Student Advice

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Your Schedule and the TMMBA

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Chris Rosenquest, TMMBA Student (Class of 2011)

Since I started this program a lot of people have asked me, “How do you manage school, work and everything else you do?” Here’s my take on scheduling during the 18 months of the program.

The first thing I tell them is yes, it’s possible to manage it all and do well at all of it. The second thing I tell them is I use a calendar.

Schedule Your Life:
So a lot of people say “work-life balance”. Now add school into the mix and then make it all work. It’s entirely possible to make it all work and be satisfied and happy without suffering. In fact, it’s entirely possible to not only make it all work but to excel at it all.

This part is more training on scheduling than having specifically to do with the TMMBA program, but for those of you who haven’t had much training with your schedule you’ll find that being thrown head first into school will provide that for you.

Schedule everything. And I mean it. When you get up, when you go to bed, when you have lunch, when you spend time with friends, when you spend time with family. Schedule work meetings, home work, classes and personal days…
All of this scheduling is more of an exercise and less of a necessity. I recommend all of this scheduling for the first two months of your TMMBA so you can get a real sense of how long things actually take.

You might say, “it only take me 25 minutes to get ready in the morning,” when it actually takes 35. “It takes me 10 minutes to get to work,” when it really takes only 5. All of this scheduling will allow you to find out how long things actually take. This alone will give you a good sense of scheduling and how to maximize your time. From me doing this, I know it takes 3 minutes to read an 8×11 page of normal size font. This comes in handy when scheduling time during the lunch hour to read an assigned case.

Find a way to share your calendar with friends and family. This allows you to easily schedule your school time, work time and play time. The people you enjoy spending time with will be able to easily schedule time with you because they will also see when you’re free.

You will become hyper efficient with your time and ability to accomplish tasks.

Keep it in mind:
This is an 18 month program that will end in 18 months. Meaning, your friends and family will be there at the end of the 18 months so keep them in mind during that time and make sure you’re spending time and appreciating them through this process. Schedule time with them or at the very least keep them in the loop on a regular basis. This is the same thing with work. Let people know what support you need and reach out for help when you need it.

Besides, you want people to be at your graduation don’t you!?

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It’s Not Too Late. Take the GMAT!

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Chris Rosenquest, TMMBA Student (Class of 2011)

I know, you’ve got 6-weeks to the TMMBA application deadline. You might not be sure which way to go. Should you apply to the TMMBA program? There’s that other program you’re also interested so should you apply to that program.

But you can’t apply to either if you haven’t take then GMAT!

It was about this time last year I decided to go for it. The only thing in my way was the GMAT. That test. The test that would define my whole college career. With all of the concerns and 6 weeks before the application deadline, I registered to take the exam.

The thing about the GMAT is that here at TMMBA it’s a part of the whole package. An essential part, but just one part nonetheless. Your application isn’t judged solely on your GMAT score. So don’t sweat it. Study hard and take the exam and then apply. When you talk to Tracy or another TMMBA staffer they’ll tell you the same.

After I registered I hired a tutor. Mostly because I knew I’d need someone standing behind me preparing their swift kick whenever necessary. Although I wasn’t 100% satisfied with my GMAT score, I was satisfied when I was accepted into the TMMBA. I don’t regret the timeline I chose to apply but I wouldn’t recommend the extra stress on anyone.

Do you have a great GMAT story?
Do you have recommendations for prospective students?
Are you a prospective student that wants more advice?

Leave your questions or responses in the comments section below.

Posted in Admissions, Student Advice | Comments Off

Semester 2 wrap-up: Reflecting on the 1st and 2nd Semesters

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Chris Rosenquest, TMMBA Student (Class of 2011)

Semester two is officially come to an end and I want to take an opportunity to reflect on the beginning of the school year through the first and second semesters…

Semester 1:
The first semester was extremely challenging and upon reflection, the majority of the challenge came from managing my schedule.  The course work and content, although challenging, I found the majority of the my struggles coming making time to complete the course work, meet with my team, attend class and the review sessions.

