Free Columbia MBA Essay Samples
As one of three company lecturers at my company, I have delivered talks in my country and abroad. One of my favorite tasks is to speak about how security is one of the most important aspects of any IT project. In theory, at least.
As a soldier and later an officer in the military xxx for 7 years, my first and only goal (and that of my clients) was national security. Theory and practice were the same. I told clients what they needed to do, and they had no choice but to comply. Outside the army, it was a completely different story.
As a new legal hacker at my company in 2005, I started to comprehend the magnitude of the differences between the army and private industry that would force me to learn that the army theoretical experience was far from the reality of the civilian world.
In one example of a situation in which I needed to discriminate between practice and theory, I traveled to a bank in Zurich, Switzerland for a project. After performing a vulnerability assessment, I found many critical vulnerabilities that actually allowed people to steal money from the bank. While these were exciting results for me, bank managers were less responsive than I expected when I presented my findings. Though I was initially surprised that they were more concerned with business as usual than with dealing with security issues, I zoomed out and saw that the bank's first priority was to make money.
From my strict security point of view, these types of vulnerabilities need to be remedied in days. The bank, however, was thinking about the loss of potential business that could result from the process of remediation of the problems. The bank project manager's priorities are to keep his customers happy, to keep the system up and running, and to invest as little money as possible for issues that aren't customer-demanded.
I live in the security world. If it had been up to me or in the army, I would have shut down the bank's system completely for a few days to fix the problems completely. For me, security is central. But I came to understand that while in theory security is very important, in practice, organizations have higher purposes. For bank managers, security is peripheral. I realized that in the real world, customers call the shots. My challenge is to present the importance of my findings and to effectively stress the danger it poses to the core business, but also to accommodate the client's needs and priorities. Once I made sure that the business effect of my findings was understood by bank personnel, we agreed on a timetable that would keep the system safe but wouldn't unnecessarily disrupt the activities of the bank's clients.
Working the last four years in private industry, I've come to an understanding: while in the army computer security-related theory and practice coincide, in the private sector there is a great difference between the two. It's important to know computer security theory and how rules should apply regardless of outside influence, but in practice, things are more complicated when many new factors come into play.
My long-term professional goal is to start my own medical technology venture. Many of the projects I have been working on in the Technology Unit of the ___ utilize technologies that are applicable to medical devices. Over the years, out of research and personal interest, I have come up with several innovative ideas that I believe can improve diagnosis and procedures in the fields of dental health and cardiology.
The roles I have held in 10 years of military service have required me to implement and develop my teamwork, management, and leadership skills, as well as my cognitive and engineering skills. My strong understanding of the challenges introduced by technology, gained through all levels of involvement in interdisciplinary technological projects, from an engineer, through team and department leader, to project manager, will contribute to the success of the initiative.
However, I need an MBA to learn how to transform my ideas into a viable business. I must learn skills related to finance, marketing, and strategic planning, in order to participate in the entire process of developing new technologies, and I believe that Columbia Business School offers unparalleled opportunities in the fields of entrepreneurship, product management, and healthcare.
I feel now is the right time for me to take all that I gained from my significant military service experience, as well as my initial foray into entrepreneurship, and take it forward with me to the world of business. Since I feel that my military service has already enabled me to make a significant contribution, and since I have grown and developed over the past 10 years, I have now decided to challenge myself in new ways. An MBA at Columbia Business School is the best way for me to transition from the military arena to the world of business, with the help of such organizations as the Military in Business Association.
The Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program offer great focus and opportunities in the field of healthcare. I found that the emphasis put on an entrepreneurial mindset, combined with healthcare-specific courses, fit exactly with my goals. The Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization Workshop, which covers the entire lifecycle of a product, will give me a broad understanding of how a healthcare product is developed and marketed. Also, after some research about the Healthcare Industry Association, I have learned that HCIA works closely not only with the administration and the director of the healthcare program at CBS, but also with alumni industry professionals, and arranges the CBS healthcare conference annually. In addition, HCIA’s networking events, career opportunities, panels, and support in the recruiting process make it a strong advantage to students who are interested in developing in the healthcare industry. I would love to contribute to this club since I believe it can enhance greatly the influence of Columbia Business School in the field of healthcare and can strengthen Columbia’s reputation as a gateway to the healthcare business industry for students who are interested in that field.
