December, 2008

Welcome Class Of 2010

Sunday, December 7th, 2008

Kalpesh Shah, TMMBA Student

Welcome to the Class of 2010. I know a few people who have part of the new class. And couple of you have asked for pointers on how to get the best out of the program. Here are some of the things you can consider:

• Set a timetable and stick to it. The first quarter is by far the most hectic. You will have a lot of materials to cover in these 3 months. And there will be no such thing as “catching up”. If you fall behind, you will remain behind throughout the quarter. So, it is very important to plan your time and stick to your plan.

• Set expectations with your family. You life is soon going to be very, very busy. You may not be able to spend as much time with your family as you like. So, it is very import to have support from your families. You will have individual and/or group assignments/projects/deliverables due almost every week.

• Be prepared for the lectures. Complete all the readings associated with the lectures and note down any questions you may have. This way, you will be better prepared for the class. The more you put in the program, the move you will get out of it.

• Get to know your study group very well. You are going to work together for the next 18 months. Have an understanding on how and when you will meet to work on your assignments and how to distribute work among yourselves. Some teams have come up with the idea of appointing a “CEO” of the group for the quarter. The CEO takes on the responsibilities of planning the activities of the group for the quarter and distributing these activities within the group.

• Take advantage of the Teachers’ Assistants (TA). The TAs will conduct review sessions on Thursdays. Even though the review sessions are optional, I would highly recommend you attend these sessions, specially if you are struggling with a topic. The TAs can also meet one-on-one if you want more clarification on any topic.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to write to me at kshah@u.washington.edu

Happy Studying

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About TMMBA

Friday, December 5th, 2008

Tracy Gojdics, Director

Hi, my name is Tracy Gojdics and I am the Program Director for the Technology Management MBA program and a proud alumna of the program. I thought I would give you a summary of the program and invite you to contact me if you have questions or would like to talk about the program. We can meet in person or talk over the phone. Of course, if you are ever in the neighborhood we’d love to have you stop by our facility in Kirkland.

The Technology Management MBA Program is unique in that it is the only 18-month, tech-focused MBA program offered at the UW Foster School of Business. It is also the only program to be offered exclusively on the Eastside in Kirkland. The Program started in January 2001 and has grown to nearly 600 alumni and students. In January 2006 the program expanded to accommodate two sections of approximately 42 students per section.

The program is an excellent MBA option for busy professionals who are passionate about technology. Students are able to complete an MBA degree in a short timeframe while acquiring critical and applicable business management knowledge and skills that allow them to think more strategically and take on leadership roles within their organizations.

But, let me say that this program is challenging. It requires a lot of commitment and time. Students generally spend between 15 and 20 hours per week on school-related activities and they have both individual and team projects throughout each quarter. With three classes per quarter (a full load!) there isn’t time to squander. Support is key. The support students receive from the TMMBA program team is outstanding. Study teams also serves as a great support for students during the program. And support from family and friends helps too!

I have seen several students graduate from this program and I can tell you that each of them have transformed themselves during the 18-months. It is both personally and professionally enriching and the relationships formed last well beyond graduation. I’d love to tell you more.

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