Hello, my oodles of readers!
Lest you think I forgot about this blog, or became buried beneath a pile of textbooks, case studies, and spreadsheets... Well, actually, I am fairly buried. But! I will be blogging! Just not here. But! I will be back! Someday.
In the meantime, catch me over at the JBS Women in Leadership Blog. This is a blog I have started with my classmates at Judge Business School that promises to be fun, fabulous and insightful. We are doing something that a group of MBA women has never done before, so I hope you will join us for the ride.
Check it out!
Cheers!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Fashion-Forward Friday #7
Betsey Johnson Spring 2009. Photo via NYMag.
... because sometimes there is a thin line between Halloween and Haute Couture.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Fashion-Forward Friday #5
Badgley Mischka Fall 2008. Photo via NYMag.
... because every fabulous woman deserves a hot animal print gown. Obviously.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Fashion-Forward Friday #4
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Horrifying Pigeonhole Behavior
Just a few minutes ago our class received an email instructing us to check our "pigeonholes" (do I love the Brit lingo or what?) - contained therein, according to this email, would be our class portraits, a new calendar, and... drum roll please... CHOCOLATE! To welcome us to the school!
Yesssssssssssss! I love being an MBA student! Free chocolate!
A friend of mine went up to grab our chocolate while I watched our laptops, and came back a few minutes later with... nothing. For me, that is. She got her chocolate, and her pictures, and her new calendar. But nothing for me.
Is there anything more devastating than being promised free chocolate in the middle of a sleepy afternoon and then NOT GETTING IT IN YOUR PIGEONHOLE?!
I think the dude in the pigeonhole beneath mine took my stuff by accident. So I emailed him. And have not yet heard back. And now I am obsessively checking my email every 30 seconds to see if he has given me the green light to go take his chocolate. Which I might do anyway.
Good thing I'll have a Guinness in my hand in about 20 minutes (to celebrate our Beer Game victory). Otherwise there would really be trouble.
Yesssssssssssss! I love being an MBA student! Free chocolate!
A friend of mine went up to grab our chocolate while I watched our laptops, and came back a few minutes later with... nothing. For me, that is. She got her chocolate, and her pictures, and her new calendar. But nothing for me.
Is there anything more devastating than being promised free chocolate in the middle of a sleepy afternoon and then NOT GETTING IT IN YOUR PIGEONHOLE?!
I think the dude in the pigeonhole beneath mine took my stuff by accident. So I emailed him. And have not yet heard back. And now I am obsessively checking my email every 30 seconds to see if he has given me the green light to go take his chocolate. Which I might do anyway.
Good thing I'll have a Guinness in my hand in about 20 minutes (to celebrate our Beer Game victory). Otherwise there would really be trouble.
WSJ "Best Executive MBA" Survey
In case any of you ladies out there are interested in an Executive MBA program instead of the regular ol' MBA, check out this article that was published in the WSJ yesterday.
I don't know too much about EMBA programs, but I find it very interesting that two schools completely pulled away from the rest of the pack in this survey. Apparently, Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School have EMBAs that kick everyone else's arse.
According to the article, "Kellogg and Wharton were ranked at the top more often by companies by a wide margin over their competitors. What's more, corporate scores varied the most in our surveys, with the leaders outpacing the middle of the pack, and the middle schools leaving the laggards far behind. That variation and wide lead shifted the overall rank in favor of Kellogg and Wharton."
So there you have it! For more information on these and other highly-ranked EMBA programs, check out the Wall Street Journal.
Is anyone out there interested in an EMBA?
I don't know too much about EMBA programs, but I find it very interesting that two schools completely pulled away from the rest of the pack in this survey. Apparently, Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School have EMBAs that kick everyone else's arse.
According to the article, "Kellogg and Wharton were ranked at the top more often by companies by a wide margin over their competitors. What's more, corporate scores varied the most in our surveys, with the leaders outpacing the middle of the pack, and the middle schools leaving the laggards far behind. That variation and wide lead shifted the overall rank in favor of Kellogg and Wharton."
So there you have it! For more information on these and other highly-ranked EMBA programs, check out the Wall Street Journal.
Is anyone out there interested in an EMBA?
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Beer Game Victory!
Well well well. Maybe I will survive this MBA course after all. Allow me to chronologize:
7:45AM. My alarm goes off and I feel like I'd been hit by a bus. So tired. Just... so tired.
8:20AM. I manage to get out the door and into the dining hall for a filling breakfast. Tried not to think about the nutritional value (or lack thereof).
8:45AM. Coffee in hand, I set out to find the Beer Game locale - a vast, terrifyingly generic exam hall that gives me the heebie jeebies.
9:00AM. We are assembled into ten groups of eight, seated around rectangular tables. On top of the tables lie white tarps on which is a visual representation of a beer supply chain. The teaching assistants (ubernerdy Economics PhD students) begin to explain the game to us.
9:01AM. I am mildly panicking. We each have a partner in this game, in addition to working together as a team. My partner is male, older, and seems super smart. I am convinced I am never going to be able to learn how to play the game, I will be dead weight for the team, and my partner will hate me.
9:15ish AM. The game begins... and, lo and behold, I get it! I really get it! My partner and I are strategizing and the team is working together and I am contributing just as much as anyone and I think I even grasp the supply chain concept a little better than some of my teammates!
