Real Humans of the University of Washington Foster School of Business
Few business schools present the wealth of degree options to prospective students than the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. With six MBA options, plus several exceptional specialized master’s programs, Foster’s expansive education can be described as nothing short of flexible. And yet, the school’s most flexible MBA offering overall—the Hybrid MBA—still manages to stand out.
Continue reading…5 Questions with UW’s Hybrid MBA Program Director
In our latest installment of the MetroMBA “5 Questions” series, we speak with Jodey Farwell, the new Director of the University Washington Foster School of Business Hybrid MBA Program. Farwell talks about the school’s rapidly growing program, what you can expect when enrolling, and Seattle’s staple brunch spot.
1.) Why Do You Believe the UW Foster Hybrid MBA is Expanding While Other MBA Programs Around the U.S. are Shrinking?
“The UW Foster Hybrid MBA program is a niche model—it’s not online and it’s not in person. It is something different, something better. Fostering a belief that we are ‘Better Together, Better Tomorrow.’
The Hybrid MBA was designed with today’s current student in mind. Want to feel connected to your classmates, professors, and university? We have quarterly immersions. Want to be challenged by world-class faculty without having to physically sit in class each week? We have dynamic synchronous ‘live’ sessions each week. Our classes are delivered with intentionality. Our curriculum design team works with faculty to break down their content in order to deliver different concepts in compelling ways from high quality, professional videos to live sessions to activities in the online course environment. Our cohort team-based program creates a tight-knit network of students located all over the US.
Our Seattle location is also attractive. Seattle has established itself as an iconic, global leader in business and innovation. For students wanting to get their foot in the door with Seattle-based companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, Expedia, and Starbucks, Foster can provide access through its expansive alumni network and rich Seattle business connections.”
2.) What is the Ideal Type of Candidate for the UW Foster Hybrid MBA Program?
“Our program is built for busy mid-career professionals. They are self-motivated, driven, and collaborative individuals looking to make an impact in their industry.”
3.) What are the Advantages of the Hybrid MBA Over Other Traditional Online MBA Programs?
“The Hybrid MBA allows you to remote into class from wherever you are the world. If you travel for work, for pleasure, or are in the midst of a move—no problem; you can continue pursuing your MBA with our program.
We are in a highly remote/telecommuting culture. If your job is remote in nature, you can be ‘live’ anywhere; the Hybrid MBA creates this same environment with its virtual classroom. This allows for some flexibility while deepening how the students value their in-person immersion sessions each quarter. When they arrive, they are ‘all in.’ This is their time to spend together and to network, with professors, and staff, and our career experts.”
4.) How Does UW Foster Help Establish Students’ Careers with a Program that is Majority Online?
“As part of the UW Hybrid MBA, we have two career experts on staff. They offer one on one coaching, remote and in-person programming, and applicable workshops. They often bridge the gap between classroom learning and applying those concepts in your day to day- from salary negotiations, interviewing, or networking facilitation. It is our required in-person quarterly sessions, ‘Immersions’ that make these in-person components possible.
The Career Management team also offers optional treks where students can travel to key metropolitan areas to visit companies. Students visit high growth U.S. companies to experience their culture, learn about their operations and hear about potential opportunities.”
5.) For Those Visiting The School, What’s One Lunch Spot They Should Visit?
“Portage Bay is a Seattle brunch staple and there is one located on Roosevelt near UW. They serve organic dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. Portage Bay is often giving back to the community and the local farmers. Their slogan is well known and displayed proudly on all of their mugs, ‘Eat Like You Give a Damn™.’ It’s also fun to support local entrepreneurs!”
Pick Your City: Should You Get an MBA in Seattle or Vancouver?
The U.S. vs. Canada? No, we’re not talking about hockey (this time)—we’re discussing MBA programs. Where should you earn your MBA if you have to choose between Seattle and Vancouver? What are the benefits of each city, how much will each location cost, what can you expect in terms of job opportunities, and what MBA programs are available in each city?
While at a glance, Seattle and Vancouver seem very comparable—offering similar big-city experiences for residents—when you dig a little deeper, the differences are striking.
In our “Pick Your City” series, we break down two similar locations to help you choose your best MBA program. Continue reading…
School v. School: Berkeley Haas or UW Foster?
With all the options for incredible business schools throughout the country, it can be a tall order to narrow down programs and choose the right degree for you. In our School v. School series, you can compare and contrast some of the best programs around the United States, helping to cut through the noise and find the best MBA for you on the West Coast.
Top MBA Recruiters: Starbucks
American coffee behemoth and casual status symbol Starbucks has become one of the most well-known companies in the world with over 27,000 stores and a massive headquarters located in Seattle, Washington. The company is known its quality service, customizable drinks, and pre-packaged items. As it continues to grow, so does the appeal for a Starbucks corporate career.
