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Essay Question:
Suppose you had to choose three people-people alive now or people from another era-to travel with you on a cross-country automobile trip. Who would you choose and why? What would you hope to learn from them? (Think carefully about the company you want on those long stretches through Nebraska and Kansas.)
The first companion I would choose for this trip would be Mahatma Gandhi. If there was ever a person who could teach me about overcoming challenges while maintaining a positive attitude and even harboring love and compassion towards those who hate your guts and your philosophy, it's him. Having read his autobiography and books about his life, I have a deep respect and admiration for his accomplishments, his life having been a long exercise in following his internal sense of truth and righteousness, in spite of tremendous personal sacrifices along the way. From his experiences, I think he could teach me an incredible amount about the value of willpower in growing as a person, and the desire for positive personal change that, if implemented with purity of heart, manifests itself in the world around. I believe he would relate to me the importance of maintaining constant awareness of many noble concepts are sometimes obscured in the modern world, such as the idea that honesty, integrity, and compassion have a greater value than money and power. And because I approach business as a foundation for creating kinship, unity, and progress, I think I could learn quite a bit from Gandhi about how operate with the mentality of working with others towards these higher goals, despite the many challenges that reaching for them might present. Another passenger I would like to have with me is Richard Branson, CEO of the Virgin Group. Though he's the perfect example of an eccentric billionaire, I admire his profound ability to tap into his unbridled sense of adventure and his wild fantasies - rather than his fears - as springboards for his business ventures and pursuits. I imagine that many people as rich as him, ironically, live in a perpetual state of anxiety, spending sleepless nights trying to figure out how to skirt failure and make more money, but I get the sense that Branson is always looking at the big picture, constantly operating on the awareness that life is just a game, and while we should give it our best, we shouldn't take it too seriously. He possesses a philosophy that embodies the idea that you win some, and you lose some - but the most important aspect is to have a good time and do it your way, however it feels natural. Perplexed economists have written tomes on how Branson has gone about everything 'wrong' from the conventional business standpoint, but what is apparent is that his fortune came simply by doing what inspired him, not by traversing the beaten path. By conversing with him, I would hope to learn how to develop his adventurous and detached 'why not?' attitude in business, and follow my intuitive sense of direction, as he has in his many successful (and failed!) business ventures. His free-thinking outlook could probably teach me quite a bit not just about business, but also life in general. And finally, despite his reputation as a curmudgeonly crank, another person I would choose to take along on that long car ride would be Thomas Edison. While Edison is famous for being an inventor and innovator, most people overlook the fact that his reputation is based not only on dreaming of fantastic new ideas, but also taking the extraordinary step of applying tremendous hard work to them, slaving over them unceasingly until they became reality. This willingness to put in enormous time and effort into his ideas is really what made a name for him and built his staggering catalog of more than 1,000 patents, many of which famously brought notable technological advances to the world. This, along with his well-known quote that 'genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration' speaks volumes about his tenacity in taking his unfinished concepts and embryonic ideas from the drawing board into the real world. I believe his determined attitude about creating success despite hardships, naysayers, and innumerable failures could teach me quite a bit about cultivating a similar outlook on the world, one founded on self-confidence, discipline, hard work, and perseverance. I believe I could learn from him the importance of being receptive and responsive to inspiration, and be willing to go the extra mile in building, shaping, and molding my dreams into reality.
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Essay Question:
Describe your greatest professional achievement and how you were able to add value to your organization. Kelley Minor Essay.
My greatest professional achievement has been the revitalization and management
of the Cable & DSL program. This program provides telecommuting employees with a
broadband public internet connection at their home, which can then be used to
connect back to the company network. When I took over management in 2002, the
program was administratively time-consuming and expensive to the company.
First, I reduced the complexity of the program. I used the 6-Sigma
methodology to analyze administrative tasks and the employee ordering process.
The analysis led to the creation of a new database for tracking accounts, which
eliminated the administrator's need to transfer data between multiple
spreadsheets. This database also provided a quick means of running ad-hoc
queries
and facilitated me in forecasting volume changes for budgetary planning. After a
careful study of the employee ordering process, I managed the creation of a new
website. It contained easy-to-use submission forms, and a clearer explanation of
policies and requirements. In addition to this, the site became an effective
means of advertising the program. These combined actions reduced the
administrator's workload by 35%, and improved the order turnaround time by
several days.
Second, I reduced the overall cost of the program. The original Internet
Service Provider contracts contained poor pricing and unfavorable terms. Rather
than renew these agreements I renegotiated them upon their expiration. After
increasing my knowledge of company policy and standards, I utilized my
negotiations training and education in contract law to greatly lower the monthly
recurring costs and installation fees of each provider. The new contracts also
improved the Terms and Conditions to limit termination liabilities and mitigate
other legal risks. I recently reduced pricing even further by renegotiating some
of the agreements a second time. For these accomplishments, I have received
recognition from management, and my peers now consider me to be an expert
opinion
on contract language and negotiations.
Under my management over the last two years the Cable & DSL program has
become both efficient and cost effective. Participation has grown 24%, to a
volume of nearly 600 employees, while overall annual cost is 31% lower than it
was in 2002. The reduction in the administrator's workload has allowed her to
take on new responsibilities within the department. My efforts have added value
to the company by creating savings, freeing up resources, and continuing to
provide an effective way for employees to telecommute from home.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Please discuss your post-MBA short- and long-term professional goals. How will your professional experience, when combined with a Kelley MBA degree, allow you to achieve these goals? Kelley Minor Essay.
