My Summer Internship

by Jaclyn

I wrote in a blog post last year about the student adventure known as The Internship Search. In that post, I spoke to the amount of time that went into resume writing, networking, interviewing, etc., but also to the support that the Career Strategies Office provides in finding a placement that is right for each student’s interests and goals. Which leads me to my summer placement at...

So, I wanted to kick off my posts this year with a recap of my summer at the toy company that has brought us toys like Play-Doh, Mr. Potato Head, Monopoly, Nerf, My Little Pony, and Transformers, to name only a few. The interview process for Hasbro was rigorous, but a very positive experience, mostly because every person I met, from BC alumni to other Hasbro employees, immediately made me feel at home and excited for the summer.

I was recruited to an 11-person class, along with three of my fellow Boston College MBA colleagues. We were provided with our assignments before the summer started, in one of three brand management functions: Global Marketing, Global Product Development, and Regional (US) Marketing. I was placed in a group called Boys New Brand Franchises, which was a start-up size team responsible for identifying opportunities for Hasbro by leveraging existing brands, evaluating incoming entertainment properties or proposing new segments for the Boys portfolio.

In addition to my individual projects, the intern class was challenged with a group assignment: “The Future of Retail.” We researched the limitations of the current retail environment, consumer shopper trends, and upcoming technologies and worked with designers on what a long-term retail strategy might look like for Hasbro. Our intern class had the unique opportunity to present our solution to an audience of 60+, including senior executives. 

The Hasbro internship was also extended through social events, a mentorship program, and roundtable sessions. The roundtable sessions were scheduled every week with representatives from the Executive Team, who each provided insight on career planning, lessons learned, and the direction of the company. The entire intern class really appreciated having this time to personally meet and ask questions of such respected and successful individuals.

If I could share only 3 things about my summer internship at Hasbro, they would be: 1) toys are awesome, and so is working with them, 2) some of the friendliest and smartest people I've ever worked with are at Hasbro, and 3) I still can’t believe how much I accomplished and learned, from my manager, my mentor, and my peers.

For all those currently looking for a summer internship, GOOD LUCK!

The Part-Time, Full-Time Decision

By Jaclyn

For some, only one of these options will be a consideration. But for those of you who may be choosing between the two programs for the MBA, read on...

A QUICK SNAPSHOT:

	Full-Time MBA	Evening MBA
Length of Program	2 years	Varies; typically 3-4 years
Credits	56 total	56 total
Number of Students	Approx. 100 students; Split into cohorts of 50 for Year 1	Approx. 100 students; Options for Cohort or Self-Paced
Curriculum Requirements	Core courses +   specialization (6 electives)	Core courses +   concentration (3 electives)
Experiential Learning Components	Year 1: Design Thinking + Consulting Project Year 2: Business Plan Project	Business Development Workshop
Career Strategies	Access to all career services; Summer Internship, and opportunity for academic year	Access to all career services
Other Programs Offered	Access to lectures and events, international opportunities, and off-campus excursions	Access to lectures and events, international opportunities, and off-campus excursions

STUDENT PROFILES:

Meet Benjamin, an Evening Student...

1. Why did you decide to get your MBA?

I decided to get my MBA because I knew based on my career trajectory, I would manage people, operations and processes in a relatively short amount of time. The MBA has provided the theoretical knowledge I needed to thrive in a supervisor position when the opportunity was given to me.

2. Why did you choose the Evening program?

I chose the Evening program because, being that I am career young, I wanted to further my educational development while pursuing my career simultaneously. I knew it would take my 3-4 years to complete the program and in that span I would gain valuable full-time work experience.

3. What do you consider the strengths of the Evening program?

In my opinion, one of the greatest strengths of the Evening program is the opportunity to take theories and put them into practice literally the next day. There have been several times, where I learn a new concept or gain insight about a company's best practices and I can relate the idea to my current job and make suggestions for implementation.

Meet Rachael, a Full-Time Student...

1. Why did you decide to get your MBA?

I chose to get my MBA for several reasons. My previous academic experience is in humanities and prior to attending BC, I worked at an international nonprofit. I was therefore eager to complement my nontraditional background with a rigorous business education. Also, I plan to work in brand management following graduation, so as a career switcher an MBA has given me the practical and theoretical tools needed to thrive in a new industry. Finally, I was eager to be in a classroom of peers and professors with diverse backgrounds. I've learned a tremendous amount from class discussions and case analyses, and now have a strong personal and professional network that will last long after graduation.

2. Why did you choose the Full-Time program?

I was eager to be immersed in the business school experience, and felt that it would be a challenge to fully take advantage of the social and academic aspects of the program if I were also juggling a full-time job.

