Full-time MBA Chat Transcript-- May 10, 2006
Stacy Owen	Welcome to the April Online Chat Session! The Admissions Staff are on hand to answer your questions regarding the Full-time MBA application process. Current student Aaron Waters (Full-time class of 2007) and MBA alumni Mike Simons (MBA '04, Ernst & Young), Ken Hunt (BA '87, JD/MBA '93, The Hanson Maslen Group), Gerry Riveros (MBA '04, Redhat) and Adam Harrington (MBA '05, Banc of America) are also available to answer questions about attending the MBA program at Wake Forest University. Please remember to use the "Ask Speaker a Question" box if you want to ask Admissions questions or questions directed to our alumni. Use the "Post Message to Entire Room" if you would like to ask a current student a question. Let's begin!
APSuthrave	I'm from Raleigh
Stacy Owen	Welcome Chad and Corey. So glad you could make it tonight.
Corey_Scott	Hello. I am Corey Scott from Winston Salem.
Corey_Scott	I am an evening MBA hopeful and a mechanical engineer.
Corey_Scott	Studying for the GMAT as we chat. Wish me luck.
Mimi Musumeci	Hello Corey!
Corey_Scott	Glad to be here Stacy!
Corey_Scott	Hello Mimi. Nice to meet you!
Stacy Owen	Good luck! Keep in mind that most of the questions/answers may be more applicable to the Full-time program. Nonetheless, I am confident you will learn something new about Wake Forest!
Ken Hunt	Hi everyone, I live in Seattle and am a JD/MBA alum from Wake Forest in 1994 and undergrad in 1987....feel free to ask any questions.
Mimi Musumeci	Good luck on the GMAT!
glinn007	Hi Ken... I'm Gerald Linn... I live in Bellevue WA and am looking forward to attending Wake Forest this fall
Ken Hunt	Hey Gerald, I live in Queen Anne and have an office in Kirkland, we should get together so I can give you any inside scoop.... khunt@hansonmaslen.com
Mimi Musumeci	Hello Sarahb! Welcome to the chat!
sarahb	Hi everyone. I'm from Colorado Springs, Co.
Kellie Sauls	sarahb, lovely area of the country. I used to live in Denver.
Corey_Scott(Q)	This question is to Ken Hunt. This is Corey Scott and what are you currently doing with your JD?
Ken Hunt (A)	Corey......I never practiced law or intended to. My goal was to take some of the mystery out of law and put it into practice in the business setting. It taught me to be a bit more analytical, how to think like a lawyer......but to recognize that the business managers make the decisions, the lawyers job is to assess risk, not say yes or no. The degree also comes in handy for contract drafting and negotiating. Does that help? Ken
Chad	Hello everyone, looking forward to meeting you guys this Fall.
Mimi Musumeci	Hi Chad!
Kellie Sauls	Hi Chad
Mimi Musumeci	Chad - are you from Charleston?
glinn007(Q)	what was the most significant lesson you learned while at Wake Forest
Ken Hunt (A)	I'd have to say that the benefit of a Wake Forest MBA is for life, not for two years......in that every step of my career has benefited from my relationships with other alums and the faculty....you get out of it what you put in......you need to stay in touch and try, but I have been amazed by how much the alumni base helps each other.
Chad	Yes I am. I wanted to thank you, Kellie, and Stacy for all your help with the admissions process.
Corey_Scott	Thanks for the insight Ken. I ultimately would like to become an entertainment or intellectual property attorney. If you know someone who may be able to provide me with some practical guidance....feel free to pass them my email address: president@cfsproductions.com
Kellie Sauls	Chad, it's been our pleasure....
Corey_Scott	Thanks again for the information!
Stacy Owen	Chad - looking forward to meeting you in person, since we've only spoken on the phone!
Stacy Owen	Corey, are you doing the JD/MBA program?
Corey_Scott	Currently...I am trying to get accepted into the Evening MBA in Winston
Corey_Scott	then eventually try to get into the JD program
Stacy Owen	I'd also like to welcome Gerry Riveros, another alumnus who works for Redhat in Raleigh, NC.
Chad	Likewise
Corey_Scott	hello Gerry
Gerry Riveros	Hi Corey!
Corey_Scott	hey Gerry....I am a mechanical engineer...but would be happy to do some volunteer marketing work for you...lol Trying to build up my marketing experience
sarahb(Q)	What's the best way to improve my GMAT score and what range are you looking for?
