Project-Based Engineering Applicant - Resume Help

[tommymoose]

GMAT: 730 (47Q [76%] 44V [97%])
GPA: 3.44 (Cum Laude)
Undergrad: 2010 Mech. Engineering from Northeastern University (A's in accounting, finance and statistics electives... no basket weaving here) 1.5 years of co-op work experience.

I think that I'm a pretty unique applicant for better or worse. A quick bit about my work experience - I design and build optical systems that go into space to take satellite imagery for science, intelligence, etc. for a relatively small division (~150 people) of a large defense contractor. It's a very entrepreneurial environment that has allowed me to take on a broad range of roles and responsibilities, getting exposure to everything from detailed systems analysis to project costing and scheduling, and biz dev/proposal generation stuff. I also manage a product line for an MIT start-up turned side business that makes modest money (selling aero products to Ferrari owners... bonus points?).

To my questions - any thoughts on how to lay out project-based experience on a resume? I would like to list my experience by program because I think giving an overall picture of the program may help (because they're very cool), however this conflicts with a chronological progression that shows increasing responsibility as the two main programs I've worked on overlap. Also, should I spend time listing individual technical contributions (that don't necessarily demonstrate leadership)?

Does anyone have input on how important the overall impact of the program is (not just my contributions)? For example, I've worked start to finish on a program for a high profile start-up customer that has raised ~$100M in VC funding to launch a constellation of imaging satellites. My contributions (along with several others) have led to program success and a production contract that will lead to 10's of millions more in recurring system manufacturing revenue. Is this downstream impact of interest to the AdComs? Any suggestions on the best way to communicate this big picture in the resume if it's not a personal accomplishment?

Also, any general tips are appreciated! Thanks!

[Jon@Admissionado]

There's no clear answer as how to organize your info in your resume. The answer is: whatever is most effective in boosting your MBA application.

In that sense you are entirely right that using technical achievements and lingo aren't gonna be that helpful. It doesn't mean that they are worthless, but that you have to find a layman businessy way of presenting them, so that your contribution is both impressive and clear. Also the focus should be on the business/leadership/teamwork/MBA aspects rather than the technical aspects. After all, you aren't applying for a Technical job.

I would say also that the overall impact of the program is very important. It can be really helpful to contextualize the work and give thing meaning. So if you write "I developed an optical system" I say OK. But if you write "I developed the optical system which will be used in the first manned Mars mission in 15 years" then, it touches me more deeply.

As for the final question r.e. downstream impact: this is a tough one, and it depends on how DIRECTLY you can identify the results of YOUR actions. Meaning the results presented should not be so downstream that there are 17 factors which made sales double, but really only one (yours). Otherwise you should leave things out, because then its either too subjective or not true.

[paulsbodine]

tommymoose,
Your professional profile does sound distinct. And, yes, you do get bonus points for the Ferrari-related startup work. The two approaches to your resume--chronological and project-based--do not have to conflict. Business schools tend to use resumes to get an overview of your career so the chronological approach is probably preferred, but you could still break out/highlight the projects with a separate section within each position (kind of the way IB applicants break out their transaction experience). For the purposes of the B-school resume, I would minimize the technical contributions and emphasize the broader context, including the larger impact of the projects you've worked on. It's actually a good idea to paint out the overall impact of your projects over and above your own contribution as long as you definitely detail your contribution. Feel free to send me your resume for a closer look: [email protected].

GMAT: 730 (47Q [76%] 44V [97%])
GPA: 3.44 (Cum Laude)
Undergrad: 2010 Mech. Engineering from Northeastern University (A's in accounting, finance and statistics electives... no basket weaving here) 1.5 years of co-op work experience.

I think that I'm a pretty unique applicant for better or worse. A quick bit about my work experience - I design and build optical systems that go into space to take satellite imagery for science, intelligence, etc. for a relatively small division (~150 people) of a large defense contractor. It's a very entrepreneurial environment that has allowed me to take on a broad range of roles and responsibilities, getting exposure to everything from detailed systems analysis to project costing and scheduling, and biz dev/proposal generation stuff. I also manage a product line for an MIT start-up turned side business that makes modest money (selling aero products to Ferrari owners... bonus points?).

To my questions - any thoughts on how to lay out project-based experience on a resume? I would like to list my experience by program because I think giving an overall picture of the program may help (because they're very cool), however this conflicts with a chronological progression that shows increasing responsibility as the two main programs I've worked on overlap. Also, should I spend time listing individual technical contributions (that don't necessarily demonstrate leadership)?

Does anyone have input on how important the overall impact of the program is (not just my contributions)? For example, I've worked start to finish on a program for a high profile start-up customer that has raised ~$100M in VC funding to launch a constellation of imaging satellites. My contributions (along with several others) have led to program success and a production contract that will lead to 10's of millions more in recurring system manufacturing revenue. Is this downstream impact of interest to the AdComs? Any suggestions on the best way to communicate this big picture in the resume if it's not a personal accomplishment?

Also, any general tips are appreciated! Thanks!