10:15ish AM. Still going strong! Feeling fabulous! Our team is doing well! (I think.) And, miracle of miracles, I am having FUN!
11:00ish AM. Game ends. But but but! We were just getting going! Nope, sorry, time to compare results and see whose supply chain accrued the least cost.
And the winner is... US! Woohoo! I can't even believe it. This is the nerdiest honor I have ever received. I am psyched.
Best of all, we won 75 quid! Each of us had to put in a pound to play the game, and the winning team got the pot! Apparently the other stream's victors will donate their winnings to the Business School Club. But not us. Per my suggestion to my teammates, we're going to the local pub for Guinness and chips before our evening lecture tomorrow. The lecture is being given by a finance big wig, and is entitled, "Financial Crisis: Past, Present, and Lessons for the Future." Yes, we maybe MBA students during the beginning of a Second Great Depression, but we still know how to par-tay!
7:45AM. My alarm goes off and I feel like I'd been hit by a bus. So tired. Just... so tired.
8:20AM. I manage to get out the door and into the dining hall for a filling breakfast. Tried not to think about the nutritional value (or lack thereof).
8:45AM. Coffee in hand, I set out to find the Beer Game locale - a vast, terrifyingly generic exam hall that gives me the heebie jeebies.
9:00AM. We are assembled into ten groups of eight, seated around rectangular tables. On top of the tables lie white tarps on which is a visual representation of a beer supply chain. The teaching assistants (ubernerdy Economics PhD students) begin to explain the game to us.
9:01AM. I am mildly panicking. We each have a partner in this game, in addition to working together as a team. My partner is male, older, and seems super smart. I am convinced I am never going to be able to learn how to play the game, I will be dead weight for the team, and my partner will hate me.
9:15ish AM. The game begins... and, lo and behold, I get it! I really get it! My partner and I are strategizing and the team is working together and I am contributing just as much as anyone and I think I even grasp the supply chain concept a little better than some of my teammates!
10:15ish AM. Still going strong! Feeling fabulous! Our team is doing well! (I think.) And, miracle of miracles, I am having FUN!
11:00ish AM. Game ends. But but but! We were just getting going! Nope, sorry, time to compare results and see whose supply chain accrued the least cost.
And the winner is... US! Woohoo! I can't even believe it. This is the nerdiest honor I have ever received. I am psyched.
Best of all, we won 75 quid! Each of us had to put in a pound to play the game, and the winning team got the pot! Apparently the other stream's victors will donate their winnings to the Business School Club. But not us. Per my suggestion to my teammates, we're going to the local pub for Guinness and chips before our evening lecture tomorrow. The lecture is being given by a finance big wig, and is entitled, "Financial Crisis: Past, Present, and Lessons for the Future." Yes, we maybe MBA students during the beginning of a Second Great Depression, but we still know how to par-tay!
Monday, September 29, 2008
How Is It Only Monday?
Not that I'm not enjoying things, but man. Classes haven't even started yet and I am POOPED!
Tomorrow at 9am my section, or "stream" as they call it here, has something called "BEER GAME" on the docket. Yes, in all caps, that is what is on my schedule for three and a half hours tomorrow morning.
Unfortunately for my current exhausted state of mind, but fortunately for my figure, I do not believe there will be alcohol involved.
Fitness will be the subject of many posts to come, I'm sure, so I won't go into it now. But I did decide tonight that I will sleep in tomorrow instead of getting up and going for a run. Which of course stresses me out because I want to stay fit throughout my MBA and not turn into a porker like I did my freshman year of college. Sigh.
Keep things in perspective. Stay healthy. Stay on top of things as much as you can. And get sleep... while you can.
Tomorrow at 9am my section, or "stream" as they call it here, has something called "BEER GAME" on the docket. Yes, in all caps, that is what is on my schedule for three and a half hours tomorrow morning.
Unfortunately for my current exhausted state of mind, but fortunately for my figure, I do not believe there will be alcohol involved.
Fitness will be the subject of many posts to come, I'm sure, so I won't go into it now. But I did decide tonight that I will sleep in tomorrow instead of getting up and going for a run. Which of course stresses me out because I want to stay fit throughout my MBA and not turn into a porker like I did my freshman year of college. Sigh.
Keep things in perspective. Stay healthy. Stay on top of things as much as you can. And get sleep... while you can.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Economist Intelligence Unit 2008 MBA Rankings Released
Phew! That subject line is a mouthful!
But this is big news for prospective MBA students everywhere... and also for all the brand spankin' new MBA students who are currently pondering whether they made the right choice (ahem, not that any of us are doing that!). The Economist Intelligence Unit released its 2008 MBA rankings today, and you can find them here.
Rounding out the top ten overall ranked programs are the following:
1. IMD - International Institute for Management Development, Switzerland
2. IESE Business School - University of Navarra, Spain
3. University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, USA
4. Stanford Graduate School of Business, USA
5. Dartmouth College - Tuck School of Business, USA
6. University of California at Berkeley - Haas School of Business, USA
7. University of Cambridge - Judge Business School, UK... which, I should probably mention, is where I am attending. It's about time I declared this information to the blogosphere! I am so proud of the ranking, but more proud still of getting accepted into this wonderful program. Of course, check back with me when I'm struggling through Business Statistics and Corporate Finance and see how wonderful I think it is... but in all seriousness, this program has been amazing thus far and I am thrilled that JBS is regarded so highly by this ranking.
