Outside of Work Leadership Positions

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rmt99e: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 7; Joined: Wed Jun 10, 2015 5:25 pm; Location: New York, NY; Thanked: 1 times

by rmt99e » Wed Jun 17, 2015 9:03 am

Hi BTGMAT -

As I am planning on applying for schools within the next 6 months I feel that I could benefit in the admissions process if I have some leadership roles outside of work. Has, or is, anyone here trying to ramp up this aspect prior to applying to schools? Interested in your insight.

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Source: Beat The GMAT — The Application Process | Wed Jun 17, 2015 9:03 am

Admit1MBA: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 28; Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2015 8:54 am; Location: New York, NY; Thanked: 6 times; GMAT Score:720

by Admit1MBA » Thu Jun 18, 2015 6:55 am

Hi There,
Schools know that students are looking to enhance their leadership experience, and many aspiring MBA applicants start doing community work in the 12 months prior to applying. The schools usually don't like this kind of fluffing of one's resume, and they will have doubts about the applicant's seriousness and dedication to his/her community.

Still, doing something can't hurt, but if you want it to be impactful you have to be smart about it - pick a theme or a topic that you feel strongly about and really get involved with it, so you don't want just to be a volunteer at a food kitchen, you want to become the team lead, or improve some of the processes there. Or maybe you pick a topic that is related to your background or career goals, or continue something you have done during college.

Here are a few tips I wrote on how to evaluate whether you have enough community work, especially if you are applying for top MBA programs https://admit1mba.com/2012/04/is-communi ... ation.html

I hope that this helps.
Yael, Admit1MBA
www.admit1mba.com

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Alexbr@ClearAdmit: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 309; Joined: Sun Jun 21, 2015 6:19 amFollowed by: 11 members; Thanked: 39 times

by Alexbr@ClearAdmit » Sun Jun 21, 2015 7:34 am

as advised above. It's never too late to start volunteering. But, pick something about which you are passionate, and make a difference (difference versus someone else volunteering in the same org). Pick something you would want to do, independent of applying to business school. cheers, alex

New Book! Becoming a Clear Admit: The Definitive Guide to MBA Admissions. https://www.clearadmit.com/products/admi ... dmissions/

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Dozie@VeritasPrep: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 97; Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:52 pmFollowed by: 5 members; Thanked: 7 times

by Dozie@VeritasPrep » Wed Jul 01, 2015 2:04 pm

Don't always assume it has to be non-affiliated to your job. A lot of great extra-curricular experience can happen via your employe through leading intern classes, lunch & learns, neighborhood clean-ups, various health walks. I think you get the picture sometimes these type of efforts seem a little more authentic than the ones pulled out of thin air.

Hope this helps!

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rmt99e: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 7; Joined: Wed Jun 10, 2015 5:25 pm; Location: New York, NY; Thanked: 1 times

by rmt99e » Thu Jul 02, 2015 5:26 pm

Thanks for the insight. In retrospect this was kind of a silly post. I am more just curious what people in this avenue are doing outside of work in terms of leadership -- not so much how it will be advantageous in the GMAT application process. I have a good mix of leadership experience and community involvement through my current firm that will be worked into my story for applications.

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max_roper: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 24; Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 4:09 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 4 times

by max_roper » Sat Jul 11, 2015 3:58 pm

Rmt 99e,

Thank you for sharing your very important question.

Below are three organizations you may consider for outside-of-work leadership opportunities.

1) SCORE
2) Taproot Foundation
3) USA Leadership Corps

These organizations recruit, train, and match emerging professionals like yourself with small businesses and nonprofits in need of business planning or strategy assistance. You will gain a tremendous feeling of accomplishment as you help a struggling local small business.

As you already know, such experiences demonstrate superior communication, listening, and problem-solving skill - which will be of great value to your throughout your MBA career.

Best of luck,

Maxwell Roper
Outreach Director
USA Leadership Corps (USALC)
www usaLeadershipCorps org

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CriticalSquareMBA: Legendary Member; Posts: 1088; Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2013 3:29 pmFollowed by: 52 members; Thanked: 171 times

by CriticalSquareMBA » Sun Jul 12, 2015 5:41 pm

I agree with the comments above, but would like to reiterate that spending your time over the next few months looking/contributing to last minute volunteer activities probably isn't the best use of your time. Many schools just cross out activities started 6-9 months prior to application submission dates because they are truly looking for people that have been committed to something. You're probably better off spending more time on your application or trying to beef up some of your achievements/leadership at work - anything that you believe will make you stand out.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

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Michael@VeritasPrep: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 380; Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2015 9:49 amFollowed by: 7 members; Thanked: 13 times

by Michael@VeritasPrep » Sat Oct 24, 2015 11:07 am

Defintely think it is a good idea to start building out some non-work leadership positions. However, since it is relatively "late" in the process, you have to make sure it is genuine and not something you are doing simply to pad your resume. Schools will see right through that. Make sure it is something that ties into your background.

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