How I Got My Dream Job At McKinsey

Alejandra Martinez. Owen photo

News from Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management 

“For Alejandra Martinez (MBA ’19), landing a spot at one of the world’s top consulting firms wasn’t part of her original plan. After working for four years as a financial risk manager in her home country of Ecuador, she decided to further her career by earning her MBA in the U.S. ‘I wanted to keep growing, and I was kind of stuck in my career at that point,’ she said.

“Martinez entered business school with plans to leverage her finance background into an investment banking career in the U.S. She landed a summer internship at Bank of America’s Charlotte office, but as she thought more deeply about her post-MBA career, she realized that — despite her positive experience in America — she ultimately wanted to return home and give back to South America.

“When she learned from a fellow intern that McKinsey & Company was specifically recruiting Latin American candidates for their Colombia office, Martinez decided to apply. She ultimately landed a full-time offer at McKinsey’s Colombia office, where she will begin working after graduating in May.

“Going back (to Latin America) with an MBA, you come in with more seniority than other people and I think you can have a bigger impact depending on where you land,” she said. “You can go into a really small organization and have a really big impact and that’s something that I really look forward to.”

Owen offers a fascinating timeline that shows how Martinez landed the offer.

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Students in the current cohort of the Master of Science in business analytics program are becoming critical translators and problem-solvers within organizations. UVA photo

At Virginia, Doors Open On Darden-McIntire Analytics Program 2nd Year

News from University of Virginia Darden School of Business

“The University of Virginia’s Master of Science in business analytics (MSBA) program is accepting applications for enrollment to the Class of 2020 and has announced a number of admissions open houses for professionals interested in learning more about the 12-month program, which begins in August.

“The MSBA program, offered in partnership by UVA’s Darden School of Business and McIntire School of Commerce, is designed to fit into the lifestyle of busy professionals, combining weekend residencies with online classes and distance learning.

“Delivered by full-time faculty at UVA’s top-ranked business schools, the MSBA is intended for students with a wide array of professional backgrounds. The program emphasizes the practical application of business analytics, incorporating project management, leadership skills and management communication alongside introductions to cutting-edge analytics tools. Students are able to serve as critical interpreters within data-rich organizations, translating technical content into narratives and design visualizations that can help inform decision-making.”

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First Cohort From HEC Paris’ 100% Online MSc In Innovation & Entrepreneurship Set To Graduate

News from HEC Paris

“The first group of 46 students of the HEC Paris MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MSIE) have just finished their courses and will attend HEC Paris’ graduation ceremony, online or in person, in June 2019.  This 100 percent online program started in September 2017 and was the first completely online degree for the School.

“The unique program equips current and aspiring entrepreneurs, consultants and decision makers in the domain of innovation and new business development with the necessary skills to identify and develop new ventures, with an implicit goal to promote sustainability, gender equality, social innovation and well-being. A practical group project where seasoned entrepreneurs accompany participants, is integrated into the curriculum. This gives students the opportunity to work together across geographical and sociological boundaries and apply the academic content toward a real-life new venture, social innovation or business solution.”

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Jim Ziolkowski’s passion has inspired its thousands of U.S. students to volunteer millions of hours. Around the world, more than 177,000 people attend buildON-built schools each day. Photo courtesy of buildON

MSU Broad Alum Honored As Role Model By Global Biz Ed Alliance

News from Michigan State Broad College of Business

“Jim Ziolkowski has long been the consummate manifestation of what Broad Spartans aspire to be. As founder of buildOn, the Eli Broad College of Business alum has used his business acumen to make a better tomorrow for others everywhere, from America’s urban cores to far-flung locales spanning the globe.

“Now, Ziolkowski is being hailed as a role model for all.

“Ziolkowski, a 1989 Financial Administration alum, is one of 33 business school graduates worldwide honored by AACSB International (AACSB) — the world’s largest business education alliance — as the 2019 Class of Influential Leaders, announced Tuesday, Feb. 5.”

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When Manufacturers Commence Exporting, They Become More Efficient

News from UCLA Anderson School of Management

There has long been agreement that manufacturers that export are more productive than those that don’t. But why that’s so has been open to debate. Is it because the plants that go into exporting are more efficient to begin with? Or do they become more productive as a result of their exposure to global competition?

Previous studies suggested the answer might be self-selection: The most productive plants are those that go into exporting. But a study by Alvaro Garcia-Marin of the Universidad de Chile and Nico Voigtländer of UCLA Anderson provides powerful evidence that factories do, in fact, up their game when they enter the world economy.

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