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MBA INSIDER: SAMPLE APPLICATION ESSAYS USC (Marshall): Essay 1 QUESTION: Why do you wish to pursue an MBA degree? How will the academic experience at the Marshall School of Business assist you in achieving your short-term and long-term professional goals?
To fans, players, referees and everyone else involved, the sport is called "The Beautiful Game." In the United States it is called soccer but in the rest of the world it is called football.
I referee soccer and created the referee mentor program for the 900 referees in our [deleted] youth soccer region. I mentor new referees who often complain that their minds cannot process all that is happening on the field. They are easily confused when the game is fast paced; they are insecure when parents and coaches criticize their calls. As a mentor, I can identify with the new referee because I had the same experience. Over time, however, I developed into a manager on the field, controlling the flow of the game, confident when I make a call, and truly enjoying myself. The key to my success on the soccer field is the same as in business: never stop learning or progressing. In the short term, I need to broaden my understanding beyond the functional areas I mastered at [deleted] and at several entrepreneurial companies where I was the Chief Financial Officer. I want to expand my point of view as CFO and bring my unique perspective to bear on issues that face the whole company. I also want to improve my strategic planning and leadership skills so that in the long term as CEO I can lead the whole company toward a common goal. A Marshall EMBA will build on my experience, fill my "tool box", and enable me to reach my goals. From 1974, when I graduated from high school, to 1981 I lacked direction and I could not figure out what to do with my life. I was confused and insecure. As friends went off to college and had their paths set before them, I traveled the country with a multi-media production company. Eventually I started college but dropped out repeatedly. My grades reflected my mental state. School was not important. I needed time to mature. In 1981, when I married my wife of 22 years, the lights came on. [Deleted] helped me see the administrative and leadership skills I had developed through acting as the program administrator for a church ministry where over 1000 high school students attended weekly. As I recognized my strengths, a career in accounting seemed possible. In 1983 while working as a temporary accountant at a healthcare company, the controller offered me a permanent position as a junior accountant. The only condition: go back to school and get my accounting degree. The decision was simple and my professional career path was set before me: graduate, work for a Big Eight accounting firm, become a CFO. I knew where I wanted to go. I just arrived at this enlightened state later than most. For two years I worked full time, carried 9-11 units per semester at California State University, Fullerton and maintained a 3.5 GPA. I regretted not applying myself sooner and being stuck with a cumulative 3.0 GPA. After graduation in 1984 I moved to my second career goal and accepted an auditor position at [deleted]. At [deleted] I strengthened my logical thinking and communication skills. I was older than most [deleted] recruits and I hit the ground running because of my maturity and industry experience. Immediately managers assigned me to engagements to perform audit work above my official "staff" level. Partners and managers recognized my abilities. I clearly defined and understood audit risks; I developed and executed audit programs. Most importantly, I could communicate with clients and my superiors. I thoroughly enjoyed working with top graduates from the country's best schools. I also enjoyed interacting with client management. After all, I knew someday I would be in a position like theirs. In 1988 I began the third step in my goals progression and worked as controller for [deleted], a fiberglass bath and shower manufacturer. After eight weeks on the job I was promoted to CFO. At [deleted] and at companies throughout my career, I have been responsible for many functional areas. Chief Executive Officers chose me to lead management information systems conversions involving operations, purchasing and accounting departments. CEOs also asked me to research and establish new out of state divisions and to negotiate racecar driver and sponsor contracts. I have been the companies' primary contact with outside legal counsel, insurance brokers and government agencies. The common thread in my success is my ability to work with and lead people on all levels inside and outside the company. My professional career is a process. I have succeeded when presented with new industries, new issues and new responsibilities. I have excelled managing the accounting, financial reporting, human resources and management information systems functional areas. As a member of the senior management team, I want to increase the value of my contribution. This requires me to take the next step to better understand issues and opportunities outside my traditional realm of responsibility. The Marshall EMBA program will "fill my toolbox" and make me a much better CFO. Within five years of receiving my EMBA, I want to become the CEO of a growing entrepreneurial-minded company. To do so I must sharpen my focus of the big picture, improve my strategic planning skills and then learn how to implement the plan. All of this involves leading an organization and enabling individuals to embrace the plan and vision. Not an easy task, but easier to attain if I use skills and resources I will gain while pursuing a Marshall EMBA and interacting with my fellow students. Business leaders and soccer referees I admire are never satisfied with the status quo. They are always learning, always evaluating their performance. The process never stops. Everyday I must also improve. In business, as on the soccer field, I strive to become a better thinker, a better communicator, a better example and a better leader. Pursuing a Marshall EMBA is the next step in the process.  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