A trained software engineer, Marc relocated thousands of miles from his native Lebanon to kick-start his career in technology in the US. He chose GWSB for his MBA, the only school he could find offering a specialized concentration in tech management.
Now, he works as a technology specialist for cloud computing platform Microsoft Azure in Detroit, providing businesses with the cloud technology they need to grow.
At GWSB, he gained the international business knowledge and the network necessary for success. He spent three months on an exchange program at IPADE Business School in Mexico City. And, after a mammoth nine interviews over the course of eight months, he landed a top MBA job at Microsoft.
How did you land an MBA job at Microsoft?
I was persistent, I looked for opportunities and leveraged them to progress in the recruiting process. I leveraged the GWSB alumni network to get introduced to the recruiter. I accepted the offer in April, just before graduation.
How did an MBA at GWSB help?
The MBA experience allowed me to extend my network in a way only a business school can, to broaden my knowledge in different aspects of my life and, most importantly, to build my confidence to go after what I want.
GWSB’s career center was also a great resource that helped me identify what I wanted to do and what I bring to the table. My career coach was always very supportive and helped me prepare for my interviews.
What advice do you have for MBAs looking to do the same?
The Microsoft Academy of College Hires (MACH) program is the best way to join the company. It’s a 12-month program designed specifically for recent graduates to allow a smooth on-boarding and a successful career launch in the company.
All of us at Microsoft truly believe in the growth mindset, which means that everyone is constantly learning and improving and that is a key component in finding the right new recruits. The applicant must be a ‘learn-it-all’ not a ‘know-it-all!’
Can you tell us something about working at Microsoft that most people wouldn’t know?
You can design your career at Microsoft to go in any direction you want and you have all the tools, resources and support from managers and colleagues to achieve your goals. You’re actually encouraged to spend fifteen percent of your time working on your career development.
Why did you decide to pursue an MBA at GWSB?
I was looking to switch from a technical to a more business-focused role in the technology industry. I really wanted to move to the US. And GWSB offered a concentration in technology management, while the other schools I was looking at did not.
Another big factor was the Consulting Abroad Project (CAP) where students take 10 days to work on a consulting project with actual clients abroad. I felt that would be a great experience for me.
What stands out from your MBA experience?
The people I met and the study abroad program. GWSB brings to the table a big number of partnerships with amazing business schools all over the world and doing a semester abroad is the best thing any MBA student could do.
In terms of academics, the strategy, negotiations and human capital classes are the ones that really helped me think differently.
What should applicants think about when deciding to do an MBA?
The MBA experience is going to be the best time of your life and it will open doors that you could only dream of. But it is up to you to make things happen. It’s up to you to make the best of your experience and it’s up to you to find what you want and go after it.
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