Olivia Chow, Michigan Ross MBA Class of 2020
Age: 27
Hometown: Hong Kong/Sydney
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Johns Hopkins University / Business Management
Pre-MBA Work Experience: 3 years in CPG (finance and operational strategy), 3 years in healthcare tech (finance).
Why business school? Why now? I started my career at a healthcare tech startup, and like many startups, we were quite lean in our operations. This meant I had the opportunity to work on various M&A and corporate strategy deals, which allowed me access to numerous branding, company strategy, and product conceptualization materials.
I then went on to pursue my long time passion in consumer goods and learned so much about the strategic thinking behind each product launch and the importance of a comprehensive and balanced portfolio. I grew increasingly interested in how brands were built, how to maintain a healthy brand, and the marketing efforts that fueled a company’s image and success.
I knew that passion alone is not sufficient for me to pivot into a different function and I believe business school can help me gain the skills and network to achieve my career aspirations.
Why Ross? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? Since I intend to be a career switcher, my biggest concern is my ability to transition smoothly with the right skills and capabilities. When I was looking at schools, I specifically looked for resources outside of the classroom that will help me succeed.
After talking to current students and alumni from Ross, I learned about the extent of how the school prepares its students for success post graduation.
There’s first-hand training on leading data analytics tools through Marketing Lab that really puts Rossers at the top of their game, simulated interview sessions with recruiters at the Marketing Symposium, and so many other action learning opportunities to apply theories learned in class into practice.
The other important factor to me is to be surrounded by a supportive and friendly community, which I got to experience first hand during GBR (Admit Weekend). I was just blown away by the spirit, the friendly and welcoming personalities of the incoming class that Ross really became the school to attend.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020? I’ve had the opportunity to work at a huge multinational conglomerate as well as a lean startup so I am excited to share my insights with the class. I am equally well-versed between the lean operations model at a startup and the hierarchical organization of a large corporation, where functions are highly differentiated and separated.
From my various conversations with my classmates, I’ve learned a lot of them are looking to transition into a startup or a large company so I hope to provide some perspective on the differences and similarities of these working environments to paint a realistic and complete picture of what to expect.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? I love talking about food, so during my spare time last year (before I started the MBA application process), I created a video series about foods I loved.
Post-MBA career interests? I’m looking to work in marketing strategy for a retail technology conglomerate, focusing on food/beverage services.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? Talking with current students and alumni—you can only learn so much through online research. Through these chats, I can envision how the school is like, feel the camaraderie within the class, and get a much more in depth look at their experiences that has helped them grow personally and professionally. This is truly what differentiates the schools and it can help you decide which program is right for you.
–One thing you would change or do differently? Start early—it definitely creeps up on you. The essays do take much thought because you want them to really represent who you are to the admissions panel. It will definitely take a couple drafts/versions before you’re completely satisfied with the end product.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? The GMAT—I’ve never been a fan of standardized tests!
I set aside 3 months to focus diligently on studying and followed a schedule religiously. It’s only a short amount of time in the grand scheme of things and you’ll be glad that you put in 100 percent of your effort at the end.
In addition to doing all the questions and tests within the OG, I also subscribed to some GMAT preparation sites that did breakdowns on areas where you needed to improve and work on. That was exceptionally helpful as it allowed me to focus and really drill on my weaknesses.
What is your initial impression of Ross’s students/culture/community? I feel like the students are all genuinely excited to be here and be fully immersed in the MBA experience. The class is divided into 5 sections and the school made a conscious effort to make sure that each section is well-balanced in terms of professional, cultural, and personal backgrounds. Everyone is very friendly and willing to share, which really fosters rich and engaging conversations both in and outside of the classroom.
We are still going through orientation now (in our own sections) and there are a number of sessions that are newly added this year based on the feedback received from prior years, which shows that the faculty and staff do listen and value our opinions and take prompt action to improve and change.
One thing you have learned about Ross that has surprised you? While I was doing research on Ross, I was most surprised about hiring statistics and the sheer number of companies that come to Ross. I’m particularly interested in retail technology and e-commerce companies, so I was ecstatic to learn that companies like Amazon and Wayfair will be here in Ann Arbor.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year? School hasn’t officially started yet, but there’re already so many things I’d love to be involved in—so the thing I’m most anxious about is time management! I’ve gotten the same advice from different people that the first year is going to a complete whirlwind so I really need to prioritize my needs and interests.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year? New experiences (learning, traveling, etc.)! I’m looking at my MBA experience as a great opportunity to try anything and everything with no real fall backs. Right now, I’m most excited about my MTrek in two weeks—it’s a 10-day trip to sub-Saharan South Africa, complete with a visit to the Kruger National Park.
