Layout 2 - The Paul Merage School of Business - University of ...

Fully Employed MBA Program
SB 202
Irvine, California 92697-3125
949.824.4565
merage.uci.edu/go/FEMBA
UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
Innovation to shape the future;
Personalization to shape you.

Fully
Employed
It Begins with Innovation
1865. A visionary Yale graduate sees the educational potential in the newly-admitted state
along the Pacific Coast. He sets out to build a university there, and a century later, the UC
system transforms education and becomes a model for public universities across the
country.
1965. The farsighted UC Regents identify the Irvine Ranch as an ideal location for a new
and vital link in the UC chain. The Irvine campus transparently integrates into the
surrounding community, and carries on the UC spirit of commitment to cutting-edge
research, innovative thinking, and forward-moving education.
Today. Among the fastest-growing campuses in the University of California system, UC
Irvine increasingly tops student lists of college choices, and continues to admit top-tier
students. As the county’s third-largest employer, UC Irvine generates an annual economic
impact on Orange County of more than $3 billion. The campus is recognized as a driving
force for innovation and discovery that impacts the local, national and global
communities.
Tomorrow. At the brink of another new era, The Paul Merage School of Business at UC
Irvine is fast becoming a premier business school. Our pioneering curriculum and worldclass
faculty are attracting business leaders, the best and brightest students and the
global companies that recruit them. We continue to gather accolades and ever-higher
rankings from sources including BusinessWeek, U.S. News, and the Financial Times. As the
youngest university with a business school ranked among the top 50 MBA programs,
we’re changing the face of business education.
MBA
Dean’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Realize Your Potential . . . . . . . . . .5
The Curriculum . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Beyond the Classroom . . . . . . . .21
MBA Career Center . . . . . . . . .22
Centers of Excellence . . . . . . .26
The Merage School Faculty . . . . .31
The Student Experience . . . . . . .39
The Admissions Process . . . . . . .45
Financial Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Application Checklist . . . . . . . .50

2
A Message from the Dean
When it comes to earning your MBA while working full time, I understand there are many things
to consider. Some of the most important of these are:
> Your overall MBA experience -- including strong relationships with
fellow students and faculty;
> The school’s location and active relationships with the business
community; and
> The type of leader you want to be and what school best provides
opportunities to further develop those leadership skills.
I am confident you will find that The Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine offers the
best answers to all these needs, and much more. Our intimate atmosphere has proven to be
an ideal place to form lifelong friendships with future colleagues. World-renowned faculty is
readily accessible and engaged with our students, and our Orange County location is home to
many of the world’s top companies who do more than support the school – they actively
participate.
If you think for a moment about today’s most successful people and organizations, you will see
there is a simple yet compelling commonality – innovation. Innovation is a hallmark of the
individuals and companies who succeed -- despite any fluctuations in the environment. These
successful individuals have learned to adapt and remain flexible to take advantage of
opportunities, even in a downturn. As you read on, you will see how our focus on innovation
within a highly personalized program has resulted in substantial benefits for our students and
for the Merage School as a whole.
I invite you to become part of the Merage School, where we put innovation into action every
day. Here, you will have the opportunity to make the most of your skills, your education and
your career.
Andrew J. Policano
Dean, The Paul Merage School of Business
University of California, Irvine
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About Paul Merage
Paul Merage is a philanthropist, an innovative and successful entrepreneur, and a champion of
education whose $30 million gift to UC Irvine’s business school is the largest donation in the
University’s history.
Paul received both his bachelor’s degree in Economics and his MBA in Marketing from UC
Berkeley. He embarked on a 10-year career in marketing and product management with such
firms as General Foods and Hunt-Wesson before launching his own start-up frozen food
manufacturing company, Chef America.
Paul planned his career carefully. Over the next 30 years, Chef America grew to be one of the
largest and most successful privately held food companies in the U.S. Its signature brand, Hot
Pockets ® was developed as an innovative answer to changing societal trends, based on Paul’s
core belief that change – whether socio-economic, technological or legislative – can be the
foundation of new commercial opportunities. In this case, Paul zeroed in on a combination of
two powerful trends. One centered on the demographic and social shift in America – more
working parents with less time to prepare meals for families. The other involved the technical
advances made possible with the expanding use of the microwave oven. Together these
created the opportunity for a winning formula.
In 2002, Chef America was sold to Nestle, and now Paul is focused on creating a different
legacy – giving back to the community. In addition to his namesake donation to The Paul
Merage School of Business, he maintains involvement with organizations that reflect his own
immigrant background and his passion for America.
These charitable organizations expand educational opportunities for families with low to
moderate income levels. The Merage Institute for the American Dream offers major fellowships
to outstanding immigrant college students. And through the Children First Foundation, needy
children are provided with educational, developmental and mentorship opportunities.
Paul Merage’s focus on entrepreneurship, sustainable business growth and social
responsibility serve as an inspiration for the Merage School’s MBA programs.
Realize Your
Potential
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6
TOMMY NGUYEN
FEMBA 2006
PIMCO Europe, LTD.
Account Manager,
Vice President
London, UK
BS, UC Irvine
Tommy Nguyen knew that having an MBA was a requirement for advancing in the
competitive finance world, but he needed the flexibility that a part-time program
provided. Tommy was able to manage a demanding career by deferring one year of the
MBA program to take a work assignment in London. Upon his return to the U.S., he
completed his coursework and was then promoted and returned to London in an
investment professional role.
“I've worked in asset management my entire career, and during my time as a FEMBA
student, I rotated between headquarters in Newport Beach and PIMCO’s offices in
Europe, both London and Munich. I was able to bring what I learned in class to the
forefront of my daily activities,” Tommy says. “I learned many of the soft skills
necessary for my day-to-day work. This, combined with the core theoretical classwork,
helped me transition into my new position.”
Today, Tommy is responsible for all client-related activities in Ireland. Some of his
duties include visiting with clients to explain performance of their investments,
ensuring client portfolios are managed within stated guidelines, and acting as a trusted
advisor.
Leadership Development
The Merage School methodology provides students with the exemplary team-oriented training
to enhance and develop your own leadership styles.
We strongly believe, and our alumni attest, that the intense team-oriented experience that you
obtain through the Merage School FEMBA program is what defines their success in building the
foundation for leadership and managerial growth.
Return on Investment
When you start your MBA, you will feel confident about your decision. Know that you will obtain
a substantial return on your investment – professionally, financially and personally – throughout
your career.
As a Merage School Fully Employed MBA (FEMBA) student, you will see a direct benefit in terms
of long-term earning potential, and obtain the skills necessary to become a leader in your industry.
For the last three graduating classes, on average the percentage of students who earned more
than $70,000 per year increased from 42% to 73% during their time in the FEMBA program.
Students also experienced a strong managerial growth rate. Approximately 40% entered with
supervisory experience, and upon graduation, approximately 70% exited the program in a
managerial role.*
The Return on Investment (ROI) of an MBA is also measured in ways beyond salary numbers –
there are personal and professional benefits as well. Nationwide, nearly two-thirds of MBA
graduates rate their MBA value as outstanding or excellent. A majority of Merage School FEMBA
program graduates said the MBA helped to sustain a long-term competitive advantage (vs. non-
MBA colleagues) and led to promotional opportunities.
> Professional ROI is measured by development of management knowledge,
technical skills and interpersonal abilities that enhance long-term potential.
Some examples include mastering decision making and problem solving
processes, strategy and innovation, and interpersonal skills such as verbal
and written communications and the ability to work in teams.
> Personal ROI is measured by gains in self improvement and intellectual
growth, self-confidence, self-esteem, empowerment, building a valuable
network and lifelong friendships.