Kellie Sauls(A)	Sarahb - The best way to improve your score is to practice, practice, practice the practice tests in a simulated test environment. Also focusing on the quantitative section has helped applicants in the past. We are making an improvement on our GMAT average this year so we expect late applicants to have a score around the mid 600's and above.
glinn007(Q)	Did you have any time to participate in clubs or organizations, and if so did you find any particularly fun or surprisingly valuable
Gerry Riveros (A)	Yes, definitely. Two organizations I was part of were the Babcock Leadership Series and the Marketing Case Competition. BLS allowed me to meet a lot of corporate CEOs and spend lunch or dinner with them and ask them questions. It actually allowed me to meet with Red Hat's CEO and get a summer internship. So it was very valuable for my career. The MCC was also valuable in that I'm a career switcher (engineering to marketing) and this competition allowed me to meet a wide variety of professional marketers and get their advice on my career.
sarahb(Q)	Ken, what is your fondest memory of getting your MBA at Wake?
Ken Hunt (A)	My fondest memory is probably securing a marketing internship at Sara Lee and then doing a good job given my training from Wake.....also resulted in a full time job...I was at Sara Lee for 5 years.
Gerry Riveros	Corey: We are always looking for smart people. And we've found that our best marketers are actually engineers. Why, they know how to get things done and solve the problem at hand.
sarahb(Q)	Stacy, what can I do to best prepare for an interview?
Stacy Owen(A)	Our interviews are very conversational, and they are an excellent compliment to the written application. We expect candidates to have researched Wake Forest and to be able to articulate specifically why an MBA from WFU is right for them. Our preference is not for candidates to repeat the material on our web site or bulletin, but rather tell us in their own words why they are interested in spending two years with us!
Corey_Scott	Is the math section of the GMAT really that difficult. As an engineer....I have taken 3 levels of Calculus, Advanced Thermodynamics, and Differential Equations? From the practice tests...it looks as though Algebra and Geometry dominate? Should I be too concerned?
sarahb(Q)	This question is for anyone-- what do you think distinguishes WFU from other similar MBA schools?
Ken Hunt (A)	Has to be the alumni support after graduation.....the thirst for Wake alums to help each other is phenominal........again you have to stay involved, but I've moved from Winston-Salem, to St louis, to Chapel Hill to Seattle and have had Wake Forest support in every city and every industry. It reaches beyond the MBA school into the broader Wake Forest Community
Stacy Owen	One more thing about interviews: we know that approximately half of our entering class are career switchers - which is why attending a FT program is the right choice. If you are one of these people, consider your transferable skills (from what you were doing now to what you think you may like to do)!
Stacy Owen	Corey: you are correct. Geometry and trig are everywhere on the GMAT!
Jeremy(Q)	What specifically about Babcock has been helpful in life after MBA?
Ken Hunt (A)	So for example, if I need to get in the door of a company for business development...I always check to see if there is a Wake alum.....if so I contact them and they can help steer me to the right contact person. I also stay in touch with a couple of my professors with any career advice that I may need
Gerry Riveros	Corey: What I did is paid for and took the exam to see what it was like. Then I went and got the "GMAT for Dummies" guide and read through it and took the test a week later. After taking it once, I knew where I needed help and concentrated on those areas. As for the math section, once you see the type of problems they ask, you'll see what formulas and solution techniques you need to know to score well.
Mimi Musumeci	Hi Rob! Welcome to the chat!
JT(Q)	How much emphasis does your resume, references, and job experience have in the admissions process?
Kellie Sauls(A)	JT - Your post-graduate work experience is paramount as far as emphasis in the admissions process. It provides a wealth of information in regard to your candidacy. The admissions committee learns about your work ethic, your professional exposure, your accomplishments, your abilities, etc. So much of what you learn in B-school, you will need to apply nearly immediately in your post-MBA career. Your previous work experience gives us an idea of the type of professional you will be both during and after MBA school.
Rob	Hello everyone. My name is Rob Oh and I am from Seattle.
Corey_Scott	Thanks Gerry. I have three books with various sample tests. Looking forward to the challenge. Thanks for the info.
Aaron (first year MBA)	Good evening, everyone. My name is Aaron and I am a first year student in the Wake MBA program. I'm glad you all are considering Wake. Please let me know if you have any questions about the program or about life as a first year.
glinn007(Q)	Gerry, I am currently employed at a tech company and will be pursing my MBA this fall. What should I expect from the work force post graduation given my experience in Product development now moving into Marketing?