The company got its start in 1971 when the first store was opened in the Pacific Northwest. However, it wouldn’t be until 1987, when Howard Schultz took over and re-branded the company that they would open their first location outside of Seattle. By 1989, it had 46 stores and were roasting over two million pounds of coffee.
In 1992, Starbucks released its initial public offering (IPO) with a revenue of $73.5 million and a market value of $271 million. By the end of the year, the share price had risen over 100 times the earnings per share of the previous year. Now, the company earns more than $22.3 billion per year and employs over 238,000 people worldwide.
You can’t talk about Starbucks without talking about the location of its headquarters in Seattle. Located in the city’s SoDo neighborhood, Starbucks can be found in the largest multi-tenant building in the city with over 2,200,000 square feet of space. But while the building is impressive, it’s the city that really stands out.
Washington was ranked as “America’s Top State for Business in 2017,” by CNBC, and Seattle is the city to be in. According to Outside Magazine, Seattle is one “America’s Best Towns Ever,” and a PWC survey considers it one of the nation’s most innovative cities. There’s much to love about Seattle from its opportunities for adventure, laid-back culture, and strong economy, which grew 3.7 percent last year—almost 2.5 times the national average.
MBA Recruiting at Starbucks
Starbucks is a major MBA recruiter. It looks for MBA students who understand who Starbucks is as a company. As well, it recommends reading former CEO Howard Schultz’s book, Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul and following the company on social media including LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. The company wants to know why you want to be a part of it and how you fit in with the Starbucks Mission Statement.
Other required qualities include:
- Strong analytical and technical skills
- Ability to analyze business trends
- A strong team player who can collaborate cross-functionally
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Great communication skills orally and in writing
- Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities
- Ability to balance priorities and meet deadlines
You may also be required to have a deep understanding of financial planning, forecasting, and inventory management. You should also have a strong understanding of marketing fundamentals and be able to understand sales, return on investments, and profit and loss.
As for where Starbucks recruits, many MBA programs feed into the company including:
- The University of Washington Foster School of Business
- Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business
- The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
- Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business
- The University of Michigan Ross School of Business
Salary & Benefits of Starbucks Employment
According to PayScale, MBAs hired at Starbucks are paid well:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA), Business Administration – $128,500
- Master of Business Administration (MBA), Accounting – $65,111
- Master of Business Administration (MBA), Marketing – $109,823
- Master of Business Administration (MBA), General Business – $89,000
- Master of Business Administration (MBA), Global Management – $77,419
As for benefits, Starbucks offers a tailored benefits package that’s called “Your Special Blend,” which includes Medical, Dental and Vision coverage as well as life insurance, disability, adoption assistance, paid vacation, a 401(k) Savings Plan, stock investment, one free pound of coffee per week, and more. There are also perks that include in-store merchandise discounts, matching gifts programs, etc.
Interning at Starbucks
Every year, Starbucks offers an exclusive ten-week internship program in Seattle that is designed to provide a robust and meaningful experience. MBA students who are chosen to participate can expect to participate in high-impact, business relevant projects that have well-defined goals and expectations. Interns also have access to mentorship and leadership opportunities. Graduate internship applications open from January to February each year for the summer program.
According to Peter Kazarian, a ’16 UW Foster MBA graduate who interned at Starbucks, the intern program is very deliberate and well laid out.
“With part MBAs and the rest technical and undergrad interns, there was a formal on-boarding program, weekly meetings with SVP/C-suite leadership, and great experiences like a Sounders game or fancy catered dinners at museums,” Kazarian explained in a blog. “My department was under the Channel Development arm of Starbucks, which included consumer packaged goods and anything else not in a Starbucks retail store, like grocery bottled fB2brappuccinos, licensed stores, and in my case, bulk B2B customers like airlines, hotel chains, restaurants, and campus cafes. As part of the Digital and Loyalty team, my main project involved e-commerce enhancements to our B2B team’s website, and forecasting new sales revenue and cost savings from these changes.”
As for what Kazarian enjoyed most about his experience, he enjoyed the free pound of coffee each week. He also loved getting to know his fellow MBAs who are now good friends of his. “I had a great experience … and I’ll be returning to Starbucks … as a Product Manager,” he said.
Full-Time MBA Battle: San Francisco vs. Seattle
Whether it’s 49ers vs the Seahawks or Apple vs Microsoft, it may seem like there are a lot of differences between San Francisco and Seattle. Putting these minor dissimilarities aside, however, and you’ll find common ground between two of the northwest’s biggest cities: Both metros are known as top locations for prospective MBAs looking to earn an advanced business degree full-time. Continue reading…