All of this leads to an improvement in the quality of employment, via increased job satisfaction,
increased employability and better chances of remaining employed and finding a new job.*
*Source: Survey, UC Irvine FEMBA graduating students, 2007-2009, and GMAC Alumni Survey, 2009
The Merage School
leadership methodology:
The FEMBA Program
Office assigns students
to a small crossfunctional
study team
based on geographic
location, professional
experience, job function
and industry to create a
diverse team.
Students work with their
four- to six-member
study team intensely
throughout the
program’s core
curriculum.
The leadership role is
often shared among all
members, as each
person provides unique
contributions based on
their own academic and
professional experience.
The study team provides
a network of support
and helps you to explore
and develop your own
leadership style.
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“The FEMBA
Program provides
the opportunity for
a select group of
high-potential
professionals and
managers to
accelerate their
personal and
professional growth.
They create a diverse
network, and
maximize leadership
potential, while
maintaining their
career momentum.
We invite you to
join us for this
professionally
transforming
experience.
”
– TONY HANSFORD
Assistant Dean and Director
Merage School FEMBA Program
Partners in Your Education
The FEMBA program at the Merage School is among the top 40 part-time MBA programs in the
U.S. (31st in the U.S. and 9th in the western region: BusinessWeek, 2009). The Merage School
is consistently ranked in the top 10% of all fully accredited MBA programs in the nation.
Like the new world of business, the Merage School learning environment is flat by design – a
collaborative enterprise. Corporate executives, faculty experts, program managers, and the
Dean work together as your partners in your education. Your instructors will know your name,
where you work, and your position within your organization before you even enter the
classroom. You will be able to create connections that will foster your confidence, leadership,
and interpersonal skills. Your rapport with these leaders will prepare you to interact effectively
with senior management throughout your professional career.
You will be given the opportunity to engage with your professors on both a professional and a
personal level. They enjoy meeting with students and are available to meet with you outside of
class to assist you with questions or to help provide you with resources and connections
outside of the classroom. The FEMBA program staff is also on hand to provide individualized
support, advice and guidance throughout the entire program.
The Merage School’s collaborative and dynamic setting, visionary curriculum, and out-of-theclassroom
experiences create far-reaching opportunities for you upon graduation.
When surveyed, FEMBA graduates allotted the highest marks for:
> Responsiveness, professionalism
and accessibility of the FEMBA
program staff
> Accessibility of instructors (both
core and elective) outside of the
classroom
> Satisfaction of course instructors
relating concepts to the real world
> Resources and networking
opportunities available to current
students and alumni
> Enhanced ability to work in teams
and develop leadership/managerial
growth
> Networking/computer resources and
support
Our Approach: Innovate, Collaborate, Grow
Get ready to see the world of business in an entirely new context. Our curriculum focuses on
the three key drivers of business growth that will distinguish you from other MBAs.
The Merage School MBA experience interweaves strategic innovation, information technology
and analytic decision-making. Our students are given countless opportunities, inside the
classroom and beyond, to build a solid foundation of skills within these areas to effectively
compete in today’s global economy.
Strategic Innovation
You will learn how to lead your company to innovate more effectively with new products and
services, redesigned business processes, and an adaptive organization and leadership
philosophy. These new skills will enable you to make strategic decisions that can sustain longterm
growth for your company.
Information Technology
You will expand your technological literacy and gain an understanding of how information and IT
can be strategically used to help you become a more effective manager and leader. This new
skill set will help you to respond to today’s technology-intensive environment.
Analytic Decision-Making
You will develop the high-level analytical skills to evaluate information, solve problems and
make sound decisions to gain the respect of your employees, colleagues and organization.
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KATIE BIANCHI
FEMBA 1996
Marriott International, Inc.
Vice President, Human
Resources Operations
Newport Beach
BA, Wellesley College
Katie Bianchi has worked for Marriott International since 1996, and always knew that
she wanted to climb the corporate ladder. The FEMBA program provided her with a
broad foundation and knowledge of business that has allowed her to be successful at
senior levels.
“Being an executive in the Human Resources discipline is, in my opinion, the most
exciting area of any business; however, Human Resources is not always given an
appropriate level of respect,” Katie says. “The FEMBA program taught me all aspects of
business – finance, marketing, investor relations, entrepreneurship – and that broad
understanding of how all disciplines work together to make a company successful has
helped me earn a seat at the table.”
During her time at Marriott, Katie has held such positions as Area Director of Human
Resources for Mexico, based in Mexico City, Vice President of Human Resources for
the Caribbean, Latin America Region overseeing 22 countries, and most recently Vice
President of Human Resources Operations overseeing 27 states and Canada.
“Living and working internationally is quite a challenge, where everything is new - the
language, the culture, the way of doing business. After finishing the FEMBA program,
not only do I have an amazing educational framework coupled with on-the-job
practical training from my day job, but in the end I learned I can do anything I set my
mind to!”
The Curriculum
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FEMBA Schedules
The FEMBA program offers a choice between two dates to begin the program:
fall or spring.
Fall Start
Students starting in the fall begin in September and attend
classes for three quarters each year, excluding summers, to
complete the program in 33 months (graduation is in June).
Students attend two three-hour classes per week throughout
the program.
Between 110 and 120 students are typically admitted in the
fall. The students are divided into two cohorts, each with
approximately 55-60 students. Students attend all of the core
classes, and three off-site residentials, with the students in
their cohort. This model provides students with a
collaborative and intensive team-learning environment.
Spring Start
The accelerated FEMBA spring start program is a unique
offering of the Merage School. Classes begin in March and
students attend classes for nine consecutive quarters,
including summers, to complete their degree in 27 months
(graduation is in June). Students attend two three-hour
classes per week throughout the program.
This start offers one cohort with approximately 55-60
students every year. Similar to the fall start, the spring
students attend all of their core courses and residentials
together.
Pre-Term
ORIENTATION
(one day)
Opening Residential
Management of
Complex Organizations
Pre-Term
ORIENTATION
(one day)
Opening Residential
Management of
Complex Organizations
Year One
FALL QUARTER
Organizational Analysis
for Management
Microeconomics
for Management
WINTER QUARTER
Statistics for Management
Financial Accounting
for Management
SPRING QUARTER
Marketing for Management
Managerial Accounting
for Management
SUMMER QUARTER
No classes
Year One
FALL QUARTER
No classes
The Core Curriculum
The MBA core curriculum emphasizes the development of knowledge in fundamental functional
business areas. Once this is established, the program is directed toward broader managerial
and strategic issues. Students take the core courses in a lock-step sequence, with each quarter
building upon a foundation of fundamentals from previous quarters. This means every student
obtains a broader understanding of business strategy and leadership in a global economy.
WINTER QUARTER
No classes
SPRING QUARTER
Organizational Analysis
for Management
Microeconomics
for Management
SUMMER QUARTER
Statistics for Management
Financial Accounting
for Management
Year Two
FALL QUARTER
Managerial Finance
Operations Management
WINTER QUARTER
Information Technology
for Management
Global Business I
International Residential
Global Business II
SPRING QUARTER
Business Strategy
Elective
SUMMER QUARTER
No Classes
Year Two
FALL QUARTER
Marketing for Management
Information Technology
for Management
WINTER QUARTER
Operations Management
Managerial Finance
SPRING QUARTER
Managerial Accounting
for Management
Global Business I
SUMMER QUARTER
Business Strategy
Elective
International Residential
Global Business II
Year Three
FALL QUARTER
Macroeconomics for
Management or
Business and Government
Elective
WINTER QUARTER
Elective
Elective
SPRING QUARTER
Elective
Elective
Closing Residential
Executive Leadership
Year Three
FALL QUARTER
Macroeconomics for
Management or
Business and Government
Elective
WINTER QUARTER
Elective
Elective
SPRING QUARTER
Elective
Elective
Closing Residential
Executive Leadership
Graduation
Graduation
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Tailoring Your Degree
Choosing Electives
During your final four quarters in the FEMBA program you will choose from a variety of electives
spread across different academic disciplines designed to help you succeed in your career.
