If You Want Something, Then Say Something
I’ve been in the professional development space for ten years and began coaching and mentoring long before that. Last week, I had this great coaching session with a 24-year old woman. The idea exchange was great; we were able to define a few key issues that needed to be addressed and identify people who might be able to help. The most amazing part of my conversation with the young woman is that she was coaching me – we were talking about web development, UX/ UI, design. I had recently met her at a tech meetup and she offered to share her insight with me.
What struck me after our conversation was how much it paralleled the MBA application process and frankly, any new endeavor that we come to with limited knowledge. Like so many MBA candidates, I have done research, taken e-courses, read books and talked to people about web development and connecting with users in the blogosphere. After I learned enough to be dangerous, I made a plan, put my head down and got to work. But in the midst of the execution, I forgot that I have to keep lifting my head up to see beyond what I am currently doing, toward where I want to go and ask for help from others to help me get there.
No matter where you are in the MBA application cycle – whether you are just beginning to explore or you have been admitted and are making arrangements to begin school in the fall. You have to keep building your network, getting advice for where you are now in your journey. There is actually never a point where you shouldn’t be getting coaching and mentoring. (Caveat: don’t get advice on the same topics over and over; this is about gathering new insight for the new challenges and opportunities that you face). If you want something, you have to say something!
When I decided to write this blog, I was specifically thinking of the prospective MBA candidates that never tell anyone that they are applying to business school. They can’t let anyone at work find out so they opt to keep it completely hush-hush from everyone. Applying to business school is not like applying to undergraduate – selecting and getting admitted to the right business school for you, and then leveraging it to achieve your goals, is all about relationships. You have to tell people what you want so they can help you. Here are three types of relationships that you must have throughout this process:
Advisors: you need people to tell you the real deal about the MBA application process and how you can be successful. You can read all of the generic advice in the world, but does it apply to your situation? Does it relate to the schools that you are targeting? Advisors come in all different forms – current MBA students, MBA alumni and current and former admissions officers should all be in your circle of advisors.
Connectors: most MBA candidates don’t have a deep rolodex (that’s basically your iPhone contacts) so when we start talking about leveraging relationships, some get a bit squeamish. They worry that they don’t have the contacts and don’t know how to get it. You just need to find a few connectors – you know those people who seem to know everyone and who are willing to put you in touch with someone that they know. The key with connectors is to keep them informed of your progress. If they put you in touch with someone, make sure you circle back with them to let them know how the conversation went. Connectors keep track of that stuff.
Supporters: As an MBA candidate, you need advisors and people to connect you to those advisors. But don’t dismiss those people who may not know much about applying to business school, but they know and love you. They will provide you encouragement, support and sometimes, life advice that will help you be successful in this process and beyond. Many diverse candidates have parents that didn’t go to graduate school, let alone business school, so may think that there is no reason to share the challenges that the application process present. Don’t limit your sources for advice and guidance.
