Tamon Oshimo, IESE MBA Class of 2020
Age: 30
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Northwestern University; anthropology and global health
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Two years in healthcare/non-profit; two years in private sector development in Rwanda; three years building, leading, and ultimately failing a media startup in Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda.
Why business school? Why now?
I’m a better entrepreneur than I am a businessman, but I want to be good at both. In other words, I was at a point where I needed to package what I’d learned independently about running a business in a more cohesive form. Additionally, I’d felt for a while like I’d plateaued in terms of what I could learn/teach myself running my own business—which was mostly what not to do—so when my company ultimately collapsed, I figured it was time to get my MBA and learn how to actually run a business.
Why IESE? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
IESE’s genuine focus on entrepreneurship (i.e., not only as a means, but as a real end) was very important to me because of my background and because of what I’d like to do in the future. The program’s focus on leadership and soft skills was also important to me because those were areas that I was attuned to but didn’t always feel entirely confident about. Similarly, the ethics component of IESE’s curriculum was important to me because it’s something that I was often confronted with/thought about throughout the process of running my own business. Finally, an international environment and student body was something that I was important to me.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020?
I have a lot of experience failing, and I’m totally cool talking about it. My background is unconventional, and—while it ultimately failed—I still had the experience of building up and running my own business, which isn’t something that a lot of people have experienced.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I moonlight as a jazz musician and am working on my skills as a tattoo artist (mostly by practicing on my brother)!
Post-MBA career interests?
Starting or being a part of something new gives me a lot of energy, so that’s ultimately what I plan on doing. After graduation, however, I’d like to work for a few years at a company that I didn’t start. My idea is venture capital: while it’s something that I’ve experienced on the side of the entrepreneur, I think working from the other side would teach me a lot allow me to continue working with startup ventures.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Visit the schools that you’re interested in. IESE’s open day was a great way for me to get a better feel for IESE and what it had to offer. Try to talk to alumni as well.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
Apply early and minimize the pressure. I was in the process of applying as my business was falling apart (during a later round), and focusing on the GRE and applications while trying to keep my company afloat was a lot.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The GRE for sure. I had trouble dedicating time to studying material that ostensibly won’t help me elsewhere in my career or education. That said, I was very aware that—while test scores aren’t everything—they’re still important.
What is your initial impression of IESE’s students/culture/community?
The student body seems really tight knit and supportive of each other. There’s competition, but it seems like the type of competition that’ll push me and my peers, and while there’s going to be a lot of work, it seems like there will be a lot support to get everybody through it.
One thing you have learned about IESE that has surprised you?
The level of support and guidance you can get from career services has been a really nice surprise.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Learning how to study again. I’ve been out of school for what feels like a long time, and I know adjusting to being a student again will be a process. Additionally, I have a lot of random experience but less of a specific skill-set, so learning to properly prepare cases will also be a process.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Starting something new!
