More Than an MBA

More Than an MBA

By More Than an MBAEducation
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More Than an MBA episodes

  • Coffee Chat: Sip Happens

    Welcome to the More Than an MBA podcast!


    In this episode, Kai tosses formality to the wind and hosts an organic coffee chat with fellow 2nd year MBA classmates Meron Daniel and Carlos Navas. Meron talks about navigating the MBA program and being relentless no matter what life throws at you; Carlos shares deep sentiments about his approach to life, which is to be intentional in everything you do, and Kai discusses the financial strains of the MBA program and briefly touches on the international student's worst nightmare: deportation.

    Welcome then to an authentic, unscripted dialogue about life as an MBA student between three good friends. It's a conversation filled with personal stories, silly banter, and...a promise of the possibility of Ethiopian coffee in the foreseeable future.

    We hope you enjoy this episode!

    Date uploaded: Monday, 28th November 2022
    Host: Kaihan Lin
    Guests: Meron Daniel and Carlos Navas

    Show Notes:
    (0:34) Technical glitches, a shout out, and introductions (some)
    (2:36) Meron's take on her MBA experience
    (3:31) Navigating through the MBA application process
    (6:06) On scholarships via Consortium and Forte
    (9:05) Fate or luck brought all 3 of us together
    (10:35) When shit hits the fan...
    (12:37) The MBA: A continuous journey of self-reflection
    (14:42) Kai opens up on financial struggles
    (16:05) Meron: on perseverance, diligence, and relentlessness
    (17:38) Carlos: "Stepping out of my comfort zone"
    (23:16) The MBA: Transactional or life-long connections?
    (30:27) Cultural Peeve: English
    (35:52) Cultural Peeve: The color of one's skin
    (36:55) Be humble, you must
    (43:42) Deportation: An international student's worst nightmare
    (44:23) Takeaway #1: Of mentors and good friends
    (46:35) Takeaway #2: Consistent self-audit
    (47:44) Takeaway #3: Always be intentional
    (49:54) A cheesy outtake

    Email: MBAA
    LinkedIn: GW MBAA
    Podcast: More Than an MBA

    [Others]
    Meron's LinkedIn

    Carlos's LinkedIn

    51 min
  • Business Myths

    Eden sits down with Dr. Christopher Kayes, Professor of Management and chair of the Department of Management at GWSB, and Dr. Shyam Giridharadas, Adjunct Professor of Management at GWSB, to discuss and debunk three business myths. Both bring their experiences in research, consulting, and higher education to this conversation.

    We tackle the myths that (1) networking is superficial, (2) asking for a mentor is awkward, and (3) leadership can't be taught. First we define networking, mentorship, and leadership. Then we explore those negative feelings attached to networking, why being and having a mentor is so important at school and at work, and how Dr. Kayes and Dr. Giridharadas both teach leadership at GWSB.

    Learn more about Dr. Kayes and Dr. Giridharadas at business.gwu.edu.

    38 min
  • Into the MBA We Go

    Welcome to the More Than an MBA podcast!


    In this episode, Kai introduces Angelica Lozano. Angelica is a 1st year Global MBA student at George Washington University. Kai got to know her earlier in the summer through LinkedIn and Zoom, while she was still living in her native Colombia.

    Angelica was formerly in marketing and international business. Before coming to GW, she worked in the Marketing team at a real estate company, and focused mainly on digital marketing strategies.

    To mark the start of the Fall semester, we thought it apt to have Angelica share with us her experience so far as a 1st year MBA student. Angelica discusses what keeps her busy, the actions she takes to overcome difficult subjects, balancing MBA and personal life, and her vision 2 years from now when she graduates.

    We hope you enjoy this episode!

