Foster's MBA Study Tours with Foster Global Business Center's Angela Shelley
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
Release Date: 10/21/2023
Students Reflect on Foster MBA Core Case Competition
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
In this episode of Conversations on Careers & Professional Life, we go inside the Autumn Quarter Integrated Case Competition at the Foster School of Business—a one-week sprint where MBA teams analyze an acquisition case, submit a written recommendation, and deliver a 25-minute presentation to faculty, alumni, and industry judges. I speak with three students from finalist teams: Nat Fernandes (Class of 2027) – whose team placed third, emphasizing early alignment and organized execution. Josh Gonzales (Class of 2027) – part of the second-place team, highlighting team cohesion built...
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Engage First, Then Inform: A Better Way to Start Any Communication
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
On this episode I share a principle that shows up again and again in great communication but is often overlooked by professionals: you have to earn attention before you earn understanding. Too many presentations, meetings, and messages begin with dense context, background, or data. But audiences don’t start in “information-processing mode.” They start in attention mode — scanning for relevance. If the opening doesn’t grab them, the content that follows doesn’t land. The core idea of this episode is simple but transformative: Engage first. Then inform. Attention Is the...
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Structure Matters: Why Good Ideas Need Great Organization
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
Structure isn’t a formatting exercise. It’s the foundation of every clear, persuasive communication. Whether you’re giving a presentation, writing an email, or leading a meeting, structure is the difference between an idea that gets ignored and an idea that creates action. In the latest episode of Conversations on Careers and Professional Life, we explore why structure matters so profoundly — and how leaders, students, and professionals can use it to communicate with more clarity and impact. Why Structure Matters Human beings aren’t wired to process information in random fragments....
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The ABCs of Professional Communication: Active Brief And Clear
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
On this episode, I cover the ABCs of professional communication, just as I teach them to my MBA students. One of the simplest ways to elevate your professional communication—whether you’re writing an email, pitching a strategy, or presenting to senior leaders—is to filter your message through three words: Active, Brief, and Clear. They sound basic, almost obvious. But in practice, they create a powerful discipline that separates high-quality communicators from everyone else. Active: Own the Message Active communication is energetic, direct, and accountable. It starts with the choice to...
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Logos, Ethos, Pathos: The Ancient Keys to Modern Persuasion
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
Logos, Ethos, Pathos: The Ancient Keys to Modern Persuasion In this episode of Conversations on Communication, I explore three timeless principles that sit at the heart of all persuasive communication: Logos, Ethos, and Pathos. They come from Aristotle, but their power is as relevant today in an MBA classroom, a boardroom, or a client meeting as it was in ancient Athens. When you learn to apply these three deliberately, your messages become sharper, more credible, and more emotionally resonant. Logos: The Logic of Your Argument Logos is the appeal to logic — the structure and reasoning that...
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Start with the Answer: The Minto Pyramid Principle
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
In this episode of Conversations on Careers and Professional Life, I explire one of the most powerful frameworks for structuring clear, persuasive business communication: the Minto Pyramid Principle. The framework, created by Barbara Minto at McKinsey, is a simple but transformative way to organize ideas. Think of your communication as a pyramid: At the top is your main point — your recommendation, your answer, your “so what.” Beneath that are the supporting arguments — the key reasons your audience should agree with or believe your main point. At the base are the evidence...
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The AIM Framework
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
The AIM Framework: The Compass for Every Communication” Welcome to Conversations on Careers and Professional Life, on this series, I’m going to turn lessons from my MBA course, Professional Communication into practical insights you can use every day. I’m Gregory Heller, and today we’re diving into one of the simplest—but most powerful—tools in communication, professional or otherwise: the AIM Framework, outlined by Lynn Russell and Mary Munter. AIM stands for Audience, Intent, and Message. It’s a framework I teach in the very first session of my Professional Communication course,...
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Think Like A Gardener
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
On this episode, I talk about something that comes up all the time in my coaching sessions with MBA students—and that’s networking. I've talked about it before on the podcast on episode 1202 "Reframe the way you think about networking and asking for help" I'll drop a link in the show notes. I encourage you to go back and give that one a listen. As generative AI has proliferated on both sides of the job search with candidates using it to submit more and more customized applications, and recruiters using it to filter through piles of hundreds or thousands of applicants,...