At first I attempted to keep my other engagements (BOD work, volunteer work etc…) but in the end found I needed to temporarily give these up in order to focus solely on school.  I don’t regret giving these up as I know the work I’m putting into school will make a lifetime of difference when I take these up in the future.

Semester 2:
Now that I’m in stride, the second semester started and ended very well.  Not only was school now well integrated into daily life but my grades also showed improvement because of it.  Below is what I’ve resolved will be my schedule for the next year.

Monday: Team study night – It’s highly recommended you meet with your team at least once a week.  This is the evening we take to review our workload for the week, work on team cases and discuss topics from class that are more complex
Tuesday: Personal study night
Wednesday: Class night
Thursday: Class review – Very important!  I found that making time to attend these can ensure a above average grade versus an average grade.  The TAs know what they’re talking about and as long as you’re willing to ask questions you’ll solidify your understanding of a tough topic.
Friday: Personal study night
Saturday: alternating class days/team study days
Sunday: NOTHING – Yes, I don’t do school work (or any other kind of work) on  Sundays.  This has worked out very well for me and my family and friends.  For me it’s a well deserved rest from the rest of the week and a recharge going into the upcoming week.  Finding time for myself has been imperative to my experience and success in school and that spills over to the rest of life.

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Putting a cap on the capstone

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Scott Hannah, TMMBA Student (Class of 2010)

Sitting here basking in the relief and exciting that comes from having been part of a successful capstone presentation, I’m amazed at how fast these 18 months have been.    So much has been packed in this past year-and-a-half it seems almost a blur.  This truly has been a wonderful adventure, with it’s share of excitement and drama.    When I initially started this program I was somewhat uncertain as to how management of technology would be brought out the course.  What I discovered was that it was less about the technology and more about the contacts and shared experiences with professionals in the fields of technology.  One of the key benefits of this program is the exposure you get to diverse backgrounds and experiences over the 18 months we’re together, and the contacts we make now will benefit us in years to come.

Having just had the course, I can liken my experience to Leading Organizational Change.  There was some resistance along the way, but the TMMBA program has been successful in transforming our organization (the student body) into MBA graduates.  And to paraphrase the leading organizational change course, there are some things I will miss (learning something new, the shared comraderie of classmates, the pampering of the TMMBA staff, and more), there are some things I won’t miss (16-hr exams, late study nights, too much coffee, having no free time), and things that I missed out on (hanging out at the Keg after classes).

As I sit here relieved  and excited to be done, I cannot stress enough how rewarding an experience this has been.  Eighteen months go by quickly, and to sit here and feel what I feel cannot be missed.

Go on, take the leap, and enroll in the TMMBA program.  You won’t regret it!

Posted in About TMMBA, Alumni, Curriculum, Life outside TMMBA, Student Advice | Comments Off

Bringing it all together

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Scott Hannah, TMMBA Student (Class of 2010)

Papers are written, tests are taken, and now it’s down to one final assignment – the Capstone presentation.  It has been an extremely interesting time working on this project.  Not only was it a chance for us to showcase the skills we’ve developed over the entire program, it was also an opportunity for those of us who have never ventured into the entrepreneurial world to see what it’s like to enter and compete in the marketplace.

This year’s capstone projects were a bit different from those in previous years.  In addition to the projects selected from the University’s portfolio of patents, students had the opportunity to either work with “Entrepreneurs in Residence” on their projects; continue to develop the projects they began in the previous quarter’s Entrepreneurship class; or as in our case, work on a commercialization project from an ongoing venture.

As fascinating and informative as the lecture cases have been, they pale in comparison to actually seeing up close and personal the challenges and struggles a young company goes through.  It takes a certain personality to persevere in this environment, and Sir/Madam I salute you for your effort!  In the short amount of time we had to work on this project, we were only able to outline the barest sketch of a commercialization path and plan for this company, but our efforts were appreciated and I know I’ll be watching with interest to see how this venture plays out over time.