8. New York University - Leonard N. Stern School of Business, USA
9. London Business School, UK
10. IE Business School, Spain
It is important to note that no ranking is the be all and end all. There are various MBA rankings and each offers a different perspective. The most important thing, in digesting rankings and choosing from among all the great programs out there, is to focus on the fit. Prospective students, focus on finding the program with which you are, as I would say in my non-business life, MFEO. Just as in any important life relationship, you and your program should be destined for each other, Made For Each Other, a perfect fit.
Just like me and Judge.
But this is big news for prospective MBA students everywhere... and also for all the brand spankin' new MBA students who are currently pondering whether they made the right choice (ahem, not that any of us are doing that!). The Economist Intelligence Unit released its 2008 MBA rankings today, and you can find them here.
Rounding out the top ten overall ranked programs are the following:
1. IMD - International Institute for Management Development, Switzerland
2. IESE Business School - University of Navarra, Spain
3. University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, USA
4. Stanford Graduate School of Business, USA
5. Dartmouth College - Tuck School of Business, USA
6. University of California at Berkeley - Haas School of Business, USA
7. University of Cambridge - Judge Business School, UK... which, I should probably mention, is where I am attending. It's about time I declared this information to the blogosphere! I am so proud of the ranking, but more proud still of getting accepted into this wonderful program. Of course, check back with me when I'm struggling through Business Statistics and Corporate Finance and see how wonderful I think it is... but in all seriousness, this program has been amazing thus far and I am thrilled that JBS is regarded so highly by this ranking.
8. New York University - Leonard N. Stern School of Business, USA
9. London Business School, UK
10. IE Business School, Spain
It is important to note that no ranking is the be all and end all. There are various MBA rankings and each offers a different perspective. The most important thing, in digesting rankings and choosing from among all the great programs out there, is to focus on the fit. Prospective students, focus on finding the program with which you are, as I would say in my non-business life, MFEO. Just as in any important life relationship, you and your program should be destined for each other, Made For Each Other, a perfect fit.
Just like me and Judge.
Fashion-Forward Friday #2
Proenza Schouler Fall 2008. Photo via NYMag.
... because tights and a great coat are (sometimes) all it takes.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
An Early and Sober Night
Thank goodness!
Not that I have been that out of control - nor has anyone yet, I don't think - but it is very nice to have tonight to myself and catch up on things and digest the week a bit.
What is there to digest? Schmoozing! New friends! New professors! Economics! Math Boot Camp! Projects and study groups and library services and careers! Oh my!
The week is flying by, and I am just trying to take it all in as much as I can.
I thought, seeing as I have made it over halfway through my first week, that I should pose myself a two-part question:
What has been the most pleasant surprise? And:
What has been a disappointment?
Well, since I have already gone on and on about how fabulous the people are, I will say that another very pleasant surprise has been the way the staff is easing us into things here. The days have been jam-packed with introductory sessions on everything from our projects (there are three on this course - yikes!) to the amazing services offered by the library (seriously - my perceptions of libraries and librarians are forever altered) to IT nuts and bolts to our post-MBA career path. It is a TON to process in our fabulous but overstimulated MBA student brains, but the staff is doing a marvelous job of spacing things out, giving us schmooze time and booze time and even a bit of free time.
The biggest disappointment, by waaaaaaaay far, is the university gym. I attempted a workout this evening, going in with a positive attitude even though I had already seen the facility and was not, um, impressed. My workout? Was a disaster. The gym? Is skeezy, smelly, spanky, and skanky. Well, maybe not skanky. I'd like to think that my fellow classmates and colleagues here are classier than that. But nice-smelling they are not. At least not in the cramped, pastel-colored, air-circulation-less, damp, dank chamber that is this fitness room. And I have been to some skankarific gyms before, but this one takes the cake for its unfathomable combination of unpleasant features. Even the purple pleather on the Cybex machines is discolored from years of use by sweating scholars.
It is gross. Totally, completely gross.
Apparently my graduate dorm, where I will be moving on Saturday, contains my college gym. I am desperately holding out hope that somehow my tiny college gym is nicer than the main university one. I really don't see how it can be worse.
(I just knocked on wood.)
I get to sleep in tomorrow! Yipee! And then we have an intro to career services, our second economics pre-course lecture (yes, it's a pre-course, which means it's not graded! Rejoice!) and then... a barbeque at my college for the entire MBA class! Must get my beauty rest so I can be a fabulous hostess.
Good night!
Not that I have been that out of control - nor has anyone yet, I don't think - but it is very nice to have tonight to myself and catch up on things and digest the week a bit.
What is there to digest? Schmoozing! New friends! New professors! Economics! Math Boot Camp! Projects and study groups and library services and careers! Oh my!
The week is flying by, and I am just trying to take it all in as much as I can.
I thought, seeing as I have made it over halfway through my first week, that I should pose myself a two-part question:
What has been the most pleasant surprise? And:
What has been a disappointment?