Gerry Riveros (A)	The good news is that Tech companies are hiring. We are hiring 100 people a quarter. There's a lot of pent up demand in tech companies for new hires since most have had a hiring freeze for the past 4 years. Now is a good time to be looking for a job with a tech company. Especially if you have experience in the industry. Also, at Red Hat we have changed who we hire for marketing and project management positions. It's required that they have an MBA. Our CEO has had good experience with hiring MBAs and wants our marketing people to have well-rounded "business skills" in addition to being able to do the marketing job. So I would say you are making the right move.
Jeremy(Q)	How does the admissions committee view an undergraduate career at a more regional school.
Stacy Owen(A)	Jeremy: we will evaluate all components of your application and certainly don't "mark down" candidates based on their undergraduate school.
Ken Hunt	Rob, I am an alum living in Seattle, where are you? I live in Queen Anne and work in Kirkland
Corey_Scott	Are GMAT Scores averaged if you take the test more than once ...say in two different calendar months?
glinn007	Aaron, what was your biggest surprise from your first year and what did you feel was the most notable accomplishment?
Kellie Sauls	Corey; GMAT scores are not averaged but the highest score is the one considered for admission purposes.
Corey_Scott	thanks for the clarification
Corey_Scott	nice to meet you Kellie
Aaron (first year MBA)	Glinn, my biggest surprise from the first year was the integration between all of the classes. I studied finance in undergrad and never saw how marketing and operations were related to my finance study. The way the first year classes are scheduled, you learn how to apply things you learn in one class to the topics you're studying in another. It really helps you get a "big picture" of what business is really about.
sarahb	To both Aaron and the alums-- how can I best prepare for MBA school?
Aaron (first year MBA)	Sarah, do you mind if I ask your background? Did you study business in undergrad?
Rob(Q)	To Ken: I am in Lynnwood. I used to work in downtown but now I work from home.
Ken Hunt (A)	We should get together.... khunt@hansonmaslen.com
Corey_Scott	Does anyone have a good resource utilized to "get up to speed" on the accounting piece of the curriculum before entering the program?
JT(Q)	Thank you Kellie! I have seen much discussion about the GMAT, the Math involved, etc... My undergrad work was in Public Relations and Marketing, although I chose to go into banking. Most of my experience has been in bank management, business development, and sales, with LESS emphasis on the math part. I know how to read spreads, budgets, financial reports, and so on, but avoided most upper level Quant and math courses in school because I didn't need it. Do you believe this would be an handicap for me? Thanks!
Kellie Sauls(A)	It depends....If you are able to grasp concepts quickly, then I doubt it will be a handicap. I think the quant section of the GMAT will give you an idea about where you are math-wise. It also may be helpful to take an accounting course or the like, beforehand to give you a head start.
sarahb	Aaron... No, I didn't study business. That's what I'm particularly worried about.
sarahb	Aaron, what have been your favorite and most difficult classes this year?
Gerry Riveros	Corey: I took an evening class at a local community college during the summer to get up to speed in accounting. It helped tremendously. Wake also offer an accounting boot camp I believe. That could help. Also I received a packet from Wake that contained a book about "everything you need to know about accounting". I read through that and it helped.
sarahb(Q)	To both Aaron and the alums-- how can I best prepare for MBA school?
Ken Hunt (A)	This may sound odd, but start working on your summer internship for next year now.....set the table with companies in area you are interested in. If you are a career switcher, this is especially critical to give your resume some direct experience in the area that you want to pursue. MBA school is nice at developing skills and channeling professional growth, but during interviews, companies will be looking at your work experience....and at the end of the day you want a rewarding job.
sarahb	Aaron, what have been your favorite and most difficult classes this year?
Corey_Scott	thanks Gerry
Aaron (first year MBA)	Sarah, you shouldn't be worried about a lack of business background. The way the program is designed forces everyone to start from a pretty level playing field. I would work on understanding the basics of accounting and work on your excel skills. I think these are things that will definitely help you in the first year.
Kellie Sauls	Nice to meet you too Corey.
sarahb	Thanks Aaron. When you say excel skills, how in depth do you mean? I know how to make a spreadsheet, sort and some basic formulas. Is that enough?