The school’s location in the heart of New York City, a city I love and have visited several times, is appealing for both my partner and me. I am relocating with my wife, and her interests and career opportunities are significant factors in my program selection. She has many professional and academic opportunities in the city. Regarding me, the fact that NYC is the home to some of the world’s largest healthcare corporations is a major advantage.
In order to learn first-hand about the unique CBS spirit and atmosphere, my partner and I plan to include a campus visit on our honeymoon trip this October.
I am related to xxx, a famous geologist who, after 40 years of futile drilling, lost his financial backing and had to relinquish his stake in what, a month later, became the largest find of natural gas in our country's history.
I was always inspired by xxx’s persistent character, his pivotal role in this discovery, and his talk of a cleaner future, the need to free our country from its dependency on oil.
Xxx was left with bragging rights only; the story painfully demonstrates how much is on the line when it comes to energy financing. That’s why after graduation I intend to join a leading investment bank, such as Credit Suisse or Morgan Stanley and concentrate on their energy practice. Those firms are hands-on participants in clean energy assimilation and positioned to advocate regulatory changes. They are also among Columbia's top recruiters.
That will be my first step towards achieving my ultimate goal – to lead a vehicle dedicated solely to investments in renewable energy projects. The $1.1 Billion Hudson Clean Energy Partners, a Private Equity fund I know firsthand from working on its investments in my country, is my beacon in setting this goal.
At university, I volunteered for the Clinical Program for Environmental Justice. This program taught more than just social environmental theory. I actively participated in several petitions to the Supreme Court, as well as promoting the adoption of a "Polluters Pay" bill.
My conviction that sustainability and business development are intrinsically contradictory was inverted, however, when I joined X. As part of a technical-legal-financial team qualifying project for registration under the ___, I learned firsthand how sustainability can be incorporated into international businesses’ long-term strategic plans.
I also worked closely with CEOs in the group and realized that eventually I strongly wanted to aim for international management.
Today, I am lucky to be on the Infrastructure Project Finance team at _____, where I had the "eureka!" moment for my career trajectory, after representing institutional investors, investment banks, and target companies in some of the most innovative, groundbreaking renewable energy deals in my country.
Team-working to structure a $100 million mezzanine financing for a solar energy company, I witnessed how new investing solutions are tailored. The Decision Brief method, invented at Columbia by Dean Hubbard, will be the ideal tool for me to hone such problem-solving skills, and redirect them from my previous experience in the military and as a lawyer. The opportunity to study with professors such as Bruce Greenwald, a leading authority on Value Investing, will complement those skills with a deeper understanding of investing considerations, another gap of mine.
Electives such as Introduction to Venturing, and Strategy For High Tech Companies also came highly recommended by a Columbia alumnus I've spoken with, to help me think strategically about renewable energy project venturing.
Columbia's program is exactly the inspiration I need to establish a renewable energy investment venture. Perhaps I’ll try for a 2012 win, similar to Columbia’s winning student team at the 2008 GSVC, with their business plan for MicroEnergy Credits Corp, using connections between the emissions cap-and-trade market and the Internet to make resources such as solar lighting available to those without access to electricity.
With almost 40% international students, representing over 50 countries, Columbia will help me develop leadership and management skills in a truly international context, while I contribute to my classmates’ learning experience from my own. I intend to take full advantage of the opportunity through club membership.
Through email correspondence with Ramsey Troughton ('11), I learned that the Energy Club provides summer internships and full-time opportunities to work in energy finance at larger firms and smaller boutiques. The Private Equity & Venture Capital Club, and the Investment Banking Club (IBC), is just as relevant, providing assistance in meeting industry recruiters.