Well, since I have already gone on and on about how fabulous the people are, I will say that another very pleasant surprise has been the way the staff is easing us into things here. The days have been jam-packed with introductory sessions on everything from our projects (there are three on this course - yikes!) to the amazing services offered by the library (seriously - my perceptions of libraries and librarians are forever altered) to IT nuts and bolts to our post-MBA career path. It is a TON to process in our fabulous but overstimulated MBA student brains, but the staff is doing a marvelous job of spacing things out, giving us schmooze time and booze time and even a bit of free time.
The biggest disappointment, by waaaaaaaay far, is the university gym. I attempted a workout this evening, going in with a positive attitude even though I had already seen the facility and was not, um, impressed. My workout? Was a disaster. The gym? Is skeezy, smelly, spanky, and skanky. Well, maybe not skanky. I'd like to think that my fellow classmates and colleagues here are classier than that. But nice-smelling they are not. At least not in the cramped, pastel-colored, air-circulation-less, damp, dank chamber that is this fitness room. And I have been to some skankarific gyms before, but this one takes the cake for its unfathomable combination of unpleasant features. Even the purple pleather on the Cybex machines is discolored from years of use by sweating scholars.
It is gross. Totally, completely gross.
Apparently my graduate dorm, where I will be moving on Saturday, contains my college gym. I am desperately holding out hope that somehow my tiny college gym is nicer than the main university one. I really don't see how it can be worse.
(I just knocked on wood.)
I get to sleep in tomorrow! Yipee! And then we have an intro to career services, our second economics pre-course lecture (yes, it's a pre-course, which means it's not graded! Rejoice!) and then... a barbeque at my college for the entire MBA class! Must get my beauty rest so I can be a fabulous hostess.
Good night!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
I'm a Survivor
I have made it through the first two days of my MBA program! Golf claps.
Wow... there is so much to say. So much to say, and such a slow internet connection so no faith that any of this will actually be saved, much less published, so, quickly and because I haven't gotten a full night of sleep in three nights and because I had two glasses of wine on an empty stomach:
As if I wasn't feeling confident enough in my choice of graduate degree, the past two days have confirmed that this next year will be pretty darn awesome.
Why?
The people. My fellow classmates comprise the mose diverse group of people with whom I have ever had the pleasure to schmooze. To think that I was going into this program concerned about my untraditional non-profit background... I was worried that people would meet me and think, "What the F is she doing here?" But instead, yesterday we did 30-second introductions of our classmates, and over and over again I thought to myself, "Wow! That is amazing!" My class of 149 people come from 49 nationalities and dozens of undergraduate majors. Their work experience ranges from Goldman Sachs rockstars to Microsoft ubernerds to lawyers to professional actors and practically every other job you can imagine. Some are in their early twenties, some are in their forties. Some have spouses and babies, some are single and fabulous. Some just learned English. And they are quite literally from all over the world.
And they're nice too! At least so far. I'm sure there will be personality clashes and maybe even cliques (as much as I would love to believe we are mature enough to escape them). I'm sure the egos will emerge, and the wallflowers will recede. But, for now, we are one big, happy, socializing crew.
Whenever anyone asks me my favorite thing about my Ivy League undergraduate experience (excuse the name drop, but just to give a bit of context), I immediately say "the people." And I truly believe that. I can't remember details of the wonderful things I studied - I remember being enthralled with most of my classes, but the details have long escaped out the other ear. Instead, I remember the people. The challenging conversations, the relationships. Being surrounded by exceptionally intelligent people for the first time in my life was a thrill.
This program will clearly have a similar impact. Some of my new classmates are economics masters and finance whizzes. I am not. I have other qualities to offer, though - some of which I am still discovering - and that is a huge part of what this program will be for me. I know that we will all bring something exciting to the classroom. And that will make all the difference.
On to Day Three... a lighter day, thank goodness. More details to come!
Wow... there is so much to say. So much to say, and such a slow internet connection so no faith that any of this will actually be saved, much less published, so, quickly and because I haven't gotten a full night of sleep in three nights and because I had two glasses of wine on an empty stomach:
As if I wasn't feeling confident enough in my choice of graduate degree, the past two days have confirmed that this next year will be pretty darn awesome.
Why?
The people. My fellow classmates comprise the mose diverse group of people with whom I have ever had the pleasure to schmooze. To think that I was going into this program concerned about my untraditional non-profit background... I was worried that people would meet me and think, "What the F is she doing here?" But instead, yesterday we did 30-second introductions of our classmates, and over and over again I thought to myself, "Wow! That is amazing!" My class of 149 people come from 49 nationalities and dozens of undergraduate majors. Their work experience ranges from Goldman Sachs rockstars to Microsoft ubernerds to lawyers to professional actors and practically every other job you can imagine. Some are in their early twenties, some are in their forties. Some have spouses and babies, some are single and fabulous. Some just learned English. And they are quite literally from all over the world.
And they're nice too! At least so far. I'm sure there will be personality clashes and maybe even cliques (as much as I would love to believe we are mature enough to escape them). I'm sure the egos will emerge, and the wallflowers will recede. But, for now, we are one big, happy, socializing crew.
Whenever anyone asks me my favorite thing about my Ivy League undergraduate experience (excuse the name drop, but just to give a bit of context), I immediately say "the people." And I truly believe that. I can't remember details of the wonderful things I studied - I remember being enthralled with most of my classes, but the details have long escaped out the other ear. Instead, I remember the people. The challenging conversations, the relationships. Being surrounded by exceptionally intelligent people for the first time in my life was a thrill.
