Meet The CEIBS MBA Class of 2017

Samwel Odundo

CEIBS

Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Nairobi, B. Sc (Actuarial Science)

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

KPMG Kenya – Financial Risk Management Consultant

Africa Risk Institute – FRM Trainer

EPOS Health Management GmbH – Assistant project administrator

Recalling your own experience, what advice do you have for applicants who are preparing for either the GMAT or the GRE? Candidates need to invest at least 100 hours in preparing for the GMAT or GRE. This provides a personal indicator check on level of personal preparation and confidence. The goal is to be fully prepared even before and as you register for the exam to attain best scores.

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? Applicants have to ask themselves three key questions for their future: What do they want to achieve?; How will they get there?; and where will they actualize their vision? This way, it comes down to long-term vision rather than short-term goals. And through the process, clear objectives are set based on both career and life priorities.

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? The application process starts as soon as the thought of doing an MBA hits an applicant’s mind. In the application journey, therefore, it is best to understand why you are leaving your comfort zone to take up an MBA course. This will help you a lot in writing your essays and the talk you will have when you are interacting with your recommenders. Importantly, you have to start your preparation early and a good way to do this is by reaching out to both the admissions office and a current student of the school(s) you are interested in. Greater clarification and understanding of the school may therefore be sought to guide your application.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? My interest in CEIBS MBA program was due to the China-Africa connection that the school offers. I foresaw stronger business ties between China and Africa and the need for global trained talent to manage Sino-Africa business relations. I therefore saw CEIBS as a good fit to immerse myself in Chinese culture while embracing a global program.

What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate? I would like to pilot-test a business venture I have been working on in the e-commerce sector. The business proposition embraces China e-commerce practice and insightful economics concept I have learned while at CEIBS.