Hello,
Could you take the time to please evaluate my current situation and profile as it pertains to my near-term pursuit of an MBA? I am intending to apply for admission in Fall 2012 to full-time programs at Chicago, Northwestern, HBS, and Stanford. Based on my profile, could you please advise your opinions if admission to a Top 10 school is realistic and achievable? I am presently working in the aerospace/aviation industry in supply chain, manufacturing, and operations. My intentions are to continue and finish building a solid operational foundation, pursue an MBA degree to compliment my engineering and ops backgrounds, and begin the process of changing careers by going into business strategy and management consulting.
At the time of my entrance into graduate school:
29 years old
5-1/2 years at General Electric, plus 2 years engineering & manufacturing internships
Caucasian, male
Undergraduate education:
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Cincinnati
GPA: 4.0
2 years of coop/intern experience on top of engineering curriculum
GMAT:
690 (Does my undergrad GPA help to compliment a sub-700 score?)
Personal Endeavors:
- Enjoy physical fitness (weight training and cardio). Avid golfer.
- Regular reader of non-fiction works and travel regularly for pleasure.
- Learning Swedish language in written, spoken, and reading forms via self-taught education and cultural immersion
Work Experience:
General Electric - Leadership program, Operations Management (post-collegiate). Geographical relocation required for subsequent roles - Boston, MA, Dayton, OH, Grand Rapids, MI, Cincinnati, OH (2 years)
Held positions in Manufacturing Engineering & Quality, Production Cell Leadership/Direct Supervisor (22 direct reports), Lean Six Sigma, and Materials/Supply Chain Management. Led team of 5 peers to strategically eliminate $18M of direct inventory out of global supply chain in 6 month period across 5 facilities on 4 continents. Identified as Top Talent (upper 10%) by direct managers and colleagues during 360 reviews. Superior recommendations available from all managers.
Directly following the leadership program, I was promoted to an expatriate assignment in Trollhättan, Sweden to represent GE Aviation at our key revenue sharing partner and supplier, Volvo Aero. I am currently still in this role, where I lead the direct supply chain procurement and material fulfillment activities at a supplier which impacts 10 unique engine programs with 4% to 8% direct revenue sharing on $5B total revenue. I lead manufacturing and procurement improvement activities in conjunction with the supplier while also managing the inter-cultural relationship as the direct link back to the GE supply chain in the United States. I report directly to the European Supply Chain Executive and have been rated as a Role Model (top 10%), and shall continue to remain at this level throughout the duration of my 2 year assignment.
After I return to the United States in June 2011, I will be taking a leadership role at one of GE's manufacturing facilities where I will have direct report personal or a key business metric to drive involving the supply chain of a newly introduced engine program.
In summary, by the time I start my MBA and in 2012, I will have a strong foundation in engineering as a collegiate discipline, and I will have had 5.5 years of professional experience at GE Aviation encompassing a GE Leadership Program (2 years), an expatriate role in Sweden and Western Europe leading the supply chain activities at a key partner (2 years), and a critical operations leadership role expanding my breadth in the United States (1.5 years). I will have built a strong operations/manufacturing foundation, as well as international global leadership experience providing the key interface between cultures and business practices. (Is this a unique enough background to be a differentiator?)
Community Engagement:
- Math and science tutor for 4th and 5th grade students during Leadership program assignments
- Junior Achievement Mentoring advisory board in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Defined strategy for group
- Created and developed Young Professionals networking community in GE facility in Grand Rapids to integrate young engineers and supply chain talent from a newly acquired business. Continue to provide executive oversight.
- Executive team for March of Dimes foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio. Broke all-time record for GE Aviation fundraising of over $200,000. Also, led team of 50+ young professionals to raise over $5,000 in aggressive timeline during 2008/2009 economic recession.
And help, comments, and advice would be very appreciated. What do you feel I can do to improve my personal profile? I am committed to pursuing this career change as moving to consulting and leveraging my previous experience is where I have my passion in work. I look forward to your input and advice.
