Class 2 - Fall Semester Session A

I'm not planning to evaluate all the classes in the order I took them. I decided to write about this class today because this professor came to my mind when I'm thinking what to write.

You are required to take the Managerial Communications (BUS 200W). Professor Dr. Deanna Fassett was teaching.

I dont really have a good impression on her but I will try my best to give her a neutral rating.

Well, let me tell you guys why she has given a bad impression. She was late on her first, second, third and one other day of class. On the first day that she came in late, she reasoned that it was her first time to come to Rose Orchard campus. I'm not sure how many employers will accept that kind of excuse if you come in for first round interview/ first day of work. OKAY.. FINE! I accepted your reason for being late on the first day of class, but what about the second, third and etc. ?! She used the same reason again.. Maybe I should be glad that she was honest. If you are late on the first day of class and you know your sense of direction is horrible. Please either leave to school early and find your way to Rose Orchard or get a navigation (A basic GPS nowadays only costs $100 - $200! I know I pay you well enough that you are totally affordable for a GPS !!) I never had a professor in my undergraduate come in late for class. Oh well, the quality of SJSU professor.

On the first day of class, she introduced herself and so did everyone in the class. She told us why she had a PhD: because she did not know what she wanted to do and then decided to keep studying and then become a PhD. hm.. It's really entertaining when you heard. But then when you think deeply. This person who does not know what she wants in her life is teaching for a semester. (Well I'm not saying I know exactly what I want in my life, but com'n you somewhat know what you want and have the sense in where you are heading to. Nevertheless, as a professor, I think this is something you can keep it to yourself and not to ruin your professionalism in front of your students. We are not your undergraduate students who might think it's so cool that you say thing like this.)

The class was also structured in a way that made students not being able to learn the course effectively. The regular MBA classes in SJSU are 4 hours long. Professors usually breaks the 4 hours into 2 and give the class and themselves a small break. This class, however, there are two days of meetings that last for eight hours - from 8 am to 4 pm. OMG .. I didnt know why she structured the class in that way and attempted to kill my brain cell. She was nice on those days of meeting and gave us a simple topic for an hour group discussion. You know what happened when people have group discussions. The actual discussion only lasted for 10 minutes and then we spent the rest of the time gossiping/browsing Web sites. I feel like wasting my money and time taking this class.

There were times that we did not have this class for about 2 weeks and most of us totally got lost where we were.

She also changed her grading structure. Grade the homework with a wrong scale and then adopted the wrong grading scale instead. You really need to keep up with your grade taking her class.

We had to write a 10-page final paper (individual work). We were required to find 10 sources and listed all sources in the reference page. I sent her an e-mail regarding my topic and asked a few questions regarding the sources as I had a hard time looking for the sources. She replied my email with 10 completed sources where I should use for my paper! I really did not expect my professor did my homework!! I sent you an email for advice/discussion. This is not a right way of learning. It is a MBA class and MBA students would not appreciate professors avoid discussions. We want to learn! We are not undergraduates anymore!

Anywayz. I tried to be positive as promised. I can only think of two positive things about her: She's given a thorough evaluation on our final paper and you can get a hold of her easily either through email/after class. In my opinion, she is suitable in teaching undergraduate kids. They most likely think Deanna is cool and very helpful. But that certainly not for MBA students, at least not for me.

More coming up

No. The previous blog is the end of this blog. More interesting (mad) stories coming up.

Low Cost = Low Quality

There is no free lunch! Always!

I'm writing in replying to several comments that I do not know how to reply because I'm not a tech savvy. (I guess you guys can figure out with the simple layout of the blog)

I understand that cost of SJSU MBA program is comparatively lower that the major business schools in the bay area, such as Stanford University, UC Berkeley and Santa Clara University. You probably think that SJSU is state school and has a good reputation in the area. (This was what I thought at least before joining the program) The fact is not true. SJSU has gotten a moderate reputation in its engineering program but definitely not its business program. I went to its job fair in the Fall and Spring and less than 10 companies I talked with were looking for MBA students. They were mostly looking for engineering students. (Well, if you were an employer and paying $90K/year for a MBA student to work for you, why dont you try your luck at Stanford?!)

I think what make most people go back to school for an MBA because they want to land in better jobs. The program has been a year and today is the last day of the program. None of the students in the class has gotten any offer. Then I understand why the program administrators say the school does not keep any record in the employment rate/information for MBA when I asked in the beginning of the program.

Most of the business schools do keep track of where the students go after they graduate. Schools also keep record of how long it takes for students to get the jobs, where most students go and their salary range. Based on these information, the business schools will reach out to the companies where most of its graduates get hired and maintain a good relationships with these companies. I doubt if SJSU does any of these.

There are several SJSU MBA candidates are considering to start another degrees upon the completion of the program. WHY? I'm guessing they are not confident with the SJSU degrees as well. It is quite expensive afterall. In addition, SJSU does not offer any fellowship to its one year MBA students. Try applying to other MBA schools, most of them are quite generous in giving out the fellowship!

So should you apply for SJSU MBA?

If cost is your major concern and you perceive education as important, you should really look for schools in the midwest or southern states. I think you should apply SJSU just as a back up. If you do not have a good GMAT score, I would suggest you to try Santa Clara U and talk with the admission office. Call and make an appointment with them. And bring your GMAT score, transcript and other documents when you meet with the admission consultant. AND SHOW YOUR PASSION!! Their admission consultants are pretty helpful. He/She will tell you how competitive you are and if you should try taking the GMAT score again. The reason I suggest applying Santa Clara U is because the school has good alumni network in the area. It would be helpful for networking and job search upon the graduation. SJSU do not have a solid alumni base and the career development only teaches you how to network with your friends to get jobs!

If you have any questions, please try to leave message directly in this blog or email to us at mbaonecohort@gmail.com. Thanks!