Preparation for Syracuse MBA

On a cold winter day in Detroit, I leaned close to the window seal watching the snow gently fall to the ground while riding in the back seat of my mother’s car. We slowly came to a stop at the intersection of 8 Mile Rd and Greenfield. Several cars ahead of us were waiting for the traffic light. In the distance I saw a man holding a sign that said, “I will work for food or shelter”. As we moved closer toward the intersection the man’s image grew clearer, and I grew distraught; it was my father. After working as a drafter in the automobile industry, he had been laid off from work for over a year. Still recovering from a drug addiction that had troubled him for years; he was a living example of how a few mistakes can mar a future.

My education has been shaped not only by lessons from trained professionals, but also by experiences with real people. Both Michigan State University and Wayne State University boast superb professors who were not only dedicated to the research efforts in their respective fields, but also committed to enriching students with through experiences. At Michigan State, one of my professors noted that I made a comment about my business stake in Internet marketing during a lecture. After class that day, he approached me about the Internet marketing projects I was managing for my clients and how he could assist me in better serving their needs. In a similar case at Wayne State, my strategic management professor assisted me in formulating an IT Audit for one of my clients. The results of my IT Audit were used as a case study analysis for during a class discussion. Applying theory and to real business solutions throughout my collegiate studies has proved to be invaluable.

I initially majored in Computer Science at Michigan State and began my education with difficult classes. During freshman year I had difficulty juggling my classes and working over 30 hours a week to pay for my tuition. Facing difficulty with statistics and operational management programs, I was required to spend more time reading, studying and interacting with other students to keep pace with the class. Meticulousness and perseverance kept me afloat, but I yearned to do more.

Before I entered my sophomore year I was accepted to the Minority Aide program to serve as a resource agent to students in my dormitory - in exchange for a stipend with paid room and board. Michigan State has one of the largest student residential systems in the country; accepting a position as a student aide required an enormous time commitment. Although the increase in responsibility proved to be challenging, the lessened financial stress resulted in better grades. Building on this experience, I took advantage of the many technical resources on campus, attended several training seminars, and learned to manage the work of others through many leadership opportunities.

In the summer of 2000, I married my college sweetheart. Now faced with the responsibility of providing for my family I left Michigan State and pursued employment in my field of study. The technical skills and leadership qualities I gained during college afforded me a managerial position with Zland.com. Soon after accepting a new position I continued my undergraduate education at Wayne State. Developing a renewed attitude toward my educational goals, I became more focused on my studies and effectively balanced work, family and school life. In my first year as a student at Wayne State I was admitted to the National Dean’s list and accepted as a member in the Golden Key International National Honour Society.
After completing my third semester at Wayne State, the demise of the dot.com era knocked right on my door. I was laid off from Zland.com after only being employed for a year. Entering into a partnership with the former senior sales manager of Zland.com, we built a new company. My partner, a seasoned veteran in sales and management with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, lent his experience as I sharpened my skills in myriad business areas. Applying classroom knowledge to solutions for my clients became commonplace as I finished my degree at Wayne State. As the President/CEO of my company I consulted clients on the appropriate uses of several different marketing mediums while also managing day-to-day business operations. I learned financial forecasting, contract and vendor management, and frequently presented at public speaking engagements. Growing accustomed to networking with many top executives in the metropolitan Detroit area, I gained numerous insights into the world of business. Developing my company brought along the management of many difficult people and situations. Working through these experiences has proved demanding but rewarding.

My father’s own grueling experiences remained a backdrop for my climb to success. Overcoming his addiction, he is now designing the interiors for several Daimler Chrysler and Ford vehicles scheduled for production in 2008 and 2009. My own academic obstacles have sharpened my resolve; I am confident in my ability to thrive in the Syracuse MBA program. The Syracuse MBA will throw challenges before me, but I will respond with renewed motivation and enthusiasm. Whether performing smoothly under pressure as an individual or collaborating creatively with classmates, I am confident that I will be a constant contributor to the Syracuse community. I am eager to begin.