This Blog Has Migrated

Thanks to all of our faithful readers!

The student blog for the MIM program has moved! Our new address is http://pdxmim.wordpress.com.

Please update your links, and visit is at our new home. We are excited to share regular updates from the new class of 2010!

Why Choose PSU Graduate School of Business?

Lets watch the video and find out!

Chinese or Japanese?

A special attribute of the MIM program is the exciting opportunity to start learning a new language. As part of your core courses you will take around nine months of intensive Business Chinese or Business Japanese. Each language has beginning, intermediate and advanced levels to fit everyone's proficiency and all Chinese speaking students have to take Japanese (Japanese speaking students have to take Chinese).

Last year, I chose the beginning Business Chinese and I am sad to say that my nine months of class are over. Looking back, I am amazed at how much I learned. I am able to speak with my Chinese classmates on a basic level and I was comfortable traveling by myself in China after our Asia Trip. In the year end final, I gave a 10 minute presentation on myself and my family, my trip to China, my job and school and what I want to do after graduation. I took the HSK test (a standard Chinese proficiency test) and passed both levels one and two. Oh yeah, I also learned how to recognize, write and type about 300 characters. Now comes the really hard part... not forgetting all that I have learned!

If you have any questions about the language classes, let me know.

Casey

International Student Profile

Everyone, I would like to introduce you to my great classmate and friend, Teerawat (Pete) Ngamvitayasiri, a full time MIM student from Thailand.

Before joining MIM, Pete got his BS in Industrial Engineering from Chulalongkorn University and worked for two years in an consulting firm in Bangkok. Pete chose the MIM program because he wanted to study a solid curriculum focusing on Pacific Rim business and he wanted to have the opportunity to acquire the language and cultural skills needed to be a competent international business professional.

Pete's specialization is Global Supply Chain Management because these classes are his favorite. He also liked Managing Information Technology and Global Human Resource Management because these classes equipped him with skills and concepts that can be applied to a wide range of business functions.

After graduation in December, Pete wants to work for a consulting firm or a corporate company as a business consultant providing strategic and business recommendation.

Good Luck Pete!

MIM Specializations

(Treehead Series - Inheritance on Flickr)

Hey all,

One of the cool things about the MIM program is that students take all the great strategic business classes with an Asia Pacific Rim focus PLUS they get to SPECIALIZE in an area of interest. The MIM program offers a specialization in four areas of international business: Global Marketing, International Corporate Financial Management, Global Supply Chain Management and Global Corporate Sustainability.

Global Marketing digs into the best strategies for a successful cross cultural marketing campaign.

International Corporate Financial Management gives students the skills to achieve an international company's financial goals.

Global Supply Chain Management prepares students to adapt to fast pace changes in the global market place including logistics and sourcing.

Global Corporate Sustainability teaches students the skills to improve an international company's triple bottom line (economic, social, environmental).

I am in the Global Corporate Sustainability track and my first elective class is tons of fun. I am taking Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It is a really hands on class where we learn how to successfully innovate by researching other social entrepreneurs and seeing how their models of success can be adapted to our own ideas. We then have the task of creating a market entry strategy for our own social enterprise. Lets just say my great idea will improve public health in developing countries, starting with China.

These electives are a real opportunity for the student to step outside their comfort zone and take risks to see how high they can reach. It is also great to have a specialization on your resume that differentiates yourself from the others.

If you have any questions about MIM specializations or any other questions about the MIM program, feel free to check out the website or send us an email askmim@pdx.edu.

Cheers,

Casey

International Student Profile

Winnie Hwa is a full time MIM student from Taiwan. She has been studying in the U.S. for almost two years and decided to pursue the MIM program because she wanted to see what Asian Business is like from an American perspective. In the program so far, her favorite class has been Global Operations Management because Global Supply Chain and Logistics is her specialization and she learned a lot about LEAN practices and the Theory of Constraints from this class. After graduation, she hopes to find a position in logistics management at a global company headquartered in the U.S. (preferably Portland). Winnie is a great addition to the 2009 cohort. Her knowledge about Taiwanese culture and great presentation skills have benefited all groups that she has been a member of.

Thanks Winnie!!!

Casey

FYI: MIM Information Session

Come one, come all to the MIM Information Session

When: Wednesday June 3, 2009 6pm–8pm

Where: School of Business Administration, 631 SW Harrison St, Room 550 Portland State University

What: Please join us and discuss all the aspects of the MIM program from application requirements, to financing, to classes, electives and student life. We are prepared to answer all of your questions!!

Hope to see you there!

Casey