I am from Nigeria, married, with two children, and hold undergraduate and PhD degrees in electrical engineering. My work experience before Wharton spanned 22 years, and included positions in Nigeria, Norway, the U.K., and the U.S. I had worked at JP Morgan Chase for seven years when I was sponsored to attend Wharton. I decided to go to business school to obtain the knowledge I would need to be well positioned to run a business and help my firm get to the next level.
The Wharton degree has enabled me to make contributions to my organization that would not have been possible without the degree. For example, I recently applied principles I learnt from the Global Strategy class to establishing the framework for an international information technology architecture. In addition, the Wharton degree has significantly expanded the job opportunities available to me at JP Morgan Chase.
Why Wharton?
I knew that it would be a program that would challenge me and give me all the exposure that I needed. I preferred the rigor; I didn't want to skimp on the details. And Wharton definitely delivered on that for me.
A well thought-out program
The professors are top notch. Even in classes that include complex content, the professors teach in such a way that people who don't have the background can still follow along and get what they need out of the class. For example, business statistics is a subject area that you think is going to be kind of dry, but the professor taught it in a way that made the business application of statistics very interesting. It really showed you how you can make decisions based on the data you collect or that somebody presents to you. In addition, you find that professors are able to understand what is going on in other classes and relate them together. Sometimes they will use the same cases so you can see the common thread. It's a well thought-out program.
Advice for succeeding at Wharton
To make it a successful experience is to come into the program understanding that it's going to be hard work and making a commitment to do the work. Make sure everyone around you — your wife, your kids — understands that the program is very demanding and requires that commitment. While you are in the program, it's important that you are not left behind — keeping pace with the program itself, making sure that you are on top of assigned readings, making sure you structure your time to work regularly on the program. It's not a program where you can come in and get by just doing the minimum amount of work. Also, it's important that you have relationships with your classmates and get to know them well.
Securing sponsorship
There isn’t any magic bullet. Be aware of what’s available and what the rules are. I think the key is for people to develop a solid reputation for excellence in their jobs, because once they have that, it makes it easier to secure sponsorship. It makes it easier for you to talk to your manager and tell him/her you would like to do this program. For me, when I spoke to my manager about it, he was agreeable about sponsoring me immediately because I had a good track record with him. It's also important to lay the groundwork for the program. If, for example, there is someone who never expressed a desire to manage people or take on bigger responsibilities and suddenly s/he comes out and says s/he wants to get sponsored, the individual's manager may say that the individual is not an MBA material. Do a good job, take on the necessary responsibilities, promote yourself as a leader. Once you do that consistently, then it will be easier for people to see that you're worthwhile to sponsor for an MBA program.
Career impact
The Wharton degree has broadened my horizon and perspectives. The degree has provided me with a solid foundation from which I can launch out into the various career directions of interest to me.
