Touch MBA Podcast

#167 Breaking into Vietnam, Venture Capital & Professional Sports with Henry Nguyen, Founding Owner, Los Angeles Football Club & Kellogg MBA ’00

How did Henry Nguyen, who graduated from Kellogg 20 years ago, launch Vietnam’s first technology venture capital fund, Vietnam’s first professional basketball team, and Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise?

#166 Inside the Sofaer Global MBA with Manuel Fajardo ’20

Why did a Colombian civil engineer choose to do his MBA in Israel?

Manuel Fajardo shares his journey to the Tel Aviv University’s Sofaer Global MBA, and how the program’s focus on new venture creation has helped him pursue his business idea.

#165 How is Covid-19 Impacting B-Schools? Dirk Hopfl Shares IE Business School’s Response

Darren invites Dirk Hopfl from IE Business School to share how Covid-19 has affected its MBA program and IE’s plan moving forward. IE, based in Spain, is one of Europe’s leading business schools with one of world’s most international MBA programs, regularly admitting 90% of its students from 75 countries outside Spain. Its response offers one possibility for how MBAs will evolve to meet student needs during a pandemic.

#164 Inside the Virginia Darden MBA with Tawan (Tina) Suvapatrachai ’18

Tawan (Tina) Suvapatrachai shares her MBA journey from Bangkok to Virginia Darden and then back to Thailand to do strategy for Samsung. Like many international applicants, Tina didn’t have the chance to visit her four target US business schools. How did she research schools and find her best fit? Why did she choose Darden and what did she take from her Darden MBA experience?

#163 How I Got into Harvard Business School with Graciela Brewer

As a UX Designer and mother in Kansas City with no MBA network, Graciela Brewer wasn’t sure if she “had a sliver of a chance” at her targets: HBS, MIT Sloan, NYU Stern and Cornell Tech. Four months later, she got into all four programs. In this episode, Grace shares how she shortlisted schools, submitted her strongest resume, essays, and recommendations, and stayed sane during a stressful application process.

Touch MBA’s Guide to Financing Your MBA & The Best MBA Student Loans

A step-by-step guide to financing your MBA plus our recommendations for best MBA student loans

#162 Don’t Trust Your Gut for Career Decisions with Dr. Gleb Tsipursky

Dr. Gleb Tsipursky has dedicated his professional life to helping others overcome cognitive biases and make better decisions. In this episode, Darren and Dr. Gleb discuss ways MBA applicants can make better, unbiased decisions when it comes to business school and their careers.

#161 The Evolving Professional MBA with Chris Healy

Do you have to quit your job to get your MBA? Darren invites Chris Healy from Alliance Manchester Business school to share how the part-time / professional MBA has evolved with new technology and student and employer demands. If you’re unsure about getting an online, blended, part-time or Executive MBA, you’ll get key insights from this episode.

#160 Experience Does Not Equal Performance

How to demonstrate you’re a great fit for your target MBA programs – or your next employer – even if you’re short on experience.

#159 What’s Up with the HKU MBA?

Sachin Tipnis, Senior Executive Director of HKU’s MBA, EMBA & 6 specialized Masters programs discusses the Hong Kong protests, curriculum changes, admissions, and picking the right Masters program for your career goals.

#158 Quantless in Cornell with Gregory Wool, Cornell Johnson MBA ’21

Gregory Wool, Cornell Johnson MBA ’21, scored below average on the quantitative section of the GMAT. How did he overcome this score to not only get into Cornell Johnson, but win a prestigious tuition free scholarship? Gregory also shares his experience surviving a packed first semester, leading the student consulting club, and recruiting into strategy consulting.

#157 Management Consulting & Student Life at Insead with Massine Bouzerar ’19J

Around half of Insead MBA graduates end up working in consulting each year. Darren invites Massine Bouzerar, Insead MBA ’19J, to share how he landed a job with Bain & Company AND made the most of his ten months at Insead’s Fontainebleau campus

#156 Three Questions to Ask Before You Make a Career Move with Gary Lo

Gary Lo, Managing Director of Glo Consulting and former Head of Marketing & Admissions for the HKUST MBA, shares three questions to ask before you make a career move – MBA included. Aside from working for 10 different companies in 7 industries, Gary has counseled hundreds of MBAs and professionals as a career coach, so don’t miss this episode if you’re thinking about making a career move.

