UW Foster School of Business
Top-ranked MBA Program at one of the world’s leading universities
My role
As an MBA student at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, I immersed myself in a rigorous curriculum that honed my skills in product and program management. I participated in several high-impact consulting projects and tackled numerous case studies in analytics, economics, finance, strategy, and marketing. These experiences provided me with a comprehensive understanding of business dynamics and equipped me with the tools to make data-driven decisions in complex environments.
Introduction
After being accepted at four top-ranked business schools, I sought an environment that would offer me exposure to global business infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies, and a dynamic startup ecosystem. I chose the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington because of its strategic proximity to leading tech companies, its rapidly growing startup infrastructure, and the unparalleled expertise of its world-class professors. Additionally, the strong and supportive alumni network at Foster was an invaluable resource that I wanted to tap into as I developed myself further as a leader and innovator.
MBA Consulting Project: Seattle Mariners
Research on Fan Involvement: I played a crucial role in a consulting project for the Seattle Mariners, where our team focused on enhancing fan engagement. I led the research efforts to better understand the current fan base and their involvement levels.
Persona Mapping with XGBoost Model: Utilizing my skills in data analytics, I created an XGBoost model to map out personas within the Mariners’ current customer base. This model provided insights that were later used for more targeted messaging and marketing strategies, aiming to boost fan engagement and loyalty.
MBA Consulting Project: PACCAR
Community Benefits for Underserved Communities: As a project manager on this consulting project, I was responsible for tracking the progress of PACCAR’s initiatives aimed at providing community benefits to underserved populations. I also actively participated in the research process, focusing on workforce development and its impact on these communities.
Customer Analytics:
Instructor: Professor Simha Mummalaneni, recipient of the 2023 PACCAR Award for Excellence in Teaching and MBA Professor of the Year (2022).
Course Highlights: This course was deeply rooted in real business case studies and involved extensive coding in R. I gained proficiency in key analytical concepts such as RFM analysis, lift and gains, various regression models, neural networks, and decision trees. These skills have significantly enhanced my ability to apply data-driven insights in product management and effectively communicate with analytics, marketing, and sales teams.
Business Analytics – Tools for Big Data:
Instructor: Professor Masha Shunko, recipient of the 2020 PACCAR Award for Teaching Excellence.
Course Highlights: This class emphasized the importance of data visualization through Tableau and analytics coding in Python. A standout project on gun violence in the U.S. showcased the power of data in pattern analysis, prediction, and strategic planning to address societal issues. This experience reinforced my understanding of the critical role data plays in decision-making.
Analytics for Marketing Decisions
Instructor: Zikun Ye, former analytics specialist at TikTok.
Course Highlights: This course provided a comprehensive perspective on marketing analysis through the lens of the 4P’s—product, price, place, and promotion. It covered advanced concepts such as product design analytics, PCA (Principal Component Analysis), demand and pricing analytics, and various machine learning models for advertising and promotion effectiveness.
Key Outcomes:
The Foster MBA program was a transformative experience that broadened my understanding of business strategy, negotiation skills, and leadership techniques. It deepened my knowledge of finance and accounting, clarified complex concepts in micro and macroeconomics, and enhanced my proficiency in statistics and marketing. This holistic education has made me a more innovative leader and a data-driven product manager, capable of navigating complex business challenges.
Connections and Community One of the most rewarding aspects of my time at Foster was the strong connections I made with fellow students, alumni, and professors. The support and insights from this community have been invaluable, providing me with a network of like-minded professionals who are always willing to share their experiences and offer guidance.