Chad	Aaron, did you use any of the recommended study materials (accounting/econ) prior to your enrollment, and if so, which ones did you find to be most helpful?
glinn007(Q)	When is the Accounting boot camp? I haven't studied accounting since my undergrad and that was an engineering focus.
Stacy Owen(A)	The FT program only offered an accounting boot camp one summer, and it was the summer before Gerry started! We are considering offering something similar for this summer. We always offer a Quant Camp (invitation only), which is the week prior to Orientation.
Corey_Scott	How did an MBA from WFU assist any entrepreneurs (if we have any online)?
Stacy Owen	Corey: we have several second-year students who are starting their own businesses when they graduate. Feel free to contact Mark Hendrickson (mark.henrickson@mba.wfu.edu) who has started a company that is healthcare-related and Scott Alexander (scott.alexander@mba.wfu.edu) is starting a company called Nasolux.
Corey_Scott	Thanks a lot Stacy. I will definitely get in contact with them!
sarahb(Q)	Can you tell us why you chose Wake Forest?
Gerry Riveros (A)	I was accepted at four schools, all of them higher ranked than Wake. What sold me was the day I spent visiting Wake. It was unlike my experiences at the other four schools. At Wake, I had a student host who took me to classes, introduced me to other students so that I could ask questions. He also introduced me to professors, who took the time to get to know my situation and offer advice. It impressed me the camaraderie that existed among the students and especially between the students and the professors. I felt that I would learn more both in the class room and outside at Wake. And that it would be a better place to start building my professional network. One other thing, once I was admitted I had alumni who reached out to me to let me know that they were there to answer any questions I may have as I went through my two years. No other school did this much.
Aaron (first year MBA)	Chad, I used the "MBA Survival Kit" from the GMAT web site. I did feel it was a helpful "brush up". I also purchased the materials recommended, but I found the survival kit to be the most helpful. It has a very easy to use interface and does a good job of making sure you know the key concepts.
Stacy Owen	Just tell them that Stacy gave you their contact information during the chat. They will be really happy to talk with you about their own experiences - their pre-MBA life is pretty interesting!
Gerry Riveros	My mistake, i was thinking of the Quant camp.
Corey_Scott	Thanks a lot Stacy. I will be sure to mention you name!
Chad	Thanks Aaron, I'll look into that.
Ken Hunt	Corey, I was the CEO of a biotech start up in Seattle for 3 years and now consult for young companies....Wake's broad management approach and strong entrepreneur program with Stan Mandel are key pieces. You should call Stan and pick his brain...I think our Entrepreneur program is ranked 1-5 every year.....
Aaron (first year MBA)	I would mainly focus on learning keyboard shortcuts. Jon will teach you how to do the functions he is covering in class. The main thing is learning how to create the spreadsheets as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Aaron (first year MBA)	Chad, I think I still have my copy from last year. Let me know if you are interested in it and I will see if I can find mine. If you want, you can e-mail me about it after the chat at aaron.waters@mba.wfu.edu
Corey_Scott	I have noticed how friendly the admissions staff is at Wake....as well as the alumni
Stacy Owen	Thanks from the admissions staff. :-)
sarahb(Q)	Didn't I read that Yahoo! was the sponsor of the Marketing Case Competition this year? What was that like?
Kellie Sauls(A)	Yes, you are right Sarah! It was quite exciting to have Yahoo! as the corporate sponsor for the Marketing Summit. There is always a buzz during the Summit/Case Competition.
Chad	Thanks Aaron
Stacy Owen	Another one for Aaron or Gerry: What are the most difficult electives to get into?
Gerry Riveros	I was part of the executive committee for the Marketing Case Competition in 2004. One of the best experiences I had at Wake. It's a nationally recognized competition that the best MBA schools fight for an invitation to come. One strength of this school is that even though it has a small student body (less than 100), it can pull off world-class events (such as the MCC) and prove that it can compete against any top 10 MBA program. In 2004, when I was a part of it, Wake won the competition. It's pretty exciting stuff and it unites the school because everyone wants to show off what our school can do.
Rob(Q)	Ken: Can I ask you about quality of life in general in Winston-Salem?
Ken Hunt (A)	I went to Wake undergrad having grown up in California....I thought I would be on the first plane out of NC once I graduated, but I took a job with a bank in town before grad school and have ended up living in NC more years than anywhere else......Your life will revolve around campus...but the local food is fun, the people are friendly, the golf is awesome...spring, and fall weather is great winter isn't bad, ACC hoops is fun.....summer is hot......laid back pace.....and two years will pass by before you know it... Ken
Corey_Scott	What is a single adjective that describes the mind set while in either of the MBA programs? How should I attempt to program my mind to become a successor of the program?