#155 Five Takeaways from MBA Tour Panel in Ho Chi Minh – “Preparing Your Application: Advice from Admissions Directors”

Darren recently attended a panel “Preparing Your Application: Advice from MBA Admissions Directors” at the MBA Tour in Ho Chi Minh. In this episode, he unpacks the application advice given by five admissions directors.

#154 Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) & The Consortium: What You Need to Know with Cristian Molina Cornejo, Tuck MBA ’21

Cristian Molina Cornejo, Tuck MBA ’21, shares how MBA applicants can take advantage of two pre-MBA programs that champion diversity and inclusion: Management Leaders for Tomorrow (MLT) and the Consortium. Cristian also gives his best application tips after getting into four out of five top 20 US MBA programs.

#153 The US MBA Experience as an International Student with Ikechukwu Edeagu, UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA ‘19

Hailing from Nigeria and having never visited the US, how did Ikechukwu Edeagu shortlist and apply to MBA programs? And what was his process for navigating internships and the job search as an international student? Listen to get a real-time, inside look into one international student’s MBA experience at UNC Kenan Flagler.

Rankings Don’t Matter. Go Where You’ll Find the Conversations You Want to Have

The lifelong benefits I’m getting from this MBA have nothing to do with rankings; they’re the conversations you have, the people you meet, and the perspectives that change. I’ve learned so much in the way of soft skills by learning from my classmates; so really, when you visit schools, pay attention to the school culture and read between the lines.

What We’ve Learned from 444 Successful MBA Applicants

Is Touch MBA’s profile feedback accurate?

#152 Kishōtenketsu

Crazy Lady, Kishōtenketsu by Olivia Stephens

Do you feel like your MBA story is a bit bland? Or uninspiring compared to the applicant profiles you see online? What if you haven’t overcome insurmountable odds or accomplished something amazing?

Darren explores the possibilities of kishōtenketsu – a four act story structure used by Japanese and Chinese writers for centuries. What makes this story structure interesting is that it relies on contrast – not conflict – to generate interest.

Listen on for ways you can use this Eastern story structure to keep admissions officers’ attention AND demonstrate your self-awareness.

#151 City University Hong Kong MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Christoph Schneider

Dr. Christoph Schneider, Associate Director of MBA Programme and Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Systems, City University Hong Kong, discusses what makes the City U Hong Kong MBA unique, the school’s admissions process, career opportunities and more.

#150 Behind the Scenes of an MBA Employment Report

Darren invites Susan Bertulli, Director, MBA Career Management at Ivey Business School at Western University to discuss MBA employment reports. First, why and how are MBA employment reports produced? Then, what should you look for? Which employment figures and statistics matter? How can you use them to shortlist b-schools and plan your career?

#149 Wisconsin MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Betsy Kacizak and Brad Chandler – “Focus Creates Advantages”

Betsy Kacizak, Director of MBA Admissions, Wisconsin MBA

Betsy Kacizak, Director of MBA Admissions and Brad Chandler, Director, Nicholas Center for Corporate Finance and Investment Banking at the Wisconsin School of Business, discuss what makes the Wisconsin MBA unique, the school’s admissions process, career opportunities and more.

#148 Starting a Business during your MBA with Sheela Lal, Michigan Ross MBA ’19

Guest Host Sabaina Kamara, Michigan Ross MBA ’19, invites her section-mate Sheela Lal to share her experience applying for internships, founding Drunk Shrub and securing a full-time job post-graduation. Listen to get a real-time, inside look into the MBA experience at a top b-school like Ross.

#147 ASB MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Sean Ferguson – “An Action-Learning Based Curriculum”

Sean Ferguson, Associate Dean and Director of MBA Program for the Asia School of Business (ASB), discusses what makes the ASB MBA unique, the school’s admissions process, career opportunities and more.