3. What do you consider the strengths of the Full-Time program?

I feel that the greatest strength of being a full-time MBA is that you are fully immersed in the program, which contributes to a rich and holistic understanding of business. For example, topics I learned in a first quarter strategy course have continued to develop in future classes, and being in the program full-time highlights those connections and helps crate a comprehensive understanding of the enterprise. As full-time students, we are also committed primarily to this program, which fosters a sense of camaraderie that will lead to lifelong friendships.

For more information, please visit:
Full-Time: http://www.bc.edu/content/bc/schools/csom/graduate/mba/fulltime.html
Evening: http://www.bc.edu/content/bc/schools/csom/graduate/mba/evening.html

Navigating MBA Specializations

by Jaclyn

After reading the title for this post, you might be asking yourself, "What is a specialization?"

spe·cial·i·za·tion (n.)

1. Freedictionary.com - "The act of specializing or the process of becoming specialized." - This only begs the question, why do circular definitions exist? 
2. The BC MBA page - "Specializations are designed to allow students to develop depth and expertise in a functional or interdisciplinary business area." - Much better and way more helpful!

From my point of view, the school is saying, "Hey Jaclyn, you've been exploring courses and careers since you got here. It's time you decided what you want to be when you grow up, so you can focus and develop those skills before graduation."

And there you have it. The Carroll School of Management offers a number of Specializations to suit your interests and career goals. The best part: you don't have to declare until March of your First Year, which is great for those of us needing more time to explore.

Asset Management
Leadership and Management
Competitive Service Delivery
Corporate Finance
Entrepreneurial Management
Financial Reporting and Controls
Global Management
Marketing and Information Analytics
Product and Brand Management
“Tailored” Specialization

A couple helpful tips from someone who is going through this process right now:

1. Start Early. Don't wait until you get the email notification to declare before you look at the specializations and their required and elective courses.
2. Ask Around. Reach out to 2nd year students who are in a Specialization you're considering. Ask them what they think, is it helpful, what courses would they recommend, what professors they enjoyed.
3. Leverage Professors and Specialization Advisors. They know what opportunities are in the marketplace and what skills employers are looking for. Reach out to them for their feedback, they're more than willing to help.

Check out http://www.bc.edu/content/bc/schools/csom/graduate/mba/specializations.html for more information on specializations and course requirements.

Happy Specializing!

The Internship Search

by Jaclyn

I can't believe it's almost February! One semester down. Most of the core courses are behind us. Our groups are just getting into the Consulting Project. And for the first time, in a long while, I'm scanning companies, deciphering job titles, and writing a ton of cover letters. That's right, it's time for...

Internships.

This word has always seemed innocent enough. It's an opportunity to explore a new career, figure out what you want to do, or just as importantly, what you don't want to do. But as innocent as it seems, it's a ton of work. And I do mean a ton. And because of that, I can honestly say the Career Strategies office has been a huge asset for me at BC, and here's why:

Information Sessions - These sessions are with top ranked companies, some of which have included Hasbro, GE, J&J, Liberty Mutual, Fidelity, etc., where internship/employment programs are presented, you can meet employees and recruiting managers, and have any questions answered. I would encourage everyone to go to as many of these as possible, regardless of the area of study, and treat them as professional networking events. Making connections in these sessions can be extremely beneficial later, in the internship AND job search.

Resume/Cover Letters - Leverage the years of experience in this office, as well as the relationships they've already formed with many of these prospective employers. They are more than willing to help ensure you are highlighting your strengths and matching them to the needs of the role and business.

Interview Prep - This would be my #1 recommendation for internship searchers. The insight I have received from my assigned Career Strategy advisor has been invaluable in helping me successfully position myself, in practicing and fine-tuning interview answers, and calming my nerves before each one. If I could schedule these meetings daily, I probably would.

Other Resources - While each student should also be looking outside of the school for internships, reaching out to old colleagues, classmates, and LinkedIn connections, the Career Strategies office can get you started with the internal job board, MBA Focus, and guide you along the way.

There's certainly an art in juggling classes, assignments, group work, and the internship search. But remember, this is probably one of the most important reasons why you're returning to school, so the tools and resources are here to help you succeed.

CSOM Gives Back for Thanksgiving

by Jaclyn

Last week was Thanksgiving, arriving at the perfect time to recharge for the 2 week semester finale. It's my favorite holiday, but not just because of the copious amounts of turkey and pumpkin pie I can eat guilt and calorie-free (it's the truth). Instead, Thanksgiving has become a day of reflection, to acknowledge everything I have to be thankful for, whether it's the food on the table or the family and friends around me.

So as papers started piling on and final presentations loomed over us, the CSOM graduate community found a reason to slow down, connect with the community, and remind ourselves of the importance in giving back.

Enter The 1st Annual Food Drive...

