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W. P. Carey School student profiles


May 22, 2013

The Phoenix Business Journal published several stories about the W. P. Carey School of Business in its May 17 edition. Two are profiles of students who discuss their MBA experiences. Here are excerpts:

1. Graduate Views His MBA as a "Game Changer"

Joseph Perino graduated with an MBA from Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business in May and began his dream job as a marketer for Nike Inc. at its headquarters in Oregon.

Perino, 28, is a civil engineer who worked as a project manager on large commercial buildings. The MBA was a ticket to a new career.

Perino admitted to being envious of the cohort of students coming up behind his class. Those students are experiencing the same curriculum, but with an emphasis on entrepreneurial expertise.

Perino took the entrepreneurship elective classes that were available, created business plans, and built a business model for a new FedEx service with a team of classmates for his final project. Perino said entrepreneurial experience gives you an edge in any leadership position....

“The two year MBA is great for people like me who want hit the reset button on my career,” Perino said. “You can teach anyone how to build models on Excel, but it takes time and effort to teach people how to be good managers and leaders and coaches and add value in a work environment. The MBA opens doors.”

2. MBA Education Going Beyond "Hard Skills"

Colin Porter, 29, graduated with an MBA in May from Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business and moved into a leadership development program in information systems for Diageo plc, a global manufacturer of liquors such as Johnny Walker and Smirnoff.

Porter came to the school as an experienced data analyst in both academic and product research. He’ll use those same skills for Diageo. Porter said the business school doesn’t brag enough about what he found most valuable in earning his MBA: developing a business network and learning communication skills.

“A network of connections is sometimes undervalued when people are trying to sell the MBA,” he said. “Then secondly, there’s quite a bit of effort that goes into training you how to interview, perfect your resume, your presentation skills and your ability to communicate.”

Article source: Phoenix Business Journal

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