Electives at the Merage School will enable you to tailor your MBA education specifically to your
interests and career goals by broadening your perspective, deepening your knowledge in a
specific area and developing your skills. You can specialize in any functional area such as
marketing, finance, real estate or strategy. Approximately 35 to 45 different electives from all
functional business areas are offered throughout the year to FEMBA students in the evenings
(Monday – Thursday 7–9:50 p.m.) and also on Saturday (mornings or afternoons).
If your schedule permits and space is available, you may also request enrollment in electives
offered through the Full-Time MBA program. This option opens up an even broader array of
electives and allows FEMBA students another way to interact with other MBA students.
Electives
The following is a sample of elective courses typically offered within each academic discipline:
ACCOUNTING
> Financial Statement Analysis I: Earning
Quality and Asset Analysis
> Financial Statement Analysis II: Liability
and Equity Analysis
FINANCE
> Investments
> Portfolio Management
> Multinational Finance
> Wealth Management
> Corporate Valuation
> Risk Management
> Derivatives
> Venture Capital and Private Equity
> Mergers and Acquisitions – Finance
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
> Critical IT Decisions for Executives
> Database Management and Applications
> Business Intelligence for Analytical
Decisions
> Digital Strategy & Markets
MARKETING
> Consumer Behavior
> Advanced Micromarketing
> Marketing Research
> Advertising and Communications
Management
> New Product Development
> International Marketing
> Marketing on the Internet
> Marketing Strategies for High-Tech Markets
> Strategic Brand Management
> Design Management
OPERATIONS AND DECISIONS
TECHNOLOGIES
> Forecasting
> Decision Analysis
> Supply Chain Management
> Project Management
> Analytical Decision Making Models for
Management
ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
> Negotiations
> Strategic Communications
> Social Responsibility
> Organizational Change
> International Management
> Leading and Growing Organizations
OTHER
> Management Consulting Practicum
> Business Law
> EDGE
REAL ESTATE
> Introduction to Real Estate Process
> Real Estate Capital Markets
> Real Estate Development Process
> Mortgage Backed Securities and
Structured Debt
> Real Estate Security Analysis and Portfolio
Management
> International Real Estate
STRATEGY
> Competitive Intelligence
> Business Dynamics
> Entrepreneurship
> New Venture Management
> Global Competitive Strategy
> Mergers and Acquisitions Strategy
> Topics in Strategic Innovation
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“Your students did
a great job. Their
research compared
most favorably
with the work that
our professional
consultants do for
us. I’ve already
had many requests
for copies of their
report. The project
was a success and
[Microsoft] would
welcome the
opportunity to
collaborate on
another research
project with The
Paul Merage
School of
Business.
”
– NANCY BELL
Research Insight Manager,
Customer Design Center
Microsoft Corporation
MBA Management Consulting Practicum –
Translating Knowledge into Action
In the FEMBA program, students have an unparalleled opportunity to address real-life business
challenges when they participate in the Merage School MBA Management Consulting Practicum
course. This elective course requires students to work in teams on a real company project. The
project culminates with a final presentation to the company’s senior management team, who
are directly involved with the project throughout the course.
Management Consulting projects are unique to the Merage School. The selected projects are
critical to company goals and reflect today’s dynamic and innovative business environment.
Companies who would have otherwise hired professional consultants now turn to the Merage
School for MBA expertise. Student teams are expected to deliver superior results – on time
and immediately applicable to the company’s stated need. Specific deliverables include a
written report and an on-site presentation to senior management. The course is a value-added
experience for both the student team and for the company.
A selection of FEMBA student Management Consulting Practicum projects:*
> Allergan
> Farmers Insurance
> Kingston Technology
> Pacific Symphony Orchestra
> Hire Right/USIS
> Sony
> Deloitte
> Nestle Waters
> Advanced Medical Optics
> Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
> Altos Group
> Mazda
> Verizon Wireless
> Pepsi
> Apria Healthcare
> Precept
> Beckman Coulter
> ESI/Dodge
> Emulex
> The Gallup Organization
> First Team Real Estate
> Ingram Micro
> Pacific Life
> Lowe Enterprises
> Restaurants on the Run
* The above projects have been conducted by FEMBA students investing 13,658 hours of total project work.
ANÉ PIYAVID
FEMBA 2005
Deloitte & Touche
Audit & Enterprise Risk
Services (AERS) Manager
New York
BA, UC Irvine
Ané Piyavid came to the FEMBA program with the goal of figuring out not only what
she would enjoy doing, but how to get there. During the program, she met several
people working in the consulting field, and networked and learned from insiders about
what that industry could offer her. She also took the Management Consulting
Practicum elective, where she presented project findings and recommendations to the
senior leadership team at Mazda regarding the marketing strategy for their new model
of car. This helped her come to the conclusion that consulting would be a great fit.
Ané now works with different Deloitte clients, providing services such as risk
management, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, IPO readiness, financial accounting and
reporting advisory. “I wanted to gain exposure to different companies, industries, types
of work and teams. I knew that consulting would allow me to do different things and
allow me to continue to learn and grow. It’s always a challenge being thrown into new
clients/projects, but it’s what drives me,” Ané says.
The broad range of classes in the FEMBA program provided Ané a good understanding
of different aspects of a business, such as operations, finance, marketing and strategy.
“Since I work on various types of projects, having the overall understanding of a
business has helped me to succeed on my projects.”
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Residentials
Opening Residential
GETTING STARTED An essential building block early in your MBA curriculum is the Opening
Residential, “Management of Complex Organizations.” Held at a local hotel, this intensive fourday
experience prior to your first day of class is designed to prepare you for the rest of your
MBA education.
During the Opening Residential, you will be introduced to concepts in both strategic and
organizational management. Students are introduced to the instructive methods used
throughout the Merage School MBA program: case analysis, group presentations and effective
group-based team work. You will gain an in-depth understanding of group processes,
competitive analysis, corporate strategy, ethics, and managers’ formal and informal roles.
You will also be introduced to your new classmates and your small-study team for the first time.
You will work with your small group intensely during the opening residential. This residential
provides students with unique team-building exercises that help foster a collaborative learning
environment that will be stressed throughout the duration of the MBA program. Merage FEMBA
students praise the Opening Residential as an excellent introduction to effective case analysis,
MBA-level decision-making and team collaboration.
International Residential
GAINING INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE During your second year, you will experience a
living case study of global business via a week-long required International Residential, typically
held in Asia, South America or Europe. You will learn from local business leaders and
participate in corporate visits to gain an in-depth understanding of the factors that influence
global business. The residential is preceded by a 10-week core course in International
Business that will cover economic and strategic concepts as well as the qualitative cultural and
marketing aspects of global business.
COMPANY VISITS AND TOURS You will visit and tour U.S.-based companies that operate
overseas, as well as companies that were founded overseas with operations in the United
States. Senior-level executives from a variety of functional areas within the organizations
provide lectures to students and discuss the challenges and opportunities that they face within
their regional market. Some of the multinational companies that students have visited on
previous International Residentials include:
> The Coca Cola Company
> HSBC (Vietnam)
> Siemens (Germany)
> Philips Electronics
> Pfizer (Brazil)
Executive Leadership Residential
> Google (Latin America)
> ABN AMRO Bank
> Intel China
> Microsoft (Hong Kong)
> Ikea (Russia)
TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL The Merage School FEMBA program culminates in a fourday
residential on Executive Leadership. Faculty members accompany you to the residential,
which typically takes place at a mountain retreat conference center, to analyze your individual
leadership style and develop a blueprint for career success. Each study group evaluates their
members and offers constructive feedback on their career and personal progress throughout
the course of the FEMBA program. You have the opportunity to engage in several personal
assessments as well as a 360-degree evaluation from direct reports, supervisors and peers,
which allows you to reflect on what you’ve learned, how you have developed professionally, and
how you will shape your future as a business manager and leader.