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A Case for Mondays

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Scott Hannah, TMMBA Student (Class of 2010)

I may seem a little prejudiced toward the Monday class session, as that was the session I chose for myself when I enrolled, but with applications for Class 2012 rolling in, I thought I would make a case for the oft maligned day of the week.

At our welcoming reception way back in 2008, the alumni speaker bemoaned all the drawbacks to Mondays.  But after our first quarter I soon discovered that there were several benefits to this day of the week which I’ll share with you.

For most people, Mondays are the worst day of the week, and if you’re a glass-half-empty kind of person, having class on a Monday just adds to the pain.  For me, having class on a Monday meant that I was more rested following the weekend, that I generally had a full day beforehand to prepare, and the readings were fresh in my mind.  Additionally, following Monday’s class, I had the rest of the week to prepare for the two class sessions on Saturday when they occurred.  From a psychological standpoint, when looking at a Monday class schedule on the calendar, it seemed like there was more time between classes than if I were to attend classes on Wednesday.  The final benefit to Mondays are, if at the last minute you can’t attend class, you can always make it up on Wednesday.  You could never do that if you were in the Wednesday session.

Ultimately, whichever session you choose/are assigned to, I think you will quickly discover the TMMBA program to be a rewarding experience.

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Graduation & Reflection

Friday, June 4th, 2010

Hani Rachidi, TMMBA Student (Class of 2010)

A fantastic program coming to a fantastic ending. The TMMBA graduation is going to be held on Monday, June 7th alongside the Executive MBA program. With graduation comes a time of reflection on the program. What do I know now that I wish I knew before enrolling in the program? Top 3 priority order:

  1. Intensity of the program and time demands.We were informed that it would be a considerable time commitment but before actually experiencing it how would you understand. I thought, hey, two nights a week (class, review) would add five hours to my life. I even thought about outside reading and team meetings and said to myself oh that would add potentially five more hours to my week, ok. Then I thought about that every other Saturday the entire day was occupied, another 4hrs avg per week. So, okay that’s on average 14hrs additional work per work. Even if it was that low on some weeks, that’s a lot of time!!
  2. It’s about the People. The most important aspect of the program is the class mates and more specifically your 4 to 6 person team. This aspect of the program is a make or break. I am fortunate to have had a stellar team comprised of a diverse background from Liberal Arts, Business and Engineering. The diversity of perspectives is key. We also had complementary skills of which creative and analytical stand out. The faculty overall is extremely solid but there are  few professors that missed the mark and I know the administration is receptive to our feedback.
  3. Value.  While I have a high financial burden of paying for the program I do so considering the time, dollar investment against both qualitative and salary returns. What I know now is that I can knock on more doors and most of them will open. For example, my goal is to work on product marketing so as I approach leaders in the space I am confident that I can not only hold a conversation with them but also I can add value to their organizations. I’ll take a line from Dr. Lee Hartwell, the Nobel Laureate at Fred Hutchinson, who once related a story about his graduate work at MIT – “I asked a distinguished professor, why do you like to spend so much time with me, afterall you know so much and I am still learning so much. The professor replied, ‘Well I have the answers, but you son, have all the questions!’.  As a fresh MBA graduate I am a strong asset to any organization because  I have a lot of insightful questions and a high curiosity. The TMMBA program not only prepares you with the set of frameworks to make tough business decisions but also instills the inquisitiveness and curiosity to ask the critical questions of yourself as a leader and of your strategy as a business be it operational (supply chain), financial (accounting), organizational (management), or marketing.

Posted in About TMMBA, Events, ROI, Student Advice, Teams | Comments Off

Featured Student: Josh Yim

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

A focus on technology, a comprehensive understanding of business, an accelerated pace and 18 month format creates the perfect fit for earning an MBA for Josh Yim.  Josh began the Technology Management MBA (TMMBA) in January 2010 and he is about to finish his second quarter.

