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Abby Scott, Director of MBA Career Services at The Haas School of Management at the University of California, Berkeley joins us in this exclusive Up Close & Virtual® Interview. She shares information about the Haas MBA program, qualifications and advice for those considering an MBA program. She reminds MBA candidates to establish goals early on, target your efforts while in school and take advantage of the many opportunities available. Read more here...
Tell us briefly about your B-School Program
The Haas School offers a full-time MBA program, a part-time MBA program (evening and weekend), an executive MBA Program (Berkeley-Columbia) and a Master's in Financial Engineering Program. Haas also has an undergraduate and PhD program. |
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What do you tell students who are considering Business School?
Business school is a wonderful opportunity to develop your leadership and management skills, to address gaps in subject matter knowledge, and to develop a network of friends and colleagues that will last a lifetime. The decision to make this kind of long-term investment in your future should not be taken lightly, however. Be sure that you self-reflect and carefully assess your reasons for wanting to attend business school. Similarly, ask yourself what kind of MBA program best suits your needs: part-time, full-time, or executive MBA. Finally, consider variables that differentiate programs such as size, location, course offerings, student culture, and teaching methods.
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What do you look for when selecting students for your MBA Program?
We look for a combination of demonstrated academic aptitude, professional success and leadership, and personal qualities that will add to the richness of our entering class. Our fall 2003 entering class consisted of 241 students, the middle 80% of whom earned a cumulative grade point average between 3.20-3.86, scored between 650-760 on the GMAT exam, and had between 3-8 years of work experience after completing their undergraduate studies. While students come from a wide variety of professional backgrounds (both traditional and non-traditional), the industries most represented in the entering class were consulting (25%), high tech (16%), and banking/financial services (14%), and the job functions most represented were consulting (26%), finance (18%), and marketing/sales (14%). 35% of the entering class is comprised of international students, and 30% of the class is women. Most have a record of significant extracurricular and/or community involvement.
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Have you witnessed changes in the types of students sought by companies?
Students in our full-time program have an average of 5 years of work experience. Companies continue to seek MBAs that have relevant experience in their field.
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Has the earning potential for B-School graduates changed in recent years?
The value of an MBA is long-term, although short-term the benefits often include increased earnings. Haas MBA students earn on average $85,000 per year in salary, in their first year after graduation.
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What is your MBA Program doing to educate students on valuing diversity in the workplace?
Our team-oriented environment encourages students to work with other students from different backgrounds. This not only encourages diversity, it promotes the benefits of it by bringing different experiences and perspectives to a given situation.
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| "There are so many different directions a student can take his or her career. Establish your own goals early on, so you can target your efforts while in school. It is important to have a focus so that one can use the time in business school efficiently." --Abby Scott, Director MBA Career Services, The Haas School
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Do you have any special programs or events for MBA Women?
We have a very active club, Women in Leadership, and a very popular, student-run conference that is put on by this group. Each year hundreds of women, who are leaders in business, come to Haas to participate in this program.
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What's the one piece of advice you'd give to someone considering Graduate Business School?
Take the time to research MBA programs thoroughly - VISIT, VISIT, VISIT!. Do not rely solely on internet research and school publications. Take the time to visit schools. Connect with current students, connect with faculty, and attend classes. If you are not able to visit campus for some reason, attempt to connect with alumni. Try to understand the program at a very deep level, understanding its culture and what makes it truly special.
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What would you recommend that current MBA students do during school to enhance their career potential?
Talk to as many people as you can about their careers. Establish your own goals early on, so you can target your efforts while in school. There are so many different directions a student can take his or her career. It is important to have a focus so that one can use her time in business school efficiently.
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What advice would you give someone considering your MBA Program?
Consider strongly the reasons why you want to get your MBA. It will be a great decision long-term, but it's a huge commitment to join an MBA program full-time. Having a clear path will make your process a more meaningful one.
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Business school is a wonderful opportunity to:
- Develop your leadership and management skills
- Address gaps in subject matter knowledge
- Develop a network of friends and colleagues that will last a lifetime.
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| Thank you Abby Scott, for sharing your insights and expertise with MBACareers.com
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