Upon completion of the MBA program I will pursue a marketing career in the information technology industry. Specifically, I will seek a position focusing on international marketing strategy with the ultimate goal of becoming an executive director. For the past five years I have held several positions within the Ford Motor Company Information Technology organization, and I will leverage this experience to better understand the technology customers and products of my future career. As an undergraduate at Notre Dame, I majored in both marketing and computer applications. After graduation, Ford Motor Company offered me the opportunity to increase and apply my knowledge of both areas. By participating in the Ford College Graduate leadership development program, I received advanced training and was rotated through several positions during my first two years with the company, including an international marketing assignment. After successfully completing the program, I was promoted to network engineer and took over management of an employee remote access program. My success has been marked by my ability to blend soft business skills with the technological requirements of an engineer. However, as my interests move further away from the hands-on technical work, I am compelled to return to marketing. By obtaining an MBA, I can compliment this goal with the necessary education and experience to be an exceptional leader in the field. The Kelley School of Business, with its emphasis on leadership and real world learning, is the best-suited program to meet all of my specific needs. The award-winning faculty and carefully selected student body, create a stimulating and competitive learning environment. The internationally ranked marketing program, combined with the Business Marketing Academy, provides a comprehensive education, and the Career Track Briefing Sessions will introduce me to multiple industries. Kelley International Perspectives aligns with my international marketing strategy goal. Through that program, I can experience firsthand how different cultures operate in their local markets, and where their business practices differ from those of companies within the United States. The Kelley School also provides the supportive community I am looking for in an educational institution. The Kelley Marketing Network and International Business Society clubs, through events and activities, will reinforce my classroom training and provide further exposure to those fields of business, as well as give me a chance to network with students, faculty, alumni, and outside speakers. The Graduate Career Services Office will help me develop a specific Career Track, and assist me in obtaining internships, including international opportunities, and find a permanent position that meets my specific career goals. I look forward to becoming an integrated part of campus life, and after graduation, having the continued support of a strong alumni association.
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Essay Question:
Describe what there is about your background and your experiences that will contribute to the diversity of the entering class and enhance the educational experience of other students. Kelley Major Essay.
I am a very energetic, well-rounded person that leads others by example. Two cornerstones of my personality are my drive to succeed and dedication to helping the community. These attributes, combined with my experiences and knowledge, will benefit Kelley students and the program as a whole. The role models within my family proved to me at a young age that there is no limitation to what one can accomplish when driven to succeed. My grandfather started out on a plant floor assembly line and climbed his way up to Regional Director of the United Auto Workers. My mother became a medical physician at a time when society thought she should only be a nurse. Their influences drove me to excel in school, and later take an active role in the development of my career. I continually set goals and seek opportunities for self-improvement. Each year I dedicate time to classroom training, and take on new responsibilities in order to apply and expand my knowledge. In the last six months alone, I have completed two Cisco courses, and attended systems security and financial planning seminars outside of work. By conducting educational presentations for peers and management, I have developed my communication competencies, and through extensive teamwork I have honed my interpersonal skills. As a Kelley student, I will be just as highly engaged and challenge those around me to even greater accomplishments. It was also at a young age that I learned social responsibility. My family, church, and school fostered in me a commitment to service. As a child, I would go with my father to work at the local food distribution center. By high school, I was an active member of volunteer organizations, and in college I donated time to homeless shelters and other community programs. After moving to Michigan, I became involved in Habitat for Humanity, cancer research fundraising, and Focus Hope, an organization that has provided me with the chance to benefit the Detroit community by educating and developing its human capital. As a graduate student, I will continue to help those less fortunate and contribute to the strong, caring Kelley community. I am particularly interested in the Central Charity Challenge and continuing to work with Habitat for Humanity. Having been an employee for the past five years at one of the largest manufacturing companies in the world, I bring with me a wealth of work experiences to share with the other students. During my marketing rotation, I learned how giant corporations develop product plans and brand strategies. As a part of the Information Technology organization, I have been involved in implementing the latest enterprise network solutions, and can illustrate, from firsthand experience, the criteria on which real world product selections are made. I have negotiated contracts with some of the largest Internet Service Providers in the country, and personally managed the vendor relationships. I have faced the challenges of working on international teams and collaborating remotely on a global scale. As a student, I will bring all these experiences into the classroom, apply them to my work, and share them with my peers. In return, I will listen and learn from the unique personalities and experiences of my fellow classmates.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Is there anything else that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you shouldn't feel obligated to answer this question. Kelley Minor Essay.
I have a number of interests outside of work. In a previous essay I spoke about my involvement in the community and volunteer organizations. My soccer club plans many of the events I participate in. I have played the sport most of my life, and was a starter on my high school's State Runner-Up team senior year. Actually, my first time on the IU campus was the summer I attended the soccer camp there. Today, I still play at a competitive level in the Michigan Premier Soccer League, and as a graduate student, I plan to continue playing sports. I feel it is a great way to relieve stress and build leadership qualities. Music and art are my two greatest creative outlets. As a young child, I learned the piano and alto sax, but when, as a teenager, I picked up my dad's old 12-string, I fell in love with the guitar. Over the years I have been a member of several bands, and written many songs. As lead guitarist for the college rock band "American Standard," I played the local bar scene and even recorded an album. My father also gave me an affinity for creating artwork. I spent many childhood afternoons in the park painting with him and other local artists. Before finishing high school, I completed a 36 x 6.5 ft mural on the cafeteria wall, and was voted "Most Artistic" in my class. One of my more scholarly pursuits is the study of history. Part of my daily routine is to read online about significant events and biographies related to each day of the year, and I have compiled a substantial amount of historical information on my hometown of Fort Wayne, Indiana. I also like fictional novels, and try to maintain a diversified mix of authors. Currently, I am reading Dostoyevsky, and other authors over the last year have included Jack Kerouac, Dan Brown, and Steven King to name a few. These are just some of the many interests I hope to share through interacting with my classmates and participating in student organizations.
