Sunday, December 16, 2007
Staying Ahead of the Game
Khang, a University of California at San Diego graduate with a degree in animal physiology and neuroscience, balanced his job as a medical research technician with marketing and promotion work for the San Diego Gulls hockey organization. He joined the MBA program to concentrate in marketing and aims to return to the sports industry. Says Khang: "Coming to BU has been an eye-opening experience for me. I've learned that the business world is as dynamic and evolving as medicine, and that you need the skills taught here to stay ahead of the game. The management disciplines are intertwined and seeing how they all influence each other is essential for managers. As a result of my BU training, I know I'll be an effective leader upon graduation.
I'm currently a full-time MBA student, concentrating in Marketing and Strategy, and I'll graduate in May 2008. I'm also the President and Founder of the Sports Management Association, whose goals are to help students learn about the sports industry from speakers, and also to volunteer and donate to children's after-school sports programs, such as the Boston Youth Sports Initiative. In addition, I work for a regional sporting goods retailer, City Sports. I've learned a great deal about retail and have attended numerous clinics from vendors such as Nike, Reebok, Saucony, Mizuno, Wilson, Prince, and Head.
Strategizing for the Future
Looking ahead to five years from now, I plan to be in a marketing management role with a sports equipment and apparel manufacturer, such as Nike or Reebok. Upon graduation, I'll most likely occupy a marketing associate position, but I love to take on greater responsibilities quickly. All I need to do is work hard, and make sure I perform as well as BU's MBA program has trained me to. The rewards of my efforts will surely follow.
As a marketing manager, I will be responsible for many different aspects of the business; from promotions, to retail, to pricing, etc. For instance, I'll have to be able to communicate to different departments what our strategies are at the retail level, how to implement promotions and marketing campaigns at retail stores, online, or through other technologies such as text messaging, and show financially how it affects our bottom line. ‘Fusing the Art, Science, and Technology of Business' is so relevant in the business world today, and will be for my future. Though BU's program does have concentrations, all students are knowledgeable of the many facets of business, and that is what I believe the program was set out to accomplish.
A Passion for Teamwork
I think that my greatest resources at BU, or in Boston, are my classmates. Without a doubt, they are top-notch, intelligent people, who impress me every time we sit together in lectures. Their diversity of experiences and cultures has opened my eyes, and their passions help fuel my own. I learn more and more everyday when I'm around them. Also, through them, my network has grown exponentially, and that has helped me to find more opportunities than if I were on my own. But most of all, my classmates have become some of my closest friends. We all care for each other, and expect each other to succeed.
Sport is all about passion, teamwork, reaching goals, self improvement, and having fun. Knowing that I'll be a part of the industry that works to elicit these emotions and teach life lessons is really the motivating force that drives me to pursue my dream."
