in properly writing the admission essays. You will also be given great advice to clearly and completely understand what the essay wants to establish. Furthermore, there are also specific blog posts that discuss essay tips for other schools like UC Berkeley, Harvard, Stanford, and many others.
Aside from essay tips, there are also blog entries about career goals. The blog posts are a great read because this will help people realize what their career goals are and the importance of having one. It helps the reader find out what his or her passion is and to identify the career goal that will perfectly fit into one?s passion. The blog also discusses the importance of setting realistic goals.
The layout and design
I really love the fact that this blog has loads of valuable information for its readers. It takes time and expertise to create these posts and to provide valuable insights into each one. Furthermore, the blog?s layout is very neat and well-organized. Readers will not get lost in finding their way around the site. The font size and color are just right for readability. The presented information are organized by simply changing the font style. The tabs on the right column further enhance the user-friendliness of the site.
Rockey’s Journey to an MBA is also about the writer?s personal experiences in finding the right graduate school, filling up applications, and submitting the requirements. There are also posts that discuss the blogger?s insights regarding his journey into the world of MBA. What makes the posts really interesting is the fact that it showcases another person?s own experiences. Readers can find valuable lessons, or they can find themselves agreeing to the lessons that the blogger is sharing.
The informative posts
There are posts that talk about the blogger?s realization in the midst of his journey. In his blog entry In Search of Greatness, readers can easily relate to his personal experience and even agree to his thoughts about writing those essays. I also find the posts about Wharton essays very interesting. Here, the blogger discusses how challenging it is to finish the essays. He also shared his game plan in writing the essay. These posts make this blog a good resource for MBA applicants.
The layout and design
The blog is a good read because of the information that the blogger shares about his applications to different schools. The layout is neatly done, which I find very pleasing to the eyes. The middle column shows the blogs in chronological order, while visitors can find a list of top posts on the left column and a list of categories on the right. These are really helpful in seeing the contents of the blog.
However, the blog can also benefit from a design makeover. It has a pretty basic layout and overall design, which works for some. But if the blog intends attract more frequent visitors, there has to be some pictures and videos to make it more interesting.
The Reve Counseling Blog offers consulting services to people who are seeking admission to graduate programs from all over the world. The blog is a great tool that supports the services of Reve Counseling. Here, the visitors will find thorough discussions about graduate programs in different schools. It also provides valuable advice or tips to its readers.
What makes it a good read
One very informative post tackled the letter of recommendation as an admission requirement to graduate programs. The writer shares helpful advice in fulfilling this requirement. For example, identifying the best people for the recommendation was discussed. It highlighted the importance of finding different people who will showcase the applicant?s varied strengths.
If you are applying to UCLA Anderson, it is highly recommended that you read the post about the essay questions. You will find a thorough discussion of the essay questions in this blog. Important insights in properly answering the essay questions are also shared. The blog post caters to both first-time applicants and re-applicants.
Furthermore, readers will find many posts on essay analyses and deadlines from different graduate schools such as Columbia Business School, Dartmouth Tuck, Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, UC Berkeley Haas, University of Chicago Booth, and Wharton. Like the post for UCLA Anderson, visitors will find much valuable information here. The different essay questions are discussed, and tips on answering them are provided. You will also see the deadlines for submission.
What I think about the layout and design
The layout of the blog is clean and simple. This is a plus for readability. On the front page of the blog, you will find the blog posts in chronological order. I found the list of recent blogs very helpful, instead of having to scroll all the way down the page. There is also a list of the different categories of posts. However, I will find it more helpful if the tabs were placed on top of the page.
The MBAoutlook blog tackles everything about the MBA industry, which makes it a great resource for people who plan to take their MBA or for people who are actually studying to finish their degrees. The varied posts makes it really interesting. It covers information about MBA all over the world. Yes, it does not only talk about MBA in the US or UK. You can even find information about MBA in Asia.
What I love about this site
One blog post that I really loved reading is about unemployment. I really loved the insights that Joel Friedman shared in this post. Indeed, unemployment is a difficult phase in every person?s life. A person?s job is part of his or her identity, and if that is taken away, that person will somehow feel incomplete or inadequate, not to mention the negative effects that it can bring to a family. He also talked about the importance of communication and knowing how to brand one?s self.
It is also great to read a list of the best business books in the market today. It covers topics about communication, decision-making, productivity, project management, marketing, sales, and many more. There?s a book review for every title in each topic.
To prove how varied the topics are, there is one blog post about testosterone and women traders. It talked about the scientific studies, which showed the relationship of testosterone and the risk-taking behavior of women.
On a personal note
Because of the multitude of information that the blog contains, a first-time visitor may find it cluttered or overwhelming. It is good that the blog is simple and easy to the eyes. It used white as the background color with fonts that are readable. The tabs at the top of the page are also very helpful in navigating around the site. It is really quite easy to find a particular topic that interests the visitors.