#146 The Three Ps of Performance

Darren shares “three P’s” you can use to clarify the value of your accomplishments in your resume and MBA application. Doing so will paint a clear picture of your performance for MBA admissions officers and employers.

#145 IMD MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Dean Seán Meehan – “Be on Companies’ Leadership Radars”

Seán Meehan, Dean of the MBA Program at IMD, discusses what makes the IMD MBA unique, the school’s admissions process, career opportunities and more.

The World’s Most Attractive Employers

In our country guides, we see how many of the Top 25 companies recruit at each MBA program and give a score out of 25. For example, all things considered, a school with a 15/25 score probably has a better reputation with well-known multinationals than a school with a 5/25 score.

#144 The Pros and Cons of Doing an MBA Outside the US + Assessing a School’s Entrepreneurship Offering with Eddy Zakes, IESE MBA ’17

Eddy Zakes, Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at IESE business school

In 2017, US applicants made up 4% of candidates to European MBA programs and 2% of candidates to Asian MBA programs (versus nearly 70% to US MBA programs). What do you need to know about getting a top-ranked MBA abroad? Eddy Zakes shares why he chose to uproot his young family to pursue his MBA at IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain, as well as the pros and cons of his experience. Darren also asks Eddy – currently the Director of the Center of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at IESE – about how business schools can help aspiring entrepreneurs and how you can assess your target schools’ entrepreneurship offerings.

#143 Alliance Manchester MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Chris Healy

Chris Healy, Head of MBA Marketing & Recruiting, Alliance Manchester Business School

Christopher Healy, Head of MBA Marketing & Recruitment of Alliance Manchester Business School discusses what makes the Manchester MBA unique, the school’s admissions process, career opportunities and more.

#142 York Schulich MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Imran Kanga – “One of the most customizable programs in the world”

Imran Kanga, Assistant Director of Recruitment & Admissions, Schulich MBA

Imran Kanga, Assistant Director of Recruitment and Admissions, Schulich School of Business, discusses what makes the Schulich MBA unique, the school’s admissions process, career opportunities and more.

#141 The Mindset to Make a “3D” Career Change – From Wastewater Engineer to Luxury Brand Manager with Laura Pan, SDA Bocconi MBA ’18

Are you pursuing an MBA to make a “3 dimensional” (3D) jump into a new geography, function and industry? Laura Pan, an Australian attending the full-time SDA Bocconi MBA in Milan, Italy, shares how she went from a wastewater treatment engineer to luxury brand manager, her dream job. Laura shares what it’s like to study in Italy, as well as the mindset necessary to capitalize on opportunities as an MBA student. Laura also opines on the myth and reality of attending a business school outside the top 10.

#140 RSM MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Brandon Kirby

Brandon Kirby, Director of MBA Marketing & Admissions, RSM MBA

Brandon Kirby, Director of Marketing & Admissions, discusses what makes the RSM MBA unique, the school’s admissions process, career opportunities and more.

Surprise, I’m Going to Business School! (tips for the untraditional applicant)

Have you received disheartening feedback from MBA admissions experts – including from us at Touch MBA? Kate Galloway, a nurse and Texas McCombs MBA, believed she had more to offer than what met any reviewers standardized checkboxes.

#139 Breaking into Energy & Sustainability (as an MBA)

How can you break into the energy industry as an MBA? Vince Faherty, London Business School MBA ’10, shares his experience working in the energy industry for over 10 years. Vince is currently working for Google as Head of Northeast & Midwest Energy Partnerships.

#138 MBA Resume Do’s and Don’ts (Plus Templates!)

Your resume is often what MBA admissions officers first see, and frames how they view the rest of your profile. Follow this checklist of CV ‘do’s and don’ts’ to make make a strong first impression and set the stage for a successful application.

2 Years, 8 Dings and 2 Scholarships Later – My Reflections on the MBA Application Process

How did one re-applicant recover from 8 dings to win 2 admits (with scholarships!)? Brendan Marschner, Emory Goizueta MBA ’20, shares two hard-earned lessons.

