From FAANG sales to Marketing and Brand Management
How he pivoted from a slow-moving career in sales to a higher-leverage path in Marketing with MBA Protocol.
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Alex Got 5 Admits and over $500K In Scholarships
Before MBA Protocol
I was working in sales in one of the FAANG companies, with prior experience in marketing as a Brand Manager. I knew my role in sales would have given me more analytical skills, but I didn’t always feel I was building something meaningful.
I knew I wanted to pivot toward marketing roles where I could drive more human-centered innovation – building brands and products that are not just successful commercially, but also representative.
Why MBA, why now
My post-MBA goal is to work in brand management and marketing strategy, focusing on building inclusive, human-centered products.
This vision became much clearer during the application process. Instead of a generic “I want to grow in marketing,” I defined what kind of marketer I want to be: someone who connects business performance with real impact on people’s lives.
MBA Protocol was key in helping me deeply reflect on what I want to do next, and frame it in a way that clearly conveyed my goals in my applications.
I knew I wanted to do an MBA for so long. It will unlock tons of opportunities abroad that I simply cannot get by staying in my own country.
First off, shifting back to marketing from sales is not easy. Normally, marketing companies try to hire interns and let them grow from inside the organization.
Second, I’ll get to meet incredible people from around the world – which is the best part!
Why MBA Protocol
I chose MBA Protocol because I needed more than just editing support. I needed someone who could challenge my thinking but also brainstorm together.
They just put a spin on how to approach the applications and work in general that is unique, fun, and transparent.
MBA Protocol is a real community, which was the best part, as not many people decide to enroll for an MBA in my country, so I was never really alone and constantly in touch with coaches and peers.
The work we did together
The biggest shift was clarity.
I went from having a vague narrative to a very intentional story that connected my past, present, and future. My essays stopped being descriptive and became directional.
I also changed my approach to interviews. Instead of trying to “perform well,” my goal was to have transparent and friendly conversations, focusing more on who I am instead of what I’ve done. So, less bragging, more me! 🙂
And, of course, MBA Protocol is a great confidence booster, as they show you your values from Day 1 and start crafting the applications exactly from there.
MBA Admission Results
I got interviews from 6 out of 8 schools – including Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, Yale, Haas, and Ross – converting into offers with scholarships for a total of around $500k!
I felt really great about the results I got. I worked hard to build a strong profile and stats in the two years after I first spoke with Angela before I applied. But I didn’t take anything for granted during the application season. Luckly, I found other applicants within the MBA Protocol community who were ready to help and cheer each other on along the way.
Her advice to other pivoters
You sure need to trust yourself, your skills, and gut. Make the pivot “credible” to the eye of the admissions and be ready to challenge yourself as well. Am I making too big a jump? Do I have any “hint” from my experience that can lead me toward the post-MBA goal? The reality is, the world is your oyster – but be sure to have a plan A or B to make it work 🙂
Alex’s Success Statistics
- Admits: Ross, Haas, Yale, Kellogg, Booth
- Total Scholarships: $500K across 5 schools
- Pre-MBA: B2B sales at a FAANG company in Southern Europe
- Post-MBA goal: Brand and Marketing Strategy Management
- Test: GRE GRE 334