Student Ambassador Spotlight: Dominic Blank, MBA Candidate 2012

Dominic Blank
MBA Candidate 2012
Full-time student

• Concentrations: Entrepreneurship / Strategy (self-directed)
• Industry/ Field of work: SME consulting
• Undergraduate degree in: Business Administration
• Undergraduate School: Berlin School of Economics and Law Career
• Career Goal: Entrepreneur / Leadership position in globally oriented SME
• Organizations involved with:MBAA (VP Marketing)
• Linkedin Profile

What prompted you to return to school to achieve your MBA?
Seeking higher education, challenge, going abroad, higher career goals, industry shift

What was the most important factor for you in choosing an MBA program (or factors you considered)?
Seeking mutual learning experiences with diverse student body, inspiration, entrepreneurial experience

Why did you choose UIC Liautaud for your MBA?
For entrepreneurship program, Chicago

We all know that people pursue the MBA to increase their business knowledge, but since you have started the program, what has been the most unexpected gain the MBA has given you?
Exposure to different business backgrounds and people, exposure to entrepreneurship and inspiration through UIC provided resources

The UIC Liautaud MBA professors are continuously involved in researching new business trends and innovations. How have you felt the professors have been able to integrate their theoretical knowledge into practical applications? Do you have any examples?
Teaching THEIR views on different business issues and not simply book knowledge from others

Which class/professor has been your favorite thus far and why?
Tech Ventures Program, Interdisciplinary Product Development, Entrepreneurial Consulting. What all of those classes have in common is that they are very much hands-on. In both, entrepreneurial consulting and IPD we have worked with and for a client with relatively broad problem statements. In both instances it was our task to figure out what the actual problem is, what the possible solutions could be and which of those solutions could potentially have the biggest impact (= recommendation). IPD is very compelling due to it’s interdisciplinary nature. Furthermore, it teaches you a great deal about how product development is actually practiced in the real world – it’s fuzzy, not efficient and little hints might potentially offer huge insights. The scope and workload of Tech Ventures is well beyond that of any other class. Personally, it’s all encompassing nature and entrepreneurial challenge are what makes this class so much fun and learning intensive. To me, this program is a “must-do” for all those seriously interested in entrepreneurship (unless you are already running your own venture). On top of that, it is probably the class that distinguishes UIC from most other business schools and could thus be a positive game-changer for your resume and future career.

What is your favorite aspect of the UIC campus and why?
In Germany, we don’t really have a campus culture. There, University buildings can sometimes be scattered throughout the whole city (commuting between classes). Consequently, what I really like about the UIC campus is that almost everything is in one place and very centralized. Besides that, the new Douglas Hall building as well as the Innovation Center offer a study and learning environment that poses the right kind of environment for creativity, entrepreneurial and innovation oriented classes.

How would you define the Liautaud student?
The vast majority of Liautaud students I have gotten to know is hard working, well-grounded and self-made. I highly respect those people who have a family at home, a full-time job (or part time job) and take classes on the side. To me, this shows commitment, determination and outstanding work-ethic.

What advice would you provide to incoming UIC Liautaud MBA students?
Take advantage of all the resources provided to you! Reach out to as many students/ faculty members as you can and experiment.

To meet with a Student Ambassador or schedule a class visit, click here to send your request to our Admissions team.