#137 From Stand Up Comic to MBA Student with Rob O’Reilly, USC Marshall MBA ’20

Rob O’Reilly performed stand up comedy for 16 years. Then he decided to get an MBA. We discuss his application journey to USC Marshall, where he’ll start this Fall.

#136 Military to MBA to Management Consulting with Alex Tuininga, Harvard MBA ’18

Alex Tuininga, HBS MBA ’18, discusses his transition from a navy intelligence officer to Harvard MBA to BCG management consultant. Alex also shares his thoughts on MBA recruiting and social life as a married, older student.

#135 Michigan Ross MBAs Reflect on Their First Year & Discuss the Journey Ahead

Guest Host Sabaina Kamara, Michigan Ross MBA ’19, invites her friend and classmate Kashay Sanders to share her experience as a first year MBA student at the Ross School of Business. Listen to get a real-time, inside look into the “MBA1” experience at a top b-school like Ross.

#134 Successful MBAs, Leadership & High Performing Teams with Prof. Randall S Peterson of LBS

Professor Randall S Peterson of London Business School

Guest Host and London Business School (LBS) MBA Mathias Keller invites Dr. Randall S. Peterson, Professor of Organisational Behaviour and the Academic Director of the Leadership Institute at LBS, to share his thoughts on successful MBA students, how to develop leadership skills, and how to build high performing teams. Don’t miss this first guest hosted episode and sample leadership lessons you’d learn at one of the world’s top business schools.

#133 Breaking into Media & Entertainment (as an MBA)

Mark Zee, UCLA Anderson MBA '14, at Avengers Infinity War Premiere

How does MBA recruiting at top entertainment companies work? Darren invites Mark Zee, UCLA Anderson MBA ’14, to share his experience working for 20th Century Fox & Disney, where he is Director of Pay TV & Digital Sales.

#132 How to Show Quant Skills (outside your GPA & GMAT)

How can MBA applicants show evidence of quantitative skills outside of their university GPA and GMAT? Do top b-schools accept online courses like Coursera? Admissions Directors from Cornell Johnson, IMD and CEIBS share their thoughts.

#131 The Quick & Easy Way to Effective MBA Interviewing

Could this be the only book you need to prepare for your MBA interviews?

Inspired by Dale Carnegie’s classic book, The Quick & Easy Way to Effective Speaking, Darren shares a simple 3-part framework to help you choose your best ‘material’ for your MBA interviews.

#130 Breaking into CPG (Consumer Package Goods) as an MBA

What do you need to know about MBA recruiting for top Consumer Package Goods (CPG) companies? Darren invites Ana Archbold, Michigan Ross MBA ’07, to share her experience working for companies like Kraft Foods, Unilever, and Johnson & Johnson, where she is currently a Senior Marketing Director for Neutrogena. Darren and Ana pay special attention to the recruiting process and what applicants can do to maximize their chances of landing internships and jobs. Ana also shares her thoughts on working internationally after getting a top US MBA.

#129 Breaking into Brand Management (as an MBA)

What do MBA applicants need to know about MBA careers in brand management?

Darren invites Michael Schwartz, NYU Stern MBA ’16, to share his thoughts after working in brand management for companies like Philips, Unilever, and Heineken, where he is currently a Brand Director for the Amstel beer line. Michael also shares his thoughts on the part-time MBA experience.

#128 How I Got Into Insead

Massine Bouzerar, a 25-year old Canadian, was backpacking through Myanmar in July when he realized he wanted to start his MBA asap. First round deadlines were looming in September. Within 3 months he wrote the GMAT and submitted a successful application to Insead. What should you do when your back is against the wall? Massine shares his experience and what he did to get accepted to one of the world’s top MBA programs: Insead.

