Ask Stacy Blackman

Dear Ms. Blackman

My story is a little bit long but I hope not boring. I would appreciate if you could help me along the right path.

I am a 25 year old who graduated from U of Texas in 2005 with a BS in Molecular Biology (had a full tuition scholarship) and GPA of 3.5 with honors. During college, I was active in student government and performed research involving drugs for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

I then joined dental school in 2007, one of the top schools in the US, and after the first semester my private lender decided not to lend to international students and I was left hanging.

I was heart broken and left with no other choice but to pay back my first semester’s tuition of 30K USD. So I went outside of the US to look for a job. I took up several jobs in sales and finally settled into a job in car sales in Oct 2008. In the past two years, I have learned so much about handling people, especially those from different cultural backgrounds. I am now working for one of the regions top car dealers representing a top Japanese brand. I joined here on the CFO’s recommendation and I love my job. I am also one of top salespeople in the company. However, this month we have been very badly hit due to the global recession and I will soon have to think of my next career move.

I happened to read one of Pat Dorsey’s books about the stock market last year and got fascinated by how a business works and the effect of the management’s efficiency on the stock prices. I have developed so much interest that I can analyze financial statements and have come to take a liking to economics. I have since realized that I may fit into a career in business since I find it extremely interesting. I would like to advance myself into a management position especially strategy management.

I need your help in trying to figure out a proper direction and purpose for doing my MBA.

1. Should I wait for some more time to gain more work experience before applying to business schools? If so, can I get into a management consulting entry level job in Canada? Are there any such opportunities there? I will be moving to Canada soon as my aging parents need me with them.
2. Based on my experience, what kind of job can I get after my MBA and in what field since there are numerous fields in Business Administration? Does my MBA career have to be linked to my undergrad major? I feel inclined towards strategy and policy, but that is just a thought. I am not sure. I recently learned that operations management would take a background in Math and Stats so that option is not an option.
3. Currently, in what field are more MBA jobs available and what are future projections pointing to?
4. I have taken the GRE before and my score was 620 on verbal and 740 on quantitative so I think I can score well on the GMAT. I can only finance my MBA if I get full scholarship. What kind of school should I aim at to make that possible both in the US and Canada? I want to get into a top school to maximize my career prospects upon graduation. I don’t have any extra-curriculars because I work from 9 to 9 with a 4 hour lunch break during which I am at the showroom doing customers’ paperwork.
5. Also is there a need to mention my attending dental school? I am afraid that they will question whether I am motivated enough for business school as it may seem like a plan B even though my interest is genuine.
6. Is there any good book I can read to get educated about my MBA career options? I am a bit depressed at the thought that I don’t have as good job experience as the average MBA applicant. But I think I can get a rec letter from my CFO! I would really appreciate your honest advice, Ms. Blackman.
7. Also, say I do move to Canada and work there, can I use a recommendation from my CFO that is a few years and a few months old for B-school?


Alphafemale