Inside the ISU MBA

First Place Against Some Tough Competition

2012-02-13T11:59:00.000-08:00

I walked into my office this morning, turned on my computer and opened up the email that set the tone for my whole day, and possibly my week. Dr. DeMarie had traveled to Illinois with our MBA students this weekend as the ISU MBA team competed in the Illinois MBA Strategy Case Competition. He reported that the team had placed first, against some very tough competition. This is only the second year we've competed in this particular case competition (we received third place last year) and the schools that attend this event are very strong. This year's schools included University of Connecticut, Ohio State, Michigan State, University of Illinois, Notre Dame, Baylor, Purdue, Miami University, University of Iowa, University of Nebraska, University of Missouri, and of course, Iowa State. As you can see from that list, coming in first place was no small task.

We are SO PROUD of our students! What an accomplishment. Not only did we place first, but our students also received three individual awards for best Q&A and best presenter. After speaking with one of the team members, I learned that the team was cohesive from the beginning, worked efficiently and everyone recognized their individual strength that they brought to the team.

One of the aspects I love about our MBA at Iowa State is the personal nature of the program. I am not only very excited about the win for our program as a whole, but also so proud for each of the individual students. I'm glad we are able to provide these types of opportunities for them. One of the comments I received was that participating in case competitions is one of the most valuable experiences of the MBA program.

In a few weeks we compete in the Big 12 Case Competition. We've placed first the last two years in a row, so the pressure's on. But I'm sure that no matter what the outcome, the students will receive an invaluable experience that will help them in their future careers.

What Did You Do Today?

2012-02-08T12:43:00.000-08:00

In 2010, the Iowa State University MBA program revamped their curriculum and, in addition to changing the core structure, added in a second Professional Development class for the first year students. This is one of the things I'm most proud of as a staff member of the ISU MBA program. As a department, we sat down and really tried to consider the experiences and skills the students should be exposed to before they graduate. Through this second Professional Development class, we've implemented a MBA Executives Speaker Series, workshops and service learning projects.

Just Friday, the students heard from Aaron Beam, founder and former CFO of HealthSouth, who gave an amazing presentation about the HealthSouth scandal, his role in the deceit and how a good person can make unethical decisions. And today the Iowa State University Athletic Director, Jamie Pollard, spoke with the students about Leadership Challenges. He shared his experiences and challenges in the big role he plays in the University. It was an insightful and educational presentation which made me proud to be a Cyclone.

With more workshops and presentations planned, it's a great time to be an Iowa State MBA student!

Turnitin

2012-02-02T12:15:00.000-08:00

There has been a lot of talk lately about MBA schools using Turnitin for Admissions. This is the first year Iowa State has used the service for the MBA application essays.

Why did we feel it was important to begin using Turnitin? If you have done your research, you know that Iowa State boasts a small, personalized MBA program. Our cohorts average 30 - 40 students so fit is incredibly important for our program. Each individual student impacts the character of the class. We use essays and interviews to help us match students with our program - we want to make sure the MBA is a good fit for the student and the student is good fit for the program. Having essays express original thoughts and experiences is mandatory for our review process; Turnitin provides reassurance when we review essays. And as an alum of the program, I couldn't imagine having someone on my study team who was always "borrowing" material for a team project, jeopardizing the entire team's grade.

In the end, the decision to use Turnitin for Admissions was two-fold. First, from an admissions standpoint, we want to be sure to select the best students, who are honest on their application materials and submit original work. Second, small class sizes mean a lot of student interaction; we owe it to our class to admit people with integrity. Turnitin for Admissions helps us accept applicants who belong with the Iowa State MBA program, allowing us to provide a great MBA experience for all of our students.

Reflecting on the Past and Reaching for the Future

2012-01-12T13:39:00.000-08:00

The weather has finally turned cold in Iowa and we can no longer pretend that winter isn't coming. And while winter is not my favorite season, January is one of my favorite times of year. It's a time to reflect on the past and on what we want to accomplish in the future. We get to think about what would make us better and make goals to reach those dreams.

About 10 years ago I realized that I needed to do more, to be more. I decided an MBA was what I needed to separate myself from the competition. I started researching my options and chose a school (Iowa State) because it offered a great quality education that fit well with my undergraduate background. Thankfully Iowa State chose me too. And it's a choice I've never regretted.

The one constant in life is change. I am still reaching for new goals, looking for ways to stretch myself and grow, and I hope you are too. Whether you are studying for your GMAT or training for a marathon, I wish you luck.

It's Graduation Time!

2011-12-16T12:57:00.000-08:00

I don't know where the fall went, but here we are, the last day of the semester. It's an exciting day because tonight we are holding the College of Business Graduation Ceremony. We have students in the full-time and part-time MBA programs that will be walking across the stage, being hooded by our faculty. I remember first meeting these students, some of them as they researched various MBA programs, and I am so proud of them. As an MBA alum myself, I know how much hard work the MBA program can be and what a feeling of accomplishment you have when you finally graduate. I look forward to hearing from our new alumni as they begin new adventures and grow in their careers. Best wishes!