Learn the art of injecting soft skills into your personal statements when aiming for MBA school admission. Doing so will surely land you a safe spot on the MBA school of your choice. Remember, it is not just the personal statement that will do the work in your application. You have to sell your self high, emphasizing all your achievements, skills, and other positive attributes, which can usher you toward getting the MBA degree.
Diligence
Admissions officers want to see more of you in your personal statement, that?s why they made it the requirement for processing applications. After giving them a detail of your academic credentials and achievements based on your TOR and resume, you should also give a lot of focus on your strengths that will help convince the admissions panel of your acceptance. Focus writing your essay on how diligent you are with any task at hand and what impact this had on your previous undertakings, and surely you will get your ticket to MBA school.
Ambition
When writing your essay or personal statement MBA, it is crucial to highlight your ambition. Emphasize the goals that drive you and push you to be one of the great business leaders in the future. As you know, the admissions panel puts great value on the applicant?s ambition. Therefore, it is an enormously important gauge to get in to your desired MBA school.
Communication skills
Writing an effective personal statement for MBA school goes beyond detailing your credentials and achievements. You need to write creatively to connect to your audience and show how articulate you are in conveying your ideas. Your goals and ambitions, diligence, and communication skills are the essential elements of an effective personal statement that would guarantee you a slot in the MBA program you are aspiring for. To achieve MBA success, you need to be diligent, goal-oriented, and very articulate to propel you toward prosperity in business.
Related links:
Business schools – Discussions about business schools
MBA admissions – All about the MBA school admission
Top MBA schools – About the top MBA schools in the US
MBA school profiles – About top US MBA schools
MBA school alumni – About getting help from MBA school alumni
When submitting your essay or personal statement MBA, you need to make a good first impresion. This is why writing your essay is the most crucial part of the application process. Make sure that when you start writing, you are focused on a theme. Outline your professional credentials with your achievement, combined with details highlighting your motivation and determination. These are the main ingredients that will help you make the best impression through your admission essay.
Play by the rules set by the school
Always adhere to the regulations and rules of the school. If the school sets that the admissions board will not allow adding any material or changes in your essays once the application has been sent, then respect their rules. When writing your essay, make sure that your work has been polished, reviewed, and re-edited so many times before finally submitting. This way, you will feel confident about your personal statement, and the admissions committee can see how carefully planned the essay is.
Be sure to know the standards
Before you write your personal statement, make sure you know the various
standards set by the MBA school of your choice. Otherwise, you are just wasting both your time and the admission officers?. You may write your essay effectively by downright sharing what you know of the school?s standards and tying them up with your competencies and positive attributes like your motivation and determination.
Tailor your essay for admission to that school
Before treading a path you wish to explore, make sure you know every detail you will need. If the school you are aspiring to go to offers an MBA program that accept students who are in search of the highest business qualification, tailor-fit your personal statement for MBA school to the school?s standards.
Related links:
Business schools – Discussions about business schools
MBA admissions – All about the MBA school admission
Top MBA schools – About the top MBA schools in the US
MBA school profiles – About top US MBA schools
MBA school alumni – About getting help from MBA school alumni
To merit the attention of the admissions officers, you need to stand out. That is why when writing your personal statement MBA, make sure that your essay represents your unique self. You can do this by sharing some of your personal experiences or thoughts that will help convey your real character or ambitions in life.
How you express yourself
When writing your personal statements, it is common to have difficulty formulating a theme. To start your essay correctly, do not become too engrossed in your grammar, spelling, and punctuation concerns. Chances are, you will never get focused and never be successful at translating your ideas, however brilliant they may be, because of being too conscious with how you express yourself.
When you write, make sure you articulate yourself effectively. You should provide balance between your
personal qualifications and academic abilities as well as your strengths and capabilities, which are the most essential ingredients the admissions panel are looking for in an essay. Another key is topping it all up with sincerity.
How you organize your thoughts
Good writing is not merely having the aptitude to put up grammatically accurate sentences. It also entails organizing your thoughts effectively. There are various *tips on how to organize your thoughts to come up with an outstanding essay for MBA School. First, you do some brainstorming of ideas, followed by making the necessary refinements to filter what you need and do not need. You may also make use of visual organizers, considered to be a pool of techniques, which use simple and visual patterns to make generating ideas as easy as possible.
How you convince readers with your qualification
Believe it or not, the best way to convince your readers is to just be yourself. No pretensions. The admissions officers put the highest importance to the student?s sincerity, which they can see through the personal statement. The admissions officers believe that good character is needed aside from the credentials and achievements of a student.
Related links:
MBA programs – About the different MBA programs
Business schools – All about the business schools
Top MBA schools – About the top MBA schools in the US
Top MBA schools – About the top MBA schools in the US
Ethos and mythos – Evidence types in MBA personal statement
