My friend is an mba graduate

by Dorian Salinas How many cases do MBA students read over their two years at Harvard Business School (HBS)? 500. Ranging in topics from finance to entertainment to sustainability, cases share the story of a business leader (the case protagonist) making a key decision in a difficult situation. In the classroom, students discuss and debate potential solutions with fellow classmates, bringing their personal, cultural, and professional backgrounds to bear. While all cases help broaden the perspectives of future leaders, students find some to be more meaningful than others. We asked members of the MBA Class of 2023 about a case they read that made an impact on them, how the lessons will help them become leaders who make a difference, and more. Furman Haynes (MBA 2023) Furman is a member of Section H. He will be working to launch an employee-owned company with the goal of building wealth for a diverse and middle-skill workforce. What case made an impact on you and why? The “ In the classroom we discussed an operating model that was carefully designed to alleviate burdens for frontline workers. The model—which included elements like scheduling, cross-training, and optimal store layouts—freed up employees to create a better service experience for customers. This led to increased profits, a re-investment in their workers, and higher employee retention when compared to competitors. It was fun to find a virtuous cycle within a business model that has nothing to do with the network e...

Richard Grad was 55 years old and a senior partner at law firm Sidley Austin in Los Angeles when he enrolled in the executive MBA program at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Every other week, he flew his Cessna Citation to Midway Airport to attend classes Friday through Sunday, then flew home to be back at work Monday morning. "It was grueling," said the appropriately named Grad, now 60. He was among a handful of 50-somethings in a largely under-40 cohort. "Many classmates said, 'Why are you here?'" he said. Indeed, he had reached a high level in his career and was sitting on a number of boards when he began classes in 2012. "My reasons for going were so idiosyncratic and specific to me," he said. "I really wanted to add greater value as a fiduciary on my boards." Since graduating, he's gotten more than he expected in return for his $170,000 investment. "Those two years propelled me and catalyzed me to be open to change," he said. Degree in hand, he left Sidley after 29 years for an opportunity to be global chief litigation counsel at GE Aviation in Cincinnati. "I completely decamped from LA and changed my life," he said. "For me, the ROI is huge." A personal choice While candidates in their fifth decade and beyond shouldn't expect the degree to boost their upward mobility and pay in the way it can for younger peers, the MBA tugs on them as a far more personal endeavor. If you're not already on the executive track by your mid- to late-career, an MBA ...

What if there was a way to boost your earning potential by $3 million or more in your lifetime? While that may sound like a pipe dream, it could be achievable. According to a 2021 survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), individuals that have master’s of business administration (MBA) degrees are projected to earn $3 million more over a span of 35 years than those with bachelor’s degrees. But not everyone with an MBA will have an increased income or better career prospects. It’s completely dependent on variables like the selected field, the university issuing the degree and the cost of the program. Is an MBA worth it? The answer is based on your unique situation but here are some things to consider. What to Know About Earning an MBA Degree Attending business school is a common choice. But MBA programs are selective and, if you are accepted, the programs are rigorous. Before forking over your money, there are a few things you should know about MBAs. What Typical MBA Programs Entail MBA programs are usually very time- and labor-intensive. If you’re enrolled in a traditional two-year program, the first year can be overwhelming. You’ll cover core subjects like finance, accounting, organizational behavior, economics and marketing. You may complete some electives to narrow your focus. Many business school students aggressively pursue summer business associate programs. They can pay quite well, and they may lead to full-time positions. These programs c...

After earning a degree, most people would expect the graduate to refer to that degree correctly. However, even basic English grammar can be hard to grasp for graduate students, as there are so many exceptions to the language rules. Whether you've just completed your MBA, or you're looking to start taking courses for your MBA, you might wonder whether it's correct to say "a MBA" or "an MBA." So, what's the right answer and why? 1 The "A/An" Rule In English, an indefinite article such as "a" or "an" is used before a word in order to refer to something that's not specific. This is unlike the definite article "the," which refers to something specific or something previously mentioned in the text. When using "a" or "an" the rule that most people are familiar with is that "a" goes before a word that begins with a consonant and "an" comes before a word that begins with a vowel. Though this is more or less the correct rule, it's actually a bit different. Instead, the article "a" should be used before a word that begins with a consonant sound, while the article "an" should be before a word with a vowel sound. 2 Why It's Correct to Say "An MBA" If you're familiar with the rule that most people know, then it would immediately make sense to say "a MBA" instead of "an MBA" since "MBA" begins with a consonant. But, if you say that phrase out loud to yourself, it sounds a bit funny. When we say the "M" in "MBA" it sounds like "EM" not "M." This is similar to the word "hour." Even though ...

After earning a bachelor’s degree, many students choose to return to grad school to continue their education. If you have any connection to the business industry, you’ve likely heard about an MBA degree, and perhaps you know a coworker or friend who’s earned one. Whether you decide to go back to school immediately or wait a few years before pursuing a second degree, an MBA is an excellent option for furthering your education. But what exactly is an MBA? What is an MBA Degree? In the most straightforward sense of the definition, MBA stands for Master of Business Administration. Like many graduate-level degrees, an MBA is associated with professionalism, hard work, and specialization. These programs typically include classes focusing on: • Organizational psychology and behavior • Finance • Marketing • Entrepreneurship • Leadership • Management • And more. One of the hallmarks of any MBA program is the wide variety of course material. You can expect to gain a general breadth of knowledge in a lot of areas connected to the business world. On the flip side, if you’re looking for a degree path specific to a certain career or niche area of work, an MBA may not be right for you. An MBA is broad and meant to expose students to many aspects of business. MBA.com defines an MBA degree as “the world’s However, in a world where students and professionals can earn almost any type of undergraduate or graduate degree, why is an MBA so popular for students and professionals interested in ad...