Business School with an International Appeal

Business School with an International Appeal

Why I Chose MBA@UNC as an International Student and What the Program Means to Me

After obtaining my undergraduate degree in industrial engineering in Colombia, South America, I started my professional career in America. Working in Supply Chain Management (SCM) for several years, I realized the importance of expanding my business knowledge. I began researching MBA programs–on-campus, online or a combination of both–and their admissions requirements. Most of the MBA programs I researched placed a lot of emphasis on Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores. As a native Spanish speaker, my English skills were still developing, and my chances of scoring well on the GMAT seemed slim.

Then I found a new, online MBA program offered by UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. I attended one of the online information sessions and was impressed with the student testimonials on the flexibility and quality of the program. I realized I could continue my career in Supply Chain Management while obtaining an MBA from a top business school from home. I could also expand my business network by interacting with classmates and learning from bright, self-motivated students from around the world.

I was matched with an Admissions Counselor, and I immediately felt welcomed and at home. My Admissions Counselor explained that prospective students were not defined by their GMAT scores alone but were judged on their overall attributes. Leadership experience, community involvement and recommendation letters made for a strong application that could support my admittance to the program.

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“Copyright University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill”

My Admissions Counselor's assistance and support during the application process were invaluable. For students who are considering the MBA@UNC program but are still undecided, I hope that sharing my experience as an international student in the program will help. I chose the MBA@UNC program eight years ago and have never regretted the decision. The MBA@UNC program was right for me then, and I would make the same decision today.

Overcoming Initial Challenges

The beginning of the MBA@UNC program was exciting but challenging. The traditional classroom was replaced with videos, online assignments, and meetings with my professors a couple of evenings each week. Adjusting to this self-directed learning approach helped me develop self-reliance and time management skills, which are key to success in today's business environment.

Some classes I took at the beginning were new subject areas for me. I was learning about marketing, financial accounting, and economics. These classes were not offered in my engineering school in Colombia. I was expanding my business knowledge and learning from personable, interactive professors who were experts in their fields. The classes were challenging. It took a year to adjust to the new educational system, but the results were worth the effort.

When I graduated, I remembered my first year and reflected on the obstacles I had overcome, which, at first, seemed overwhelming. One thing that kept me motivated through the first year was the sense of community–comprised of students, professors, and staff–in the program. When you are an online student, it can be difficult to feel part of a community, but here, I had a sense of camaraderie and collaboration. The environment did not feel as callous and unforgiving as other MBA programs I had heard and read about. Class assignments encouraged collaboration, and even online, we got to know each other well. We also got to know each other through quarterly Summits held in Chapel Hill and major business cities around the world. Meeting my classmates in person during the Summits was a great experience; we always felt like we had known one another for a long time. In general, my classmates were smart, interesting, helpful, and supportive. Being part of the UNC Kenan-Flagler community is something I will always treasure.

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Photo by Kenan-Flagler Business School

The MBA@UNC Impact on my Career

When I reflect on the impact the MBA@UNC program has had on my career, many things come to mind. The experience made me a better leader. It allowed me to associate with and learn from other leaders and provided me with an in-depth knowledge of business necessary to succeed in today's work environment. Class assignments and projects enabled me to better understand my strengths and weaknesses in the different areas of business. The leadership classes helped me become a well-versed, stronger leader. My experience leading the Women of MBA@UNC Student Group also helped me grow as a leader. This group continues to operate today with the mission of supporting women in business and adding value to the MBA@UNC community.

During the MBA@UNC program, I took challenging classes and was exposed to many interesting business cases. One of our core classes, Business Communication, provided me with many tools to improve my communication in English, which I continue to use in my daily job. Since graduating from the program, I have authored several articles for Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) magazine. I would not have been able to accomplish this without my writing experience in the MBA@UNC program.

Why should anyone consider an MBA

Anyone trying to decide whether to embark on the MBA experience should consider the financial return on investment. I would encourage prospective MBA students, however, to consider the intangible as well as the tangible benefits, as in many cases the intangibles can exceed the tangibles. Two years after graduation, I had the opportunity to change employers and industries. My role in logistics and SCM expanded after this transition and I was able to quickly adapt and perform well in my new job due to the knowledge and skills I learned in the MBA@UNC program. An MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler gave me credibility, recognition, and confidence.

As a student, your involvement with UNC does not end when you graduate. Even today, five years after graduation, I continue to be involved with the school through the alumni leadership council. MBA@UNC is the experience of a lifetime–one you cannot afford to miss.

Go Heels!





Elizabeth Wallencheck

Equipping people to find & follow their path to career satisfaction through personalized, professional coaching.

2y

What a lovely, thoughtful, encouraging perspective, Diana. Thanks for sharing!

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Udo Rodemann MBA, BSEE

Executive solving the historically “unsolvable” through leading cross-functional teams with focus on overall business performance. Emphasis quality, operations, engineering, suppliers, customers, and legal compliance.

3y

An authentic article. Prospective students considering UNC MBA from outside the US or within advised to read--it may well be different than what your expectations of an MBA school.

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