What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to UNC Kenan-Flagler?
Sample One
Living in Malaysia was a defining moment in my life. I attended an international school where I developed an appreciation for diversity as I interacted with people from countless countries and societies. My experiences living and traveling abroad also shaped many life choices I made going forward. I chose to attend Tufts University because of its diverse population, international relations coursework, and extensive study abroad opportunities.
These international experiences have been beneficial thus far in my career, namely in working with global teams at Fossil. Because of my time spent abroad, I possess a solid understanding of the cultural sensitivities, grammatical nuances and business practices of my Asian and European counterparts. These experiences will also be an asset to the Kenan-Flagler community, enabling me to effectively work with diverse classmates on team assignments and club activities. My understanding of other cultures will help me relate to my international peers, serving as a link, when needed, between international and domestic students.
Living abroad also instilled a desire to give back to my community. My family participated in a number of company-organized community outreach events in Malaysia, inspiring me to serve my community since. After college, I decided to focus my efforts on two organizations where I feel I make a substantial impact: Vickery Meadow Learning Center, an ESL center in an impoverished neighborhood, and Attitudes and Attire, a women’s outreach program. My work with both organizations involves helping diverse people turn their lives around, whether it is through teaching English or offering job interview advice. These are highly rewarding experiences as evidenced by my long-standing tenure at each. I strive to build upon Kenan-Flagler’s core value of community and plan on proposing and leading community outreach opportunities in the UNC Chapel Hill community through the Net Impact Club.
I also believe that my retail industry experience will provide a diverse perspective to classroom discussions, and my knowledge of identifying trends, strategic data analysis and sales forecasting will be valuable for case studies. Furthermore, because of the entrepreneurial spirit at Fossil, I have sharpened my persuasion skills, as I often propose visual statements or other initiatives to the executive team. While this experience will be beneficial inside the classroom, I will also leverage it outside the classroom as an active member of both the Marketing and Carolina Women in Business Clubs. I look forward to sharing both my knowledge in market analysis and the contacts I have acquired during my tenure in the retail planning industry.
Both my diverse upbringing and retail industry background will bring a fresh perspective to the Kenan-Flagler classroom and community. Moreover, my involvement in the Kenan-Flagler community will not end at graduation; I plan on being a dynamic member of my local Kenan-Flagler chapter. Exposure to diversity and investment in the community are key initiatives in my life, and I intend to make a significant impact at Kenan-Flagler, both as a student and an alumna.
Sample Two
Through perseverance in the face of adversity, I have gained unique perspectives on life. Personally, when I was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma cancer as a senior in high school, I was forced to grow up quickly and face the severity of my illness. Fortunately, after chemotherapy, radiation and experimental surgery, I was able to move forward with my life, but did so as a different person. My greatest personal discovery was realizing the power a positive attitude had both on me and on those around me. This immense personal challenge allowed me to look deep within where I discovered my true desire to create opportunities for those less fortunate than me and give back to my community.
Since my illness, I have lived my life more energized and with the perspective that I have the power to engender change. I would like to continue on as an advocate for change as a leader in the new, non-profit Board Fellows program at Kenan-Flagler. This program is the perfect outlet for me to contribute to the greater UNC-Chapel Hill community. Also, as a member of the Curriculum Advisory Board, my wealth of personal experiences will allow me to help drive continuous improvement and innovation of the Kenan-Flagler academic program. At the sustainability level, I would like to become an influential member of the Campus Greening Committee, reducing the carbon footprint of the school and repeating the 2009 1st place finish in the Net Impact National Green Challenge.
Another unique life experience of mine is from the professional angle, living through the chaotic financial system meltdown of 2008 as an employee of Matstone. The crash course I received in crisis management during the unprecedented market volatility has proven invaluable to my growth as a professional. I was forced to lead under extreme time constraints and pressure, keeping my team motivated and focused while clients were flustered and acting somewhat irrationally. Based on limited and often inaccurate information, I learned how to make real-time decisions while maintaining a focus on mitigating risk; however, my ability to anticipate problems proved infinitely more valuable as my forward thinking saved the firm money and resulted in improved client experiences. Although it was difficult, my organizational skills and proactive attitude enabled me to turn disarray into order. My experience taught me a great deal about how an organization operates on the brink of extinction and failure and I look forward to sharing my unique perspective with my Kenan-Flagler colleagues. As a direct result of this experience, Kenan-Flagler will be gaining a member of the student body who is not apprehensive about facing a challenge and is capable of mobilizing resources to succeed.
Though each event was initially grounded in adversity, these experiences were a source of positive influence on my life and I am eager to share them as part of the Kenan-Flagler community, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Sample Three
A number of unique life experiences have significantly shaped who I am today and who I will become in the future. The two most significant experiences include starting a non-profit organization and being involved with the start-up initiative of my current firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions Group. Not only have these experiences provided me with a strong knowledge base of industry and theory, but they have also strengthened my leadership and teamwork skills.
Shortly after graduating from college and entering the workforce, I co-founded a nonprofit foundation with a friend and colleague. The Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of children battling life-threatening or debilitating medical conditions. The Foundation has raised over $800,000 since inception, donating all proceeds to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. From establishing and managing the Board of Directors, obtaining 501(c) certification, and hiring and managing outside resources, such as accountants, lawyers, and event-planners, I truly learned what it takes to turn an idea/dream into reality. Through this experience, I developed into an innovative leader who effectively manages and delegates tasks. I also learned the importance of trust among team members while striving to achieve a common goal.
In early 2007, I was recruited to help start a mergers and acquisitions group at my current firm. I was the second professional hired into the M&A Group, which now consists of over 50 professionals and over $150 million in annual revenue. Given that I had not previously been involved in a start-up, I was excited, eager to hit the ground running, and learn as much as I possibly could. Unlike my previous jobs with specific job descriptions, this job had no boundaries and encompassed all sorts of tasks, such as writing the business plan, modeling the budget, recruiting, and most importantly, sourcing business. Given the large investment and intense pressure, I became a more effective and supporting team member as we realized the necessity of efficiently leveraging all of our resources. I also experienced the benefits of hard-work, dedication, and respect, not only of other team members, but also of potential vendors and employees. Lastly, I witnessed the importance of confidence and a positive attitude when presenting new ideas and working with those around you, especially those senior.
From the basic qualities of confidence, respect, and work ethic, to the complex skills of leadership, management, and teamwork, my unique experiences and subsequent personal qualities will enable me to be an integral part of the Kenan-Flagler community. I have been both a leader among my peers in creating my Foundation and an effective team member in the building of the M&A Group. While attending Kenan-Flagler, I plan to be a student leader and an active member of numerous MBA clubs, such as Private Equity/Venture Capital and Net Impact. I look forward to sharing what I have learned throughout my life experiences, and more importantly, to learning from my fellow students and faculty.