This program will clearly have a similar impact. Some of my new classmates are economics masters and finance whizzes. I am not. I have other qualities to offer, though - some of which I am still discovering - and that is a huge part of what this program will be for me. I know that we will all bring something exciting to the classroom. And that will make all the difference.
On to Day Three... a lighter day, thank goodness. More details to come!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Fashion-Forward Friday #1
Welcome to my new weekly installment, Fashion-Forward Friday!
Why post about fashion on an MBA blog? Let me count the reasons...
Ralph Lauren Fall 2008. Photo via NYMag.
... because Fall is almost here! Time to break out (or go shopping for) your cute fall duds!
Why post about fashion on an MBA blog? Let me count the reasons...
Ralph Lauren Fall 2008. Photo via NYMag.
... because Fall is almost here! Time to break out (or go shopping for) your cute fall duds!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
How Not to Take the GMAT
Um. Here is an article on how not to take the GMAT.
Since I have basically blocked my entire GMAT experience from my mind - from test prep to taking it the first time to getting a math tutor to taking it again - I have been out of the loop, but apparently, according to Business Week:
"The cheating scandal erupted in June, when GMAC announced that it shut down a test-prep Web site, Scoretop.com, that it had successfully sued for copyright infringement after discovering that it was posting "live" GMAT questions. Unlike the retired questions used by legitimate test-prep publications and services, the "live" questions on Scoretop were still in use on the GMAT exam. While the operator of the Scoretop site had already left the U.S. to return to his native China, thousands of Scoretop users were left worrying that their hopes of getting an MBA would be derailed by GMAC's probe."
And now the scores of 84 dumbos who used the cheating site have been cancelled. Of course, these kids are also being allowed to retake the test "immediately" - which I think is pretty lame. Cheating is cheating. Regardless of who provided the questions or how easily accessible they were, these test-takers absolutely should have known better than to use the "live" questions as part of their test prep. They deserve to be punished more severely than just having to retake the test. Heck, I had to take the test twice and I was an honest, ethical test-taker!
Personally, I think they should have had to wait a year to retake the exam and reapply to programs. Some of the test-takers who were caught cheating had been accepted to such prestigious programs as the University of Chicago. Fortunately, many of the test-takers had been rejected by other programs, but the article does not say if they are matriculating elsewhere.
I certainly would not want to be going to school with anyone who cheated on the GMAT! I mean, how lame is that? Grow up, get over yourself, prepare for the test, and suffer through it like the rest of us did. Earn your acceptances, don't cheat to get them.
Sheesh!
Since I have basically blocked my entire GMAT experience from my mind - from test prep to taking it the first time to getting a math tutor to taking it again - I have been out of the loop, but apparently, according to Business Week:
"The cheating scandal erupted in June, when GMAC announced that it shut down a test-prep Web site, Scoretop.com, that it had successfully sued for copyright infringement after discovering that it was posting "live" GMAT questions. Unlike the retired questions used by legitimate test-prep publications and services, the "live" questions on Scoretop were still in use on the GMAT exam. While the operator of the Scoretop site had already left the U.S. to return to his native China, thousands of Scoretop users were left worrying that their hopes of getting an MBA would be derailed by GMAC's probe."
And now the scores of 84 dumbos who used the cheating site have been cancelled. Of course, these kids are also being allowed to retake the test "immediately" - which I think is pretty lame. Cheating is cheating. Regardless of who provided the questions or how easily accessible they were, these test-takers absolutely should have known better than to use the "live" questions as part of their test prep. They deserve to be punished more severely than just having to retake the test. Heck, I had to take the test twice and I was an honest, ethical test-taker!
Personally, I think they should have had to wait a year to retake the exam and reapply to programs. Some of the test-takers who were caught cheating had been accepted to such prestigious programs as the University of Chicago. Fortunately, many of the test-takers had been rejected by other programs, but the article does not say if they are matriculating elsewhere.
I certainly would not want to be going to school with anyone who cheated on the GMAT! I mean, how lame is that? Grow up, get over yourself, prepare for the test, and suffer through it like the rest of us did. Earn your acceptances, don't cheat to get them.
Sheesh!
Liar's Poker: Pre-Reading I Actually Enjoyed
I just about had a panic attack the day my MBA pre-reading assignments arrived in my inbox. In case I haven't made this clear, I am easily intimidated by almost everything associated with my MBA, and the pre-reading was no exception.
So how delighted was I to see this on the list:
My boyfriend had bought and read this book earlier this year, and had already recommended it to me. Even though it was "optional" pre-reading (as opposed to the Econ textbook, Excel self-test, and math practice questions - none of which I have attempted yet) I started with it, and it was the perfect introduction to all this business stuff.
What's great about this book (besides the fact that the author, Michael Lewis, is married to Tabitha "MTV News" Soren - what a blast from the past that revelation was!) is that it reads like a gossiptastic, scandalicious novel. Except it's non-fiction. Which of course makes it that much more enjoyable.