Yim_Josh

Josh Yim, Senior Associate at Apptio

Josh is an experienced technology management consultant who specializes in creating and delivering enterprise software solutions. He is currently working for a start-up company that delivers Technology Business Management (TBM). TBM is an emerging category of software solutions designed to help CIOs and IT executives manage and communicate the cost, quality and value of IT Services, and it brings the best practices of financial and performance management evolved for sales and manufacturing and applies those to the complex environment of IT.

Josh has previously architected and implemented enterprise class CRM systems for Fortune 100 companies spanning high-tech, telecommunications and healthcare. And he architected and implemented master data management and order management for a large international healthcare company.

Why TMMBA?

“I discovered that my passion lies in designing and delivering new technology solutions that did not exist previously. Therefore, I want to move from professional services functions to product management. An MBA education provides a broader understanding of the marketplace to help make critical decisions regarding what products to build for current and future markets.

I know I want to stay in the technology sector after getting an MBA. Therefore, focus in technology is a plus. In addition, I did not want to take a break from work. So, accelerated pace – 18 months – evening and weekend schedule provided the perfect match.”

What are some highlights of your program experience?

“The professors are of stellar caliber. It is exciting to engage in intellectual conversations with leading minds in their own disciplines. Each class requires significant preparation beforehand to get the most out of it. And it surely is a considerable effort balancing between a full time job and full time MBA program. However, it is rewarding to exercise the mind and think about new ways to look at managing business.

For career management, we have very knowledgeable and dedicated resources for the TMMBA program. She is very responsive and is willing to strategize a future career plan with you. Furthermore, the access to the alumni network (both TMMBA and general MBA) is great.”

Any advice for those thinking about joining TMMBA?

“If you enjoy learning new ideas and interacting with other talented people, do consider this program.  If you think you know how to manage time well, this program will make you think how to do it better.  If you are thinking of just getting by and pick up a diploma, look elsewhere.  This program will have a significant demand on your time and life. Make sure that you have support from your work and your family.”

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What kind of student are you?

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Scott Hannah, TMMBA Student (Class of 2010)

As another quarter draws to a close, and those deadlines draw near, take a moment to evaluate what kind of student you are by using this scale devised by Dr. Dana S. Dunn, Professor of Psychology at Moravian College.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/head-the-class/201005/being-graded-student-traits

Myself, I’m a “Just Happy to Be Here” student.  Soon I expect to be a “Happy to Have Graduated” student!

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This is your brain on TMMBA

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Scott Hannah, TMMBA Student (Class of 2010)

During our most recent quarter break I had the opportunity to attend a lecture by noted local author and researcher Dr. John Medina.  His lecture was titled “Brain Rules for Students” and was a discussion of two of his 12 “brain rules” for learning, and how they apply to the growing mind.  For those of you who have read the book, the two brain rules in question were Rule #7: Sleep well, think well; and Rule #8: Stressed brains don’t learn the same way.  Dr. Medina’s lecture was meant to look at children and how they learn, but it could easily apply to a TMMBA student as well.

Rule #7 is pretty straight forward in its application; a rested mind learns much better than a sleep-deprived brain.  Throughout my tenure as a TMMBA student I’ve spent more than a few late nights either reading or completing assignments.  In all instances I’ve found my performance the following day to be significantly reduced, and if I was tired when I was reading, my recall of the material was less than desired.  Recommendation:  make certain to get the sleep you need.

Rule#8 deals with environmental concerns.  In the context of a child’s learning, a caring and loving environment makes learning easier for the student, as opposed to an environment where the child is under a significant amount of stress.  For the TMMBA student the recommendation is to build a base of support on the home front.  Spouses, partners, family members, etc. are important members in your support network, and their actions can go a long ways in making your TMMBA experience a successful one.

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