The Best MBA Questions and Answers

At what point in your career did you get your MBA, and why then?

After graduating from MIT with a degree in chemical engineering, I began work almost immediately as an analyst. While working as a consultant, it became clear that I wanted to start my own business, and I felt that an MBA would provide me with a wealth of knowledge and connections to get me off to a good start. I continued to work while I was in school.

What do you do for your career now?

I am currently the co-founder of Fig Tech and CEO of Fig Loans, which my buddy John Li and I started as a response to learning about the exploitative nature of payday loans. We knew there had to be a better way, and we have been able to make it happen with the support of United Way THRIVE in Houston.

What advice do you have for someone considering pursuing an MBA?

An MBA is by no means a guaranteed path to business success. There are plenty of ingenious entrepreneurs who have created viable businesses without an MBA. What an MBA does is give you connections and boost your resume, which can be helpful when trying to secure funding or meet investors. What really matters, though, is tenacity, organization, and common sense.

What was the hardest part of getting your MBA?

Balancing a job and school is always a challenge, but it can be done with meticulous scheduling and a compassionate employer. Discuss your plans to return to school with your employer, and you may be surprised how flexible and supportive they are!

What was the best part of getting your MBA?

It sounds cliche, but the people you meet during your MBA will become some of your closest friends and most important connections when you enter "the real world." I am in business with one of my best friends, and many of my peers have gone into business together, too, or helped each other find opportunities. Your peers will be your greatest resource!

What was the best piece of advice that got you through your MBA program?

My advisor told me to cultivate work/life balance as soon as possible. I know that it feels like school is an intense period where you should sacrifice everything in the short term, but you should really find balance as soon as you can.

For me, it was and has continued to be going to the gym. It clears my head [and] keeps me alert, and it was what kept me sane through my degree. If you are as successful in business as you hope to be, you will likely be as busy as you were in school, if not more, so finding self-care strategies is crucial for sustaining your career.

What do you think has been the biggest advantage to your career from completing your MBA?

Academic privilege is a very real thing in our current society, and until that changes, I think that having an MBA — especially from a top school — will put you ahead of the pack for most opportunities. The professional network you make during school is difficult to replicate outside of that setting, so the degree may be worthwhile just for the people you meet!