I graduated from the MBA program in 2009, and I’m currently in a two-year Global Rotation Program (“GRP”) in Human Resources, a route for the brave or the undecided (or both in my case). I recently moved to London from New York for my second of three rotations at American Express. Having started in Executive Compensation, I’m now splitting my time between two HR generalist roles: supporting our customer service organization in Europe and also working on the structural design and change management process of a global recruitment transformation.
The learning curve of a rotation program has been steep, but the constant movement is exhilarating. I had the feeling upon rotating the first time that just when I was getting a good grasp on my first area, I was thrown into another. Nonetheless, as I think back on my first year post-MBA, I do feel significantly more seasoned than when I started. While part of this is feeling more comfortable with the skills relating to my job, the most important lessons I’ve learned have been around courage, self-awareness, and authenticity.
Don’t be afraid to be non-traditional: When I started the program I worried I didn’t fit the MBA mold. For those of us who didn’t take a direct route to business school, it’s tempting to gloss over a background that seems irrelevant to a future business career, or to limit our interests and activities to those that are resume-worthy. In reality, an MBA program caters to a wide variety of backgrounds and interests. I taught a freshman writing course during my 2nd year of business school, which puzzled many of my peers, yet honing my presentation and communication skills has proved invaluable in my career.
Play to your strengths: I have found that some of my most rewarding work experiences have been “extracurricular,” i.e., something outside my day job. During my first couple of months working in Executive Compensation, I volunteered to rewrite our section of the company proxy. In this case I felt my qualifications were two-fold: I liked to write and had but a cursory understanding of Executive Compensation, a perfect lens through which to explain the complex programs to shareholders who most likely knew even less than I did. While never part of my learning plan, this ended up being the most rewarding project I worked on. I was able to work with senior leaders from the General Council’s Office, Corporate Affairs and Communications, and Finance, and learned a great deal about the company and my area of work.
But don’t ignore your weaknesses: I’ve been surprised at how often someone has said, “Cynthia, you’re an MBA, how do you calculate [x]?” At those times how I wish I had been more attentive in first year finance. One of the challenges of business school is finding time to continue to take classes outside your major, but having a solid grounding in the basics is essential.
Business school was one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done. It has opened up so many doors and given me skills I continue to draw upon in every avenue of my life.
Cynthia Barlow, Class of 2009, OB/HR
Human Resource Manager, American Express
Current city: London, UK
Group work is the theme that pervades any valuable MBA experience. To succeed in an MBA program, or later on in business, or in a church calling, or on a sports team, or in a row boat --- you need to be able to work well in a group. Below are four things to consider that will likely help you maintain positive group experiences -- and keep you from rowing in a circle if you ever end up in a row boat. 