6 MBA Programs to Launch Your Career in the High Tech Industry

Written by Molly Ellison. Photo courtesy of Christiaan Colen via Flickr. What began with a few computer wizzes in garages and dorm rooms has grown into one of the world’s largest – and most pervasive – industries. The technology sector, led by Silicon Valley evangelists and the like, has transformed the way we do nearly everything. So, it’s no surprise that as the industry’s employment numbers continue to boom top b-schools are sending grads to companies like Amazon and Google in […]

6 MBA Programs to Launch Your Career in the Energy Industry

Written by Molly Ellison. Photo courtesy of Jondaar_1 via Flickr. Do you want to climb to the top of a petroleum giant like Shell? Or, maybe you’re more interested in the large scale distribution of renewable energy? Either way, getting an MBA will set you apart from the crowd in the energy industry. Whether you want to land in the plains of energy-rich Texas or the innovative Bay Area, top programs in the U.S. and Canada offer students strong academic […]

#127 HKU MBA Program & Admissions Update with Sachin Tipnis

Sachin Tipnis, Executive Director of MBA Programmes at HKU

Sachin Tipnis, Executive Director of MBA Programmes at the University of Hong Kong, discusses what makes the HKU MBA unique, the school’s admissions process, career opportunities and more.

5 MBA Programs to Launch Your Career in the Entertainment and Media Industries

Do you dream of calling the shots at a Hollywood movie studio? Or taking the helm at a media empire in the Big Apple? Getting a specialized MBA will give you a strong business foundation and network to help you break into the exclusive entertainment and media industries. Read on for more about top MBA programs to launch your career in show business.

#126 Cornell Johnson MBA Admissions Interview with Eddie Asbie

Eddie Asbie from Cornell University’s Johnson MBA Program joins the show to discuss what makes the Cornell MBA unique, the school’s admissions process and career opportunities for Cornell MBAs.

6 MBA Programs to Launch Your Career in Healthcare

Top MBA Programs for Healthcare Management

Looking for a booming industry that’s in need of talented MBA grads? Then pursuing a career in healthcare – and getting a specialized MBA to kick-start your journey – may be your answer. Read on for more on some of the best b-schools that will prep you for a career in America’s fastest growing sector.

#125 Should You Hire an MBA Admissions Consultant?

When should you use an MBA admissions consultant? How can you get the most value? What should you look for when hiring one? As a former MBA Admissions Director and Admissions Consultant, Darren shares his thoughts.

6 MBA Programs to Launch Your Career in Social Impact

Top MBA Programs for Careers in Social Impact

There are hundreds of strong MBA programs around the world that say they can help you launch your career in social impact. We’re here to help you sift through the rankings and industry jargon to find the right fit for you. We’ve identified six standout b-schools that complement their strong curricula with robust co-curricular opportunities in order to expose students to the social impact, social entrepreneurship, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) industries.

#124 Georgia Tech Scheller MBA Admissions Interview with Katie Lloyd – “At the Intersection of Business and Technology”

Katie Lloyd, Executive Director of MBA Admissions, Georgia Tech Scheller MBA

Katie Lloyd, Executive Director of MBA Admissions at Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business, discusses what makes the Georgia Tech Scheller MBA unique, the school’s admissions process and career opportunities for Georgia Tech MBA students.

#123 ESSEC Global MBA Admissions Interview with Vivien Koh

Vivien Koh from Essec Business School joins the show to discuss what makes the Essec’s MBA unique, the school’s admissions process and career opportunities for Essec MBA students.

#122 Breaking into Data and Business Analytics (as an MBA)

What do MBA applicants need to know about MBA careers in data and business analytics?

Darren Shane Rai, Co-Founder of TenPoint7, to share his experience breaking into data and business analytics and as a recruiter in the industry.

Garret has worked in venture capital and related jobs in San Francisco for 7 years – don’t miss his hard-earned insights into the industry!

#121 21 MBA Application Questions Answered

7 senior MBA Admissions Directors from Berkeley Haas, Cornell Johnson, Virginia Darden, Duke Fuqua, NYU Stern, Michigan Ross, and Yale School of Management came to Vietnam this Fall for an MBA admissions panel.

Darren shares the questions asked and lessons learned from the event.

#120 Breaking into Venture Capital (as an MBA)

What do MBA applicants need to know about MBA careers in venture capital?

Darren invites his friend Garrett to share his experience, both as an MBA student looking to break into venture capital and as an interviewer for Hewlett Packard Ventures.