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RITESH NAIR
FEMBA 2010
Behr Process Corporation
R&D Group Leader
Santa Ana
BE India; MS, Illinois
Institute of Technology
Ritesh Nair remotely manages his company’s operations in India, and also manages
projects for the development and commercialization of new products for Behr. With
this international business exposure, he has been given the opportunity to participate in
discussions on devising Behr’s global strategy.
“Although I wasn’t directly involved in Behr’s South America project, I still was highly
interested in the development of the market strategy. When I found out that my
FEMBA international residential was in Brazil and Argentina, I talked to a few of my
senior executives and they had me conduct research of the South American market
during my trip.”
During the residential, Ritesh performed market research by collecting information on
the competition, visiting retail stores, looking at the pricing of products, and analyzing
consumer preferences. Because of the residential coursework, he was able to understand
the social and cultural intricacies of both countries. The company visits helped him to
understand the work culture, labor relations, financial and tax structure, and most
importantly, the people.
“After my international residential, I shared my experience and market information
with my company’s executives, which helped them to devise the market entry strategy
for South America. Today, we have already started to sell our products in South
America. This has given me a personal sense of satisfaction that I was able to
significantly contribute to my company’s goals. I have not only gained respect from my
company executives, but also enriched my professional experience.”
Beyond
the Classroom
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The MBA Career Center
Year 1 & 2: Exploration Year 2 & 3: Preparation & Development
Year 3: Search & Execution
CAREER LEADER
Through the use of
assessment tools and
career mapping, this
process will help you to
begin clarifying your
career goals and defining
the next steps in your
career.
CAREER
RESOURCE LIBRARY
Access the Merage
School online E-library
for MBA related career
resources.
CAREER DAYS
Attend presentations
from local executives in
your field of interest.
CLUB EVENTS
Participate in student
club events. Clubs invite
high profile executives to
panel discussions,
seminars, and industry
nights. They also
coordinate company site
visits and build partnerships
with companies to
strengthen recruiting
relationships.
INDIVIDUAL CAREER ADVISING
Partner with an experienced
career advisor to discuss and
take action on complex career
issues such as career advancement
or a transition into another
industry, company, or job function.
CAREER MANAGEMENT
WORKSHOPS
Participate in career workshops
that focus on career development
tools such as resume writing,
interviewing techniques, offer
negotiations and job search
strategies.
MOCK INTERVIEW
Practice your interviewing skills
through our web-based video
interview module. Your career
advisor will provide individualized
feedback and suggestions on
what worked well and areas for
improvement.
RESUME DATABASE
Post your resume on our
web-based system and
gain exposure to hundreds
of companies that recruit
our MBA students. A
separate database is
also available for
experienced and
executive-level job
seekers.
ON-CAMPUS RECRUITING
Submit your resume and
meet recruiters who visit
the campus and interview
our MBA students for
career positions.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT TRAINING CAREER SEARCH STRATEGIES
Partners in Your Career Planning: Where do you want your MBA to take you?
The education, skills, and experience you gain from the FEMBA program can open many doors.
Determining which of those doors represent opportunities that matter to you can be one of the
most difficult, important and rewarding things you do as an MBA.
As you plan and work toward your next career move, our staff partners with you to help you
make the best use of the resources the Merage School offers. Students in our FEMBA program
use the MBA Career Center to explore opportunities, build or polish career management skills,
clarify career interests and further develop a long-term career plan.
JOB LISTINGS
Explore our exclusive
online listing of jobs
specifically for Merage
School students.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Through the Center for
Leadership and Team
Development, students
are paired with senior
executives in our
business community.
This is a great opportunity
to network and build
a close relationship with
an executive in your field
of interest.
“Our goal is to help our students develop lifelong career management
skills that will enable them to successfully launch their MBA careers
– and will provide them the framework to make more effective
career decisions for the rest of their lives.
” – TOM KOZICKI
Executive Director
Merage School MBA Career Center
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ANU MATHUR
FEMBA 2005
AT&T
Director, U-verse TV
Marketing
Los Angeles
BA, UCLA
Anu Mathur is responsible for the marketing strategy (using retail, on-air, print, online
and mobile platforms) for 200+ television networks (including Disney, Fox, NBC, etc.)
across 22 states for the popular AT&T U-Verse TV product line. He joined AT&T
after being selected for their Leadership Development Program, which he found
through the MBA Career Center during his second year of the program. He began his
career in market research and analytics, and used his time at the Merage School as a
foundation to advance and build his career.
“I feel my MBA is still paying great dividends on my initial investment,” Anu says. “The
FEMBA program enhanced my core skill set and increased my network tremendously.
The faculty, administration and my classmates all have helped advance my career.”
Anu uses what he learned in the FEMBA program on a daily basis, as strategy, finance,
marketing and management skills are extremely important to the success of his daily
responsibilities. “The program and curriculum taught me how to analyze business
situations, better manage cross functional teams and projects and think strategically
with a global perspective. The faculty and alumni afforded me great mentors who
continue to help me grow to this day.”
A Sample of Businesses that Recruit at the Merage School
The Paul Merage School of Business attracts recruiters from leading companies in a wide
range of fields. These recruiters look for the best and the brightest, and they keep coming back
to the Merage School because that is exactly what they find here. A complete list of the 200+
companies that recruit our MBA students can be found in our Career Center Recruiter Guide
available at merage.uci.edu.
A selection of companies that recently recruited our students:
> Abbott Medical Optics
> Annawar Tun Co.
> Archbay Capital
> AT&T
> B&L International
> Bloosky
> Blue Shield
> BSH Home Appliances
> California Stem Cell, Inc.
> CET Cancer Center
> Deloitte & Touche
> Deloitte Consulting
> eBay
> Enlight Pictures
> Evidant
> Experian
> GCV Violin Co
> GD Commercial
> Hackers Enterprise, Taiwan
> HealthIQ
> IBM
> Johnson & Johnson
> JOICO
> Jones Lang LaSalle
> Kaiser Permanente
> Mattel
> Morgan Stanley
> Niagara Waters
> Nlight Photonics
> Pac Rim InterTrade Col
> Pacific Gas & Electric
> Pamela Pharmaceuticals
> Peak Virtual Accounting
> PricewaterhouseCoopers
> Redhill Consulting
> Rosenow Spevacek Group
> Samsung Electronics Korea
> Silverpoint Investments
> Southern California Edison
> SRC
> St. Joseph's Hospital
> US Airways
> Xelleration
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Centers of Excellence
The Paul Merage School of Business offers six Centers of Excellence that act as the bridge to
the surrounding business community. They provide numerous opportunities for students to
collaborate, work and learn from business leaders and entrepreneurs.
