MBA Blog
Portland State to Expand and Renovate the School of Business
There are many reasons to choose the Portland State MBA program, including the convenient, urban location, world-class faculty, and the focus on sustainability. In 2016, there will be one more reason to attend Portland State: an impressive new building!
The new building will make the most of the School’s central location and expand the current building by 42,000 square feet.
The addition and the relocation of the Graduate School of Education, which currently shares space in the School of Business, will give the school 250% more square footage.
Blog Contributor Opening Available
The past year working in the Graduate Programs Office as a Marketing and Social Media Coordinator has been an incredibly valuable experience for me.
In addition to honing my marketing communications and research skills, I have also had the opportunity to work with many wonderful people!
Alumni Profile: Amy Wester (MBA '11)
Before starting the full-time MBA program at Portland State, Amy Wester (MBA ’11) worked for several years as a store manager for Pier 1 Imports, and as a project manager for an interior design firm.
With her varied management and retail experience, she knew that joining a large corporate retailer would be a great next step in her career. Deciding to get her MBA gave her the skills and knowledge to take that next step.
I recently caught up with Amy to find out more about her experience in the MBA program, her job at Nike, and how she is spending her free time after graduation…
MBA Capstone Consulting Project: BETTERY
BETTERY Team (left to right: Ian Skelly, Jude Lieberman and Michelle Pages. Not pictured: Tim Navarette)
Approximately 2.5 billion disposable alkaline batteries end up in U.S. landfills every year, even though many Americans know about the negative environment impacts and feel guilty about throwing away these household items.
But BETTERY CEO Charlie Kawasaki has devised a solution: rechargeable battery exchange kiosks!
When he decided to introduce a station at Portland State, he enlisted the help of MBA Capstone students Jude Lieberman, Tim Navarrette, Michelle Pages, and Ian Skelly.
The students were tasked with market research and communications. As part of the project, the team collaborated with Nick Barham from Wieden and Kennedy Tomorrow, who participated in this year's Sustainability Conference and managed the BETTERY branding efforts.
Lecture Series: Energy Efficiency Month
This month, the Portland State Net Impact chapter celebrates Energy Efficiency Month with a special lecture series that explores the state of energy efficiency and implementation strategies.
Amber BuhlThe series kicked off last week with a policy focus featuring Andria Jacobs from the Portland Bureau of Sustainability. Tomorrow (May 16), Net Impact welcomes Amber Buhl to explore the quantification of energy efficiency.
Amber is an Energy Engineer with PECI, working with energy information systems, data analysis, excel energy savings tool development, and retro-commissioning programs. PECI designs and manages energy efficiency programs for utility providers, government organizations and other clients. Their programs aim to promote the understanding and adoption of energy-efficient technology, and demonstrate the value of efficient homes, retail spaces, offices and warehouses.
Mark Your Calendar: Online MBA Info Session
Do you want to advance your career, but find full-time or conventional on-campus MBA programs unrealistic given your job, travel requirements, family or other commitments?
Do you want to continue to build upon your career while earning an MBA, without leaving your job?
Do you need the flexibility and convenience of studying course materials at your own pace, in an environment that also promotes real-time collaboration and connection with your peers, faculty and industry professionals?
If you've answered yes to any of these questions, consider Portland State's Online MBA program. It offers the same award-winning curriculum as the on-campus programs, and can be completed in as little as 2.5 years.
Our next Online MBA info session is scheduled for next Monday, May 20: 12 noon - 1pm Pacific time.
Business Briefing: How to Pick Winning Startups
How do you "pick a winner" among promising startups?
Charla Mathwick
This provocative question will be explored at next week's Business Briefing event: "Picking the Winners: Contrasting the Funding Approach Used for Angel, Venture Capital, and Disruptive Innovation Financing. The panel will be moderated by Charla Mathwick, Associate Professor of marketing and advertising at PSU School of Business.
As part of the discussion, the panelists will share their personal experiences with angel and venture capital firms. The session will showcase the process used by local angel and private equity organizations in contrast with a data-driven approach used to predict emerging business disruptors.
Student Profile: Joe Marquez (Online MBA '14)
Online MBA student Joe Marquez (MBA ’14) decided to pursue his MBA to advance his career, and says he values the opportunities the program has provided him to connect with the Portland business community.
Joe has spent much of his professional career working in IT and is an expert in online user experience. He currently works for Reed College in Portland as Web Services Librarian. When it came time to choose an online MBA program, Joe says he understood the importance of the online student experience as well as Portland State's award-winning reputation.
Video: Interview with Yulia Smirnova (MBA '07)
Last September I met with MBA alum, Yulia Smirnova (’07) to talk about how the MBA at Portland State helped her jump start her career in e-commerce and marketing.
For Yulia, the MBA gave her the confidence that she could do anything and helped her move into positions and roles that would have otherwise taken years to achieve.
This year, she made another jump in her career and launched an e-commerce consulting firm, CommerceBrain.
