HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR MBA CANDIDACY DURING THE CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN?
Considering GMAT testing centers are temporarily shuttered with online only options, MBA programs have yet to release their applications, and you’re working from home, you may think there’s little you can do to shape and improve your MBA candidacy. This isn’t true.
While your life may be turned upside down as you navigate your job from home, deal with GMAT logistics, and are unable to contribute to your chosen non-profit as a volunteer, there are still things you should be doing NOW – from the safety of your home – to improve your MBA candidacy.
IMPROVE YOUR MBA CANDIDACY BY STEPPING UP AT WORK
Now is the time to be creative and show that you’re someone that can provide solutions in even the toughest of times. As your peers (and future MBA competition) complain about being bored or binge watch Tiger King, explore ways to make an impact at work. Try to develop new ideas and solutions that streamline communications or overhaul a cumbersome process. If things are running smoothly for you and your company during the lockdown, find other ways to push yourself. Be a leader. You can guarantee that MBA admissions committees will be interested in how you stepped up during these difficult times.
BE CREATIVE WITH HOW YOU SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY
With the spread of the coronavirus, there are countless individuals, families, and communities in need across the globe. While I understand that you’re unlikely trained to serve as a first-responder or in any medical capacity, unprecedented numbers of people and business are struggling to survive financially during this time. Reach out local financial literacy or debt consolidation organization – see if it’s possible to counsel recently unemployed people through this time. Or contact your favorite local restaurant or business and offer to provide marketing assistance or to help them make cost cutting decisions. The key here is to DO SOMETHING. Especially if you have finance or social impact goals. Again, after this pandemic passes, MBA admissions committees will want to hear how you impacted or served your community.
GMAT
If you were studying for the GMAT before the Coronavirus lockdown, and feel good about your understanding of the material and your readiness, you can set the GMAT studying aside for now. Return and complete your studies once testing centers announce that they have reopened and you can reschedule your exam. Or, take a crack at the new online option.
Use your study time to focus on other aspects of your candidacy. Begin to refine your resume (blog post coming next week on “Creating an MBA Resume”), start to reflect on and form your career goals (blog post coming on “Owning your Career Goals”), and seek out guidance through a skilled MBA Consultant.
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