Zeina Bawalsa '20 Recruiting Profile

Growing up in a business-oriented household, I was able to grasp information that could not be taught through books. Seeing what the career entails first hand, be it the challenges or the rewards, is what developed my marked interest in the field of Business. I have over the years realized my longing for preparing plans and budgets to achieve my targets each month, which has affirmed my desire to pursue this career at university and beyond.

Studying Business Management and Economics at Higher Levels has given me a better insight into the area. In Business Management, I learned about the four business functions, in addition to evaluating certain techniques and applying them to a business’s day to day activities. By studying Economics, which elucidated reasons to what occurs in our economy today and the systematic behavior of humans in economic environments, I was able to analyze theories of concepts, such as the “Invisible hand” theory by Adam Smith and his laissez-faire philosophies on minimizing the role of government intervention in the free market. I was also intrigued by other theories in his book “The Essential Adam Smith”, and his use of contemporary examples in relation to current situations, such as the specialization of labor, which is evident in almost all multinational companies. Being able to associate such ideas to the real world has developed my knowledge and has given me a glimpse into the real world.  

My Extended Essay in Business Management explores the extent to which McDonald’s is able to maintain their market dominance and sustain their competitive advantage. This highly engaging research paper has taken me to areas I would like to further investigate as a Business Management student, including the Ansoff Matrix, which introduced me to the tools in which a multinational business such as McDonald’s should devise their strategies through to understand their risks in and grow their business further.

In order to expand my knowledge further, I attended a two-week internship at “Symrise”, a multi-billion-dollar retail company, where I was able to work alongside the financial team. During my time there, I learned how to conduct balance sheets and profit/loss statements to evaluate the company's soundness and potential for growth. I also assisted in developing strategies for the organization’s long- term financial goals through the alignment of resources and identification of service policies and priorities. Throughout this experience I learned the importance of teamwork and integrity, and how meticulous one should be completing everyday tasks.

Beyond school, I am an avid volleyball player. As such, I am committed to both the Jordanian National team and my school team, where I am team captain. I believe this sport has taught me amongst many things, leadership, discipline, and commitment. Competing in tournaments has not only helped sustain my focus, but it also gave me the motivation to drive myself into doing better and learn from my mistakes.

Being aware of the opportunities as well as the challenges a career in Business Management has to offer, I believe my ambition and drive for achievement is what excites me. I am looking forward to grow both my theoretical understanding and practical application into the word of Business.