Profile: Mr. SK
Profile (Background): Mr. SK, an accounting specialist in M&A, finds himself frustrated with contributing meaningfully to acquisitions and investment decisions. Although his accounting role is limited to due diligence, he witnessed deals that were driven by flawed beliefs of the founder/entrepreneur.
With a Pivot to PE, Mr. SK wants to bring people-first principles to the PE industry.
Profile: Miss. C
Profile (Background): Miss C, with strength in deal origination and portfolio company management in Europe in the healthcare and IT industries wants to build her network in the US and Asia and facilitate deals in the Energy industry
Essay Approach: “Why Booth MBA?”
Background Information: A PE associate narrates the challenge of onboarding an older candidate to the team. The person had an illustrious career in Technology but was a newbie to the NFT fund the team was managing.
Even with the history of recruiting non-traditional candidates from different backgrounds – the age (45+) bias, skepticism against a region known for its conservative values, and a warped view of the socio-economic exposure the candidate had, all culminate into resistance from the team in fully embracing the candidate’s ideas.
We believe Columbia Business School is a special place with a collaborative learning environment in which students feel a sense of belonging, agency, and partnership--academically, culturally, and professionally.
How would you co-create your optimal MBA experience at CBS? Please be specific. (250 words) (Common for both January and August entering class)
Post-MBA Goal (Short-term): Senior Associate (Leadership responsibilities)
Build strategic decision-making, communication, and marketing skills to improve the service offering of the PE firm
Post-MBA Goal (Long-term): Scale the PE firm
Knowledge Gap: Leadership to transform the culture and build new allies in North America
Career Pathways: Leadership, Strategy, Private Equity