The field of renewable energy has limitless growth potential; take, for example, President Obama’s plan, outlined last year, to spend $209 billion from the federal budget and economic stimulus funds to promote clean energy. I cannot wait to learn and be challenged daily by the best and brightest from around the world at Columbia, as I prepare, personally and professionally, to jump into this developing world.
The thrilling challenge of working in a cutting-edge military intelligence unit and at a dynamic cyber technology startup has convinced me that I want to devote my professional life to pushing the boundaries of change. The world’s next big tech – autonomous vehicles – will radically change our lifestyle and introduce unprecedented opportunities. This is where I aim to be in the next 3-5 years, helping to shape the new reality.
In the short term, my goal is to become a Product Manager at a leading-edge company like Google’s Waymo or Uber. My role as consultant to a boutique technology VC taught me to focus on a product’s vision, and I look forward to building a product roadmap based on customer feedback and competitors, working with diverse people on interdisciplinary teams to see our ideas to fruition, and ensuring that our product makes an impact. Here, I will develop my network in the field, as I learn about planning, executing, and selling a product – all essential for my ultimate goals.
The development of autonomous vehicles requires a deep understanding of both cyber and machine vision to make them safe and effective, combined with the entrepreneurial foresight to change how the world commutes. My computer science education, combined with my experience at a successful cyber start-up and leading multi-million-dollar satellite intelligence projects in the Defense Force’s Visual Collection unit has given me unique expertise in building secure, complex products that are essential for becoming an influential Product Manager of autonomous vehicles and related technologies.
As massive traffic jams are ubiquitous in Israel, I was ecstatic about participating in a hackathon sponsored by Israel’s national transportation company aimed at improving Israel’s traffic infrastructure! Using advanced machine-vision techniques and existing infrastructure, I devised a software solution for busy intersections that significantly reduced road congestion for a fraction of previous costs. Not only did I win the competition, but my solution is about to be piloted by the Israel Roads.
I believe that autonomous vehicles are just the start of an even greater revolution: the conversion to Smart Cities. Therefore, after leading efforts in the field of autonomous vehicles, I aim to leverage that experience to tackle one of the biggest challenges of the populous 21st century: creating cities with high quality of life. My dream job is to start and run a company that plans and executes smart transportation infrastructure in future cities. According to InformationAge, this field is already hot – 66% of American cities are investing in Smart City technologies – yet still in its infancy. Leveraging my experience to influence the future of this trend will allow me to leave an enduring positive impact on millions of lives.
I lived for several months in Singapore, currently, the world’s smartest city, where I saw a glimpse of the future: high quality of life featuring safety, convenience, and environmental sustainability. Singapore stood in stark contrast to my home country, which despite being a technological leader, lacks a great deal in urban infrastructure. Tel Aviv doesn’t even have a subway system yet!
Utilizing a Columbia MBA as well as my experience in autonomous vehicles and cyber security – two backbones of future cities – I envision launching a company that changes the way we live in the cities we love.
I come from a very big family. I have sixteen aunts, fourteen uncles, and one hundred and fifty cousins. Three years ago I decided to capitalize on our family-oriented culture by starting an initiative to promote charity and community involvement among my family members. I worked with my cousins to elect a management committee amongst ourselves to run the program. Every month, the committee collects donations from a hundred of my cousins to purchase food and basic necessities to be distributed to poor local families. In three years, we’ve donated more than $100,000 benefiting 600 families across five cities in the Eastern Province of my country.
When the word started spreading about the program, we were approached by a number of big families in the region to help them implement a similar initiative in their own families. As I hope for the program to continue as a legacy in my family for generations to come, I aspire to turn this simple idea into a sustainable non-profit program that can be easily implemented by families or other groups and expand its impact on the wider society. I, therefore, hope to take advantage of CBS’ Nonprofit Board Leadership Program to gain the necessary practical training and understand the challenges faced by other non-profits and learn how to strengthen my own program and pass it to future generations.