THE DON BEALL CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP provides
thought leadership in the emerging science of innovation research, education and consulting,
with the belief that strategic innovation will be the first and best alternative for sustaining
competitive advantage in today’s global economy. The Center is the vehicle through which a
significant proportion of research and thought leadership on the newest and most influential
approaches to strategic innovation and entrepreneurship are completed and disseminated to
global business. merage.uci.edu/go/beall
THE CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP AND TEAM DEVELOPMENT creates and
disseminates research-based knowledge and tools that addresses the practical problems of
leadership and teams in an innovation-driven global economy and contributes to socially
responsible strategic advancement of the Merage School. merage.uci.edu/go/cltd
THE CENTER FOR REAL ESTATE is an integral and indispensable component of the
program in Real Estate and Urban Development at the University of California, Irvine. The
mission of the Center for Real Estate is three-fold: to advance real estate education, conduct
relevant research, and engage in meaningful industry outreach. merage.uci.edu/go/cre
THE CENTER FOR INVESTMENT AND WEALTH MANAGEMENT embraces the
complexities of creation, management, and intergenerational transfer of wealth, drawing on
expertise from business leaders and university scholars to mentor, teach, and advise students
in the community. The Center provides the impetus for discussion and study of critical industry
issues. merage.uci.edu/go/ciwm
THE CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT AND POLICY puts issues of
insurance coverage, third party payers and indigent care on its agenda to help solve problems
needing innovative approaches and manage the increasingly complex health care industry. The
annual Health Care Forecast Conference brings together some of the top thought leaders and
policymakers on health care issues in the U.S. to examine innovative approaches to the health
care demands of the 21st century. merage.uci.edu/go/chcmp
THE CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND
ORGANIZATION (CRITO) conducts and disseminates path-breaking research on IT-enabled
innovation and growth. CRITO’s interdisciplinary group of researchers focuses on issues of
strategic importance related to the impact of IT on business and society. The Center’s
partnership with industry promotes interaction between corporate executives and academia,
advances thought leadership, develops a broader understanding of global and societal
implications of IT and fosters innovation in practice. merage.uci.edu/go/crito
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“The mentorship
program at the
Merage School has
been priceless. I
was fortunate to
have a mentor
who not only
understood my
goals and
ambitions but
helped me to
refine them and
assist in outlining
effective methods
to reach my goals.
We also had the
opportunity to
attend networking
events together.
Overall, I feel I
have developed a
long-term
mentor-mentee
relationship.
”
– ALPA JAIN
FEMBA 2011
A Sample of Our Centers’ Most Popular Programs
Make Your Idea a Reality: Business Plan Competition
Sponsored by the Don Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Business Plan
Competition provides potential financing and other assistance to turn your vision into reality.
Open to all UC Irvine students, faculty and researchers, the competition pairs coaches and
teams to compete for the opportunity to win substantial cash prizes and recognition for the
most compelling business plans – as well as potential seed financing of up to $1 million from
Tech Coast Angels.
Experience Investment Analysis: Polaris Investment Competition
Sponsored by the Center for Investment and Wealth Management, the Polaris Investment
Competition is a high-level MBA-related competition open to all Merage School MBA students.
Teams work together to choose investments and create a portfolio – using real money. The
investment funds, totaling $1.5 million to $2 million per year, are generously provided by local
venture capitalist Chuck Martin.
The investment competition immerses students in the valuation, risk analysis, forecasting,
pricing, and financial analysis of publicly traded companies. The selected teams make buy and
sell decisions throughout one entire calendar year. The profits received from the competition –
up to $8,000 per team member – are shared with the students to help offset tuition costs.
Learn Directly from Business Leaders: Executive Mentor Program
Sponsored by The Center for Global Leadership and Team Development, the Executive Mentor
Program pairs students with senior executives in the business community, enabling students to
develop an understanding of career progression, and to gain additional skills and abilities.
Mentors work in a variety of different fields and industries, and are typically at the senior
management level. Participants receive valuable feedback from these experienced
professionals while expanding their network and learning first-hand about their field of interest.
Mentoring activities range from individual meetings, professional association meetings,
company site visits, shadowing and social functions. Most meetings are scheduled individually
between mentors and protegés.
Help Non-Profits: Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative
The Social Responsibility Initiative (SRI) cultivates leadership skills and fosters corporate and
personal responsibility in the community. Through assigned class projects, students work on a
pro-bono basis with non-profit organizations to analyze problems and make recommendations.
JOSH NEEDLE
FEMBA 2010
The Bascom Group, LLC
Senior Analyst- Business
Development
Irvine
BS, University of Colorado,
Boulder
Josh Needle came to the Merage School to focus on Real Estate after meeting with
Professor Kerry Vandell and learning about the Center for Real Estate (CRE). As the
recipient of the 2009-10 Center for Real Estate-NAIOP fellowship, he has taken
advantage of the many opportunities at the CRE to get beyond the books, and has
taken part in mentorship programs, the Merage Real Estate Association, and numerous
professional training events.
“One could easily make the connection between my involvement with the CRE and
my career growth. The Real Estate Program at the Merage School is well positioned
with top academic leadership, strong local business involvement, and a motivated
student body. These factors have helped greatly in the development of my professional
network,” Josh says.
The ability to have classes in a flexible format allowed Josh to grow in his career while
still in school, as well as focus on his own entrepreneurial real estate projects. Before
leaving the program, he founded the UCI Real Estate Alumni Association, and
continues to stay involved at the Merage School.
“The blend of academics and real world application helped to accelerate the growth of
my abilities and capacity. It seems every week I learned something in the classroom,
which gave me insight into a routine business practice, or challenged me to think about
doing things differently and develop creative solutions.”
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Conferences and Speaker Events
Gain Industry Exposure
Learn from industry leaders who have taken Fortune 500 companies to the next level. The
Merage School hosts a number of public conferences and speaker events each year.
GLOBAL BUSINESS CONFERENCE SERIES This annual event brings together leaders
from businesses around the globe to inform and discuss topic-based strategies of global
business development. Past topics include Sustainability and the Environment, Global
Business Strategies, and Strategic Initiatives in India and China.
HEALTH CARE FORECAST CONFERENCE This national forum is for the discussion and
dissemination of a short-term health care economic and political forecast, from both a public
and private sector perspective. The annual event, held each February, provides a unique venue
for dialogue among government and business leaders, and academics, who will share their
perspectives and forecasts on key economic and political issues which impact health care in
this country.
DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES Held four times per year, the Distinguished Speaker
Series highlights the innovation processes, leadership perspectives, ethical frameworks,
decision-making practices and insights of top business leaders in the industry. The goal is to
expose students to speakers who, by sharing their experiences and insights, will enhance
student learning. The event gathers approximately 350 corporate professionals, community
leaders, MBA students, faculty members and campus staff. Past speakers include:
> Neel Grover, President & CEO, Buy.com
> Sue Swenson, President & CEO, Sage Software
> Mike Mussallem, Chairman & CEO, Edwards Lifesciences
> John Krafcik, President & CEO, Hyundai Motor America
> Bob McKnight, CEO, Quiksilver
> Jim Caudill, President, Hardware & Home Improvement, Black & Decker
> Alexis Livanos, Corporate Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Northrop Grumman
> Greg Creed, President & CEO, Taco Bell (pictured left)
> Anne Bélec, President & CEO, Volvo
REAL ESTATE The Center for Real Estate holds many events throughout the year to support
industry development and growth, foster and maintain key relationships within the real estate
community, and provide valuable learning and networking opportunities for students. Some
past events include company tours, “day in the life” panels, breakfast series, research
symposiums, software training seminars, and the Real Estate Gala, an annual dinner event
that acknowledges leaders in the real estate industry. Every year, a Lifetime Achievement
Award is presented to a real estate pioneer with an outstanding track record of accomplishment.
The Merage
School Faculty
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Four MBA Programs, One Outstanding Faculty
Experience innovation through the eyes of our faculty – true pioneers of original knowledge in
their fields who have tackled problems “outside the box.” They have conducted cutting-edge
research, published influential books, and consulted with Fortune 500 companies. By working
with your professors, exchanging ideas and sharing perspectives, you will experience innovation
throughout your MBA program.
Learning global business isn’t just academic at the Merage School. Over the past 10 years, our
faculty has been recognized as a leader by publications like BusinessWeek, Financial Times,
and The Wall Street Journal, among others. Many faculty members have lived, worked, and
consulted overseas, benefitting students by bringing their first-hand knowledge of international
business into the classroom.
Outstanding Faculty Members at the Merage School Teach All Four MBA Programs
At Merage School, you will learn from – and personally get to know – internationally renowned
faculty.
