Ask Stacy Blackman

Hi Stacy, Hi Amy!

I'm a European student, and I'd like to pursue a MBA in the USA.
I plan to apply next year, but I've already taken the GMAT two years ago, and I've just taken the TOEFL test too.
I'd like an assessment of my opportunities and some indications about which school you think I should apply for.
Here's my profile:

AGE: 28
Nationality: Italian
BA: Cultural Anthropology (social sciences-related then) mark 110/110, GPA: 3.76 for last two years, 3.85 for all 5 years.
GMAT score: 680 (Q43, V40)
TOEFL IBT: 109
Work experience: set up my own business re-selling media products through internet when I was at university (1,5 years) on my website. Kind of unofficial business, yet profitable and that gave me deep insight into business.
After graduation, I've joined my current employer. I've worked with them for 1,5 years now. I started as assistant to the Quality Assurance Manager, and I've been recently promoted to Quality Assurance Manager. I work for a mid-sized company working in the logistics field, with 320 employees.
I can speak fluently italian, english and spanish, and I can speak good finnish and a bit of chinese.
I've travelled extensively to 27 countries for tourism, plus two volunteering experiences of 20 days each in Romania and The Gambia.
I've spent one year in Finland as exchange student and a summer semester at UMKC in Kansas City, MO.
I've been involved in volunteering for the last 6 months, and I'm studying french.

Given my profile, what schools do you think would fit me? I'm thinking about Katz (U. of Pittsburgh), Jones (Rice), Marriott (BYU) and... what else? Would Michigan State or Vanderbilt or Carey (Arizona) be too far a shot? please tell me, I'm quite lost!

Thanks a lot in advance!

Andrea L.

Hi Stacy and Amy again,
well, about my job... I supervise the process through which the company operates, assuring it meets the UN EN ISO 9001 standards for quality (of production, of customer satisfaction, etc.). I carry out audit in the workplace, I manage the documentation related to this "stuff", keep track of current and new laws and make sure they are properly followed by employees. I don't manage people directly, I manage what we can call a project. It's surely a responsability job (I'm in charge for the quality of all the company), even though I recognize it's perhaps a bit uncommon for mba applicants...

About my job goals: well, I don't see myself doing this all my life. I'd like a job in international finance or international business.

So, what do you think about my job? Does it provide what business schools and future employers might look for or not?

Well, let me know, I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks,

Andrea

Basically, I make sure that the rules of ISO 9001 and more are followed, and when they are not, I have to make them followed, through sanctions or reports etc.
Well, let me know!

Thanks,

Andrea

P.S:

- Andrea in Italy is a male name, just to let you know!

Hi again Stacy, sorry to bother you again, but I've found a thorough description of my jon on https://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage ... te=showocc
and I'm pasting it here. Hope this helps!

Job description

Quality assurance (QA) aims to ensure that the product or service an organisation provides is fit for its purpose and meets customer expectations. A quality assurance manager co-ordinates the activities required to meet this aim.

The QA manager monitors and advises on how the quality management system is performing and publishes data and reports regarding company performance against set indicators.

Quality assurance managers liaise with managers and staff throughout the organisation to ensure that the QA system is functioning properly. Where appropriate, the QA manager advises on changes and their implementation and provides training, tools and techniques to enable others to achieve quality.
» Typical work activities

Since maintaining quality demands constant change to meet customer expectations, quality assurance (QA) managers employ a variety of measures to place quality at the heart of an organisation. These include management systems such as ISO 9000, philosophies, such as Total Quality Management, and methodologies such as Continuous Improvement.

The work of the QA manager varies with the organisation but is likely to include some or all of the following activities:

* promoting quality achievement and performance improvement throughout the organisation;
* setting QA compliance objectives and ensuring that targets are achieved;
* maintaining awareness of the business context and company profitability, including budgetary control issues;
* assessing suppliers' and own company's product specifications and customer requirements;
* working with purchasing staff to establish quality requirements from external suppliers;
* ensuring compliance with national and international standards and legislation;
* considering the application of environmental and health/safety standards;
* agreeing standards and establishing clearly defined quality methods for staff to apply;
* defining quality procedures in conjunction with operating staff;
* setting up and maintaining controls and documentation;
* identifying relevant quality-related training needs;
* collating and analysing performance data and charts against defined parameters;
* ensuring tests and procedures are properly understood, carried out and evaluated and that product modifications are investigated if necessary;
* supervising technical staff in carrying out tests and checks;
* writing technical and management system reports;
* bringing together staff of different disciplines and driving the group to plan, formulate and agree comprehensive quality procedures;
* persuading reluctant staff to change their way of working to incorporate quality methods;
* liaising with customers' auditors and ensuring the execution of corrective action and compliance with customers' specifications;
* establishing standards of service for customers or clients;
* preparing clear explanatory documents such as customers' charters;
* monitoring performance through gathering relevant data and producing statistical reports.

Furthermore, a career in international business would be my dream, but careers in finance (like investment banking or consulting) and marketing would be great choicestoo (2nd and 3rd respectively).

Thanks a lot!

Andrea

Some more info (I hope to give you an adequate number of info, so that you can assess some kind of evaluation): the ones described above are more or less my mansions as today (I've been promoted 1 month ago). When I started, I was for the assistant to the then Quality Assurance manager. Basically, I learned all the process from him, and gradually took over his mansions. I've worked for about 1 year-1.2 years assisting him, and gradually completing more and more tasks of responsability, until I was fully promoted.
thanks!

RC

Hi mbaseeker09,

The most important thing from an admissions standpoint is working with teams and leading, so make sure you highlight those areas of your job rather than the technical/report areas.

Good luck!

Amy

Hi Amy,
may I ask you what these leadership/teamwork experiences would be? May you elaborate better please?
thanks!

Well,
I don't know, I really plan to use Stacey Blackman Consulting in order to draw out the best application I can. But I'd like a preliminary assessment, because I'd really like to know if I have to change my job!
I surely have leadership in addition to carry out technical work, I take decisions that are applied by the company. I affect the work done by the company. And I feel I perform a lot of teamwork, as I coordinate things with operators and with the boardroom.
What do you think?

Thanks again!

Hi mbaseeker09,

I'm sure you do many things that involve leadership and teamwork in your work. You don't need to change jobs.

These seem like leadership qualities:

mbaseeker09 wrote:
* promoting quality achievement and performance improvement throughout the organisation;
* working with purchasing staff to establish quality requirements from external suppliers;
* supervising technical staff in carrying out tests and checks;
* bringing together staff of different disciplines and driving the group to plan, formulate and agree comprehensive quality procedures;
* persuading reluctant staff to change their way of working to incorporate quality methods;
* liaising with customers' auditors and ensuring the execution of corrective action and compliance with customers' specifications;

Anytime you have worked effectively with a team, led a project, managed a person, or led in an extracurricular setting that shows leadership and management potential.

Good luck!

Amy