Garret has worked in venture capital and related jobs in San Francisco for 7 years – don’t miss his hard-earned insights into the industry!

#119 Breaking into Investment Banking (as an MBA)

What do MBA applicants need to know about MBA careers in investment banking?

Darren invites his friend Scott to share his experience, both as an MBA student looking to break into investment banking and as an MBA recruiter for Wells Fargo Securities.

Scott has worked in investment banking for 7 years after his MBA – don’t miss his hard-earned insights into the industry!

#118 Full-time vs. Part-time vs. Online vs. Executive MBA – Which is the Right MBA for You?

What is the difference between Full-time, Part-time, Online and Executive MBA (EMBA) degrees? Which one makes most sense for you?

A number of you coming to Touch MBA for school selection help are considering multiple MBA program formats so I thought it would be good to dedicate one short episode to covering key differences from an admissions, curriculum, career and reputation perspective.

Dirk is involved in all 4 MBA programs for IE Business School so I played the role of “applicant” and asked him common questions I get.

#117 Breaking into Management Consulting (as an MBA)

What do MBA applicants need to know about MBA careers in management consulting?

Darren invites his friend Sandra to share her experience, both as an MBA student looking to break into consulting and as an MBA recruiter for McKinsey & Company.

Sandra worked in management consulting for 5 years after her MBA – don’t miss her hard-earned insights into the industry!

#116 Interacting with MBA Admissions Officers at Events

How can you make a memorable impression on MBA Admissions Officers at MBA recruiting events? Drawing on his experience recruiting at MBA Tours and information sessions, Darren shares his best tips for how you can stand out.

#115 Charting Your Own Path in China with Jesse Miller, CEIBS MBA ’17

Why did an American Ivy League graduate decide to pursue an MBA in China? Jesse Miller, CEIBS MBA ’17, discusses the pros and cons of pursuing a top-ranked MBA in Asia.

Listen to one applicant’s take on using the MBA to chart your own path.

#114 Stephen Huber, USC Marshall MBA ’18 on Getting Off the Waitlist, Preparing Significant Others, and Breaking Into a New Industry

Stephen Huber discusses his MBA experience at USC Marshall, from what he did to get off the waitlist, to preparing his wife for an intense first year, to leading the High Tech and Interactive Gaming Associations, to landing internships and jobs in tech and the hard-to-break into entertainment industry.

After listening to this talk, you’ll have a good idea of what it takes to make the most of your MBA experience, especially as a career switcher.

#113 Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t

Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t by Steven Pressfield

Inspired by Steven Pressfield’s book, Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t, Darren offers 3 pillars to present a memorable MBA story: concept, theme, and structure (hook, build, payoff).

The Best MBA Programs in Spain

The Ultimate Guide to Spain's Top MBA Programs

The ultimate guide to Spain’s best full-time MBA programs. Compare Spain’s top MBA programs head-to-head and get the inside scoop from Admissions Directors and students.

The Best MBA Programs in Australia

The Ultimate Guide to Australia's Top MBA Programs

The ultimate guide to Australia’s best full-time MBA programs. Compare Australia’s top MBA programs head-to-head and get the inside scoop from Admissions Directors and students.

#112 LinkedIn Tips for MBA Applicants

Your LinkedIn profile could be the first thing business schools see.

Darren draws on his admissions experience and shares 7 tips to make a good first impression, reinforce your MBA story, and highlight additional qualities not in your application.

MBA programs are looking at your social media, especially your LinkedIn profile. Take 15 minutes to follow these guidelines and represent yourself well to b-schools, MBA students & alumni, and future employers.

#111 MBA for Entrepreneurs – Worth It?

Many MBA applicants are interested in entrepreneurship, but have trouble reconciling the cost of an MBA with their goal of starting a business. Darren invites 2 recent Wharton MBA graduates, Alex Kubo and Renata Arauz De Stefano, to discuss if an MBA helps you become a better entrepreneur. Alex currently works at Burrow.com, a Y Combinator backed startup in New York City, and Renata started Mwayi, a fashion social enterprise that brings customized, African-print apparel to US consumers.

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