Sunday, July 5, 2020

MBA Student Interview with Etgar Bonar

Here’s a talk with Etgar Bonar, MBA candidate at London Business School who is interested in using his passion for science and his skill as a manager to work in the health care/medical devices industry. Thank you Etgar for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us! This interview is the latest in an Accepted.com blog series featuring interviews with current MBA students, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at top MBA programs. We hope to offer you a candid picture of student life, and what you should consider as you prepare your MBA application. Accepted: First, can you tell us a little about yourself? Where are you from? What and where did you study as an undergraduate?   Etgar: I was born in Tel-Aviv, Israel and ever since I can remember I was passionate about science, dreaming to be a scientist one day. I cannot share much about my time in the army, but I can say that after finishing three years of service I got to the conclusion that even though I love science, I would be able to have a much greater impact if I would concentrate my efforts and abilities where science meets business – as a decision maker rather than as a researcher. In  order to reach me new defined goal I studied a double major degree in life sciences and management in Tel-Aviv University (Recanati School of Business). During my studies I  worked  as a  research associate in the university’s biotech and microbiological laboratory and also developed a computerised Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) that calculates cost-effectiveness of pharmaceutical treatments. After my undergrad I  chose  to work for Johnson Johnson Medical Devices and Diagnostics (the biggest medical device company in the world) as I wanted a role that would allow me to be business oriented but still  further  my scientific medical knowledge, and would later help me be admitted to a top business school. Accepted: Why did you choose London Business School for your MBA studies? Etgar: I choose London Business School for my MBA because it is the most international top business school in the world. I believe that as the world becomes more global, a truly international business education and network is very important – the world is becoming less American-centric and I believe a strong American network and education is not as good for business going forward as a global network and education. Accepted:  Which other schools did you consider? Etgar: I haven’t applied to any other business school. I really wanted London Business School and because I applied at the third round I wanted to focus my efforts on getting into the school of my choice rather than spreading risk. Accepted: If you could change one thing about London Business School, what would it be? Etgar: The rent! Renting a place in central London is very very very  costly.  London is a great city to live and study in; there are tons of opportunities around and almost everyone important passes  through  London a couple of times a year, so great conventions and networking events are abundant. Some say that â€Å"NYC is the capital of the USA and London is the capital of the rest of the world†¦Ã¢â‚¬  – but it is very expensive! Accepted: What is your experience like studying abroad as an international student? Etgar: I love it! You learn so much about the world each day, working in close collaboration with people from all over the globe at the most international city  is invaluable. From the moment you start your studies the school tries to expose you to as much international stimuli as possible. For example, my first year study group, which is determined by the school and is a microcosm of the school community, consisted of: an American, Brazilian-Australian, British, Indian, Kazakhstani, Portuguese, and me, an Israeli. As each of us came from a different culture, work culture, sector and function, it was truly a challenge in the beginning to make decisions during simulations and assignments, especially when everything was highly time constrained. BUT, you learn quickly how to bridge gaps and to play to the strength of each other and to capitalize on these differences. I believe that in the future most global companies’ C-suite and boards are going to look like these study groups and I know I will be ready to excel in such a diverse setting. Accepted:  Do you plan on staying in London once you receive your MBA or returning to Israel? Etgar: I am planning on sticking around in the near future and further develop my global exposure. Eventually I want to go back to Israel and try to help local companies work abroad or help global companies capitalize on Israel’s human capital and innovation. Accepted: As a second year MBA student, can you offer some advice to students who will be starting b-school in September? Etgar: A.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In class: First and foremost focus on learning the tools and definitions; getting the business acumen and learning the stories and anecdotes is only secondary. B.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Working in groups: Be conscious that your goals  there  are to develop your people skills, cultural sensitivity and implement the tools learned in class. C.     Ã‚  Try to experiment and challenge your way of thinking and doing things during  this  2 year break for perspective and personal growth. Accepted: How has your experience in the Israeli Defense Force influenced your decision to pursue an MBA?  Have any of the skills gained in service helped you in your studies? Etgar: The self-discipline and strong values the army gave me have helped me throughout my career and the MBA. But, I don’t think one needs the army to develop such attributes, but rather one needs to aspire to be better and not give-up. Accepted: Can you tell us about your internship at Johnson Johnson? What measures (if any) did LBS take to help you secure that position? Etgar: My internship in Johnson Johnson took me to the EMEA (Europe, Middle-East and Africa) headquarters in Brussels. There I was given responsibility to lead and develop the marketing strategy for two product lines of medical devices that via a catheter map, diagnose and treat issues with the conductivity of the heart’s tissue and therefore its pace. During my internship I collaborated with marketing managers, sales personnel and physicians throughout EMEA to understand and forecast the market’s dynamics and to develop a strategy to increase market share and revenues. It was great fun and it was exactly what I wanted to do when I started my MBA journey. London Business School helped me a lot in securing this internship.  First, by working with us on our CVs, cover  letters  and on being interviewed. Secondly, the school assisted by allowing me to meet the JJ HR personnel in various events run by the school and the school’s healthcare club, in which I am active. Since then, and during my second year, I also worked for a digital healthcare start-up in London. The flexibility of the second year and being situated in the heart of thriving London allows students to continue explore and gain professional experience during their studies. For one-on-one guidance on the London Business School application, please see our London Business School application packages. For specific advice on how to create the best application for London, see London Business School 2013 MBA Application Questions, Deadlines and Tips. //

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Candide and The Three Spinners - Free Essay Example

