Pepperdine University Admissions contact: Paul Pinckley The Graziadio School of Business and Management 24255 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu Calfornia 90263-4858 USA T: +1 310 506 4858 E: gsbmadm@pepperdine.edu W: bschool.pepperdine.edu Name Blake Hedinger University previously attended The Colorado College Degree obtained B.A. in women's studies Country of origin United States Age 29 Career history Blake Hedinger began her career in Portland, Oregon, as a portfolio manager for a private equity firm. After three years, she moved into a vice president position that allowed her to oversee the firm's long-term growth strategies in securities diversification, real estate, and venture capital investment. She intends to return to the firm upon completion of her MBA. Blake is proud that she is able to balance her career with her passions for travel and the great outdoors. The MBA Advantage I decided to return to graduate school after I obtained my undergraduate degree and had experienced the real world for several years. Although I had valuable experience and credentials in the world of business, I felt that I lacked certain quantitative skills. I believed an MBA would give me the quantitative tools my future required. Before applying to Pepperdine, I visited the school. During the visit, I knew immediately the program was well-suited to my individual needs. The curriculum, while rigorous, was wholly integrated with real-world business applications. I knew I would be able to take classes pertinent to the direction I wanted for my career and to my interests. I also became aware of Pepperdine's amazingly supportive learning environment. I wanted a school where I would be learning from and supported by my classmates. I did not want cut-throat competition. Pepperdine was the right choice. 15-Month Program I chose the 15-month program to accelerate my academic career in order to expedite my return to my prospective company. The first semester of business school is extremely challenging, but I have found that the support of the Pepperdine community has helped guide me through this life-altering experience. As in my future business career, group work is emphasized in the curriculum, and I quickly realized that fellow classmates were my greatest allies. This type of supportive learning environment has helped me to develop lifelong bonds with fellow classmates as well as with highly credentialed professors. Professors - the Ultimate Asset Average class sizes number 24 students in an intimate setting that allows professors and students to develop a strong rapport. Students are invited to contact professors for advice, recommendations, and expertise even after a course is completed. This advice is highly advantageous considering the fact that professors are successful and distinguished businesspeople. The type of experience professors bring into the classroom from years of their own business ventures is invaluable. The Students My fellow classmates have had a tremendous impact on my academic experience. They have shaped my business school experience into one of the greatest adventures of my life. I will maintain contact with these friends personally and professionally well into the future. In fact, several students and I have already established an investment fund for which we meet biannually to discuss, implement, and monitor investment decisions. The diverse backgrounds of students make the learning environment even richer. More than one-third of the students are from countries other than the United States. This multicultural perspective gives our program an international competence reflective of the growing global economy. I have enjoyed working with competent students from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Korea, Japan, France, and India. The Future The Career Resource Center is an ideal network of opportunities. Whether you are looking for the perfect internship or the ideal job placement after your MBA, the Career Resource Center offers you the opportunity to achieve your goals. Furthermore, the Graziadio alumni, more than 30,000 and growing, are another amazing resource. Numerous engagements encourage students networking with alumni. I have been fortunate to receive invitations to interview with and tour companies owned and/or operated by alumni. Pepperdine is well on its way to becoming one of America's leading business schools. The superior academic staff, the diversity of the student body, the supportive learning environment, and the highly integrated curriculum make Pepperdine the ultimate business school experience. Be prepared to make connections that will last far beyond your greatest expectations.