Business Beyond Usual

Welcome back to our expansion of the “Business Beyond Usual” concept. Each week, a couple members of the regular “BBU” team run down the top happenings at Michigan Ross for the coming week. They’ll also feature a spotlight interview with a current student  — this week, hear guest Carlos talk about his background as well as MAP Reveal, the highly anticipated experience when Michigan Ross MBA1s lear...

In this episode, hosts Ifueko and Varun welcome guests Pilar and Natalia. As international students from Colombia, Russia, India, and Nigeria, the panelists discuss their biggest surprises about coming to Michigan Ross, what they love about Ann Arbor, their choices in living situations, transportation options, and much more. Have thoughts about topics we should cover or just want to get in touch?...

In this episode, hosts Christina and Lauren welcome guests Justin, Anna, and Marina to discuss what representation really looks like in top MBA programs; what drew them to Michigan Ross; challenges in the application process; advice for incoming students; and much more. Have thoughts about topics we should cover or just want to get in touch? Send us an email at bbupodcast@umich.edu. --- Business B...

In this episode, hosts Eric and Alex welcome three special guests, Michigan Ross admissions directors Soojin Kwon, Diana Economy, and Bryan Johnson. They discuss vital topics including unique changes to the admissions process during this pandemic year; how Ross recruits a diverse MBA class; misconceptions about applying to Ross; and much more. More information on topics from this episode: Michigan...

In this episode, hosts Katie and Varun welcome a panel of their fellow Michigan Ross MBAs to discuss the ins and outs of applying to B-school. The panelists talk about answering essay questions, getting recommendations, interviewing, and much more.  Have thoughts about topics we should cover or just want to get in touch? Send us an email at bbupodcast@umich.edu. --- Business Beyond Usual is brough...

In this episode, hosts Ifueko and Robert welcome guests Gichora, Russ, and Erin to discuss how they are making the most of the admittedly unusual experience of going through an MBA program during a pandemic. The panelists discuss what it’s like to take classes in person versus remotely, their individual pandemic coping strategies, the reality of virtual recruiting, how they are staying connected w...

Welcome back to our expansion of the “Business Beyond Usual” concept. Each week, a couple members of the regular “BBU” team run down the top happenings at Michigan Ross for the coming week. They’ll also feature a spotlight interview with a current student talking about their interests  — this week, hear guests Margot and Aseem discuss their involvement in the Story Lab program as well as their MBA...

In this special bonus episode, co-hosts Bridget and Christina interview two of their fellow MBAs with political backgrounds about their views of the recent national election J'Taime Lyons is an activist and political expert who recently participated in the University Musical Society's "A Conversation with Trevor Noah," while Elizabeth McLaughlin is a former reporter for ABC News. They discuss thei...

Welcome back to our expansion of the “Business Beyond Usual” concept. Each week, a couple members of the regular “BBU” team run down the top happenings at Michigan Ross for the coming week. They’ll also feature a spotlight interview with a current student talking about their interests  — this week, hear guest Michael discuss his involvement in the Marketing Club and its upcoming Marketing Symposiu...

Welcome back to our expansion of the “Business Beyond Usual” concept. Each week, a couple members of the regular “BBU” team run down the top happenings at Michigan Ross for the coming week. They’ll also feature a spotlight interview with a current student talking about their interests  — this week, hear guest Allison discuss her joint MBA/MPP dual degree and her thoughts on the importance of this...

In this episode, hosts Katie and Christina welcome guests Marissa, Varun, and Vivian to discuss their MBA lives in Ann Arbor. Coming from a big coastal city, what’s it like to live in a college town? Hear about what the panelists like about Ann Arbor, their favorite things to do, and advice for prospective students. Have thoughts about topics we should cover or just want to get in touch? Send us a...

Welcome back to our expansion of the “Business Beyond Usual” concept. Each week, a couple members of the regular “BBU” team run down the top happenings at Michigan Ross for the coming week. They’ll also feature a spotlight interview with a current student talking about their interests  — this week, hear guest Kaia discuss her involvement in the Marketing Club and its upcoming Maize and Boo celebra...