Corey_Scott	I have been in Winston for a year...and I love it
Aaron (first year MBA)	I believe the Financial Statement Analysis is typically the first elective to fill up. This being the case, they typically offer the FSA as a second year elective as well. It is a great class and I highly recommend it.
Rob	Thanks Ken. Looks like I better start working on my golf game, especially since my short game is awful.
Corey_Scott	Winston is centrally located to various big cities in NC. You are 1 hour from the Raleigh/Durham area; about a good hour and 20 minutes from Charlotte; and only 25 minutes from Greensboro
Gerry Riveros	For marketing the best 2nd year classes were Michelle Roehm's brand management class and Derrick Boone's market research class. I use everything I learned in those classes every day at work.
JT	What are the advantages/disadvantages between the Charlotte and Winston programs? Do both programs offer same general curriculum and professors?
Stacy Owen	Another neat thing about this area is the number of local activities offered outside - from Memorial to Labor Day, there is an event Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat nights downtown. Pretty cool.
Stacy Owen	JT - I can answer your question. First: are you interested in an evening or full-time program?
lauraross	hey
lauraross	oh i c how to work this its my first time
JT	Stacy, I have not decided yet. I live in the Salisbury area which is about 45 min either way. I am working full time now and have not made the plunge just yet if I will work or not. Any suggestions?
Corey_Scott	this was a great idea....very informative
Stacy Owen	Hi Laura!
Stacy Owen	JT: there are significant differences between a part-time and full-time program, most of which focus on post-MBA interests.
sarahb(Q)	Gerry, I'm also a career switcher (social services to finance-- hopefully!). What kind of advice do you have for me?
Gerry Riveros (A)	Getting my MBA gave me the credibility for employers to consider hiring me for their marketing department when I didn't have one second of work experience doing actual marketing work. So, getting your MBA gives you the skills you need to do the job and the opportunity to make a seamless career switch. Second, it gives you access to alumni and fortune 500 companies to start building your professional network to land a good summer internship so you can get valuable work experience in the field you want to set you up for landing a job after graduation. So, my advice is to start on day 1 thinking about where you want to go for your summer internship. Then go to the career management group and map out a strategy for getting there. And start talking to alumni and building your network.
Stacy Owen	For those interested in a concentration (ie, Marketing, Operations, Finance, Entrepreneurship, etc.) OR who are interested in being a career changer, the FT program is the way to go. If you are interested in career enhancement or if your company just wants you to have an MBA to be considered for a promotion, then a part-time MBA would be a good option.
JT	Stacy, thank you for the clarification. I would be most interested in the Marketing side (career changer).
Stacy Owen	JT: Great. You've just taken the first step! The FT program is located in Winston-Salem.
Stacy Owen	Another alumnus, Mike Simons, has just joined us! Mike is a 2004 graduate and is a Senior Consultant with Ernst & Young in Charlotte. (He is also a "double Deac" and has an undergraduate degree from WFU.)
RMyers(Q)	when is the best time in one's career to begin an MBA program. If you've been in a new job less than 6 months is it advisable to wait to begin MBA until more grounded
Kellie Sauls(A)	Hi RMyers: I think you are on the right track. The more work experience you have the better - quality work experience. Take advantage of every opportunity offered to be involved in various projects, gain exposure to management, and company sponsored events. I think this will give you a well rounded professional experience to build on.
Gerry Riveros	Hi JT, I lived in Greensboro prior to going to Wake. i thought about the evening program (less than a 30 minute drive). But I talked to alumni and my current employer's HR department about how they would view my employment opportunities depending on which program i went through. All of them suggested that i go through the full time program because it allows you to take extra classes that focus on the field you are switching to, in my case, marketing. Then it was a matter of whether or not I had the financial resources to forgo two years of pay for the opportunity to change careers and try a new challenge. For me it worked out, and I would do it all over again. I feel that my full-time experience and the opportunity to deepen my marketing studies in the 2nd year strengthened my marketability and made me better prepared for the job I currently have.
RMyers(Q)	currently I'm in job transition. Have 10 + years of corporate experience. Just wondering if being less than 6 months in a new job may be even more challenging if also beginning the Exec MBA program within the same window of time.
