My decision to apply to business school was a long time coming. I had been working in entertainment for almost six years\u2014first as an assistant at a talent agency, then at television networks, and eventually as a development executive for comedy and drama series at MTV. Meanwhile, I was tracking the growing power of major tech companies such as Netflix, Apple, and Amazon, which dove headfirst into the original content game. I was a bit envious of their ability to use data to drive greenlight decisions, customize their recommendations to users, and broaden their reach via digital platforms.<\/p>\n
Eventually, I realized my best bet for learning to develop content (and later, products) for users to enjoy at a massive scale was attending business school to learn the basics of data-driven decision making and big tech\u2019s product development strategies. That realization sent me on a journey that ultimately resulted in acceptance to my dream program, Columbia Business School, where I participated in the Media and Technology program\u2019s many offerings to advance my career. However, it wasn\u2019t the smoothest journey: I almost chickened out on taking the GMAT every time I cracked open one of the daunting prep books; I struggled with time management when studying for the GMAT and preparing my applications; and it took many essay drafts to really zero in on what my post-graduate goals were and why an MBA from Columbia would help me achieve them.<\/p>\n
In this post, I share some tips for anyone else from the media and entertainment industry who is considering applying to business school or is currently navigating the application process\u2014in hopes that you can learn from my (bumpy but rewarding!) path.<\/p>\n
As a film studies major who read hundreds of scripts a year but hadn\u2019t created a product roadmap (let alone taken a math class since high school!), I recognized that developing more quantitative, strategic, and operational skills would help set me on the path to my desired career change.<\/p>\n
Whether you are looking to move into a more analytical, strategic, or financial role in entertainment, or to move to a different industry entirely, an MBA can be extremely helpful in preparing you for the transition. When embarking on your application journey, consider the advantages offered by each business school\u2019s curriculum, exploratory office visits, guest speakers, summer or in-semester internships, and alumni network in the context of navigating career changes. Having a good sense of your mid- and long-term career goals can help you decide whether an MBA is right for you and identify which schools offer relevant programs.<\/p>\n
Depending on whether you want to stay in the media and entertainment industry, there are some programs that may be more beneficial for you. Columbia was my top pick given its Media and Technology program and excellent alumni network in the space. I also considered NYU Stern. UCLA Anderson and USC Marshall are also terrific options for those already based in the area or those who are looking to participate in local in-semester entertainment internships.<\/p>\n
Regardless of your post-MBA goals, you should conduct in-depth research on each school that will enable you to make an informed decision and demonstrate thorough knowledge of the program on your application. Talk to current students and seek out those in the Entertainment Club or those who have internships of interest to you. Look for alumni on LinkedIn who work at your target companies, and attend media conferences or any relevant industry-specific information sessions offered by those companies, if available.<\/p>\n
Ideally, one of your recommenders would be your current direct manager, but this isn\u2019t always feasible. The entertainment industry is very quick to fill empty (or soon-to-be-empty) positions, so you may not feel comfortable notifying your manager of your intention to leave the role\u2014particularly if your post-MBA goals do not involve returning. Alternate recommenders could include prior managers, more senior colleagues, or cross-functional collaborators from other companies who know you well from continuous partnerships (agents, managers, producers, studio\/network executives, etc.).<\/p>\n
Pursuing an MBA isn\u2019t very common in the entertainment industry, so be sure to give your recommenders context about why you\u2019d like to pursue an MBA and what is important for them to highlight about your candidacy. You can share your essays, career goals, and specifics from your work so your recommenders understand why and how to advocate for you. (Shout out to two of my former managers from MTV for being so supportive and providing my recommendations!)<\/p>\n
If you haven\u2019t used math in your professional life, except when tallying the tip at a networking lunch (no judgment\u2014I was in the same boat!), you may benefit from taking a quantitative course to brush up on the basics that would be expected in a core curriculum class (on such topics as corporate finance and accounting) or to address any gaps on the Quant side of your GMAT or GRE score. Many universities offer online or in-person weekend\/night courses that you could complete while working through your application process. There are also benefits to leveraging YouTube or other learning platforms (e.g., LinkedIn Learning, Udemy) to develop your Excel skills, which will come in handy not only during your course work, but also when planning your cohort-wide Spring Break trip!<\/p>\n
MBA programs are looking for a diverse mix of students from different industry backgrounds\u2014play up the unique perspective you\u2019ve gained through working in a nontraditional industry. You\u2019re bringing creativity and collaboration\/networking skills that will certainly be applicable to course work, recruiting, and campus extracurriculars. (I showcased my IMDb-like memory for talent in several marketing classes, and my film-editing abilities certainly came in handy during CBS Follies video production!) Your industry-related skills and experience can also foster lively application essays or provide anecdotes for interviews. So, be yourself!<\/p>\n