Participating in the Notre Dame executive MBA program - Personal Statement Example

Why are you interested in participating in the Notre Dame Executive MBA program Please describe how the program will help facilitate your goals and help you contribute to your sponsoring organization. Also discuss what you anticipate will be your most significant contribution to the Notre Dame EMBA program and to other program participants. My desire to pursue an MBA goes back to my childhood in Ghana. My Mum grew up in a small town, which could not boast of even one college graduate from among its residents. There was then only one small school for four towns in the neighborhood. My mother had to walk at least four miles a day to school. Her parents, even though they had no formal education themselves, understood its value, and worked long hours on the family farm so that they could raise enough money to pay her tuition. My Mum went on to be the first woman from her town to graduate from college, and later on also did her MBA from the University of The Hague in Holland. My Mum's example - her rise from a farm girl to a corporate woman - has constantly inspired me to strive for success both educationally and professionally. I have an undergraduate Degree in Engineering, which has provided me with excellent analytical skills and has enhanced my problem solving abilities. However, I have not had the opportunity so far, to study in depth, courses exploring business strategy and finance. In order to advance my career to its fullest potential I need to excel in these courses as well, apart from other areas of business. An MBA degree from Notre Dame University will equip me with the necessary knowledge and skills to develop my capabilities. In business, decision-making must be done after careful thought, and not haphazardly. An MBA from Notre Dame will not only enable me to make balanced business decisions, but it will also give me access to information gathered by national and international experts on decisions made, that have yielded both positive and negative results. I also want to learn more about business strategy and put this knowledge into practice across a wide variety of situations. To be able to do this, I would like to take up a position in the Consulting and International Business Unit of my sponsoring company. Most of the employees working in this Department are MBA graduates. I would like to pursue an MBA both to make myself a competitive candidate for a position in this business unit, as well as to further develop my business acumen. As an Engineer for the last seven years, I have worked with international, cross-functional teams in high paced environments, with demanding deadlines, where my responsibilities have varied from taking care of highly technical projects to sales and business development functions. The versatility, analytical skills, teamwork and a wide knowledge of industry, which I have exhibited in my career, are some of the qualities I will bring to bear on my MBA program. Notre Dame's MBA program will allow me to develop my skills to fulfill my career objectives. It will also enable me to take advantage of resources that Notre Dame University offers, while simultaneously continuing my career in Chicago. A Notre Dame MBA will equip me with modern management tools, concepts and practical models that are not only appropriate for meeting current management challenges, but also adaptable to new and emerging situations. I will get to exercise teamwork, and analytical and leadership skills while discussing real-world business challenges. My decision-making and communication abilities will also be enhanced as I work with a diverse group of individuals to define goals, identify problems, and determine solutions to these challenges. The benefits of practical experience in my undergraduate education were immense, and I look forward to the exceptional learning opportunities at Notre Dame, for a continuation of the same. Apart from this, I am also attracted by the program's class size, which encourages a close-knit community where the students' strengths can easily be recognized and utilized, and their weaknesses identified and corrected. There is another equally compelling reason for me personally, prompting me to pursue my MBA from Notre Dame. I would, one day, like to get back to my home country, and do my bit to help her on her way to become a fully developed nation. The advantage of exposure and education with Notre Dame will benefit not only me, but also those whom I come across in my work and other interactions with my people in Ghana. In this connection I am proud to say that I have already helped to provide need based scholarships to poor children in my country of origin. I am excited about Notre Dame because I know I will fit in and be understood. Being among accomplished faculty and exceptional students who personify Notre Dame's ideals of global diversity, leadership and teamwork, I will find a part of myself in everyone, I come across there. My experiences of living both in a third-world nation and in a developed country have uniquely positioned me to compare their contrasting systems - a perspective I know will be greatly beneficial to my class discussions. I look forward to using my unique background and broad work experience to contribute to the diversity of knowledge at the Mendoza College of Business and enhance the experience of my fellow students. 2. Do you believe your academic record is an accurate reflection of your ability If not, please explain, limiting the response to 250 words or less. By and large my academic record does reflect my ability, with the exception of my GPA for the second semester of my sophomore year, during my undergraduate studies. I migrated from Ghana, West Africa, to the United States as a student in 1997. Unfortunately, during my second semester my parents were involved in a serious car accident resulting in their death. I travelled from the United States to West Africa to attend my parents' funeral. The Dean of the Engineering Department gave me the option of dropping my classes without penalty, but I chose not to do so. Being the eldest son, I knew that in the absence of my parents I would have to set an example, and be strong for the sake of my siblings. I also wanted very much to make my parents proud of me. Unfortunately, my decision then to return to school, adversely affected the GPA for my second semester. With determination and hard work, I was able to come to grips with the grief of my parents' deaths, and make it to the Dean's list in 1999. My current experience as Project Manager also demonstrates that I have the necessary intelligence, work experience, and discipline to excel in future academic endeavours. I am confident that, given the chance, I can excel in the rigorous MBA program that Cornell has to offer. Read More