You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension: a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You've just crossed over into... the Twilight Zone Buzz's Zone. What is Buzz's Zone you ask? Well, read on!
The decision to get an MBA is a difficult one. There are costs/benefits, pros/cons, ups/downs, apps/GMAT (even mentioning that invokes the most righteous contempt). For both admits and my beloved future applicant audience out there I wanted to explain my path to business school and, more particularly, why I chose UCLA Anderson.
It all started when I was in fifth grade and I...wait--just kidding! You thought you were going to get this boring life story rife with cheesy sentimental anecdotes that culminated in me arriving at b-school. Allow me to spare you the snooze story of my youth and jump right into what counts!
In my undergrad program at BYU one of my finance professors asked the class participants to raise their hands if they were planning on business school. Probably 85% raised their hand. He curtly stated, "about 10% of those that raised their hands will actually end up following through on that goal." My pride was hurt and I thought to myself "wait until I get to b-school, then I'm going to send a look-at-me-now email to this professor to show him that I made it." Well, I forgot which professor it was...so that's not going to happen. BUT, he was right. There were a few times after my undergrad where I vacillated and thought that b-school was either out of reach or not worth the investment. If you have felt this way, you are NOT alone! The GMAT is tough, applications are time-consuming, and interviews are nerve-wracking, but hey, say it with me now...I-CAN-DO-IT!
As I started my career at Merrill Lynch I had no idea what the future held. Time passed, and I gained a better understanding of my options. In my particular field, investment managment, there were a few scenarios I considered regarding future plans. 1) stay on my private wealth team and try to carve out a role for myself that led to a long-term position--this would most likely mean I would need to become a financial advisor and split my earnings with my bosses because they were the ones that created the team "brand". 2) Become a solo financial advisor--I wanted something less salesy and prone to a high washout rate. 3) Get my CFA and become a career analyst or portfolio manager--although I can enjoy a good equation here and there I was not convinced that this path aligned well with my talents. In plainspeak, math doesn't get me up and out the door in the morning. 4) Follow my passion for fitness and strike out on my own to do...what?!? Exactly. Try as I might, I couldn't figure out a way to monetize curling dumbbells. Darn you, you uncreative mind!!! But hey, UCLA's Price Center for Entrpreneurship may help with that (shameless plug). 5) Last but NOT least, get an MBA, hit the reset button, increase my skill set, and add to my credentials.
Well, you know what I chose, but why did I choose it? The MBA is so much more than an increase in salary and "better" job. It's about a life experience, stepping out of your comfort zone, learning new tools for business, meeting people from all over the world and from all walks of life, acquiring a network of loyal alumni, and ultimately, prestige/credibility. We live in an increasingly competitive job market. Possessing an MBA from a top 20 school (or top 15 depending on the rating publication) instantly adds credibility and opens doors. Well what about the costs? Doesn't an MBA cost an arm and a leg? Yes, yes it does. However, it can't be ignored that every year the world's best and brightest decide to invest in this degree. You and you alone can decide, but once you do commit to the MBA, follow through! Don';t let anything dissuade you from reaching your goal. Again, say it with me...I-CAN-DO-IT!
This blog post has spiraled into something a bit longer than I had hoped, so please stay with me here. I love lists, so to finish off I will give you a quick list of why I chose Anderson.
- I highly doubt there is a more well-run business school in the nation. I visited several during my interviews and UCLA Anderson is a well-oiled machine. As a student, it can be incredibly frustrating to be at a great school with a lackluster administration. UCLA invests heavily into its Deans, Department Heads, Professors, and Career Center (muy importante). Shout out to Rob Weiler, Alex Lawrence, Regina Regazzi, and Deans Olian and Ainslie!
- The three rules of real estate are location, location, location. UCLA is the key to the Pacific Rim and the biggest metropolis on the West Coast. California Love (Tupac anyone?)!
- Finance. I'm a finance guy and I plan on pursuing investment banking once school starts. Right up there with Harvard, Wharton, and Stanford, UCLA is ranked as one of the best business school for finance enthusiasts (not to mention everything else too).
- Work hard, play hard. This is the motto at Anderson. You will be surrounded by highly talented individuals that know how to get the job done and know when to turn the switch to "off" and hang loose.
- Family friendly. In most other schools around the nation, my wife and future baby (coming next month) would be shut-ins during the winter months. In LA, ain't nobody got time fuh dat! The weather is fantastic and I believe it fully contributes to the positive vibe felt around the city. Not to mention, UCLA's state-of-the-art housing and daycare really convinced me to join the class of 2015.
I certainly hope this helped. Sorry if it was a little wacky--I was listening to dubstep the whole time and I think the music somehow flowed into my writing! Until next time! I leave you with this meme I just created.