Liar's Poker tells the true story of Lewis' four years at Wall Street giant Salomon Brothers in the 80s, as he rose from a trainee to a "Big Swinging Dick" (his language, not mine) trader. As fate would have it, the four years he slaved away for Salomon witnessed the firm's tumultuous fall from their powerful perch on Wall Street.
Importantly for me, Lewis actually explains and defines things for those of us on the outside. I now have a much better sense of what a bond actually is, and what a trader actually does. Valuable stuff for me, going into my program next week. At least I won't be totally clueless!
A highly recommended read for anyone! Enjoy!
So how delighted was I to see this on the list:
My boyfriend had bought and read this book earlier this year, and had already recommended it to me. Even though it was "optional" pre-reading (as opposed to the Econ textbook, Excel self-test, and math practice questions - none of which I have attempted yet) I started with it, and it was the perfect introduction to all this business stuff.
What's great about this book (besides the fact that the author, Michael Lewis, is married to Tabitha "MTV News" Soren - what a blast from the past that revelation was!) is that it reads like a gossiptastic, scandalicious novel. Except it's non-fiction. Which of course makes it that much more enjoyable.
Liar's Poker tells the true story of Lewis' four years at Wall Street giant Salomon Brothers in the 80s, as he rose from a trainee to a "Big Swinging Dick" (his language, not mine) trader. As fate would have it, the four years he slaved away for Salomon witnessed the firm's tumultuous fall from their powerful perch on Wall Street.
Importantly for me, Lewis actually explains and defines things for those of us on the outside. I now have a much better sense of what a bond actually is, and what a trader actually does. Valuable stuff for me, going into my program next week. At least I won't be totally clueless!
A highly recommended read for anyone! Enjoy!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Why Go Global?
I will be the first to admit that when I first started my MBA process a couple years ago, I didn't even think about programs outside the US. My friends and family and professional connections are all in the US, and I'd never planned on working for an international company. Indeed, California was as far away as I would consider.
Then the man of my dreams came along - Wait! Empowered independent women! Bear with me! - and so did his job transfer from NYC to London. A voluntary transfer, mind you. And all of a sudden English MBA programs scooted to the top of my list.
Did I do it just for the guy? Nope. Was he the deciding factor in choosing my top choice UK school over my top choice US school? Well... at the end of the day, when all was said and done, and I had my two acceptance letters in my hands... yeah, he was.
Empowered independent women, please keep reading. I am being honest here. You can respect that, right?
But! I lucked out. Majorly. See, I had always wanted to live in England, even before meeting the guy. I just never had a good enough excuse to move across the pond, and was daunted at the thought of living all the way over here by myself. The guy and I met just as we were both entering hugely transitional phases in our lives. Fortunately, we were able to make these transitions together. As crazy as it all seemed, and as fast as it all happened, the timing and the circumstances ironed themselves out quite nicely for me and for us.
So here I am. Quite excited to be doing my MBA abroad, if I do say so myself.
If you decide to go global, here are some important things to keep in mind:
1. Name recognition
I know, I know. But seriously. What's the point of dropping $80K on a program that no one in your home country will have ever heard of? As much as I don't like the idea of paying for a name, when it comes to an MBA you want to be in a program with which your future employers will be impressed, not confounded.
2. Being away from family and friends
I couldn't have done it alone! Or, well, I could have, but it would have been really hard. Good MBA programs abound. There is no reason torture yourself being far away from loved ones. Life's too short.
3. Cultural immersion
Part of studying abroad is embracing the local culture. If you have absolutely no interest in this, perhaps going global is not for you. As for me, well, cultural immersion over here means scones and clotted cream, football (as in soccer), Guinness, Wimbledon, fish 'n chips, and the Windsor fam. I can't get enough!
4. The logistics
Are a pain in the patootie. If you are not a patient person, or the program is not worth the hassle of visas and an international move, stay local.
5. The program itself
All of the programs in England except one are just one year. Woohoo! I wasn't actually that thrilled about being in school for two years, so even though I'm sure this year will be more intense than I dare fathom, it'll be nice to have my degree 12 months from today.
But my program fits me well in other ways, too. And that is hugely important. Whether you are a finance whiz, a quant nerd, a marketing genius, or a non-profit rock star, make sure the programs for which you apply include courses and resources that will support your interests.
6. International work experience
Perhaps the best part of my MBA process thus far has been opening my mind to the idea of working for an international company - or, more appropriately in my case, a global non-profit. If MBA programs claim anything, it's that the sky is the limit professionally. So why was I limiting myself to and within the States? And even if I end up working for a small UK organization before returning to the US, international work experience looks fab on a resumé.
At least these are my thoughts pre-MBA. Rest assured as I commence my program, I'll be posting more about my global gamble. Time will tell.
Then the man of my dreams came along - Wait! Empowered independent women! Bear with me! - and so did his job transfer from NYC to London. A voluntary transfer, mind you. And all of a sudden English MBA programs scooted to the top of my list.
Did I do it just for the guy? Nope. Was he the deciding factor in choosing my top choice UK school over my top choice US school? Well... at the end of the day, when all was said and done, and I had my two acceptance letters in my hands... yeah, he was.
Empowered independent women, please keep reading. I am being honest here. You can respect that, right?