    Date uploaded: Monday, 26th September 2022
    Host: Kaihan Lin
    Guest: Angelica Lozano

    Show Notes:
    (0:33) Introducing Angelica Lozano
    (1:38) What possessed you to decide on an MBA?
    (2:41) The MBA: everything you ever dreamed of?
    (3:46) What keeps you busy?
    (4:23) On worries
    (5:41) But on the flip side...what do you enjoy doing?
    (6:17) What advice worked, so far?
    (7:25) And the Bane of Angelica's Existence is...
    (8:10) How do you overcome challenging classes?
    (8:27) Asking for help is never easy!
    (9:42) On MBA-Life balance
    (11:28) Facing the tricky question: Do I have the time?
    (13:03) What do you look forward to?
    (14:08) What have you gained so far?
    (14:29) "Everything is created twice."

    Email: MBAA
    LinkedIn: GW MBAA
    Podcast: More Than an MBA

    [Others]
    Angelica's LinkedIn

    17 min
  • What I Wish I Knew As a First-Year

    We are back to school, and second-years are so excited to welcome first-years!

    In this bite-sized episode, Eden collected what second-years wish they knew as a first-year. Hear advice as you start your MBA. Some of us wish we knew where to put more of our energy last year or how to be our own accountability partners. Others recommend getting to know your professors as much as you get to know each other, and to practice intentional networking. Together, we can learn from all of our experiences.

    And keep an eye out for more information about first-year/second-year mentors soon!

    10 min
  • Diversity: A Series (with Khaled Halabi)

    Welcome to the More Than an MBA podcast!


    We're introducing a mini-series on Diversity. Each episode will consist of a short interview with a guest and will be released bi-weekly in the month of August. Hope you enjoy it!

    For this episode, we invited Khaled, who was born and raised in the Middle East. Khaled moved to the US in late-2018 and has been working at Hanover Research (a market research company), a company based in Virginia. He's now a Senior Client Engagement Director at the company. While working full-time, Khaled took on an MBA at GWU and recently graduated in June 2022. He was able to complete his degree in less than two years! Khaled is a proud husband and father of a one year old boy.

    Date uploaded: Monday, 22nd August 2022
    Host: Kaihan Lin
    Guest: Khaled Halabi

    Show Notes:
    (0:34) Introducing Khaled Halabi
    (1:05) Khaled, in his own words
    (2:40) Challenges of Covid
    (5:31) of Lenses and Perspectives
    (8:48) The importance of choice
    (10:21) Listen, listen, and listen some more
    (11:34) Kai: on the Sponge and the End Goal
    (13:29) Khaled's support factors
    (15:18) Let's start by being less sensitive!
    (17:26) Immersing yourself into the greater good

    Email: MBAA
    LinkedIn: GW MBAA
    Podcast: More Than an MBA

    [Others]
    Khaled's LinkedIn

    20 min
  • Diversity: A Series (with Duaah Hammad)
    Welcome to the More Than an MBA podcast!


    We're introducing a mini-series on Diversity. Each episode will consist of a short interview with a guest and will be released bi-weekly in the month of August. Hope you enjoy it!


    For this episode, we invited Duaah, a senior at George Washington University who is pursuing a degree in International Business. She is the author of her book “Finding Home”, which is a collection of poetry that talks about her experience growing up as a first generation Pakistani Muslim American in America. She has loved her experience at GW and hopes to help bring the GW community together in her final year at the school.


    Side note: The meditation room that Duaah talks about in this episode is located on the 3rd floor of the Multicultural Student Services Center at GWU.


    Date uploaded: Monday, 8th August 2022

    Host: Kaihan Lin

    Guest: Duaah Hammad


    Show Notes:

    (0:33) Introducing Duaah Hammad

    (1:50) Duaah, in her own words

    (3:26) On upbringing and choice

    (5:10) Finding Home

    (6:50) Being fearful of change

    (7:35) Duaah's advice for change

    (8:27) Kai's thoughts on interconnectivity

    (9:48) Be the change!

    (10:50) How to stay happy, positive, and finding a safe space

    (12:00) On Meditation: how to get started?

    (13:15) Group meditation can be helpful!

    (14:27) On Duaah's hopes and dreams for the future

    (14:55) A little kindness will go a long way!

