Andre Koo Technology and Entrepreneurship MBA | Zé Vieira

• Hometown: Évora, Portugal
• Undergraduate: Communication
• Previous Industry: EdTech
• Specializations: Tech Product Management
• Clubs/Involvement: Stern Tech Association; NYU Men's Water Polo

I chose Andre Koo's Entrepreneurship and Technology MBA because it was both focused and one-year. I knew I didn't want "just" an MBA; if I was going back to school to advance my career and build business and leadership skills, I wanted to do it with a focus in mind: technology. Having led a product engineering team in EdTech before starting my MBA, I was sure I wanted to advance my career in technology.

Community is what it's all about. It started on day "minus 1," the international student orientation day, when our group of 15+ decided to go out for drinks just hours after we met. The funniest part was that nobody had a US bank account yet, so figuring out the check turned into an embarrassing 30-minute ordeal, which we still laugh about today. From then on, each day brought new faces among students, faculty, and alumni, who soon became friends, confidants, or mentors. The weekly happy hours with my cohort, numerous events organized by student clubs, and group trips became just another excuse to meet new people or spend quality time with friends.

It's hard to list just one favorite class, so here are my top five: 

1. Leadership with Nate Pettit: His almost theatrical teaching style, combined with lightbulb moments from weekly leadership scenario simulations, makes for an engaging experience. 
2. Tech Solutions with company partners: I'm currently consulting with a leading data security company to design an AI chatbot expert in their documentation and product. We not only design the experience but also collaborate with engineers to release it to production. 
3. Data Science with Chris Volinsky: This class helped me build machine learning models myself, which was a step forward from my previous PM role. My favorite model was a churn prediction model for a startup. 
4. Accounting with Amal Shehata and Julian Yeo: Both professors make accounting easy to understand, with great lectures, guest speakers, and fun games like building a balance sheet while playing Monopoly in class. 
5. Leadership Fellows with Jason Ortiz: In a cohort of 12 students, we meet monthly for eight hours. Actors simulate roles like a disgruntled employee or overbearing CEO, and we must react accordingly. The realism of making game-time decisions while being observed is impressive.

Reflect on the question: WHY do you need an MBA? Are you passionate about learning and looking for a career change or advancement? Then, consider what kind of people, culture, and experience you want to surround yourself with. While applying, meet with as many Sternies as you can to validate that you are in the right place. Finally, be yourself. Ensure your application accurately depicts who you are, tells your story, and explains how the Tech MBA is the missing piece in your journey.

Massively. I cannot dissociate my MBA experience from the city. The opportunities are endless, with thousands of conferences, the headquarters of major companies, and a strong engaged alumni network. Personally, NYC is unique, with its culture, bars, restaurants, and landscapes, making it feel like I'm living a dream!