In the Home Stretch

2011-08-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

It has been a long, but exciting week for the Iowa State MBA program. On Monday we welcomed our new full-time and part-time MBA students to the program. The first day of orientation is one of my favorite days of the year. It is so exciting to see the new students all come together for the first time. Throughout the year, I am always thinking about what the room is going to look like on the first day of orientation. Each time we add a new student to our class, we consider the dynamic that person is going to bring to the group. We have a small MBA program at ISU so each person really does make a difference.

And now it is Friday. The part-time students finished orientation on Wednesday. It's going to be a really great class this year - they already interact so well with each other. The full-time students have events this afternoon and then they will be finished with orientation week as well. It's a long week for the full-time students; they are in orientation all day every day for a week. They've done a great job of maintaining their enthusiasm for each speaker and event.

Tonight we conclude with a reception for full-time and part-time students, both first and second years. Faculty will also be in attendance and our Dean, Labh Hira, will give a welcome to the students.

And on Monday, I'll be starting to find the next 2012 cohort classes of MBA students. I can't wait!

It's August!

2011-08-01T10:31:00.000-07:00

Today is August 1, which means that new student orientation is just weeks away. I love this time of year. For months I have watched our admissions grow with new students, some of whom I've met in person, some over email. It's exciting to come to the end of summer when all of the new students will finally meet and become a class. And this year's classes look great! We have a nice range of undergraduate degrees and experiences; both of these factors give our MBA depth in knowledge and foster lively discussions.
Our orientation week has some changes from last year. During the full-time orientation we are bringing in a speaker to discuss time management; I'm interested to hear the student feedback for this presentation. We are also opening our ISU MBA reception to part-time students this year! I sincerely hope the part-time students can find time in their schedules to attend; it's a great opportunity to get to know the faculty and other students better. The reception will be held in the beautiful Alumni Center and Hickory Park (an Ames tradition!) will be catering. It will be a nice end to a busy week.

All in all, the beginning of the fall semester is my reward for a year of recruiting. It's a great feeling watching a new group of students embark on a rewarding adventure like the ISU MBA. I wish them all luck and can't wait to see them soon at orientation!

Graduation Time

2011-05-04T13:14:00.000-07:00

This Friday forty-two of our ISU MBA students will graduate. As I looked over the list of our soon-to-be alumni, I realized I met many of them before they applied to the MBA program. They shared with me their aspirations, challenges and their hopes for an MBA. Now it is two years later, 48 credits behind them, and they face the world transformed. I was lucky to meet them before they became MBA students and fortunate to have a chance to get to know them as they were students. I can't wait to hear what their future holds. Congratulations MBAs!

The End of a Semester

2011-04-21T14:09:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe we reached the end of the spring semester and consequently, the end of the first year for the new MBA students. We have students finishing the Study Tour class in Chile this week, others starting their internships, part-time students getting ready for the summer semester and of course, MBA students preparing to graduate. It's a busy time in the office making sure graduation hoods have been reserved, students are registered for the right classes and internships are going smoothly.

I'm sad to see the 2009 cohort graduate, but excited for them to start their new careers. And as a class goes out, a new class prepares to start. We have already started planning for this fall's orientation for the new 2011 cohort of MBA students. I can't wait to meet this new class!

3, 2, 1!

2011-04-05T09:45:00.000-07:00

It's been a great week for the ISU MBA program! On Friday we learned that we are now ranked 3rd by the U.S. News & World Report for job placement. This ranking is so significant. It showcases the outcome of the ISU MBA program. Students pursue an MBA degree to advance their careers and what's more telling about a program than its job placement statistics?

Then on Saturday our students competed in the Big 12 Case Competition in Boulder, CO. For the second year in a row, we won first place! Dan Hinz, Ryan Kent, Steven Harris and Akmal Mirsadikov represented ISU. Ryan Kent was selected as Outstanding Presenter as well. We are so proud of our students! They competed against every school in the Big 12 except for Texas Tech. As you know, the Big 12 schools have excellent MBA programs so the competition was fierce. What a huge accomplishment!

It's been a flurry of good news this week. The ISU MBA has a lot to celebrate!

Do you need work experience to apply to the MBA program?

2011-03-28T13:11:00.000-07:00

I frequently get the question "do I really need work experience?" from undergraduate students wanting to apply to the ISU MBA program. While exceptions are always possible, for undergraduates in business, work experience really is an important part of the MBA application. The ISU MBA is a practical degree; post-graduate work experience will make the coursework more than theory - you will see the connection between the classroom and the real world. We find that after a year or two of work experience, students are better prepared for the MBA program.

