| Register/Subscribe Home |
|
UNDERGRADSMain Page2007 RankingsAdmissions Q&AsCareer Q&AsUndergrad ForumReading ListRecruiter Q&AsSchool Report CardsSchool ToursUndergrad 24-7Undergrad VideosNews HeadlinesPREMIUM CONTENT
| |
AUGUST 1999 MBA JOURNAL: INTRODUCTION Priti Patel: Who I Am and Why B-School Is for Me...
Searching for Reasons The application process and a job away from corporate America helped me sort through the issues and fully understand why going to B-school made sense for me. My position at NARS, a cosmetics company created by a makeup artist, opened my eyes to business issues that I could only have experienced at a young, growing company. As a small (eight people run the corporate office), unstructured, entrepreneurial outfit managed mainly by women, NARS allowed me to operate in a variety of functions (marketing/PR and corporate development) and significantly influence the direction of the company. The environment was totally different from the settings at P&G and Clorox. And in the end, it provided a new and stimulating experience that helped me uncover new interests and business skills I want to develop. Still, I struggled over whether I really needed to go to B-school (and into debt) to enrich my professional background. Couldn't I do that while working? Probably, I concluded, but a part-time MBA wouldn't be nearly as focused, efficient, or fun as a full-time program. Beyond that, I reasoned that the learning I would soak up from my classmates regarding issues that may sometimes be tough to broach with coworkers would be far greater at a full-time program. And so I decided to earn my MBA and went on to choose Northwestern's Kellogg Graduate School of Management. I still don't know exactly what I want to do after B-school, but I have a better idea of where I'd like to focus my energy: Smaller, international companies, perhaps technology oriented. As you can probably tell, I still have a bit of research to do on that front. Kellogg for Me Why Kellogg? The curriculum, people, and student testimony set the school apart for me. Moreover, I like the flexibility and diversity of the programs outside Kellogg's core curriculum. Students are given several ways to gather experience outside the classroom, both locally and internationally. For instance, Kellogg Corps and Global Initiatives in Management are programs designed to provide work/field experience abroad. I'm very interested in gaining international work experience, and so these programs particularly appeal to me. Kellogg students seem down to earth, unwilling to take themselves too seriously, and that's a major plus in my book. I really enjoyed meeting and talking to other prospective students during my three-day school visit (aptly titled Day at Kellogg, or DAK). [Editor's note: Kellogg runs several DAK's each year to give admitted students a first-hand look at the school and its opportunities.] They all seemed genuine. For instance, at dinner, I learned that one of my classmates had written in an application essay that he could do a mean Jodie Foster imitation. It didn't take long to catch a live performance. There's nothing like watching a grown man perform a Jodie Foster bit from Silence of the Lambs. Current students were especially helpful during my visit. I had lunch with first years and stayed with second years, which was useful in getting a good feel for the place. Despite hectic schedules, students were great about spending time with me to answer questions about housing, classes, etc. Maybe that helpful/polite attitude is a Kellogg thing, or maybe it's a midwesternism.... Either way, I was impressed. In the end, student testimony really clinched things for me. During my visit, I bumped into a few friends who attended Kellogg. They were quite open about their experiences. I got the sense that they felt challenged at Kellogg, yet had enough fun to feel balanced. I guess I was amazed to hear how happy they were. They gushed...and these guys aren't gushers. When I see people that are genuinely happy, I don't question it. In time, I'll be able to make my own assessments. Until then, I'll keep you posted on Oprah sightings -- I hear she's teaching a class this year.  | | [an error occurred while processing this directive] Learn about your online education options |
 Copyright 2000, Bloomberg L.P.Terms of Use | Privacy Policy |
MBA Insider
Printer-Friendly Version