> 39th in the world for faculty research by Financial Times (2009)
> 20th in the U.S. for faculty intellectual capital by BusinessWeek (2008)
> 3rd in the U.S. for Marketing by BusinessWeek (2006)
> 3rd in the U.S. for Information Technology by The Wall Street Journal (2006)
Andrew Policano, Dean and Professor, Economics,
PhD, Brown University
Dennis Aigner, Professor Emeritus, Economics, PhD,
University of California, Berkeley
Lisa Barron, Lecturer, Organization & Management,
PhD, University of California, Los Angeles
Christine Beckman, Chancellor’s Fellow and
Associate Professor, Organization & Management, PhD,
Stanford University
Kristin Behfar, Assistant Professor, Organization &
Management, PhD, Cornell University
David Blake, Professor, International Business, PhD,
Rutgers – The State University of New Jersey
Philip Bromiley, Dean’s Professor, Strategy, PhD,
Carnegie-Mellon University
Christopher (Kitt) Carpenter, Associate Professor,
Health Care, PhD, University of California, Berkeley
Nai-fu Chen, Professor, Finance, PhD, University of
California, Berkeley and University of California, Los
Angeles
Vidyanand (VC) Choudhary, Associate Professor,
Information Systems, PhD, Purdue University
Imran Currim, Associate Dean, MBA Programs and
Chancellor’s Professor, Marketing, PhD, Stanford
University
Sanjeev Dewan, Associate Professor, Information
Systems, PhD, University of Rochester
Thomas Eppel, Lecturer, Operations and Decision
Technologies, PhD, University of Southern California
Lucile Faurel, Assistant Professor, Accounting, PhD,
New York University
Paul Feldstein, Robert Gumbiner Chair and Professor,
Health Care, PhD, University of Chicago
David Fitoussi, Assistant Professor, Information
Systems, PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cristina Gibson, Dean’s Professor, Organization &
Management, PhD, University of California, Irvine
Mary Gilly, Professor, Marketing, PhD, University of
Houston
Yan Gong, Assistant Professor, Strategy, PhD,
University of Wisconsin-Madison
John Graham, Professor Emeritus, Marketing, PhD,
University of California, Berkeley
Vijay Gurbaxani, Taco Bell Chair and Professor,
Information Systems, PhD, University of Rochester
David Hirshleifer, Paul Merage Chair and Professor,
Finance, PhD, University of Chicago
Joanna Ho, Professor, Accounting, PhD, University of
Texas at Austin
Philippe Jorion, PAAMCO Chair and Professor, Finance,
PhD, University of Chicago
L. Robin Keller, Professor, Operations and Decision
Technologies, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles
Sreya Kolay, Assistant Professor, Marketing, PhD,
University of Rochester
Kenneth Kraemer, Professor Emeritus, Information
Systems, PhD, University of Southern California
Leonard Lane, Senior Assistant Dean and Lecturer,
Strategy, Executive Doctor in Management, Case
Western Reserve University
Loraine Lau, Assistant Professor, Marketing, PhD,
University of California, Los Angeles
Newton Margulies, Professor Emeritus, Organization &
Management, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles
Joseph McGuire, Professor Emeritus, Strategy, PhD,
Columbia University
Richard McKenzie, Walter B. Gerken Chair and
Professor, Economics, PhD, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University
Grace McLaughlin, Lecturer, Organization &
Management, PhD, University of California, Irvine
Alexander Mood, Professor Emeritus, PhD, Princeton
University
Peter Navarro, Professor, Business and Government,
PhD, Harvard University
Alexander Nekrasov, Assistant Professor, Accounting,
PhD, University of Minnesota
Jone Pearce, Dean’s Professor, Organization &
Management, PhD, Yale University
Cornelia (Connie) Pechmann, Professor, Marketing,
PhD, Vanderbilt University
Morton Pincus, Dean’s Professor, Accounting, PhD,
Washington University in St. Louis
Lyman Porter, Professor Emeritus, Organization &
Management, PhD, Yale University
Todd Richey, Lecturer, Finance, MBA, University of
California, Irvine
Judy Rosener, Senior Lecturer with Security of
Employment Emerita, Business and Government, PhD,
Claremont Graduate University
Claudia (Kaye) Schoonhoven, Professor,
Organization & Management, PhD, Stanford University
Christopher Schwarz, Assistant Professor, Finance,
PhD, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Carlton Scott, Professor, Operations and Decision
Technologies, PhD, University of New South Wales
(Australia)
Devin Shanthikumar, Assistant Professor,
Accounting, PhD, Stanford
Shivendu Shivendu, Assistant Professor, Information
Systems, PhD, University of Southern California
Kut (Rick) So, Associate Dean, Undergraduate
Program and Professor, Operations and Decision
Technologies, PhD, Stanford University
Zheng Sun, Assistant Professor, Finance, PhD, New
York University
Eli Talmor, Professor Emeritus, Finance, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Siew Hong Teoh, Dean’s Professor, Accounting, PhD,
University of Chicago
Denis Trapido, Assistant Professor, PhD, Stanford
University
John Turner, Assistant Professor, Operations and
Decision Technologies, PhD, Carnegie Mellon University
Rajeev Tyagi, Senior Associate Dean and Professor,
Marketing, PhD, University of Pennsylvania
Kerry Vandell, Professor, Real Estate, PhD,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Alladi Venkatesh, Professor, Marketing, PhD,
Syracuse University
Wenqing (Ashley) Wang, Assistant Professor,
Finance, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles
Libby Weber, Assistant Professor, Strategy, PhD,
University of Southern California
Margarethe Wiersema, Dean’s Professor, Strategy,
PhD, University of Michigan
Shuya Yin, Assistant Professor, Operations and
Decision Technologies, PhD, University of British
Columbia
Yu Zhang, Assistant Professor, Strategy, PhD, Institut
Européen d’Administration des Affaires (INSEAD)
(France)
Lu Zheng, Associate Professor, Finance, PhD, Yale
University
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PROFESSOR MORT PINCUS
Dean’s Professor of Accounting
PROFESSOR VIJAY GURBAXANI
Taco Bell Endowed Professor of Information Systems and
Computer Science and Director of the Center for Research on IT
and Organizations (CRITO)
PROFESSOR CHRISTINE BECKMAN
Associate Professor, Organization and Management and
Department of Sociology Chancellor’s Fellow
What is the Merage School’s
approach to business education?
Vijay: Business has moved from what I would call a fairly
steady planning-oriented world, maybe a decade or so ago,
to a much more rapidly evolving world. Many of the lessons
of the past may or may not apply to the future. So, understanding
how to react to these discontinuities is critical.
Mort: And the rate of change is unlike anything I’ve seen
in my lifetime. So, we’re trying to get MBA students to think
rigorously, analytically, globally, strategically – and to be
very flexible and deal with change.
Christine: I think of analytic decision-making as knowing
how to approach a problem, the questions that you need to
ask, the data that you need to collect, and how you want to
analyze it. It’s not a specific solution that we’re teaching,
it’s a way of approaching and thinking about a problem.
How does this get incorporated in the classroom?
Mort: In my Financial Accounting course, the perspective
taken is that of somebody looking at the company as a
whole, so right away most issues are strategic, big picture
issues. Then we can drill down.
So, it’s not an accounting course, per se, it’s an MBA
course. We’re teaching the ability to talk to your accountant
and to understand what he or she is doing – and to be able
to communicate with other managers either in or outside of
the company. Before they walk the walk, they’ve got to be
able to talk the talk. And we’re giving them the talk.
Christine: A lot of the innovation comes from diverse
teams, expressing different perspectives and encouraging
you to think differently. You have to be able to defend your
position, you have to come up with solutions as a group.
So, that’s a big part of my Organizational Behavior course,
teaching people to make decisions together. I also think
that the case studies we choose are very important in
distinguishing the School.
