Anye Tamambang, INSEAD’s MBA Class of 2022
Age: 26
Hometown: Douala, Cameroon
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Ecole Nationale Supérieure Polytechnique Yaoundé, Master’s in Mechanical Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): I worked as a Field Engineer in the oil and gas industry for 2 years. I accrued over 200 offshore rig days providing measurement and logging while drilling services for 30+ deviated wells. Then, I had a 1-year start up experience in the venture capital (VC) space running due diligence and preparing investment memos.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
My long-term aspirations are in VC. To make this transition seamless, I reckon there is a knowledge gap in core business skills and a network factor to ease entry into this niche industry. An MBA fits naturally in both instances as a first step to bridge the gap. The timeline feels right since I have a fairly good idea of the end goal and what is needed to reach it.
Why did you choose INSEAD? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
A couple of factors were crucial in my choice of business school: it had to possess a strong alumni network (especially in Europe and Africa, my preferred long-term locations) and be a highly reputed business school. INSEAD ticks all those boxes and beyond. For instance, the unique diversity INSEAD offers is unmatched – my cohort boasts 70 different nationalities.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2022?
It is hard to say with sufficient certainty given the many brilliant and diverse profiles. However, I would suggest my brief exposure and ambition to advance VC in Africa. I aspire to partake in ventures that impact communities positively.
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
I worked offshore for years, but still can’t swim.
Post-MBA career interests:
Strategy consulting. I expect the steep learning curve and multiple areas of practice will reinforce my business acumen and better position me to achieve my goals.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
– What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Reach out to alumni and current students early to reconcile personal expectations with realities of the given MBA programme.
– What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Start the application process earlier than I did. INSEAD’s MBA application is quite unique with a minimum of 7 essays. This requires a lot of introspection which is time consuming but rewarding. My late start to the process made the last days before application deadline more unsettling– something I will gladly do without.
– What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Extensive recommendation process, including peer reviews during period 0 (P0), that amounts to at least 4 people giving feedback on you. Having a good relationship with my managers and peers made it easier.
What is your initial impression of INSEAD’s students/culture/community?
Very positive. It is probably the smartest and most diverse community I have been exposed to. There is no dominant culture which facilitates an inclusive experience. INSEADers are open-minded and collaborative.
What is one thing you have learned about INSEAD that has surprised you?
The singular focus on leadership development. This is expressed via elaborate coaching schemes, psychological awareness on biases, and the Personal Leadership Development Programme (PLDP).
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
No, it hasn’t.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Too little time for too many activities of interest. Time is truly a scarce resource during an INSEAD MBA. As such, you must be intentional with it and set priorities.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Making lifelong friends across cultures and geographies.
