Haas MBA Essay: What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words maximum)
Sometimes life’s mission might be something that has a ripple effect on an entire generation and the future of humanity. It could be working on a vision to bring equity into a society that is growingly becoming unequal. It could be working on systems, policies, and technology that would determine how humans will consume and expend resources for the next 1000 years.
Theme: Climate Change
Theme (Explained): As extreme weather event has become more frequent, a 1°C to 2°C above pre-industrial levels that is likely to occur with climate change would disrupt the food supply, potable water, housing, and immigration trends that will strain even the most well-funded cities. For this example, I have highlighted the plight of Fiji natives, who faces a greater threat than funded communities.
Profile: Consultant
Industry: Government
Similar Narrative (Industries): Non-Profit, Technology, FinTech, Consulting, Government
MBA Essay Strategy: The Strategy in this essay for me was to take the Haas admissions team directly into the problem coastal Fiji is facing. By taking the reader through three areas of the consulting engagement – stakeholder management, working with bureaucracy, and emotional intelligence to manage multiple motivations of stakeholders, I could present the applicant’s diverse skills while also demonstrating his passion for working on an inter-generational problem.
Opener: I wanted the reader to understand the sacrifice the applicant made in pursuing a career in consulting for the government while showing humbleness with a line on privilege.
Background Information (Resume): Worked with over 35 agencies – both international and national, while collaborating with passionate engineers, policymakers, scientists, politicians, and volunteering teams.
Sample Haas MBA What Makes you feel Alive Essay (Future-Proofing the Underprivileged) (Climate Change) (300 Words)
Relocating from the US to Fiji with comfortable housing in the island’s capital felt like a privilege compared to the hundreds of thousands of villagers, who have seen their beloved land gulped by the ocean’s rage.
We established rapport with neighboring clans..