Vijay: That’s right. Everybody can say they do case
studies, but our case-selection is based on what we believe
is important, and that helps define a particular direction for
the School. Our focus happens both inside and outside the
classroom.
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36
What is the benefit of studying at a
top research university?
Phil: What you’re really getting at a top research-based
business school like the Merage School is an understanding
of the current business literature. People in the research
schools are way ahead regarding new original knowledge –
compared to those in teaching schools who don’t catch on
until it comes out in a textbook.
Robin: As research professors, we are specialists in our
fields and we know the other specialists throughout the
world. In our Decision Analysis course, students learn skills
that aren’t in the current textbooks, but that are based on
new trends in the field that haven’t even been published yet.
Why aren’t industry best practices sufficient for an
MBA student?
Phil: Sometimes best practices aren’t that good. No one
gets better just by doing what we do today. There’s also a
question of understanding why something works – seeing
the bigger picture.
Rajeev: I think one of the biggest contributions of a
research orientation is the framing of problems. Recently, I
went to a software pricing conference in San Jose,
California. There were all these industry people talking
about current issues. If you just went through the sessions,
you felt as though all these problems were different. But
there is really a very simple framework that allows us to
see and study the commonalities.
So, for example, in my Marketing Strategy class, I do a
session that allows you to understand the framework behind
pricing. Then it’s very easy to see these are all similar
applications. It’s just that many managers do not have a
framework for understanding the issues that they face.
Robin: Another real advantage at the Merage School is that
we’re a world-class research institution – yet we’re small
enough that people know each other. Students get to know
the faculty; they understand their research. They know all
the students, and they get to meet alumni who are out in
the field. So we have very tight interconnections among our
whole Merage family that allow you to see new research
and best practices first hand. And I think that’s a big
advantage you sometimes lose in a larger school.
PROFESSOR PHIL BROMILEY
Dean’s Professor in Strategic Management
PROFESSOR ROBIN KELLER
PROFESSOR RAJEEV TYAGI
Professor, Operations and Decision Technologies and Director,
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and
Doctoral Program Professor of Marketing
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Building Success Together
TRACY BREMMER
FEMBA 2005
Experian
Director, Product Marketing
Management
Costa Mesa
BA, UC Irvine
GEOFF BREMMER
FEMBA 2005
Hansen Beverage Company
Director of Marketing,
Monster Energy Brand
Corona
BS, Cal State Fullerton
Geoff and Tracy Bremmer were married for one year when they decided that getting
their MBA should be a family affair. They joined the same FEMBA section so they would
attend classes on the same night, and also travel on the international residential together.
But, they were still careful to establish their own relationships and have unique experiences.
“We found ourselves hosting many of our section’s social events since between the two
of us we knew most of our classmates pretty well. The best part was that despite the
long work days plus longer school nights, we actually got to spend more time together
while we were in school than in other times in our relationship.” Tracy says. “It was
wonderful to be able to eat our dinners together on campus, spend our exciting Friday
nights studying together and going through the same challenges along with balancing
work, school and personal life.”
Not only did pursuing an MBA together help their relationship, it also propelled both
of their marketing careers. Both Geoff and Tracy established friendships with
classmates, resulting in an expanded career network.
“While I was taking a marketing elective, I got to know one of my classmates pretty well.
I told him about how I really wanted to break into the beverage/consumer packaged
goods (CPG) industry in brand marketing. A few weeks later that classmate put me in
contact with a headhunter who was looking for someone with a background like mine.
As a result, I landed a Brand Manager job at Hansen's and have since been promoted to
a director position,” Geoff says.
The Student
Experience
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Be a Part of the Merage School Community
The strong cohort and intimate learning environment allows you to personally connect with your
peers and faculty. But that’s only the beginning of the Merage School community. Extensive
networking opportunities prepare students for the business world in areas such as consulting,
marketing, financial management, information technology, health care, international business,
entrepreneurship, strategy, biotechnology, operations management and real estate.
FEMBA Program Office
The FEMBA Program Office provides individual guidance, support, and coaching from the
application process through graduation. Our staff is on-site, dedicated, and available to you.
We manage all program details so that you can focus on the higher value components of your
educational experience. The FEMBA staff assists in:
> Providing ongoing support and academic guidance throughout the program
> Organizing and ordering all course materials, including books
> Registering and enrolling you in all of your courses
> Arranging all three residentials, including hotel reservations and most meals
> Coordinating meals during scheduled classes on campus
> Securing parking permits
> Organizing and conducting student orientation, arranging various workshops on
computing, networking, presentation skills workshops, and many other events
The FEMBA Program Office also organizes and hosts a variety of social and networking events
throughout the year.
“The FEMBA office staff made my student life more manageable.
They handled book delivery, parking, class registration, and were
always there to assist whenever life threw me a curveball. This
made it easier for me to focus on school, work and my personal
life. With their support and attention I always felt a part of the
Merage School FEMBA community.
”– AMANDA CORBETT BEAVER
FEMBA 2010
Clubs and Student Associations
Merage School students from all of our MBA programs participate in and help run a variety of
student clubs and organizations, as well as the Student Association. The clubs provide
students with many opportunities to network outside of the classroom by organizing on-site
company tours and visits, guest speaker networking events, and a multitude of other on and
off-campus activities.
The Merage Student Association organizes student-driven school-wide events, provides
valuable feedback, communicates directly with senior administration about the FEMBA
program, and helps to implement new policies and procedures that affect the entire program.
FEMBA students are encouraged to not only join student-run organizations and the Student
Association, but are also encouraged to run for officer positions.
The Clubs and the Student Association receive funding from the Merage School to help
organize activities and events for students.
The following is a sample of some of the Merage School
student-run clubs and organizations:
> Challenge For Charity
> China America Business Exchange
> Consulting Club
> Entertainment Media Club
> Entrepreneurship Association
> Financial Management Association
> Golf Club
> Health Care & BioPharma
Association
> Information Technology Association
> Japan Business Association
For more information, please visit merage.uci.edu/go/clubs.
> Marketing Association
> NetImpact
> Organizational Behavior/Human
Resources Management Association
> Operations Management Association
> Real Estate Management
Association
> Sports Business Club
> Toastmasters International
> Women in Business Association
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Your Lifetime Alumni Network
Through your Merage School student experience, you will expand your network to include
national and international business leaders, MBA alumni and the Merage School’s many
corporate partners.
Worldwide Connections
For Merage School students and alumni, graduating with a built-in network of global business
contacts is just as important as the degree itself. As a Merage School MBA, your extensive
alumni network is just an email or phone call away. This network stretches from southern
California to around the world.
From the moment you walk through the door, you become a lifetime member of the Merage
School network. You are instantly connected to a robust and powerful network of alumni,
including leading entrepreneurs in businesses of every size and every sector. The School
provides many opportunities to connect with the Merage School community.
In addition to alumni, the Merage School attracts leading companies from a wide range of
industries. Our Corporate Partners and our Dean’s Advisory Board consist of CEOs from the
region’s most influential and successful companies, a group of global thought leaders who are
closely engaged with the Merage School. Our students and alumni are provided with numerous
opportunities to interact with these individuals and others from their companies as part of our
outreach to the business community.
The Dean’s Leadership Circle is an influential network of leading alumni and business leaders
who are helping the School expand by funding fellowships, helping to recruit faculty, and
supporting key initiatives. Members benefit by learning first-hand about groundbreaking
business strategies and global innovation trends. They are able to provide input, expertise, and
business referrals, while participating in an exclusive calendar of events.
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Merage School alumni receive the following lifetime benefits and services:
> Invitations to attend a full calendar of programs and events through the interactive alumni
website, monthly newsletters, email announcements, and our annually published Merage
Magazine.
> Access to a database of alumni and industry experts, career management tools, regional
events, special interest groups, lifetime email forwarding, discounted annual conferences,
and continuing education courses to make sure your degree stays on the cutting edge.
