Ashraf Hammouri, UCI Merage’s MBA Class of 2023
Age: 29
Hometown: Wichita, KS
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Wichita State University, B.S. industrial Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): Prior to joining Merage, I spent 1.5 years in the Aerospace industry at a Composite manufacturer, and 5 years in the Medical Device industry both domestically and abroad.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Business school has been something I’ve thought about for years, but I was rightly told by multiple MBA graduates that work experience is a must before pursuing the MBA. I have now had the chance to work in many roles both in the US and internationally. My most recent experience was opening my own medical supply company in Jordan. Opening my own business taught me a lot about what I was good at, but also highlighted what I was not so great at! I felt that getting my MBA would help me complement my strengths and better prepare myself for future challenges. I chose to start now because I recognized the value that it could have given me as a business owner.
Why did you choose UCI Merage? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Merage was my first-choice program, and the main reason for that was UCI’s proximity to some really great Medical Device and Biotech companies here in Orange County, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Also, the small class size was a draw for me. On the face of it, a smaller program suggests that you will have a smaller alumni network to collaborate with, but it really isn’t like that! The Merage alumni are clearly very happy to be connected to this program and very willing to help students. Also, our class is very active and social. We’re all here to succeed and grow, but we’re also quickly developing a strong bond that will surely last longer than the next two years.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2023?
There are a few entrepreneurs in our class, and successful ones I might add! Although, I think my experience is unique because I bring both an international and a domestic perspective to the mix. This allows me to contribute to discussions in a way that adds a dimension that my colleagues might not have, as most of them have worked either abroad or here in the US. Also, I am the biggest soccer fan of the class. I already set up the Merage intramural soccer team with my classmates!
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
As an undergrad, I interned with the costuming department at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. From my job I knew where and when I could meet all the characters (ex: Pooh, Flick, Baloo). So, I set a goal of having every character sign a single shirt! I didn’t succeed at getting every autograph, but I met a lot more characters than I would like to admit.
Post-MBA career interests:
I spent the last five years in the Medical Device industry and would ideally like to continue building on my experience by staying in the same industry. There are a lot of great companies here in the area doing groundbreaking work, and I think that my experience coupled with the skills I’ll gain here at Merage will help me earn an opportunity to showcase my leadership abilities and continue my growth.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
– What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Talk to ambassadors! This is a must. I did this at multiple schools, and it really gives you a good feel for the program. The ambassadors love meeting you and getting to know you, use this resource as you research schools.
– What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I personally applied very late in the process. This wasn’t ideal as it limited the amount of time I could spend learning more about the program. Also, if you commit to a program early, you can really start thinking about what you want to do post-MBA more deeply. The more developed your goals are, the more you’ll be able to make out of your time here.
– What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
At Merage, they have us submit a one-minute video! This is a nerve-racking experience for those of us who are not used to being filmed. This surprisingly was the most stressful part of the application. My family helped me get through it, I made sure to show them my videos and they gave me feedback and a vote of confidence.
What is your initial impression of the UCI Merage students/culture/community?
Collaborative, and friendly. We have a really special culture here at Merage. The class is smaller than a lot of other programs, which gives us a chance to really get to know our classmates and develop strong bonds in a really short space of time. We are always helping one-another in some way. Also, the staff are very responsive and helpful as they have smaller classes and are able to give you more of their time and attention.
What is one thing you have learned about UCI Merage that has surprised you?
I was worried about COVID and how it might impact our classes, but Merage actually has some good technology setup in the classrooms that have already helped some of my classmates. I still think we’re all learning how to live with this virus, but the school has done well to integrate the concept of hybrid learning. Still a way to go before it feels natural, but they have started off well.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
I was not planning to apply as I was worried that the program would be administered online, and that was not something I wanted to do. When the vaccines started improving the situation, I felt more comfortable with the idea of applying.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Getting an internship is likely the most difficult part of this year. The internship can be a crucial first step towards a company or industry that you want to aim for, and the career services team is working hard to get all of us prepared to network and apply over the coming months.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Meeting so many great new people! The MBA opens your eyes academically, but it also is a great chance to really expand your network as well. I not only get to befriend my classmates, but also have a great platform that I can utilize to meet more professionals in my target industry.
