This document summarizes an event for sharing experiences of Harvard Business School alumni. The agenda includes an opening, panel discussion on differences and characteristics of HBS, Q&A on application process and personal development, and case study. Six alumni from various HBS graduating classes will share their experiences and insights. The goal is to help attendees understand if getting an MBA is right for them and what to expect from the HBS experience.
Harvard Business School: Alumnus Experience Sharing Forum
1. Harvard Business School:
Alumnus Experience Sharing Forum
2008.12.19
6:00-9:30 PM
National Taiwan University
College of Management Building I
1
Eye Without S
http://eyewithouts.blogspot.com
2. Agenda
• 6:00-6:30 Entering
• 6:30-6:35 Opening
• 6:35-8:00 Panel Discussion
• 8:00-8:30 Case Study
• 8:30-9:30 Q&A
2
Eye Without S
http://eyewithouts.blogspot.com
3. Introduction: Alumnus
• Angela Chang 張振亞 – Class of 1981
– Managing Director, Johnson & Johnson Taiwan
• Victor Ko 柯光峰 – Class of 2000
– KYMCO, Executive Director
• Julian Wang 王俊朗 – Class of 2001
– Head of Research, Deutsche Bank Taiwan
• 陳彥甫 – Class of 2009
– HBS Student
• Angie Liu 劉燕潔 – Class of 2003
– Group Brand Manager, Fonterra Brands (Far East)
• Sophia Yan – Class of 2005
– Brand Manager, Kraft Foods
• Gina Liao – Class of 2009
– HSB Student
3
Eye Without S
http://eyewithouts.blogspot.com
4. Q1: Differences of HBS
• Why HBS? Ask yourself.
• Differences of HBS
– 100% Case study
– Diversity people (Background: Counties, Work Experiences…)
• How to apply for HBS?
– Requirement: TOEFL (high score)
– Concentrated
– Insisted on it Desired to Hard working
• HBS Advantages
– Learning form people by discussing.
– Thinking: Change your philosophy
4
Eye Without S
http://eyewithouts.blogspot.com
5. Q2: Characteristics
• What is you plan to do?
• Leadership
– Someone whom is going to change the world.
– Leadership not only can be done in team works, but also your own.
– They are chances everywhere. (Show them you are a good leader.)
– Be positive: desire to communicate with others, contribute in classes.
– To change the ordinary extraordinary (把平凡的事情做的很不平凡)
• How to position yourself?
– Well-rounded: work hard and play harder.
– Leader: Society, Community Activities.
– Ambitious: How do you make the different in this world?
5
Eye Without S
http://eyewithouts.blogspot.com
6. Q3: Personal ability
• Watch yourself. (Each person has different answers.)
• There is no advantage for business background student. They are just
20-25%.
• HBS isn’t the only way you can learn. Don’t be so upset if you were
failed.
6
Eye Without S
http://eyewithouts.blogspot.com
7. Q4: Professional Experience
• Personal decision: base on your personality
• As long as you have PASSION for the job and do it well, then
that's good enough.
• Advantages of work experience
– Collections of business sample.
– Recommendation. (Boss, collogues…)
• Key concept (how to write your essay)
– Experiences: What did you learn form it?
– Contribution: How did you serve as a leader or staff?
– Quality is more important than Quantity.
7
Eye Without S
http://eyewithouts.blogspot.com
8. Q5: Application Process
• There is only one requirement: TOEFL.
• You must be outstanding at 2 by 3 (GPA, GMAT, and ESSAY).
– The essay is the most important: Why we should give you an application?
– Think early.
• All documents will be sent by internet. Please do not send it at due date.
• HBS give offers to students three times a year:
– October: Preferred.
– January: More risky.
– March: don’t think about it, because you don’t have enough time to get visa.
• Interview (Key point: ESSAY): Be yourself.
– Relax, Well prepared, Enhanced yourself.
– Be consistent: Let other no chance challenge you.
– Figure out your own way and find backup for it.
One year 6 months 5 months 2 months Final Date
Writing you essay, thinking. GMAT Preparing Prepare hard
8
Eye Without S
http://eyewithouts.blogspot.com
9. Q5: Application Process (Continued)
• Recommendation
– A person who know you clearly and willing to spend time writing it.
– Collogues and Bosses are your resources.
• Writing essay by your own, it could and should take a lot time.
– Your key achievement on you job.
– Your philosophy.
– What you plan to do in the future.
– Download previous essay problems, and think it.
• Don’t pressing: What do you want to do with your life?
9
Eye Without S
http://eyewithouts.blogspot.com
10. Q6: Financial Aid
• Scholarship
– HBS supported 30-50% student scholarship, you can get a half of tuition at
most.
– Other scholarship: Harvard Club of the Republic of China.
• Company
• If you never ask, it will never be available to you.
10
Eye Without S
http://eyewithouts.blogspot.com
11. Q7: The Transformational Experience
• There are many chances of everything. Understanding yourself, and
then you don’t afraid of taking risk.
• You can if you want. (I know I can do it.)
• Don’t try to find the certain answer of each problem.
• Individual social responsibilities (Whenever you can, just try to do it
right now.)
• Diversity people
• Alumnus Network
“Educating leaders who make a difference in the world”
- Harvard Business School -
11
Eye Without S
http://eyewithouts.blogspot.com
12. DO NOT TELL YOURSELF NO
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS
“ DO IT “
12
Eye Without S
http://eyewithouts.blogspot.com
13. Appendix: 你適合念MBA嗎?
「唸MBA的目的是當Manager或是當Leader,
如果這兩者都不是你的人生規劃,就不用
去念了!」
-台大國企系湯明哲教授-
13
Eye Without S
http://eyewithouts.blogspot.com