> Job postings for Merage School alumni.
> Opportunities to stay involved with the Dean and the Merage School through the
Dean’s Leadership Circle.
> Discounts to signature programs such as the Distinguished Speaker Series and the
Strategic Issues in Management Series, among others.
> Lifetime opportunity to audit select MBA courses – tuition free!
The Admissions
Process
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Your Future Awaits
Every year, we have the privilege and responsibility of reviewing hundreds of applications for
admission. Because of our relatively small, team-based program, we consider candidates as
individuals and as contributors to the Merage School community – both inside and outside the
classroom. We welcome applicants from a wide variety of undergraduate disciplines, and every
student’s learning experience is enhanced by the diversity of educational backgrounds in the
classroom.
More specifically, we evaluate each candidate’s quantitative and qualitative abilities as we
seek individuals whose goals and aspirations are aligned with what the Merage School MBA
offers. We admit those professionals who exhibit the strongest potential to become successful
members of the Merage School network and outstanding global business leaders.
Quantitative Measures
UNDERGRADUATE GPA Applicants must hold the equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s and
provide official transcripts from an accredited college or university. All transcripts including
transfer units are also required.
GRADUATE MANAGEMENT ADMISSION TEST (GMAT) Required for all FEMBA
candidates (candidates who hold a PhD in a quantitative subject may be eligible to have this
requirement waived). To schedule the GMAT visit www.mba.com.
TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (TOEFL) May be required if the
language of instruction in the country of your undergraduate study is not in English. Please
consult with the program office for specific details.
RECENT CLASS PROFILE | Class of 2012
Class Size 121
Age Range 23-49
Women
Average years of
32%
Work Experience 5.6
Average GMAT 602
Average GPA 3.1
Students with Supervisory/
Management Experience 37%
Students with Advanced
Degrees (PhD, MA/MS, JD) 10%
Students Born Outside
of the US 40%
Qualitative Measures
WORK EXPERIENCE A minimum of two years of professional work experience is required.
The admissions committee weighs the quality of work experience more heavily than the
quantity. Direct management experience is preferred, but not required.
SELF-EVALUATION ESSAYS Two essays are required (a third is optional) that illustrate
your professional accomplishments, career goals, and values that you will bring to the Merage
School MBA Program.
INTERVIEW Every candidate is required to complete an interview with an admissions staff
member. The interview is a way for us to evaluate your interpersonal and communication skills,
as well as a way for you to ask questions and determine whether the Merage School is the
right MBA program for you.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Two letters of recommendation are required for every
candidate – at least one should be from a current or former supervisor. The recommendations
should provide clear evidence of your managerial experience or potential for managerial
advancement.
INDUSTRY DIVERSITY
Financial Services 18%
Healthcare/Medical Device/
Pharm 14%
Software/Technology 12%
Real Estate 9%
Consulting 7%
Manufacturing/Logistics 7%
Entertainment 5%
Aerospace/Defense 4%
Consumer Goods 4%
Other
(Legal, Automotive, Telecomunications,
20%
Transportation, Education, Environment, etc.)
4%
4%
5%
7%
20%
7%
9%
18%
12%
14%
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When to Apply
We strongly encourage that you apply to the FEMBA program early, as availability becomes
limited throughout the admissions process. All completed applications are independently
reviewed by an admissions representative and forwarded through the Admissions Committee
review process. All candidates will be contacted for a personal interview – a vital part of the
Merage School admissions process.
We highly recommend that you attend an information session to learn more about the FEMBA
program. Information sessions are a great way to familiarize yourself, on a personal level, with
the Merage School MBA program, the campus environment and our staff and faculty.
Detailed information regarding admission, information sessions, campus visits, and financial
aid are available online at merage.uci.edu/go/FEMBA.
Tuition
For your convenience, tuition at the Merage School is all-inclusive. The total cost of attending
the FEMBA program for all students (United States, California residents and non-U.S. citizens)
is listed on our website at merage.uci.edu/go/FEMBA. Tuition includes all of the following:
> Registration
> Required textbooks and course materials
> Required course software
> Parking
> Lodging during all three residentials
> Most meals during scheduled classes
Tuition is paid on a quarterly basis and includes everything except transportation costs to and
from the International Residential and visa/country entry fees (if required). A $1,000
nonrefundable deposit that confirms intent to register is due upon notification of acceptance to
the program. All students are required to have a laptop for the duration of the program.**
* Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice – see website for current rates.
** Standard laptop models are specified by the School. Admitted applicants will be notified of hardware and software
requirements. MBA students are provided a tuition waiver of $1,000 if they purchase a recommended laptop from the school.
Financial Aid
The Merage School has a dedicated financial aid office that makes funding your MBA a smooth
and seamless process. We are available to provide details, answer questions and process
paperwork quickly and accurately.
Private and student loans are available to help fund your education. Our financial aid office also
works with every student eligible to receive corporate reimbursement and will provide coaching,
assistance and guidance for all corporate reimbursement related issues.
Please visit our website for more detailed financial aid information regarding costs, types of
financial aid available, and deadlines at applicant.merage.uci.edu/financialaid.
Fellowships
The FEMBA program admissions office awards a limited number of merit-based financial
fellowships to qualified FEMBA students. There are no additional forms that need to be
completed for consideration for this fellowship. All applicants are considered when applying and
will be notified of receipt when they are admitted to the program.
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Quick Application Checklist
Attend an Information Session –
visit merage.uci.edu/go/FEMBA for an up-to-date schedule and to sign up
Complete an online application at merage.uci.edu/go/FEMBA including:
> $150 application fee
> résumé
> essays
> letters of recommendation
Send official transcripts from all institutions attended, including transfer credits
Request official GMAT score report
> FEMBA Institution Code: 0DP-7R-15
Request TOEFL score report (if applicable)
> TOEFL Code: 4895-02
Schedule admissions interview (required) by calling the FEMBA program office
> 949.824.4565
CONTACT INFORMATION
University of California, Irvine
The Paul Merage School of Business
Fully Employed MBA Program
SB 202
Irvine, CA 92697-3125
949.824.4565
merage.uci.edu/go/femba
Admissions
949.824.4565
Financial Aid
949.824.5728
UC Irvine Campus
949.824.5011
uci.edu
CREDITS
Project Director:
Barbra Marangell
Design and Art Direction:
Maureen Bresse
Project Coordinator:
Keith Yeung
Photographers:
Ben Bernous, Leb Orloff, Carlos Puma, Jorge Salas,
Robert Santagati, Steve Shea, and Martin Garnham
(London, England)
NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT The University of
California, in accordance with applicable federal and
state law, University policy, and values, prohibits
discrimination on the bases of race, color, national
origin, religion, sex, disability, age, medical condition
(cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry,
marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status
as a Vietnam-era veteran, special disable veteran,
recently separated veteran, or any other veteran who
served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or
expedition for which a campaign badge has been
authorized. The University also prohibits sexual
harassment. This nondiscrimination policy covers
admission, access, and treatment in University
programs and activities.
Inquiries regarding the University’s nondiscrimination
policies may be directed to: Kirsten Quanbeck,
Director, Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity,
4500 Berkeley Place, University of California, Irvine, CA
92697-1130; Tel: 949.824.5594.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) STATEMENT
This information in this publication will be made
available in alternative formats for people with
disabilities, upon request. Requests should be directed
to the Disability Services Center, Tel: 949.824.7494
(voice) and TDD: 949.824.6272
CAMPUS SAFETY Pursuant to the Federal Jeanne Clery
Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus
Crime Statistics Act of 1999, UC Irvine’s annual security
report is available from the UC Irvine Police
Department, Tel: 949.824.5223; police.uci.edu.
Apply online
merage.uci.edu/go/FEMBA