In my opinion, Voltaires Candide opposed the ideas of Mary Wollstonecraft and the Enlightenment period. He demonstrates the inadequacy of women and portrayed them to be weak and inferior. The Three Spinners gives young impressionable girls the idea that there is a guy out there that would treat them like the Prince treated the girl in the story, and give her everything she could want, if she was beautiful. This is an unrealistic and unhealthy view in any relationship, no matter what the so-called benefits are. However, if you are not beautiful, The Three Spinners tells girls that if you would hard, you will be a desirable catch for marriage. I feel that both stories show you how women had extremely little alternatives if they wanted to survive or advance in life. Women either had to marry, become a mistress to a powerful man (sometimes both), or they had to be able to work hard in a skill trade to be able to survive. Neither of these stories supported the ideas of Mary Wollstonecraft and the Enlightenment period regarding equality for women. I feel that Voltaire did not value women equality when he wrote Candide. To me it felt that the women in Candide were just vulnerable characters that did not truly provide to the story. The women were rated by their looks with no acknowledgement of their intelligence at all. Each of the women, Cunegonde, Paquette, and the Old Woman, all fell victim to rape and/or sexual exploitation, that Voltaire appears to describe rather indifferently. I think that Voltaire tended to mock the womens hardships and focused on the helplessness of the women. Lets start with Cunegonde. She is the first female character to be mentioned in Candide. She is Candides cousin, the daughter of a wealthy German Baron and is described as fresh, plump, and desirable. (101) Cunegonde is your classic damsel-in-distress; entirely dependent on men to save, protect and provide for her. However, where Candide is naive and does not seem able to make decisions without the input of the people he is with at that time, Cunegonde is realistic and knows that she needs to use her beauty and sexuality to her benefit if she wants to survive. Paquette is the second female to be mentioned in Candide. Now the first time we read about her, Cunegonde sees her having sex with Pangloss. Paquette was described as that pretty maidservant to our august Baroness. (106) She is described after that by Pangloss as a whore who gave him syphilis. When Candide sees her again in Venice, she is working as a prostitute trying to make a living. Again, you have another female character seen for her sexuality verses her intelligence. The Old Woman is the daughter of Pope Urban the Tenth and the Princess of Palestrina. (115) She grew into a very beautiful woman who was engaged to be married to a prince. Until the mistress of her prince killed him. When she left the land she was living at, her ship was attacked, and everyone was killed, and she was raped. She was sold into slavery. She was used because of her beauty and sold from one man to another. The Old woman is later seen as Cunegondes advisor of some sorts though I dont think that is how Voltaire intended her to be. Cunegonde asked for a quarter-hour to collect herself, consult the old woman and make up her mind. (119) While she reunites Candide and Cunegonde, she is also the reason Cunegonde choses to marry the Governor instead of her love Candide. My lady, you have seventy-two quarterings and not one penny; if you wish, you may be the wife of the greatest lord in South America, who has a really handsome moustache; are you going to insist on your absolute fidelity? You have been raped by the Bulgars, a Jew and an Inquisitor have enjoyed your favors; miseries entitle one to privileges. I assure you that in your position I would make no scruple of marrying My Lord the Governor and making the fortune of Captain Candide. (119-120) The Old Woman seem to push what is equivalent of sex sales. Personally, I felt that the Old Woman made Cunegonde feel guilty about doing what she h ad to survive life. It seems that she was jealous that Cunegonde was reunited with her love, while the Old Womans love died before they were even married. In Candide, the women are portrayed as using their sexuality to leave their horrendous situations is by becoming someones mistress or wife. The way Voltaire was indifferent regarding the womens rape can point to his belief that women are inferior to men. For Voltaire to be such a crucial supporter of reason and the fact that he did not rely on others for guidance, then why do we not see him promoting womens equality within his writings? Spinning seems to have a large significance in the story of The Three Spinners as it is a represents womanhood. The mother in the story is angry and embarrassed that her daughter is lazy and refuses to do any spinning. She believes that her daughters unwillingness to spin thread would make her an undesirable candidate to be someones wife. If a person was poor, it was a womans ability to work hard to find a husband. Spinning would prove that the daughter was capable of hard work and was able to manage a household. How else would a woman be a good candidate for marriage if she could not provide proof she could manage a house? It was the mothers fear that her daughter would never marry that she decided to lie to the Queen. The Queen valued hard work and because of the lie the mother told, the daughter was promised a marriage to the Prince. The Three Spinners did teach to young girls that hard work is a value recognized by even the royalty. And that if they would work hard, it would be recognized and rewarded. However, the mother lied to the Queen and the daughter tricked the Queen into believing she was a hard worker. If it was not for the elderly spinners in the story, the daughter and mother would have been found out to be frauds. With the task of spinning finished, the daughter went onto to marry the Prince. It was at the wedding that the Prince met the spinners as the daughters aunts. The three spinners represent the results of hard work, because of spinning, they had physical deformities. Because of these deformities, the Prince told his wife she would never have to work again. The Three Spinners tells us that beauty and hard work are prized in society. If you are a beautiful woman, you do not have to work hard to find a suitable husband to marry. However, if you are an unattractive woman, if you work hard you will find a husband to marry. And while hard work is a good thing, in The Three Spinners, women are still being told they are not good enough if they do not fit into what society expects of them. Considering that one of the main ideas of Mary Wollstonecraft and the Enlightenment period is women equality, I feel that neither of the stories gave a good woman empowerment feeling to them. The 1800s gave women insufficient powers and that they needed men to be able to have any type of influence in life. These stories showed how little women had.