    (15:31) With catastrophe comes opportunity

    (16:11) So what's your support factor?


    Email: MBAA

    LinkedIn: GW MBAA

    Podcast: More Than an MBAA


    [Others]

    Duaah's LinkedIn
    18 min
  • Summer Plans

    Happy summer! Whether you’re diving into an internship, taking classes, traveling, or anywhere in between, there are lots of different ways to spend the warmer months away from the semester. 

    In this episode, Eden talks to GMBA Ad and Ikenna, PMBA Chris, OMBA Marissa and Jordan, and AMBA Zach about their summer plans. As we hear voices from each GW MBA program and learn about their summer plans, remember that we can stay connected off-campus, too.

    Ad tells us why he chose a different path than a summer internship, Ikenna offers advice on how to snag that summer internship early on in the school year, and both Chris and Marissa let us in on their balance between traveling and taking classes online. Jordan says summer classes have been a seamless transition for her, and Zach shares that GW's campus is somewhat of a ghost town over the summer.

    Don't forget to stay connected with the GW MBAA on LinkedIn all year round!

    38 min
  • Family Life in an MBA
    Welcome to the More Than an MBA podcast!


    So Kai was in Istanbul earlier in May 2022 for the consulting abroad program, and while digging into scrambled eggs and sipping on his second cappuccino, he began thinking about (and missing) his friends and family, all of whom are scattered across the globe. And then he thought, how do his MBA classmates, those who have husbands and wives and children, cope? How have they managed themselves and their families in the madness that is the MBA program?


    In this episode, Kai sits down with fellow George Washington University Global MBA classmates Meakin Marange and Zachary Zobelle, to discuss family life in an MBA program. Meakin and Zach enlighten Kai with valuable insights on managing the delicate balance of personal life, family life and life in an MBA program, and share short and sweet messages to their better halves.


    Date uploaded: Monday, 30th May 2022
    Host: Kaihan Lin
    Guests: Meakin Marange and Zachary Zobelle

    Show Notes:

    (0:33) Introducing Zachary Zobelle and Meakin Marange

    (1:21) Zach's introduction

    (1:38) Meakin's introduction

    (2:40) Pivoting into the unknown (Zach)

    (4:41) Ellie's birth and the MBA (Zach)

    (6:23) Away from home (Zach)

    (7:16) Thank goodness for technology! (Zach)

    (7:57) Ellie's two cents (Zach)

    (9:00) On venturing to the US (Meakin)

    (10:35) Washe's birth and starting the MBA program (Meakin)

    (11:38) On communicating with family (Meakin)

    (13:33) Playing favorites (Zach and Meakin)

    (14:44) The tricky topic of "balance" (Zach)

    (16:05) The tricky topic of "balance" (Meakin)

    (18:46) The trickier topic of finances (Meakin)

    (20:15) The trickier topic of finances (Zach)

    (23:04) Turning back the hands of time (Zach)

    (24:08) Turning back the hands of time (Meakin)

    (25:30) Advice for parents and soon-to-be parents (Meakin)

    (26:14) Advice for parents and soon-to-be parents (Zach)

    (28:26) A note to my better half (Zach)

    (29:18) A note to my better half (Meakin)


    Email: MBAA
    LinkedIn: GW MBA Association
    Podcast: More Than an MBA


    Meakin Marange:

    “I am a Global STEM MBA candidate at the George Washington University, School of Business and a proud father of a one year old son. Prior to pursuing an MBA at GW, I worked in the mineral processing industry in South Africa and then turned entrepreneur to co-found a tile manufacturing company in Zimbabwe. I also led operations in a logistics and retail family business. I am Pro-Fellow and the Vice President of Finance for the Business Analytics Club at George Washington University. I am interested in Business Analytics and Supply Chain Management.”


    Meakin's LinkedIn


    Zachary Zobelle:

    “I am an MBA and Sport Management student at GW who is trying to keep up with my one year old daughter! I've spent the past five years in the banking industry involved in underwriting, analysis, and customer support. I'm excited to dive into the sports industry which I have a huge passion for and have been a fan of for years. Also love personal finance and traveling!”