With CommerceBrain, she brings her extensive experience in marketing and user experience to companies to enhance the shopping experience on a global level (click here for a video about CommerceBrain).
MBA Alumni: Sukhwant Jhaj (MBA '05)
Sukhwant Jhaj (MBA '05) began his career as an architect and professor. At the time, he says, getting an MBA was an unconvential choice.
"It was very unusual for a faculty member to get an MBA," he says of his choice to enter the Portland State MBA program.
As Vice Provost of Academic Innovation and Student Success at Portland State, Sukhwant now blends the design thinking skills he honed as an architect with business knowledge he gained in the MBA program.
LinkedIn Highlights PSU as School of Choice for "Do-Gooders"
LinkedIn recently recognized Portland State University in a blog post about the million-plus LinkedIn members who have included the "Volunteer & Causes" section in their professional profile. LinkedIn pointed to PSU as among the top institutions for these LinkedIn "do-gooders" ("Top Colleges and Universities They Attend").
Volunteerism and fostering strong communities is definitely a focus among many of our MBA students. While in the program, they have numerous opportunities to get involved in events, organizations and resources focused on social innovation, social entrepreneurship and building community.
Career Changers: Kylene Fickenscher (MBA '10)
MBA alum, Kylene Fickenscher (’10), who now works as a Sustainability Analyst for Ecova, began her professional career as a sales rep for companies selling to Target.
While Kylene's experience as a sales rep gave her a strong foundation in business fundamentals, she ultimately wanted to find a career that fueled her passion for food systems and sustainability.
To make this shift, she decided to pursue her MBA, knowing that the experience would give her a head start as she transitioned into a new industry.
Mark Your Calendar: Graduate Business Info Sessions
Are you still trying to decide if a graduate business degree is right for you?
Have you been wondering which program will best help you meet your professional goals?
Are you wondering how leadership, innovation and sustainability play a role in the MBA curriculum and experience?
If so, find out more about the graduate business programs at Portland State by attending one of our upcoming info sessions. These sessions will give you a first-hand look at the ins and outs of the program.
Careers in International Supply Chain
One of the most popular Career Management events here at Portland State is the International Supply Chain Careers panel discussion. Careers panels, organized by our Career Management Resources team, are designed to give students insight into possible career paths.
Career panels give students the opportunity to meet professionals in the supply chain industry at numerous locally-based, global companies, including Mercy Corps, Nike, Blount, DHL, and Daimler.
Online MBA: Online Info Session This Thursday
Recently, we interviewed Director of Online Business Education, Samad Hinton, about online MBA programs and how prospective students can determine an online MBA program that will best serve their needs, goals and lifestyle.
This Thursday, you're invited to learn more about the online MBA at Portland State, and how it goes beyond business fundamentals and emphasizes skills that create leaders and innovators that will change and sustain our world.
NASA Astronaut to Speak on PSU Campus
Portland State is excited to welcome NASA astronaut Ron Garan to campus on Monday as he presents, "The Orbital Perspective on Global Challenges."
Ron is a highly decorated fighter pilot and test pilot, explorer, entrepreneur and humanitarian who believes that appropriately designed and targeted social enterprise and philanthropy can solve many of the problems facing our world.
Events: Business Briefing Breakfast Series
The Business Briefing Breakfast series continues next Tuesday, April 23 with the return of John Mitchell. In this popular annual event, John Mitchell delivers his Regional Economic Update.
John is a leading economist, and lectures widely on the economic future of the region.
He served as the Chairman and as a member of the Oregon Council of Economic Advisors from 1984-1998.
Career Management Resources
Many current and former students that I meet with mention the Career Management Resources as one of the most valuable aspects of the Portland State MBA program. The Career Management team offers a variety of executive roundtables, career panels and seminars to ultimately help students find a fulfilling career.
With graduation on the horizon, I have been a regular user of many career services offered through Graduate Business Programs. Here are some of the resources I have taken advantage of recently...
NEW! Craft Brewing Certificate
There are many things that make living and studying in Portland special and exciting: the great restaurants, the lush green landscape, and, of course, the preponderance of craft breweries.
Portland was recently ranked by Zagat as one of the top "Beer Cities" worldwide. In fact, Portland has the highest concentration of breweries of any U.S. city. There are also many beer themed events year-round, such as the annual Bridges to Brews run, brew pub tours and the Oregon Brewers Festival.
And now Portland State offers a Business of Craft Brewing Certificate!
How to Choose an Online MBA Program
Last fall, Samad Hinton joined the School of Business Administration team as Director of Online Business Education.
Samad oversees the development and promotion of our online business programs, including the Online MBA, emerging Master in Global Supply and Logistics Management, and the School's undergraduate degrees in Management and Leadership, as well as Supply and Logistics Management.
We recently had a chance to chat with Samad about online MBAs — and what people can consider when looking for a program that fits their goals and lifestyle.