In this special bonus episode, co-hosts Bridget and Jeff interview two of their fellow MBAs, Chris Gradone and Russell Williams, who happen to be former college football players. They discuss the experience of game day, and the legendary appeal of Michigan football. And for more about life in our town, check out our next full episode, taking on the subject all things Ann Arbor. --- Business Beyond...

In this episode, hosts Jeff and Robert discuss the finer points of career pivots with a panel of their MBA peers. Hear about different approaches to making a big change, feeling uncertain about what you want to do, and how B-school can help you figure it all out. Have thoughts about topics we should cover or just want to get in touch? Send us an email at bbupodcast@umich.edu. --- Business Beyond U...

Welcome back to our expansion of the “Business Beyond Usual” concept. Each week, a couple members of the regular “BBU” team run down the top happenings at Michigan Ross for the coming week. They’ll also feature a spotlight interview with a current student talking about their interests  — this week, hear guest Elise discuss her background and plans to help Ross MBAs make the most of the start of th...

Welcome back to our expansion of the “Business Beyond Usual” concept. Each week, a couple members of the regular “BBU” team run down the top happenings at Michigan Ross for the coming week. They’ll also feature a spotlight interview with a current student talking about their interests  — this week, hear guest Anna discuss her background and her role as VP of wellness on MBA Council. Check out the...

What's the job outlook like this year for MBAs? How has the pandemic changed the market? What's recruiting like in the virtual world?  In this special bonus episode, co-hosts Katie and Jeff interview Heather Byrne, executive director of the Career Development Office at Michigan Ross, on these topics and much more. And for more on careers and Ross, check out our next full episode, taking on the sub...

Welcome back to our expansion of the “Business Beyond Usual” concept. Each week, a couple members of the regular “BBU” team run down the top happenings at Michigan Ross for the coming week. They’ll also feature a spotlight interview with a current student talking about their interests  — this week, hear  Lauren Abuouf discuss her background, her involvement with Michigan Business Women and the gro...

In this episode, hosts Jeff and Katie introduce themselves along with some of the rest of this year’s BBU team, a mix of first- and second-year MBA students at Michigan Ross. The wide-ranging discussion covers how they’re dealing with the pandemic, tips for answering MBA application essay questions, and where to get the best chicken tenders in Ann Arbor.  Have thoughts about topics we should cover...

Welcome back to our expansion of the “Business Beyond Usual” concept. Each week, a couple members of the regular “BBU” team run down the top happenings at Michigan Ross for the coming week. They’ll also feature a spotlight interview with a current student talking about their interests  — this week, hear from Alex Abrams discuss his first weeks as a Ross MBA student, his baseball career, and his in...

In this episode — recorded in person in February, before the COVID-19 pandemic took widespread hold — hosts Jeff and Stephanie talk with special guests John Byrne, founder of the B-school website Poets&Quants , and Scott DeRue, the Edward J. Frey Dean of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. The wide-ranging discussion on the long-term outlook for MBA programs covers such topics as t...

In this special episode, produced in conjunction with the Sanger Leadership Center at Michigan Ross, we explore the power of storytelling. What can a good story accomplish, and how do we go about crafting one? We hear from a storytelling expert from Wolf & Heron as well as two student storytellers at Michigan Ross involved in Sanger’s Story Lab program, one of whom shares a compelling story of her...

In this episode, host Jeff talks with guests Nick, Cameron, Bridget, and Carlos about their background, their goals, and their experiences navigating the recruiting process. They cover resources available for recruiting at Ross, working with the Career Development Office, the value of Ross’ FACT career support groups, the power of the University of Michigan network, and lots of tips to make the re...

Welcome to a new expansion of the “Business Beyond Usual” concept. Each week, a couple members of the regular “BBU” team run down the top happenings at Michigan Ross for the coming week. They’ll also feature a spotlight interview with a current student talking about their interests  — this week, hear from BBA senior Harpreet Kalsi about the upcoming Michigan Tech Expo. Check out the BBU “Ross Week...

International Women's Day is March 8. In this episode of "Business Beyond Usual," hosts Katie and Saba talk with guests Carolina, Avani, and Eugenia about the rewards and challenges of life as an international woman MBA student. They cover building an effective support system, formal and informal resources available at Ross, staying connected to family at home, how the Ross community incorporates...