From an employment perspective, MBA students with work experience are very attractive to employers. This is another reason we advise business students gain 1-2 years of post-graduate work experience prior to applying for the ISU MBA program.

Business undergraduate students should think of post-graduate work experience as part of their application materials. A strong MBA application consists of a solid GPA and GMAT scores, plus work experience.
Forward-thinking business undergraduate students begin working with their Career Services departments early to find internships and make sure their resumes are competitive. If you are certain an MBA is in your future, I recommend taking the GMAT soon after graduation. GMAT scores are good for 5 years, which allows you plenty of time to work and apply to an MBA program.

IBM/Mayo Clinic Trip

2011-03-24T08:52:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I travel with the MBA students to Rochester, Minnesota to visit IBM and Mayo Clinic. This is going to be an excellent trip! It's going to be an early morning - the bus loads at 6:30 a.m. - but it will be worth it. We start the day at IBM with a busy agenda. After a quick lunch, we head to Mayo Clinic - their use of supply chain management and technology should be really amazing to hear about. After another quick meal, we head back to Ames. A full day planned - I'm looking forward to it!

Continuing the Tradition

2011-03-21T12:20:00.000-07:00

I am excited to introduce the new Continuing the Tradition campaign for the Iowa State University MBA program. Often I'll meet a potential student who has heard about the ISU MBA from a friend who happens to be an alum. Our alumni are excellent ambassadors to the ISU MBA programs. Not only do they know our MBA programs but they also have a great idea of the traits we like to see in our students.

If you are an alum and know someone that has the potential to become an ISU MBA student, continue our tradition of excellence in the classroom and refer the individual to the ISU MBA program. There are two ways to participate:

Forward the individual’s name and email address to the ISU MBA office at busgrad@iastate.edu. Please indicate that this is a Continuing the Tradition referral.
Have the individual indicate that they are a Continuing the Tradition candidate on their ISU MBA application materials. Be sure that the applicant mentions you by name.

If the individual is admitted into the ISU MBA program and accepts admission, you will have continued the tradition. There is no limit to the number of individuals you can refer.

Our alumni are a great resource of knowledge and experience and I look forward to working with them through the Continuing the Tradition campaign!

Upcoming Dress to Impress Event

2011-03-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

The MBA Association is planning a Dress to Impress event for March 26 at White Oak Vineyards. They are bringing in a clothier who custom makes suits for executives across the Midwest; his clientele has even included a U.S. President. He's going to discuss business attire and how to dress to impress. I think this will be a really interesting presentation. If that's not enough, there is a scheduled tour of the vineyard and a wine tasting to follow. It should be a great event and I look forward to attending.

If you are an ISU MBA student or alum, you are invited. The Dress to Impress event is on Saturday, March 26 from 2-4 p.m. If you are interested in attending, email me at jreitano@iastate.edu. I look forward to seeing you all there!!

Company Visits

2011-03-09T06:40:00.000-08:00

Today I get to visit The Principal Financial Group for a company visit. This is a great opportunity for me to meet Principal employees and help them understand our ISU part-time MBA program. If you work at Principal and you have questions, stop down to see me from 11 - 1 today at the College Corner.

If you are an ISU MBA student and you'd like me to visit your company, just email me at jreitano@iastate.edu. I'd be happy to come and talk to your co-workers. :)

Union Pacific Trip

2011-03-07T08:13:00.000-08:00

I traveled with the MBA students for the company visit to Union Pacific in Omaha this past Friday. The bus left early, and everyone seemed a little tired, but perked up when we walked into the UP. The Union Pacific building is amazing! We had presentations from Marketing, Operations, and Finance. There was also a New Hires panel. One of the main things I noticed was the longevity of all the employees. Outside of the new hires, I think the shortest amount of time one of the speakers had been there was 12 years. The range was from 12 - 25 years at the UP. It must be a great place to work if everyone stays.

Afterwards we visited the Durham Museum and saw the Lincoln exhibit, which was neat. Hard to believe Lincoln only had 18 months of formal schooling. Then we had 2 hours of free time in the Old Market - the wind had picked up and it was chilly walking around!

The bus ride home was pretty entertaining. We have some very talented MBA's that kept us awake with all of their singing. :)

All in all, it was a great trip! Looking forward to going to Mayo Clinic and IBM at the end of the month with the Bus Ad 594 class.

The First Post

2011-03-03T08:34:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the first post of the Inside ISU MBA blog. Hopefully this blog will give you a little inside look to the ISU MBA, both in terms of applying and actually being a student. Having a small MBA staff gives us an advantage to be involved with many areas of the program. So while my main focus is introducing people to the Iowa State MBA program and helping them through the application process, I also get to work with the MBA Assocation and Bus Ad 594 class. I hope to post insights for applicants and students. Come back soon to see what else is new!