International MBA at the Graziadio School of Business: Interview

TopMBA.com talks to Sheryl Schmitt about her decision to do an International MBA at the Graziadio School of Business, and how it has affected her career. 

Why did you choose the Graziadio School?

I chose the Graziadio School of Business & Management because of its International MBA degree. The curriculum required students to study in another language and in another country thus giving hands-on and practical experience.

When I was deciding where to get my MBA, there were only a handful of schools offering an International MBA degree. There were even fewer requiring students to go overseas as well as offering the possibility to get a double diploma. The Graziadio School of Business & Management was one of these few schools. 

What were you doing before your MBA?

When I was applying for graduate school, the Graziadio School did not have a minimum one year work experience requirement at that time.  I had just completed my BAs in Mathematics and in Business Administration at Bartlesville Wesleyan College.      

Did you apply for any scholarship/graduate assistantship? Were you successful? 

Yes, I applied for scholarships, grants and a graduate assistantship. I received a graduate assistantship for the year that I was on the campus.      

A typical week at the Graziadio School?

A typical week for me at the Graziadio School included French classes every morning followed by a morning and/or afternoon business class. Evenings were spent either preparing for classes by reading and doing homework or working on team projects.

Whenever possible, I tried to enjoy the surroundings. I would either go to the on campus swimming pool, to the beach, to a performing arts activity on the undergraduate campus, or simply find a moment to relax.      

What are some of the projects you completed at the Graziadio School?

To better answer this question, I would prefer to adapt the question. Restated: What are some of the projects you completed thanks to your MBA from the Graziadio School?

Thanks to my education at the Graziadio School and her sister school, ESC Rouen, I completed several projects that impacted my future career. For example, I developed and applied hiring procedures for a language school; I developed and enhanced accounting procedures as well as financial analysis tools; and I adapted current financial reporting data to expressed needs by decision makers.

Is there anything that you consider to be a "beyond expectation" experience, while you were at the Graziadio School?

I believe that my French language professor was one of the most exceptional things at the Graziadio School. He spent at least an hour a day with me helping me with my language skills. Without his help I would never have been prepared for what awaited me in France. Thanks to the time he spent with me, I had a strong enough language and culture base to communicate and understand what was going on in the classroom and why.      

How has your Pepperdine MBA helped your career?

My MBA has helped me in my career by simply requiring me to come to France. After I completed my MBA and double degree, I was able to find a job in France and to stay and work in this country. Without the international requirements, I would never have found myself in a foreign country and capable of speaking the language well enough to work in that country.      

For alumni and recent graduates - current company and title. 

I am the Reporting Manager for Redcats, a subsidiary of Pinault, Printemps, Redoute, in Paris, France.