Could you take the time to please evaluate my current situation and profile as it pertains to my near-term pursuit of an MBA? I am intending to apply for admission in Fall 2012 to full-time programs at Chicago, Northwestern, HBS, and Stanford. Based on my profile, could you please advise your opinions if admission to a Top 10 school is realistic and achievable? I am presently working in the aerospace/aviation industry in supply chain, manufacturing, and operations. My intentions are to continue and finish building a solid operational foundation, pursue an MBA degree to compliment my engineering and ops backgrounds, and begin the process of changing careers by going into business strategy and management consulting.
At the time of my entrance into graduate school:
29 years old
5-1/2 years at General Electric, plus 2 years engineering & manufacturing internships
Caucasian, male
Undergraduate education:
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Cincinnati
GPA: 4.0
2 years of coop/intern experience on top of engineering curriculum
GMAT:
690 (Does my undergrad GPA help to compliment a sub-700 score?)
Personal Endeavors:
- Enjoy physical fitness (weight training and cardio). Avid golfer.
- Regular reader of non-fiction works and travel regularly for pleasure.
- Learning Swedish language in written, spoken, and reading forms via self-taught education and cultural immersion
Work Experience:
General Electric - Leadership program, Operations Management (post-collegiate). Geographical relocation required for subsequent roles - Boston, MA, Dayton, OH, Grand Rapids, MI, Cincinnati, OH (2 years)
Held positions in Manufacturing Engineering & Quality, Production Cell Leadership/Direct Supervisor (22 direct reports), Lean Six Sigma, and Materials/Supply Chain Management. Led team of 5 peers to strategically eliminate $18M of direct inventory out of global supply chain in 6 month period across 5 facilities on 4 continents. Identified as Top Talent (upper 10%) by direct managers and colleagues during 360 reviews. Superior recommendations available from all managers.
Directly following the leadership program, I was promoted to an expatriate assignment in Trollhättan, Sweden to represent GE Aviation at our key revenue sharing partner and supplier, Volvo Aero. I am currently still in this role, where I lead the direct supply chain procurement and material fulfillment activities at a supplier which impacts 10 unique engine programs with 4% to 8% direct revenue sharing on $5B total revenue. I lead manufacturing and procurement improvement activities in conjunction with the supplier while also managing the inter-cultural relationship as the direct link back to the GE supply chain in the United States. I report directly to the European Supply Chain Executive and have been rated as a Role Model (top 10%), and shall continue to remain at this level throughout the duration of my 2 year assignment.
After I return to the United States in June 2011, I will be taking a leadership role at one of GE's manufacturing facilities where I will have direct report personal or a key business metric to drive involving the supply chain of a newly introduced engine program.
In summary, by the time I start my MBA and in 2012, I will have a strong foundation in engineering as a collegiate discipline, and I will have had 5.5 years of professional experience at GE Aviation encompassing a GE Leadership Program (2 years), an expatriate role in Sweden and Western Europe leading the supply chain activities at a key partner (2 years), and a critical operations leadership role expanding my breadth in the United States (1.5 years). I will have built a strong operations/manufacturing foundation, as well as international global leadership experience providing the key interface between cultures and business practices. (Is this a unique enough background to be a differentiator?)
Community Engagement:
- Math and science tutor for 4th and 5th grade students during Leadership program assignments
- Junior Achievement Mentoring advisory board in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Defined strategy for group
- Created and developed Young Professionals networking community in GE facility in Grand Rapids to integrate young engineers and supply chain talent from a newly acquired business. Continue to provide executive oversight.
- Executive team for March of Dimes foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio. Broke all-time record for GE Aviation fundraising of over $200,000. Also, led team of 50+ young professionals to raise over $5,000 in aggressive timeline during 2008/2009 economic recession.
And help, comments, and advice would be very appreciated. What do you feel I can do to improve my personal profile? I am committed to pursuing this career change as moving to consulting and leveraging my previous experience is where I have my passion in work. I look forward to your input and advice.
