Tia Messerlian, MSU Broad MBA Class of 2028
Tia Messerlian, MSU Broad MBA Class of 2028Age: 27
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon but have lived in Glendale, CA for the past 11 years.
Undergraduate Institution and Major: San Jose State University, Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration on Human Resources Management
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Worked in the healthcare industry as a Medical Office Coordinator at Bogikian Medical Corp for 3.5 years; Spent 3 months as an HR Coordinator and Recruiter for a Biotech start up called Strateos
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I wanted to attend business school since I had reached a point in my time at Bogikian Medical Corp where there was no more room to grow. I also wanted to pivot my career and transition into a role where I can leverage the skills I have learned at a more corporate level.
Why did you choose Michigan State Broad? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Michigan State Broad since they had a great program, and I also wanted to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
I believe that my upbringing between Lebanon and California has shaped me into a person with unique experiences and perspectives and coupled with my knowledge of logistics and operations in healthcare I can offer noteworthy insight for the Class of 2028.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
A fun fact about me, I am fluent in 4 languages: French, Armenian, Arabic and English!
Post-MBA career interests:
I am interested in Supply Chain Management especially in the operations and logistics side of it. I also hope to stay in the healthcare industry since I believe that is where I feel I can make the most impact.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would make sure to partake in the Student Admitted Day again, especially since it was full of great information. I was also able to connect with current students and ask them questions about the program.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would reach out more to the MBA admissions team at Broad since they offer valuable insight and try to make it to the webinars that they host. They offer so many ways to connect with and answer any questions you might have, and I wish I had taken advantage of that more.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
If I could, I would have skipped the video essay that was part of the application process. I did not know what type of questions to expect and was unsure about the time I had to prepare my answer. I got through it by doing a lot of research on what kind of questions could be asked, writing down some bullet points, and practicing my answers.
What is your initial impression of the Michigan Broad students/culture/community?
My first impression is that they are very welcoming at Broad.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I have joined the MBA association and hope to join the Women’s MBA association as well as the Supply Chain one. The MBAA is important to me since it will help me stay connected with Broad long after I graduate. The women’s MBA is also important since, as a woman I want to help uplift other women. Finally, the Supply Chain association is also crucial since that will be my concentration during my graduate studies.
What is one thing you have learned about Michigan Broad that has surprised you?
I was surprised at how communicative and supportive the faculty is at Broad. They are willing to help you with anything; all you have to do is ask. I haven’t experienced that type of support in my academic journey, and I was pleasantly surprised to receive this kind of encouragement.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am excited to get to know my peers better, and to connect with them. We were all chosen to be a part of this program and I am eager to find out more about the people I will be spending most of my time with over the next 2 years.
