You're going to b-school…now what?

If you’re reading this blog, then there’s a very good chance you’re probably going to b-school looking for a better (or different job) than you currently have.  And there’s also a good chance that you’re not really sure yet what you want that new job to be.

One statistic that I’ve heard several times is that 85% of MBA students are career switchers, and 85% of those don’t know to what career they want to switch (Thanks for this one, JB).

If we do a little math, that means, based on this statistic, about 72% of your class will looking to change to a yet-to-be-determined new career.

And while that number may or may not be accurate, many pre-MBAs fall into this category.

Going into b-school, a lot of pre-MBAs think they have the better part of two years to figure out what they want to do after graduation.  So no rush, right? [Read more →]

Presumably, if you’re heading to b-school in the near future, you have some interest in business.  And no matter what shape that takes, if you’re getting an MBA, you’re going to need to be/get conversant in the language of business.

If you already are, great, you’re a step ahead of the game.  If you’re not, here are a few things you can start reading now so you don’t need an english-to-business dictionary when you show up to the first day of class.

[Read more →]

While I attempt to share with you many of the tips, tricks and wisdom that I picked up during my time in b-school, I also want to — wherever possible — thank the people who enlightened me along the way.

While some of what I write about are my own observations and how I made sense of the b-school experience, much of it came from administrators, professors, staff, classmates and alums at Marshall.  In addition, friends and colleagues who attended other programs around the country (and around the world) have greatly contributed to my sense of the “bigger picture.”

Wherever possible throughout this blog, I will do my best to thank the individuals who contributed to my experience, but since I won’t be possible to remember *everyone* I am posting an overarching thank you here:

Thank you to all of the people that helped shape my MBA experience — you are contributors in your own way to B-School Preschool.

This is the second in a series of “MBA Building Blocks,” posts that focus on the key things pre-MBAs should be thinking about and doing before they start school.

Business school is exciting time.  You’ll have all kinds of new experiences and meet tons of new people.  And with all of that activity, it’s easy to lose contact with the outside world and the people that you care about – even if you live in the same house with them.

With that in mind, I believe it’s important to prepare your friends and family for what you’re about to go through and how it might affect your relationships with them. [Read more →]

If you’ve recently gotten into b-school, you’re probably thinking about all of the “important” and “official” things you have to do to get ready and no doubt, there are a bunch of things on that list.

But, considering your about to embark on an intense 22-month journey, I’d recommend that you take some time for yourself and remember to have some fun.  Now this is one of those posts that’s time-dependent (as in, those who get into school early have more time to plan), but no matter how much time you have to prep, you should make sure to take some time and mentally prep to start school.

Ideally, if you have three months or more to get ready, here’s what I suggest: [Read more →]

And can I start a blog with 2 3 questions?   Guess we’ll find out…

The short answer is this: if you’re heading to b-school and you’re looking for information on how to prepare yourself mentally, physically, emotionally, financially, academically and all of the other -ally’s you can think of, you’ve come to the right place. [Read more →]

This is the first in a series of posts labeled with category “MBA Building Blocks.”  These are what I consider to be the backbone of this site and posts with this label will cover the meatiest topics.

Of all the things you could possibly do to prepare for school, there is one question you must ask yourself (and answer), and it is simply this:

Why am I going to business school?

Simple, right?  You wrote several (if not more) application essays on this exact topic and probably have your “elevator pitch” down pat.  And that helped you get you into school.

So, do me a favor, open up your admission-granting essay and re-read it now.  And think about this question again:

Why am I going to business school?

For some, the essay may have nailed it and if you’re in that group, congrats!  You’re a step ahead of the crowd.  If you’re now re-thinking what was in your essay — or your essay was more fantasy than reality — here’s what I suggest you do now:  take some time and really think about why you’re headed back to school. [Read more →]