But! I lucked out. Majorly. See, I had always wanted to live in England, even before meeting the guy. I just never had a good enough excuse to move across the pond, and was daunted at the thought of living all the way over here by myself. The guy and I met just as we were both entering hugely transitional phases in our lives. Fortunately, we were able to make these transitions together. As crazy as it all seemed, and as fast as it all happened, the timing and the circumstances ironed themselves out quite nicely for me and for us.
So here I am. Quite excited to be doing my MBA abroad, if I do say so myself.
If you decide to go global, here are some important things to keep in mind:
1. Name recognition
I know, I know. But seriously. What's the point of dropping $80K on a program that no one in your home country will have ever heard of? As much as I don't like the idea of paying for a name, when it comes to an MBA you want to be in a program with which your future employers will be impressed, not confounded.
2. Being away from family and friends
I couldn't have done it alone! Or, well, I could have, but it would have been really hard. Good MBA programs abound. There is no reason torture yourself being far away from loved ones. Life's too short.
3. Cultural immersion
Part of studying abroad is embracing the local culture. If you have absolutely no interest in this, perhaps going global is not for you. As for me, well, cultural immersion over here means scones and clotted cream, football (as in soccer), Guinness, Wimbledon, fish 'n chips, and the Windsor fam. I can't get enough!
4. The logistics
Are a pain in the patootie. If you are not a patient person, or the program is not worth the hassle of visas and an international move, stay local.
5. The program itself
All of the programs in England except one are just one year. Woohoo! I wasn't actually that thrilled about being in school for two years, so even though I'm sure this year will be more intense than I dare fathom, it'll be nice to have my degree 12 months from today.
But my program fits me well in other ways, too. And that is hugely important. Whether you are a finance whiz, a quant nerd, a marketing genius, or a non-profit rock star, make sure the programs for which you apply include courses and resources that will support your interests.
6. International work experience
Perhaps the best part of my MBA process thus far has been opening my mind to the idea of working for an international company - or, more appropriately in my case, a global non-profit. If MBA programs claim anything, it's that the sky is the limit professionally. So why was I limiting myself to and within the States? And even if I end up working for a small UK organization before returning to the US, international work experience looks fab on a resumé.
At least these are my thoughts pre-MBA. Rest assured as I commence my program, I'll be posting more about my global gamble. Time will tell.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
First Day Fashionista
Thank you, Matthew Williamson, for providing me my First Day of School Outfit.
Photo via NYMag.com
My MBA peeps said I have to wear "business attire" for the first day. We have a class portrait to take, after all. I think this suit qualifies, right? I mean it is a suit!
Ok, so I won't actually be wearing this on my first day. But as I've been packing, I have made a decision: I am going to bring a little style to my MBA class. Who knows, maybe there are a whole flock of fashionistas awaiting my comraderie at school... but somehow I doubt it.
Perhaps it's because I have been spending much of the last eight months in warm-ups, pjs, and workout clothes - but I am ready to rock my businessy glad rags. I know this sounds girly, but wearing nice outfits will make me feel more confident, and I need all the confidence I can get right now.
So get ready, future classmates! You will have a fabulous fashionista in your midst!
Photo via NYMag.com
My MBA peeps said I have to wear "business attire" for the first day. We have a class portrait to take, after all. I think this suit qualifies, right? I mean it is a suit!
Ok, so I won't actually be wearing this on my first day. But as I've been packing, I have made a decision: I am going to bring a little style to my MBA class. Who knows, maybe there are a whole flock of fashionistas awaiting my comraderie at school... but somehow I doubt it.
Perhaps it's because I have been spending much of the last eight months in warm-ups, pjs, and workout clothes - but I am ready to rock my businessy glad rags. I know this sounds girly, but wearing nice outfits will make me feel more confident, and I need all the confidence I can get right now.
So get ready, future classmates! You will have a fabulous fashionista in your midst!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Last Week of Freedom: A To Do List
With just a few days remaining before I head to grad school, it's time to buckle down and get organized. So without further ado, here's what I need to do:
- Establish this blog (hooray!)
- Maximize quality time with the boyfriend
- Go through clothes, switch closet from spring/summer to fall/winter
- Pack! Yikes: clothes, shoes, products, vitamins, snacks, computer stuff, books
- Get in a few good workouts before the MBA boozing begins...
- Sort through school paperwork, make sure I bring everything I need: loan application, orientation schedule, college information, career services prep
- Continue MBA pre-reading (bleh)
- Do MBA math prep (ew)
- Did I mention the mountain of pre-reading I should be doing?
Ok this is getting depressing. I am not ready to let go of my lady of leisure life! No longer will I be able to go to a museum in the middle of the day (not that I did that very often) or take long walks around my newly adopted hometown of London (ditto) or cook beautiful meals for my boyfriend (definitely never did that).
But perhaps what has made this time so enjoyable is that I knew it was definite. This leisurely time had an end from the beginning, and I have eeked every morsel of enjoyment out of it that I can. A glass of wine with lunch in the middle of the day. Going to the gym and grocery store at off-peak hours. Meeting my boyfriend for a spontaneous walk, errand, or meal when he can escape from his desk.
Sigh. It's been great. Here's hoping the year ahead is great... albeit in a very different way.
Woohoo Wall Street!
Photo via NYTimes; credit: Mark Lennihan/APWowee!
