We are "Day-Zero Ready" at Fisher
As our Director Dr. Lori Kendall says, “Our MBAs are Day-Zero Ready” – her vision is reflected well in the structure of our MBA program. Diving deep into an ocean of academic knowledge is customary of almost all MBA programs across the board, but what sets our journey truly apart is the immediate access to the industry.
Without any additional requirements or fee we are given the opportunity to be a part of one of the four Career and Industry Immersion Academies (CIIAs), including:
- Consulting, Strategy, and Leadership
- Operations, Analytics, and Supply Chain
- Marketing
- Finance
Every CIIA is lead and mentored by distinguished business professionals with deep expertise and knowledge in their respective domains. As part of this learning, industry excursions are planned to witness strategic decision-making processes in various industries.
Attending the Consulting, Strategy, and Leadership Academy is an exciting opportunity for me as a first-year MBA. My recent career immersion was a 2-day trip to Cleveland to connect with Fisher Alumni in the city and visit one of Nestle’s largest U.S. Offices.
This visit was packed with activities to familiarize ourselves with Nestle’s culture, corporate environment, R&D, and quality assurance processes. It not only allowed us to get insights into Nestle’s operations, but also facilitated meaningful discussions with Nestle executives.
Applying Learning in Real-Time
Firms associated with Fisher, like Nestle, Deloitte, P&G, and others, also give us the chance to present case solutions to their executives, which is both exhilarating and educational. The feedback we receive from them, in addition to our academy leaders, is not only affirming but also challenging - pushing us to assess certain strategies and consider aspects of the business we had not appreciated before.
Combining Theory with Practice
Regular sessions with guest speakers from consulting, automotives, consumer-packaged groups, information technology, automation, non-governmental sector and more complement this experience. These sessions, which are rare in professional settings, enable us to directly engage with business leaders and visionaries, providing insights into dynamic organizational structures fostering business growth and innovative problem-solving techniques.
Networking and Mentorship
An extensive network of Fisher Alum and employers actively recruiting from Fisher are spread across the country. Fisher enables us to integrate in this network by connecting us with professionals in our field of choice and encourages us to explore cross functional areas for career growth. My experience with the community so far has been profound – where each member is focused on building relationships deeper than mere transactions.
Impact on Career Development
The MBA journey is undeniably challenging, often pushing us into growth zones that were once unimaginable. This rigorous process fuels our curiosity and excitement to aim for increasingly steeper and complex learning curves as we progress. The unique structure is instrumental in helping me develop an enterprise view of leadership, growth strategies, and competitive dynamics. Moreover, it allows me to identify and align with organizational cultures that inspire me, facilitating the building of trust with employers even before the formal application process begins.
These real-world engagements are pivotal to our experience at Fisher, ensuring that we are “Day-Zero Ready” - fully prepared not only for our future jobs but also for our upcoming internships.
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