Meet The UT-Austin’s McCombs Class of 2017

John Fox

University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business 

Hometown: Saint Louis, MO

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Michigan, Industrial and Operations Engineering

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: I worked for Emtec Inc. based out of Chicago. I was an analyst, consultant and finally a manager for the Oracle financial systems practice.

Recalling your own experience, what advice do you have for applicants who are preparing for either the GMAT or the GRE?  Find a study schedule that works for you… and FOLLOW IT. It might be difficult at first, but if you can stick to a study schedule for two weeks straight it becomes the new normal. Get used to arriving at work an hour early and staying late. It is an easy way to squeeze a few extra hours in a day and fits in to most schedules.

Based on your own selection process, what advice do you have for applicants who are trying to draw up a list of target schools to which to apply? Start the selection process early and go to as many information sessions as you can. If you don’t have time or the means to go to these meetings, listen to the podcasts and online sessions that the schools provide. In addition, think about what industry you want your future career to be in. Apply to those schools whose strengths align with your future career goals. This way, you can focus on only a few applications of your top schools.

What advice do you have for applicants in actually applying to a school, writing essays, doing admission interviews, and getting recommenders to write letters on your behalf?

Application process: Most importantly, start the application process early. A good rule of thumb: Everything takes longer than you think.

Writing Essays: Talk to those who know you best to brainstorm responses. I know I forgot some important or interesting events in my own life, so talking to those who know me best stirred up some responses. Once you have your topic ready for a first draft, write down everything that comes to mind; pay no attention to the word limit. When it comes time to review the essays: Be shameless. I know it can be embarrassing letting friends/family read your work, but it’s the best way to fine tune your essays.

Admissions Interviews: Rehearse your answers. It is uncomfortable for most people to talk about themselves, so practicing takes the strangeness out of it. Also, rehearsing helps you find the difference between self-assured and arrogant. Finally, rehearse in front of a mirror.  You might notice some unconscious gestures or ticks you make while speaking.

Recommendation letters: Give recommenders as much notice as possible. Be mindful that they are busy as well and a few more weeks of notice could be difference between an average letter and a great letter.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? McCombs was always at the top of my list. Their alumni network and industry specific curriculum aligned with my future goals.  I saw McCombs as the perfect program to make a career switch to the energy industry. I came down for preview weekend to meet some of the other students and see the campus – and I knew immediately it was right program for me.

What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate? I want to confidently answer the question: “What do you want to do?” I have an answer to the question but grad school is a time to polish the answer. I know a lot of my peers, and I would argue most young professionals don’t know exactly what function or industry they want to end up in. We either stay in jobs for convenience, for the money, or because we just don’t know what else is out there. My time in the MBA program is a means to explore my skillset, grow my network, and begin down my ideal career path.