mba admissions essay for lbs

To be surrounded by a growing network of highly motivated, curious, and ambitious peers in the LBS MBA program is the goal foremost on my list. Subsequent to receiving my degree, I most want to work with an investment firm with a fresh organizational culture. As challenging as it may be to find a firm supportive of young entrepreneurs, I am dedicated to helping a company that is interested in taking calculated risks to incur higher returns, while still maintaining diverse portfolios. Working in post-Brexit London will prove especially stimulating, as I am curious how the market is recovering and what theories and paradigms are shaping investment decisions now. My long-term goals are to create a venture capital fund, which is why I intend to engage directly with the LBS Capitalist and Private Equity Club. The club’s speaker series provides ample networking opportunities throughout the year, and also the chance to learn an insider’s perspective about each firm’s philosophies, activities, and organizational culture. Having access to firms that span London’s financial sector, including private equity and venture capitalists, institutional investors, and also legal and tax advisors will help me clarify my optimal future role in finance.

My past experiences have played a huge role in the development of my personal identity as a fund manager, particularly as I took it upon myself to serve as my parents’ financial advisor during the financial crisis. As the market tanked and their friends shied away from investing, I urged them to buy in, which paid off for them in a relatively short period of time as the market recovered. I believe in taking smart risks and have dedicated my academic career to finance. Directly after I completed university, I worked in a newly established restructuring and remedial department in large corporation. The work I did helped me understand how some companies build resilience through effective risk management, equipping them to overcome financial hurdles better than their competitors. I then received an internal offer to join the treasury department as a ForEx dealer, an incredible experience that strengthened my knowledge of macroeconomic forces. Finally, I applied what I learned to a family-run business.

The LBS MBA is a natural next step for me. I choose London because as I mentioned earlier, I am interested in the complexities of the post-Brexit realities and how companies are mitigating risk within this challenging new regulatory environment. The hands-on lessons will be invaluable, both in the academic and professional environment, where theory meets the real world. While in London, I also want access to exciting entrepreneurship opportunities, which I have no doubt I can find within my new social network at LBS. I want to contribute to London’s business community with my enthusiasm and penchant for creative thinking in investment decisions. I also appreciate the LBS program’s active focus on pragmatic learning. As well as providing the wisdom of academic learning linked to entrepreneurial activity, LBS also provides inroads for mentoring at local companies, where I can acquire global business experience and core competencies in portfolio management. I have my eyes set on attending the Private Equity and Venture Capital Conference, and of course taking advantage of the recruitment activities and events that can catalyze my career. While in the MBA program, the electives I will take include Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets, and Pathways to Startup Success. Ultimately, I will focus my MBA research on private equity and venture capital. Thank you for your consideration.