Harvey Zhao

“Constantly on the move, foretold as a post-horse, always seeking the next stop”

Hometown: Wuhan, China

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve gone skydiving, bungee jumping, scuba diving, shot a gun, and driven a sports car, but I’m still afraid of spiders.

Undergraduate School and Major: Boston University, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with Finance and Management Information System as concentrations

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Product Manager, DXC Technology

What were some of the key motivating factors behind pursing your MBA, and why did this seem like the right time for you?

In my many years of service as an IT consultant and product manager, I have consistently sought new challenges and greater purpose. With my proven critical thinking, analytical abilities, and problem-solving skills, I am confident that I can excel in consulting. I view an MBA as the bridge to joining the world’s most prestigious consulting firms. Now is the right time for me to pursue this path, as I’ve reached a bottleneck in my current role as a product manager, and I believe an MBA will help me advance to the next level in my career.

When you think of your school, what is the first word that comes to mind and why?

International. It’s uncommon in Mainland China to experience such a diverse environment, where daily communication happens in English with students and friends from dozens of countries. During my undergraduate studies, I thrived in this kind of multicultural setting and once worked in a group where all six members were from different countries. That was an unforgettable experience, one I didn’t encounter again until joining CEIBS.

What are one or two key aspects of this MBA program that stood out among the others, and why were they so important to you?

First, the resources. CEIBS offers an expansive campus with plentiful physical resources, and since it’s primarily dedicated to MBA students, finding a meeting room for in-depth discussions is never an issue. Moreover, the entire MBA program is supported by teams of faculty, TAs, coordinators, and career counselors who focus on just over one hundred students. This level of support contrasts sharply with my undergraduate experience, where I had to book meeting rooms with limited availability, often finding them fully occupied when all teams needed space at once.

Second, the teaching quality. Before starting at CEIBS, I had modest expectations about the teaching quality, but I was thoroughly impressed once classes began. The professors’ deep expertise, the rich class discussions, and the dynamic, intellectually challenging environment exceeded my expectations. This kind of rigorous teaching is vital to me because I’m here to sharpen my critical thinking skills, and I value a program that pushes me to tackle difficult, not easy, problems.

What course were you/are you most interested in taking coming into the program and why?

For the first term, the course I was most interested in was Marketing. So far, the marketing classes have presented the most intellectually challenging cases and discussions, covering areas I hadn’t explored during my undergraduate studies, even though I also attended a business school.

The professor’s teaching style has also been a key factor. Professor Park, in particular, encourages deeper thinking. For instance, she may ask a question, and after you provide an answer, she challenges you to think beyond the initial response—focusing on the “whys” behind the “whats” and “hows.” This method has been instrumental in pushing me to think critically and analytically.

What club, activity, or experience at the school have you most enjoyed so far, and why?

Orientation week was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had. The entire week was fully packed, and I have to commend the team behind it—it was meticulously organized, with every activity being engaging, intellectually stimulating, and keeping us on our toes (which I loved, as I dread boredom).
During this week, I also met my team for the first term and had a great bonding experience, including a fun trip to Disneyland. These moments set the stage for a closer and deeper collaboration with my team throughout the first term.

What do you consider the biggest accomplishment in your career so far?

In my previous role, I successfully led the turnaround of a low-performing team. Although the team had many capable employees, it lacked clear direction, and tasks were not well-organized. After taking over, I established clear communication with the client to fully understand their requirements and expectations. I then broke down their needs into manageable tasks, enabling the team to focus on specific objectives within defined timeframes, such as three-week sprints.

As a result, the team’s productivity doubled. More importantly, the team dynamic transformed—what was once a culture of finger-pointing and blame turned into a collaborative and positive environment. Client satisfaction improved significantly, and the team members built strong, supportive relationships.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to other prospective MBAs?

While it’s not a business book, I highly recommend A Song of Ice and Fire series (commonly known as Game of Thrones) by George R.R. Martin. I’m currently reading it, and it’s incredibly engaging. For those diving into the intense MBA journey, this series offers a great escape. It allows you to temporarily leave all the work behind and immerse yourself in a complex, fascinating world of characters, strategy, and intrigue. It’s perfect for unwinding, especially at the end of the day before bed, offering a much-needed mental break during demanding times.

What are two things you have learned at your school that have surprised you so far – one academic and one non-academic?

One academic surprise has been the depth and complexity of case-based learning. I expected cases to be engaging, but I was surprised by how much the cases and the professors challenge you to think critically, analyze multiple perspectives, and apply frameworks in real-time. Each discussion pushes you to consider not just what the best decision is, but why it’s the best, and what long-term implications it may have. The intensity and depth of these cases have significantly enhanced my ability to think strategically.

On the non-academic side, I was pleasantly surprised by the strong sense of community and the immediate support from the school’s network. Before joining, I expected the alumni network to be valuable, but I didn’t realize just how willing people are to help. The school pairs students with alumni mentors, and I was amazed by how proactive my mentor has been. She not only supports me individually but also collaborates with other mentors to organize company visits, introduce us to additional alumni, and offer guidance—all voluntarily. Currently, I’m working with her to plan a company visit to an EV company, with several other visits to companies in different industries in the pipeline.

What advice would you give to help prospective MBAs gain admission into an MBA program?

My advice for prospective MBAs is to prepare to be busy, ready for challenges, and open-minded. MBA programs are intense—you’ll juggle classes, projects, networking, and extracurricular activities, often all at once. Strong time management skills are crucial, as you’ll need to thrive in a fast-paced, demanding environment. Academically, expect to be pushed beyond your comfort zone by professors and peers who will challenge your ideas and encourage critical thinking.

Equally important is being open-minded. You’ll meet people from diverse cultures, even those from the same country may have completely different perspectives and experiences. Embrace these differences, as they’ll enrich your learning and broaden your worldview. Being open to growth, managing your time effectively, and appreciating diverse perspectives will help you succeed in an MBA program.