MBA Game Plan Feedback

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MBA Game Plan Feedback

by prmba » Mon Jul 16, 2012 6:37 am
Hello, I am an engineer who graduated 6 months ago, and am planning to apply for a top MBA program in around 3.5 years. This being a knowledgeable board, I would appreciate any feedback or advice as to how I should develop my strategy, and what I should concentrate on. Any help you can give me will be appreciated!

Personal Background: Puerto Rican, born and raised on the island.
Academic Background: Mechanical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, 3.5 GPA, Magna Cum Laude
Caveat: C in every math class taken in college
Extracurriculars: None in college, currently in the process of starting an organization for stateside Puerto Rican engineers to share ideas and promote changes to the electricity industry in Puerto Rico.
Ultimate Goal: Become director of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, or obtain a high position in the company to conduct initiatives to lower electricity prices and run the company more efficiently, ultimately resulting in making Puerto Rico a more attractive place for investors.

Languages: Fully fluent in Spanish and English, intermediate level of German and Italian. I could reach full fluency in German by the time I apply to B-school, but am not sure if it would be worth the time and effort it would require of me.
Work Experience: 6 months as an engineer at a Nuclear Plant with Southern Company.
Internship at Continental Tire in Germany (Not sure if that would be relevant by the time I apply)
GMAT: Not taken yet, currently studying for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, and will start studying for the GMAT shortly afterwards.

Main thing I need advice on is on where to target my career. I have a feeling that the job I have now is not very impressive, and am not sure how the nuclear industry is viewed in B-School world. Here are the possible career paths I am considering now:

1)Stay at current plant, and achieve at least supervisory level, along with work on meaningful projects during my time here.
2) Being with Southern Company, I can transfer to Vogtle 3 & 4, which are the first nuclear reactors to be licensed in the United States in 30 years.
3)Apply for Areva in France, as they have a leadership development program. This position requires a working knowledge of French, but with heavy studying I can get to that level in less than a year. I did this with German, and French should in theory be easier for me as it is a romance language.
4)Try to get a job in the power industry in a developing country like Brazil, this would give me valuable experience for my ultimate goal.

Sorry for the long post! I would also appreciate your opinion on if you think it would be a good idea to take the GMAT now, or to wait a couple of years.

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by Jon@Admissionado » Tue Jul 17, 2012 12:14 am
You have very good questions, and it's great that you are starting so early. Plus you have very clear goals already, which will put you at a distinct advantage.

First of all, when you do apply in three or four years time, you can apply through the consortium https://www.cgsm.org/ which is a program for minority applicants for business school. You have nice grades and an ambitious dream. One of the main things they look for in the consortium is a community LEADER in diversity, so think from now how you can get involved in addition to whichever job you would take.

Regarding your choice of jobs, it's a little bit hard for me to say, to be honest. First of all, I'm not in your industry (so maybe speak to higher ups in electric companies, I'm sure their feedback will be super valuable). (Plus how to compare a job in Brazil with one in the US?) But in general, whatever position will give you the most opportunities for advancement and leadership will be best. (But actually if you are thinking in terms of MBA, ANY of these jobs can work, so also select your job on what YOU want - i.e. better location, salary, opportunities).

Hope this helps!
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by prmba » Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:03 am
Thank you for your reply. I was not aware of The Consortium, will definitely look into it!

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by Jon@Admissionado » Tue Jul 17, 2012 10:46 pm
Very good! And drop us a line, in oh, about three years or so.
:)
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Something for everyone:
https://admissionado.lpages.co/admissio ... nter-2018/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/50-essay ... ked-vol-4/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/case-studies-lp/
https://admissionado.com/mba/reviews/
https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Admis ... 700945.htm

Reach out, and let's gab. Our only requirement is that you don't prefer warm milk over cold milk. Everyone else, 100% welcome.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 866-409-4753
Hit us up on WhatsApp.
Ping our satellite: 0884#&@-2#101101
Contact us via web form you lazy git: https://admissionado.com/contact/
Mostly, email Claudia.

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by prmba » Sun Oct 04, 2015 10:15 am
Here I am, back after three years :) Took the GMAT yesterday, and scored a 720, which was higher than I expected. Very excited about the prospects; I ended up staying at the same nuclear plant, gaining roles of increasing responsibility throughout the years. Looking forward to this next stage of the process of admission.