Posts by jackson99

jackson99

Aug 30, 2008

Graduate / learning about the Berkeley MBA program [3]

Question: What steps have you taken to learn about the Berkeley MBA program, and what factors have influned your decision to apply? 250 word maximum

Most recently, I consulted my mission supervisor about where to go the next step, his strongest support went to the Haas Program. I found that especially surprising since he had earned his MBA from HBS.

After I began researching the Haas Program for my self, I was drawn to interdisciplinary approach and the concept of business management as a liberal art. I believe the philosophies of the school closely fit my won, as I don't believe that business can be successful and ethical when isolated from the human elements.

Because of my liberal art background I feel much more at home with the Haas Program than all other programs I have investigated. The core philosophy mixed with distinguished faculty and thoughtful support programs makes the Haas MBA Program very rich. Possibly the biggest point of differentiation, and thus the biggest attractor, is the focus on ethics and social responsibility where Haas benefit from its reputation as a pioneer in the field.

The National Social Venture Business Plan Competition is a hallmark, where business schools across the globe compete for a total $100,000 by presenting plans that outline business propositions that have a societal or environmental component.

These are absolutely timeless that whatever happens in the economy, whatever changes arise over the next twenty years, they will be excellent preparation. Accounting or marketing practices may change over time, new technology comparable to the internet may emerge, and the investment to acquire ethics and leadership skills will still be well worth the investment.

Any feedback is highly apprecaited

jackson99

Aug 30, 2008

Graduate / Describe an innovative solution to address a specific challenge - MBA [NEW]

Question: describe an innovative solution to address a specific challenge.

Growing up in the home of a single mother in a blue-collar area was challenging. In spite of this adversity, I was the first person in my family to have attended college after completing high school. During college, I landed a volunteer teaching position with Chia-Yi County Library. During my tenure at the Library, I was able to pursue a population of students that no one had served before.

These students were disengaged regarding their college futures; however, we were able to offer students from the poorest schools in Joint College Entrance Exams. It was commonly believed that these students were not interested in being helped, which had prevented the Library from pursuing an aggressive marketing strategy in this market pace and I was amongst the few who challenged this notion. I led a program that helped over one thousand students over 4 years throughout Chia-Yi County significantly improve their JCEE scores. Our after-school program had a 95% completion rate that was the highest in history of almost every school we worked with. Tow years after the inception of the program, the average number of college-going students from these high schools had risen by twenty percent. I had a tangible impact on the community I grew up in.

Working with disadvantaged students and underserved schools has been uplifting. A business that does right will anchor itself within the community. Harvesting the wealth of your surrounding without an appropriate outlet to show your concern for the greater good can create a tenuous relationship with your marketplace. I learned the relevance and understand the value of making my marketplace better because of my presence.

Any feedback is highly appreciate

jackson99

Aug 30, 2008

Graduate / The Most Significant acccomplishment - transformation from a shy [NEW]

My greatest accomplishment has been my transformation from a shy and somewhat directionless young man to a confident, and much focused adult. Growing up in suburban Tainan, I never felt that I fit in. I was in a culture that didn't value interpersonal skills.

Consequently, I grew up shy and very unsure of myself. I knew college was the perfect opportunity to explore. At university, however, I was unprepared emotionally for the rigors of life at a large, highly competitive university and my grades suffered. When I started my first year MBA, I had little idea of what I wanted. I thought to be an investment banker. When I realized that I didn't want to enter the financial world, I felt somewhat lost. The full-time LDS missionary program make me feel that I "came out of my shell." My experience working with people gave me the communication skills that I needed to work in a team environment and succeed everywhere I was assigned to.

Now I feel comfortable mingling with thousands of strange people every week using Japanese, Chinese and English. I found that I had a real talent for working with teams, and motivating people. In the past year, I have developed a strong interest in nonprofit management, which given my career a focus that I have never had before. I finally know what I want to do with my life and I now have the confidence, the skills and the determination to achieve anything that I want to.

jackson99

Aug 30, 2008

Graduate / learning about the Berkeley MBA program [3]

When I began researching the MBA programs for my self, I was drawn to the interdisciplinary approach and the concept of business management as a liberal art offered by HASS. I believe the philosophies of the school closely fit my own, as I do not believe that business can be successful and ethical when isolated from the human elements. Also, when I comapred the essay questions from various schools, I found out that the essay questions sound like from a psychologist instead of an admissions committee, which gives me full confidence and joy that I can show my success and failure. I feel most comfortable when presenting myself through my answers to the essays.

Moreover, because of my liberal art background I feel much more at home with the Haas Program than all other programs I have investigated. The core philosophy mixed with distinguished faculty and thoughtful support programs makes the Haas MBA Program very rich. I'm most impressed with the focus on ethics and social responsibility where Haas benefits from its reputation as a pioneer in the field. I know, for example, HAAS is the leading organizor of The National Social Venture Business Plan Competition, where business schools across the globe compete for a total $100,000 by presenting plans that outline business propositions that have a societal or environmental component. I'm very excited about the opportunity to offer my experience from various NPO organizations and brainstorm any possible idea with my classmates in HAAS to present in the Competition.

These are absolutely the quantities that impressed me and thus made the HAAS the only MBA program I decided to apply for. Accounting or marketing practices may change over time, new technology comparable to the Internet may emerge, but the investment to acquire ethics and leadership skills will never fade away.