Between The Brothers Lehman, The Dudes of Merrill, and AIG, it's a fine day in the US of A, eh?Good lord. All I have to say is, I'm glad I'm into my MBA program already... because I have a feeling the state of the economy is going to drive a bunch of people back to grad school. It will be very interesting to see what happens to application numbers this year.
Of course, it will be interesting to me, since I am already on the other side of it. I would not want to be in the midst of the application process again, period - much less this year.
But! Prospective MBA rockstars, never fear! When you are close to despair, keep in mind that the best MBA programs will look for diversity on many levels, and will not let the crush of laid-off finance peeps affect their acceptances too much. Programs look for a good balance of men and women; as well as professional, socio-economic, and career-aspiring diversity. Or so they should. I believe my program does (after all, the folks who run my MBA accepted me into it!), and all programs should.
So hang in there, MBA applicants!(And don't mind me as I take just a wee moment more to rejoice - and breathe a sigh of relief - for myself.)
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Wherefore art thou MBA?
So this is it. My final week before commencing my MBA. The two-and-a-half-year process of GMAT prep, applications, and decisions decisions decisions is finally coming to an end.
Though really, when I think about it, this has been more like a six-year process. When I graduated from college, I thought I wanted to be an archaeologist and looked into PhD programs. When I realized that I was not meant to be the next Mrs. Indiana Jones, I thought perhaps a master's degree in Museum Education or Public Administration would be best.
But the longer I both worked and volunteered for various non-profits throughout New York City, the more often I thought to myself, "I could run this place better than these people... well, if I knew anything about adminstrating a business." Eureka! And a Master's in Business Administration is the degree that stuck.
I have doubted myself many times and in many ways throughout my grad school process, but I have never once doubted that the MBA is the degree for me. I am passionate about the non-profit world, and a few causes in particular, and I have seen too many people waste too much energy trying to do good things for the world through disoranized organizations. So while I feel that there does need to be a balance between functioning like a business and maintaining the heart of a non-profit, I think non-profits have a lot to gain from becoming a little more business-minded.
So that's why I'm here. Now, we'll see where I go.
Though really, when I think about it, this has been more like a six-year process. When I graduated from college, I thought I wanted to be an archaeologist and looked into PhD programs. When I realized that I was not meant to be the next Mrs. Indiana Jones, I thought perhaps a master's degree in Museum Education or Public Administration would be best.
But the longer I both worked and volunteered for various non-profits throughout New York City, the more often I thought to myself, "I could run this place better than these people... well, if I knew anything about adminstrating a business." Eureka! And a Master's in Business Administration is the degree that stuck.
I have doubted myself many times and in many ways throughout my grad school process, but I have never once doubted that the MBA is the degree for me. I am passionate about the non-profit world, and a few causes in particular, and I have seen too many people waste too much energy trying to do good things for the world through disoranized organizations. So while I feel that there does need to be a balance between functioning like a business and maintaining the heart of a non-profit, I think non-profits have a lot to gain from becoming a little more business-minded.
So that's why I'm here. Now, we'll see where I go.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Welcome to Miz MBA!
Hello there!
Jen here. I'm a 27-year-old American with a professional background in not-for-profit fundraising. I moved to London in January 2008 and will be commencing an MBA program here in the UK in - GULP - 9 days.
My MBA process has been a rollercoaster of introspection, insecurity, intimidation, excitement, nerdiness, creativity, challenges, boredom, breakdowns, and the occasional triumph - all of which has already put me in debt, with tens of thousands of dollars of debt to (over)come.
But I could not feel more confident in my choice in graduate degree.
Of course, we'll see how I'm feeling in a couple of weeks, and in a couple of months, and in a year.
Which is why I'm here. I hope that this blog will reach you prospective MBA students - women in particular (no offense, guys, but we chicks have our own challenges to face in this process) - and help you figure out if an MBA is the right degree for you. And if it is, I hope you'll be less intimidated than I was in taking it on.
I hope this blog will also reach current MBA students and recent MBA grads - and I hope you ladies will offer your opinions and advice in the comments section. Even better, email me at mizgrad{at}googlemail.com to be featured on this site!
Cheers, ladies! I look forward to your arrival at Miz MBA!
Jen here. I'm a 27-year-old American with a professional background in not-for-profit fundraising. I moved to London in January 2008 and will be commencing an MBA program here in the UK in - GULP - 9 days.
My MBA process has been a rollercoaster of introspection, insecurity, intimidation, excitement, nerdiness, creativity, challenges, boredom, breakdowns, and the occasional triumph - all of which has already put me in debt, with tens of thousands of dollars of debt to (over)come.
But I could not feel more confident in my choice in graduate degree.
Of course, we'll see how I'm feeling in a couple of weeks, and in a couple of months, and in a year.
Which is why I'm here. I hope that this blog will reach you prospective MBA students - women in particular (no offense, guys, but we chicks have our own challenges to face in this process) - and help you figure out if an MBA is the right degree for you. And if it is, I hope you'll be less intimidated than I was in taking it on.
I hope this blog will also reach current MBA students and recent MBA grads - and I hope you ladies will offer your opinions and advice in the comments section. Even better, email me at mizgrad{at}googlemail.com to be featured on this site!
Cheers, ladies! I look forward to your arrival at Miz MBA!
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