Stacy Owen(A)	So you are interested in the Exec program?
RMyers(Q)	I'm trying to decide. The idea of having zero income for 2 years is a bit frightening if going FT
Stacy Owen(A)	Yes, that can be scary! Tell me this: what are your MBA goals? Are you a career changer? Do you just want an MBA for the sake of having one? Does your company want you to get one for promotion consideration?
Rob	Well, I have to get going. Thanks for your time everyone and have a good evening.
Stacy Owen	Thanks for joining us!
JT	Thanks Gerry! Did you feel it allowed you more time to work on the projects and still have a life, too? Or, was it school 24/7?
Gerry Riveros	Yes, it allowed me more time to absorb the material, which was all new to me. And it allowed me more time to get to know my marketing professors and build a relationship with them and get their advice on companies, current hot topics in marketing, etc. Another part of the MBA program is who you meet among your fellow MBA students. The full-time program allows you to get to really know them. You make deep friendships and have people who can help you out professionally because you can always point to a time when you bailed them out on a quant project.
sarahb(Q)	How large do you anticipate the full-time class this fall will be?
Stacy Owen(A)	Our rising second-year class has about 85 students; we anticipate about 90 in the incoming first-year class.
Mike Simons	JT - I graduated with Gerry in 2004, with a double concentration in Finance and Entrepreneurship. While the full-time program does require a significant time commitment, you will also have the opportunity to work very closely with your peers..."in the trenches." These folks are your future network - which you will find equally as valuable as the degree itself. This is a great advantage of the program.
sarahb(Q)	Are you still considering applications this year?
Mimi Musumeci(A)	We will continue to accept quality applications until the class is full.
Gerry Riveros	As for having a life and getting your MBA. I have a lot of admiration for the people in the evening program. They have to focus on their full time job and then focus on their MBA studies. I don't know how they do it. For the full-time program, the workload is tough. But after the first few weeks, you realize what is expected of you and your time management skills improve geometrically. Most weekend nights you'll have time to go out and socialize with your classmates or do something for yourself.
JT	So I am assuming the class sizes are small and we may be split into teams? About how large is the alumni network?
sarahb(Q)	This is kind of a silly question, but are there any men involved in the Partner's program? My boyfriend will be coming with me...
Mimi Musumeci(A)	Yes, there are men involved. You may email me at mimi.musumeci@mba.wfu.edu and I can put you in contact with the Partner Program President.
bobby	Hi everyone, sorry I'm so late.
bobby	What did I miss ;)
Kellie Sauls	Hi Bobby - glad you could make it. Better late than never.
JT	Lauraross, did you work for a little bank in durham a few years ago?
Aaron (first year MBA)	Sarah, my wife is actually the president of the partners program for next year. She is planning on doing a lot of events that will be for both male & female partners, so your boyfriend will definitely be welcome. I can get you in touch with her if you'd like.
Kellie Sauls	Hi Eric, how are you?
sarahb(Q)	To the alums, how are you involved with the school these days?
Ken Hunt (A)	I'm President of the Alumni Council and as a council we are directly involved in helping find great new students, securing jobs for current students, raising funds for the school, and continuing to enable professional and social alumni interactions. I stay in touch with faculty and staff who have become close friends and advisors. I visit the campus at least 3 times a year form Seattle and am in pretty steady contact with various aspects of the school
sarahb	Thanks Aaron! Can you tell us more about the Partner's program? Do you help with job hunting, by chance?
Kellie Sauls	Bobby: You've missed some good stuff, but nothing we don't mind repeating, if you have a question.
sarahb(Q)	Can each of you tell us more about what you do for a living and how an MBA has gotten you to this point?
Ken Hunt (A)	I started in consumer goods marketing with Sara Lee for 5 years....was recruited into the biotechnology industry by Monsanto....been in business development and management for biotech until last June.......was CEO of a biotech company in Seattle until last June and now consult for start up companies in a variety of industries to secure capital, position product, and grow their business (see www.hansonmaslen.com ). Wake MBA taught me the basic blocking and tackling, and the relationships continue to help me with virtually every company I have worked with.
sarahb(Q)	Also, what did you do for your internships during MBA school?
Ken Hunt (A)	I interned at Sara Lee in the Hanes apparel area
bobby	Did any of you attend an international trip during the summer?