The school's first annual food drive was held during the first two weeks of November, with a goal of collecting 600 items to donate to the Newton Centre Street Food Pantry for Thanksgiving meals. And as no surprise to most of the members of our program, we crushed this goal. Because of the generosity, enthusiam, and dedication shown by the entire graduate school, we were able to collectively donate (including a few strategic trips to Costco) over 1,600 items, lending to enough Thanksgiving meals to serve 260+ local families.

Putting aside the admissions process, the academics, and even career for just one minute, this is truly what makes me so proud to be at Boston College...the strong sense of community, a tradition of service, and the genuine kindness of the students, faculty, and administration.

To read more about the CSOM 1st Annual Food Drive, visit: http://www.bc.edu/content/bc/schools/csom/graduate/news/2012/Food_Drive.html

Keep Calm and Interview On

by Jaclyn

At around this time last year, I was scheduling my first round of interviews, figuring out which of my suits still fit and how I could prepare for something that seemed so daunting. Since I had never interviewed for a graduate program before (shocking!), I did what anyone would do, I Googled it. But seeing tens of thousands of results only psyched me out and sent enough mixed messages to leave me more confused than when I started. Such stress! But wait, consider this...

You are both the interviewee and the interviewer. I know, I know, it's easy for me to say as I sit comfortably in a Boston College seat, but I still think this is key to a successful two years. Visiting schools, speaking to students, inquiring about the curriculum, getting a feel for the environment...you are essentially judging the program and the program wants to impress you. Don't take this to the extreme, I'm not saying don't prepare, but reflect more on how to effectively show your true self to the admissions team than trying to fit into a mold.

Now that I've hopefully lightened the weight on your shoulders slightly, everyone loves lists, so here are a few of my own interview tips:

1. Know the School. It sounds so simple, but being able to reference a professor you've heard about or an elective course or student club you've read about will go a long way. Again, be yourself and use specifics about the school that attracted you in the first place. Don't hide your enthusiasm.
2. Don't Forget Examples. Almost every school I interviewed with asked behavioral questions. You know the ones, "Tell me about a time when..." Have examples prepared from your professional experience, previous school projects, club sports, etc. so you're comfortable with your talking points.
3. Communicate Your "Fit." You have a reason for getting your MBA and for applying to a particular school, right? There's something you plan on taking away from this experience. Well, there are also skills and experiences you bring to the table. Make sure to communicate both and connect the two. The interviewer will have a much easier time picturing you in a seat of an MBA class actively contributing to the the conversation.
4. Ask Questions. If there is time allotted at the end of your interview, know what you want to know. Asking questions regarding aspects of the program or what the interviewer believes are the strengths of the school, can show genuine interest and separate you from others.
5. Take a Deep Breath.

Good luck!

Advice over coffee

by Jaclyn

So you're ready to start your MBA. You've narrowed down and prioritized your list of programs. The application process is well underway and deadlines are fast approaching. You've shared your plans with a few select colleagues and are eagerly telling all of your friends and family. But as the start of your MBA gets closer, you start to wonder how to prepare...

I'm sure advice from seemingly everyone you know is not in short supply, but I'm going to jump on the advice train with a few of my own:

1. Know "Why MBA?" There is no denying that returning for an MBA education is a commitment, both in time and in cost. So to make such an investment for two years, there must be a really good reason. My advice is to know yours, not just what you wrote in your admissions essay, but what you really want to get out of the experience. For some it's an opportunity for a career change, for others it may afford new opportunities at their current workplace, and still others are simply looking to strengthen skills. Having these goals in mind will motivate you more than you could imagine in the first year of the program, and are a guide when prioritizing all of the opportunities an MBA education affords.
2. Embrace the Transition and Seek Challenges. I just completed the first 7 weeks of the MBA program last Friday and it's hard to explain what a rush of emotions it was. There's the feeling of relief; the first semester of the BC MBA program is intensive and having been out of a school environment for 5 years, I was anxious. While there isn't a lot of time to become adjusted, looking around the classroom you realize most everyone is in the same boat. My classmates very quickly became a support system, my study buddies, my teammates and my friends. Anticipate and enjoy the transition. The other feeling was excitement; looking back I can't believe the knowledge I've gained and all of the times I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and accomplished more than I thought possible. Seek challenges and take risks you wouldn't be able to outside of the program. You have two years.
3. Put Your Game Face On. As one of my favorite first quarter professors would say, "This isn't a spectator sport. Get in the game." Returning for your MBA is not a passive experience, so enter the front doors knowing you're going to work hard and may sacrifice a little sleep along the way. Approach the two years excited to learn about your strengths and weaknesses, and discovering what your true passions are. Look forward to making some incredible friends along the way, because it will most certainly happen and it'll happen fast.

Last, but not least, learn to appreciate coffee in all of its caffeinated glory. Good luck!