    Zach's LinkedIn
    32 min
  • Student Mental Health Resources

    April is Stress Awareness Month. Eden sits down with Dr. Parrillo, Director for GW's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and Sherry Leung, Assistant Director for GW's Student Support, to highlight student mental health resources.

    Dr. Parillo tells us what stress even is, more about CAPS available services, and what to do if you feel nervous (or think you don't have time) to ask for help. Sherry helps bridge the gap between CAPS and Student Support, shares trends she has noticed among student mental health, and celebrates how all of these services align with GW's mission as a university.

    CAPS offers safe, non-judgmental, and confidential counseling. No appointments are needed! Counseling support is always available by calling 202-994-5300. Student Support can also connect students to resources to help develop plans of action to meet goals, and navigate challenging circumstances. To get started, you can call 202-994-6555, reach Student Support at [email protected], or submit a CARE referral.

    Learn more about all of GW's on-campus services below:

    CAPS: counselingcenter.gwu.edu

    CARE Team: students.gwu.edu/care

    MSSC: mssc.gwu.edu

    ISO: internationalservices.gwu.edu

    DSS: disabilitysupport.gwu.edu

    46 min
  • Women in Business
    March is Women's History Month, and we're honored to have 4 incredibly capable ladies [bios below] from GWU's MBA program join us in a fireside chat to discuss their thoughts on Women in Business. In this episode, these ladies discuss their reasons for joining the MBA program, share personal stories, and talk about their visions for women in the future.


    Date uploaded: Monday, 28th March 2022

    Host: Kaihan Lin

    Guests: Bojana Jankovic, Ebony Johnson-Grey, Hillary Joven, and Natasha Roque


    Show Notes:
    (0:36) Introducing the 4 ladies from GWU's MBA program
    (1:05) Hillary Joven's introduction
    (1:33) Natasha Roque's introduction
    (1:58) Ebony Johnson-Grey's introduction
    (2:58) Bojana Jankovic's introduction
    (3:51) Choosing an Accelerated MBA (Ebony)
    (5:20) Helping small businesses (Ebony)
    (7:17) Question: On dealing with Covid
    (7:43) Bojana's take on the pandemic
    (8:30) Hillary's take on the pandemic
    (10:03) Recommendations for international students (Hillary)
    (12:16) Life as a Professional MBA (Bojana)
    (14:08) Diversity as a Cuban-American woman (Natasha)
    (19:44) Question (to all): 54%...a step in the right direction?
    (20:27) More to be done (Hillary)
    (21:24) The future of work (Natasha)
    (22:20) On inclusivity and resources (Ebony)
    (24:13) A personal story on heritage (Natasha)
    (26:55) The most meaningful part of teaching (Bojana)
    (30:34) On programs, partnerships, and opportunities (Ebony)
    (32:05) Question (to all): Who influenced you?
    (32:29) Hillary's mentor from the bank
    (34:01) Ebony's support pillars and networks
    (36:48) Bojana on support from Professor Rodney Lake, friends, and family
    (37:24) Natasha on her sister, family, former managers, and friends
    (40:56) Question (to all): What is your vision for women in the MBA?
    (41:47) Get everyone jobs and increase collaboration (Ebony)
    (42:32) Eradication of the gender gap (Hillary)
    (43:25) Be your best advocate (Natasha)
    (44:17) More women in the workforce and in more decision-making positions (Bojana)

    Email: MBAA
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwmbaa/
    Podcast: https://anchor.fm/morethananmba/

    Bojana Jankovic:
    Bojana's LinkedIn

    Ebony Johnson-Grey:
    Ebony's LinkedIn

    Hillary Landas:
    Hillary's LinkedIn
    46 min

About More Than an MBA

From the publisher's feed

The More Than an MBA podcast brings together individuals of all backgrounds worldwide to talk about anything and everything MBA...and then some. Tune in for stories on community, inclusivity, and shared experiences!