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Lorraine Rise on the Hidden Job Market, Networking, Values Based Careers, and Using AI in the Job Search
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
On this episode, I speak with Lorraine Rise, career coach, founder and CEO of Career UpRising and host of the Career UpRising podcast. With a background in federal recruiting, Lorraine has spent a decade empowering mid- and late-career professionals through career pivots and values-driven job searches. We explore: Redefining Networking Learn how shifting from transactional outreach to authentic relationship-building can unlock access to the hidden job market—especially valuable for MBA students and early-career professionals. Values‑Driven Job Search Lorraine shares her framework...
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Job Search Advice From the Back Catalog For Graduation Season
Conversations on Careers and Professional Life
It’s May, and for many of you, that means graduation. Whether you’re finishing your MBA or completing another academic journey, this is a moment filled with possibility—and uncertainty. Especially in today’s job market, it’s natural to feel some anxiety about what comes next. To support you in your job search, I want to point you to a few episodes from the back catalog that offer practical tools and strategies to help you navigate this transition. First up: , author of The 2-Hour Job Search. In our conversation, he breaks down a step-by-step approach to landing interviews...
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This episode features a conversation with Angela Shelley, the Assistant Director of MBA Global Programs at the Foster School of Business Global Business Center. We had an enlightening discussion about the global study tour program at the Foster School of Business, its objectives, and the transformative impact it has on students' career trajectories.
Learn more about the Global Business Center, and the MBA Global Programs.
The Global Study Tour Program: An Overview
The global study tour program is an innovative initiative designed to expose MBA students to global business. The program takes students on a two-week journey to different countries, immersing them in local businesses and cultural experiences. These tours are led by faculty members, often accompanied by a staff member, and offer pre-departure sessions to equip students with necessary information and preparation for the trip.
These sessions cover a wide range of topics, from culture and history to the nuances of doing business in the destination country. While the study tours are optional for credits, they can fulfill requirements for the international perspective, the global business program certificate, and some ESG specializations.
The Study Tour Destinations: A Changing Landscape
The locations of the study tours change every year, with two exceptions. The Asian Capital Markets course includes a study tour to China and Japan every other year. The Global Consulting India project happens annually, providing consulting services to the Self Employed Women's Association in India. This consulting experience extends beyond the trip, as students continue to work on their projects both in India and back home in Seattle.
The Impact of Study Tours on Career Trajectories
Angela shared some insightful observations about the impact of study tours on students' career trajectories. While she didn't have specific stories to share, she noted a recurring theme of students being inspired to do more in global business after participating in study tours.
For instance, some students have shifted their thinking about sustainability, realizing that it should be implemented from the beginning rather than added on later. Angela also shared about a student who was inspired to pursue a career in global business after a trip to Israel and reached out to her for guidance on how to get started.
The Global Business Program Certificate: A Gateway to Exclusive Opportunities
Angela advises students to sign up for the Global Business Program Certificate, which encourages a more global experience and provides access to exclusive opportunities. She also mentioned other programs and events offered throughout the year, such as the Taiwan Business Conference and the Global Business Forum.
The Benefits and Opportunities of Participating in a Global Business Center Study Tour
Angela emphasized the importance of being open to new ideas and ways of doing business. One of the main advantages of these study tours is the chance to engage with difference and gain exposure to new perspectives.
She also highlighted the networking aspect of the study tours. Students have the opportunity to form deep connections with their peers, faculty members, and professionals in the industry. These relationships can be valuable for future collaborations and career opportunities.
Preparing for a Study Tour: Angela's Advice
Angela suggests being excited about engaging with difference and being open to new opportunities. She encourages students to take advantage of the network they can build during the tour and to make the most of unique experiences that may not be available in their everyday lives.
In conclusion, Angela highlights the transformative impact that study tours can have on students' personal and professional lives. She encourages interested students to reach out to her or other MBA classmates who have participated in the tours for more information.
So, if you're an MBA student looking to make the most of the study tour experience, take Angela's advice: take advantage of the opportunities available, stay connected through the Global Business Program Certificate, and be open to new perspectives and career possibilities.
The content in this post was generated using PodSqueeze.ai.
This episode was produced with editing and engineering support from Amelia Ngyuen, a student in the Communication Leadership Master Program at the University of Washington, and made possible in part with funding from SnoCap, a Venture Capital firm investing in early-stage, platforms that directly and indirectly solve the climate crisis.