Skip to Main Content
image/svg+xml
  • CoursesOpen Courses Mega Menu
    • Business Essentials
      • Credential of Readiness (CORe)
      • Business Analytics
      • Economics for Managers
      • Financial Accounting
    • Leadership & Management
      • Leadership Principles
      • Management Essentials
      • Negotiation Mastery
      • Strategy Execution
    • Analytics
      • Business Analytics
      • Data Science Ready
      • Data Science for Business
    • Entrepreneurship & Innovation
      • Entrepreneurship Essentials
      • Disruptive Strategy
      • Negotiation Mastery
    • Strategy
      • Strategy Execution
      • Economics for Managers
      • Disruptive Strategy
      • Global Business
      • Sustainable Business Strategy
      • Health Care Economics
    • Finance & Accounting
      • Financial Accounting
      • Leading with Finance
      • Alternative Investments
      • Financial Analysis & Valuation for Lawyers
    • Business in Society
      • Sustainable Business Strategy
      • Global Business
      • Health Care Economics
    • All Courses
  • For OrganizationsOpen For Organizations Mega Menu
    • Corporate Learning
      Help your employees master essential business concepts, improve effectiveness, and expand leadership capabilities.
    • Academic Solutions
      Integrate HBS Online courses into your curriculum to support programs and create unique educational opportunities.
    • Need Help?
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Contact Us
  • InsightsOpen Insights Mega Menu
    • Business Insights Blog
      • Career Development
      • Communication
      • Decision-Making
      • Earning Your MBA
      • Entrepreneurship & Innovation
      • Finance
      • Leadership
      • Management
      • Negotiation
      • Strategy
    • All Topics
    • Free Leadership Lesson

      Become a resilient leader in these turbulent times.

    • Free Guide

      Learn how to advance your career with essential business skills.

  • More InfoOpen More Info Mega Menu
    • Learning Experience
      Master real-world business skills with our immersive platform and engaged community.
    • Certificates, Credentials, & Credits
      Learn how completing courses can boost your resume and move your career forward.
    • Financing & Policies
      • Employer Reimbursement
      • Payment & Financial Aid
      • Policies
    • Connect
      • Student Stories
      • Community
    • Need Help?
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Request Information
    • Apply Now
Login
My Courses
Access your courses and engage with your peers
My Account
Manage your account, applications, and payments.
HBS Home
  • About HBS
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
HBS Online
  • Courses
  • Business Essentials
  • Leadership & Management
  • Analytics
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation
  • Strategy
  • Finance & Accounting
  • Business in Society
  • For Organizations
  • Insights
  • More Info
  • About
  • Media Coverage
  • Founding Donors
  • Leadership Team
  • Careers
  • My Courses
  • My Account
  • Apply Now
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • HBS Online→

Student Profile

 

William Tran

Educator interested in improving student outcomes and promoting college access

ShareBar

Background

During my undergraduate years at Pomona College, the majority of my studies focused on class, race, power, and privilege. I felt very fortunate to have a strong public school experience complete with a loving family that supported my education. When I graduated, I wanted to ensure the same for students of today and this decision began my career as an English teacher helping my students read, write, and speak at the college level. I preached the idea of being a lifelong learner beyond school and did the same myself by becoming a college admissions officer and then a college counselor.

Current Situation

After making my tour of education and seeing the beginning, middle, and end of the college admissions process for high school students, I wanted to think broader and see the education sector as part of the larger social enterprise. I am currently supplementing my education experience with business skills, and CORe has been instrumental in this process.

What do you hope to get out of CORe?

I had two main goals in mind when I enrolled in CORe. First, though I am traditionally educated and a defender of the Ivory Tower, I do have a fascination with edtech. Having taken a few online classes and tried MOOCs in the past, I was interested in the proprietary digital platform that Harvard Business School Online developed. By actively taking part as a student, I wanted to assess the student experience and gauge how and if CORe could revolutionize e-learning and perhaps replace the traditional classroom setting.

Second, I intend to apply for an MBA program and though I had some business and economics courses in the past, I felt this would be a good crash course to learn some fundamentals and develop that economic and business mind which can sometimes be in conflict with my largely non-profit education experience. As a liberal arts student, I welcome my mind being twisted into knots and the rigorous CORe material has definitely done some of that!

What's on the career horizon for you?

After CORe, I will begin a new job as a strategy consultant for a college counseling firm in Beijing, China. Through personal projects of my own design, I will help grow the business, train the staff, and develop a model of ethical college counseling in China.

Immediately after my CORe final exam, I’m going to have to walk the walk and talk the talk!

The position will only be for half a year and then I will return to the states to (hopefully!) begin an MBA program. My consulting position and an MBA will be the springboard to my career in social enterprise and possibly edtech. Long term, I hope to return to higher education as a college administrator or a college president if I’m lucky.


William Tran

Education

BA, Media Studies & Critical Studies, Pomona College


The business skills and concepts I learned through CORe will be invaluable in helping me assess the Chinese market, the demand and pricing of our service, and how to differentiate ourselves from our competitors.
William Tran

Need More Information?

If you're looking for more information on how Harvard Business School Online programs can teach you the essential skills you need for success, request more information today.

Request More Info
 
All FAQs

Top FAQs

How are HBS Online courses delivered?

+–

We offer self-paced programs (with weekly deadlines) on the HBS Online course platform.

Our platform features short, highly produced videos of HBS faculty and guest business experts, interactive graphs and exercises, cold calls to keep you engaged, and opportunities to contribute to a vibrant online community.

Do I need to come to campus to participate in HBS Online programs?

+–

No, all of our programs are 100 percent online, and available to participants regardless of their location.

How do I enroll in a course?

+–

All programs require the completion of a brief application. The applications vary slightly from program to program, but all ask for some personal background information. You can apply for and enroll in programs here. If you are new to HBS Online, you will be required to set up an account before starting an application for the program of your choice.

Our easy online application is free, and no special documentation is required. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

After submitting your application, you should receive an email confirmation from hbsonlinesupport@hbs.edu. If you do not receive this email, please check your junk email folders and double-check your account to make sure the application was successfully submitted.

Updates to your application and enrollment status will be shown on your Dashboard. We confirm enrollment eligibility within one week of your application.

Does Harvard Business School Online offer an online MBA?

+–

No, Harvard Business School Online offers business certificate programs.

What are my payment options?

+–

We accept payments via credit card, Western Union, and (when available) bank loan. Some candidates may qualify for scholarships or financial aid, which will be credited against the Program Fee once eligibility is determined. Please refer to the Payment & Financial Aid page for further information.

In all cases, net Program Fees must be paid in full (in US Dollars) to complete registration.

 

Sign up for News & Announcements

Subject Areas

  • Business Essentials
  • Leadership & Management
  • Analytics
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation
  • Strategy
  • Finance & Accounting
  • Business & Society

Quick Links

  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Request Info
  • Apply Now

About

  • About Us
  • Media Coverage
  • Founding Donors
  • Leadership Team
  • Careers @ HBS Online

Legal

  • Legal
  • Policies
Harvard Business School
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College
  • Site Map
  • Trademark Notice
  • Digital Accessibility