Aaron (first year MBA)	Sarah: The Partners Association has been a great way for my wife to meet other students' partners. Over the summer, all of the partners will be on a contact list where they can exchange emails and set up dinners or other get togethers when they get into town. It is a great way for your partner to build a social network and meet people that are in the same situation. I know that all of the partners are willing to help others find jobs. The partners group is pretty diverse in terms of what they do, so they may be able to help you find something.
sarahb(Q)	Wow, the alumni council sounds really active! I was worried that with a smaller school, there wouldn't be much of an alumni network.
Ken Hunt (A)	I'd say that the activeness of our alumni network is one of the greatest assets of Wake Forest...it never ceases to amaze me how connected we are with each other
anirudhj(Q)	Hi Kellie. It was a pleasure to meet you at Wake Forest.
Kellie Sauls(A)	Hello Anirudh! I hope your travels were safe.
anirudhj(Q)	Adam Harrington has not joined us ?
Stacy Owen(A)	Adam indicated late this afternoon that he wasn't sure if he would be able to make it - he is in CA and is still at work right now! Investment bankers work late hours...
Mark_(Q)	I am from houston tx
Kellie Sauls(A)	How long have you been in Houston Mark?
Mark_(Q)	how much work experience is needed to apply
Kellie Sauls(A)	Mark: We like to see at minimum 2 years of work experience. What are you currently doing?
bobby(Q)	Did any of you attend an international trip during the summer?
Ken Hunt (A)	I did the Oxford program...it was a blast......but I was a JD/MBA so I had three summers to play with....my advice is make sure you have a great internship for resume building if you are a full time candidate......at least for half the summer if you go overseas at all
Aaron (first year MBA)	Sarah: The alumni network is a huge part of the experience at Wake. All of the alumni are really helpful. The school also offers a mentor program where an alum is matched with a current student and the alum gives career and school advice. It is a great source of information.
bobby(Q)	Thanks Kellie, I've submitted a few, but here's another. Are interviews required and if so, must I do so on campus or are phone interviews an option?
Mimi Musumeci(A)	Bobby: Interviews are required for all domestic applicants. From an applicant standpoint, it is best to come to campus so you can meet the staff, faculty, and students. If that is not possible, a telephone interview is the next option.
JT	I have not seen any information on the mentoring program, but have noticed only few other programs offer it. That is an attractive aspect.
bobby(Q)	What class or professor was most influential during your MBA experience?
Ken Hunt (A)	I was marketing focused so International marketing, marketing of services, and I liked International strategy...Chuck Kennedy was my favorite professor and still a good friend and advisor.
bobby(Q)	What were the key aspects of the Wake Forest experience that led to your first job?
Ken Hunt (A)	The relationships that got me in the door at Sara Lee...an alum gave me my break to get the first marketing experience I needed.
Aaron (first year MBA)	JT: The mentor program has really exceeded my expectations. My mentor was really helpful during my internship search by sending me lists of companies to consider in certain areas and telling me things to expect during interviews.
Stacy Owen	Our time is almost up! Please ask any remaining questions in the next few minutes.
JT	I have been WOWed! Thanks to everyone for their insight and wealth of information! Good night and may see a few of you in the near future.
bobby	Thanks for all the great information? Will there be a transcript of what I missed?
Stacy Owen	Thanks, JT, for spending your Tuesday night with us. Please feel free to contact any of us if you have additional questions. (mimi.musumeci@mba.wfu.edu; kellie.sauls@mba.wfu.edu; stacy.owen@mba.wfu.edu) - we can share the alumni's contact information with you if you are interested.
sarahb	Good night everyone!
Mimi Musumeci	Good night everyone!
Kellie Sauls	Goodnight sarah!
Aaron (first year MBA)	Good night
Stacy Owen	On behalf of the admissions office, many thanks to our alumni (Gerry, Mike and Ken), first-year student Aaron Waters, and all of the prospective students. Have a great night! The transcript for this chat session will be posted tomorrow.
bobby(Q)	Do mentors come from the local Winston-Salem area or elsewhere?
Ken Hunt (A)	I mentored from Seattle
Ken Hunt	Good luck everyone
Stacy Owen	Good night!
Corey_Scott	Good night everyone
Corey_Scott	nice meeting you
Aaron (first year MBA)	I enjoyed meeting all of you. If you have any other questions that I can answer, please feel free to email me (aaron.waters@mba.wfu.edu).