Counselor Interview

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Tomoko Ogura Tomoko Ogura
プロフィール:
Tomoko Ogura is a returning counselor. She received a B.S. in electrical engineering at MIT and an M.S. in Management of Technology at MIT’s MOT/Sloan Fellows Program. She is an engineer and co-founder of an IP licensing company that develops new memory technologies for semiconductor manufacturers. As an entrepreneur, she has been exposed to general management responsibilities, B2B technical sales, license and contract negotiation, patent prosecution, finance and tax planning, and dialogue with bankers and venture capitalists. She has a wealth of writing experience, having published several conference papers and written over thirty patents. Most recently, she is a member of the research staff in the electrical engineering department at Tokyo University.

Hey, Tomoko, tell us a bit about yourself.

As a child, I liked to understand how things were built, and so I chose to study electrical engineering in college. In my early twenties, I co-founded a company to develop next generation flash memories. After several years of struggle, I realized that our company needed a better understanding of business. Therefore, I returned to school again, this time to study at MIT Sloan Fellow’s Management of Technology Program. It was immediately helpful to all aspects of the company’s operations, and now, our technology is being successfully implemented in several electronic components for automobiles. These days, I spend my time mostly in Japan, and return to the U.S each summer.

Why did you decide to come to Japan and what has your experience been like so far?

Moving to Japan in my adult life was an exciting chance to learn about my heritage culture. I enjoy many aspects of Japan life ? the kindness of the people, the traditions, the general environmental awareness, the convenience of transportation, and of course the food!

And you are a counselor at AGOS. What do you like best about your work?

Business school improved my own ability to communicate and broadened my global understanding, which has been helpful in both my professional and personal life. Therefore I am very happy to assist others with similar ambitions to study in international environments. In addition, I am continually inspired by the achievements of the AGOS clients themselves. It is truly both a pleasure and a privilege, to learn about what you have done in the past and what you would like to do in the future.

How would you describe your counseling style?

Recognizing that your time is limited, I try to deliver efficient and effective feedback. The final product will be in your own voice, but I will challenge you from many angles, to clarify what makes you unique. Your goal is my goal, we both want schools to feel your sincerity and be able to clearly see your accomplishments and future potential.

What advice do you have for students who decide to work with you?

Preparing an application package which enables you to be selected from among thousands of other excellent applicants is very hard work. Please expect to spend many hours thinking, writing, thinking again and then re-writing.

However, also be prepared to enjoy yourself! Delving in detail to review where you come from, what you have done, and think carefully about what you want from your future, can be a rewarding introspective process in itself. Not only will it result in an interesting and strong application, it will also provide you with valuable mental preparation for your upcoming educational experience.

Any final comments?

I have a great respect for AGOS’s clients, because it takes an uncommon level of ability and hard work to study abroad. I look forward to working with you in the future.

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