Why McCombs?... and why not.

That’s a good question. Let’s face it: many people face a psychological barrier when it comes to imagining themselves living is Texas. I can understand that. It is a little remote from the coastal business centers and may seem to lack the vicinity required to create an effective business network. Well, it is something to consider when creating your MBA-programs consideration set. In addition, the McCombs School of Business isn’t a top-ten or a top-five business school…..yet. In our day and age, when rating seems to be everything, if you’ve set-out to achieve a top-ranked degree, then you may need to wait a few years before you’ll be able to place McCombs in that category.

I believe those two factors play a significant role in people’s decision regarding their MBA-program preferences….and it should. In a very competitive world, one must pursue what is best for her/him. Nevertheless, I think that in today’s world, geographical distances play less of a role and school, businesses and future employers place more emphasis on a candidate’s skills, knowledge and personality than on the ranking of his/her school. Why? That would be hard to sum-up in a sentence but I think that part of it has to do with the fact that employers realize that the gaps among the top 20 MBA programs are shrinking and that a candidate’s probability of surviving and then of succeeding in a new career has a lot to do with his/hers personality and adaptability….and that’s where the McCombs advantage kick-in. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the atmosphere at McCombs lets students, and encourages them, to figure-out what they want to do. That, naturally, makes graduates more convinced that the professional path they’re pursuing is the right one for them. The laid-back and relaxed ambience contributes to people’s ability to let their personality play a role and to relate to each other at a more personal level. These factors, together with McCombs’ slow but steady rise, makes this program a strong and valid option for more and more people (it currently ranked as a top-twenty MBA program).

Watching my classmates go through the internship-seeking process had made me realize that if you’re capable and willing, being in Texas wouldn’t hinder your journey. My friends, including those who are international, have managed to find good internship positions, in a variety of leading companies (JP Morgan, AmEx, City-Group, Apple, Dell, Pepsico….) , in every field possible of business (finance, marketing, strategy….), and all over the US. The determinant factor has much to do with the people, not the location, and my classmates are getting ready to go-back to school after exciting summer experiences.

Getting married just before the start of my MBA program, my wife’s experience was, and still is, a very significant factor in our decision and our experience thus far. I can honestly say (and you may ask her directly….), that we couldn’t have hoped for a better adjusting period. She has found her place in Austin quickly and is now enjoying a whole new group of friends, while continuing her career development from Israel.

When you take all of this and add the school’s impressive investment in facilities, curriculum, new faculty and the awesome city of Austin (a real undiscovered jewel….even though it is starting to leak-out….), I believe that McCombs is a great choice (even though not for everyone), and I am very pleased with our choice to come to Austin.