The best thing about second year is that I have had the chance to enjoy a bit of Toronto. I went and saw Wicked last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the show. This time last year I would have been studying for exams.
School in second year is perfectly busy, I have to keep it in perspective to compare it to last year this time in order to think it's not that bad. If I compare it to the time between work and school, when I was on Vacation, its clearly not easy! The most comparable thing for second year is undergrad. When you have semester's, except classes are only once a week. Unlike first year we actually have ebbs and flows of work (busy weeks and quiet weeks that are actually quiet).
For our out of school stuff, I still have many of the same events occupying my time (Stock Pitch, Finance Super Saturday and so on) its just from the perspective of helping the students in the incoming class and organizing the events (which takes far more time than actually participating in them.)
Anyhow, if you want your second year to be low key, don't sign up for a club executive role. It is both awesome, and very time consuming, so make sure you want to do it!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Fourth Week Second Year
I am obviously far less diligent about posting entries in second year. I hypothesize that it is because I am less busy with school work and therefore looking for less opportunities for procrastination. Have more time to go out and hang out with my friends, which means I am not sitting at Rotman blogging. Tonight is another Tipsy Tuesday, been a good showing of both first and second years so far this year, and I am trying to get some work done before we head out for drinks.
Naturally, I am therefore writing a blog post!
Second year is a different kind of busy, I believe I already mentioned this, but its Student Club events and school work and for some the first stretch of second year is occupied by recruiting. Student Club exec and director roles actually require a fair bit of work. So, people considering running for a position, be sure you are prepared for it to be the equivalent of at least 2 more classes if not more. This of course depends on how much you put into it.
Some people can minimize the work effort, and others will go overboard. I guess we are all learning how to balance it all, and of course maintain our motivation to stay on top of things. Rotman has a big pay it forward culture, so the previous students helped us, alumni helped them and now its our turn to help the next group of students who will be expected to go on and help their successors.
Anyhow, I hope that we are able to help the incoming students and that they are successful in their career and academic endeavors, and more so, I hope they want to keep it going next year.
Off to Ottawa/Montreal for Thanksgiving so happy holidays!
Naturally, I am therefore writing a blog post!
Second year is a different kind of busy, I believe I already mentioned this, but its Student Club events and school work and for some the first stretch of second year is occupied by recruiting. Student Club exec and director roles actually require a fair bit of work. So, people considering running for a position, be sure you are prepared for it to be the equivalent of at least 2 more classes if not more. This of course depends on how much you put into it.
Some people can minimize the work effort, and others will go overboard. I guess we are all learning how to balance it all, and of course maintain our motivation to stay on top of things. Rotman has a big pay it forward culture, so the previous students helped us, alumni helped them and now its our turn to help the next group of students who will be expected to go on and help their successors.
Anyhow, I hope that we are able to help the incoming students and that they are successful in their career and academic endeavors, and more so, I hope they want to keep it going next year.
Off to Ottawa/Montreal for Thanksgiving so happy holidays!
Monday, September 20, 2010
First Week Second Year
The first week of classes in second year has been pretty interesting so far. The 'second year is easy' theory is a myth and highly dependent on the classes you are taking and your ability to compare second year to first year. All things considered, it is a lot less work and more back-heavy in terms of assignments, and more weighting in the finals etc. The other benefit of second year is picking your groups. So you get to work with your friends, and hopefully people who are on the same page as you in terms of how much work they plan to put in and expectations on performance.
The other thing about second year, especially the first week, is that the work hasn't piled up (yet) and the weather is still pretty nice, so events like the boat cruise call are generally well attended and a good time to be had by all. Had a great collection of people from Rotman and a few other schools, a mix of first and second year students and a variety of beverages.
Not too much else to say, except that its time to crack open the books and get on top of this years work load!
The other thing about second year, especially the first week, is that the work hasn't piled up (yet) and the weather is still pretty nice, so events like the boat cruise call are generally well attended and a good time to be had by all. Had a great collection of people from Rotman and a few other schools, a mix of first and second year students and a variety of beverages.
Not too much else to say, except that its time to crack open the books and get on top of this years work load!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Back to School
I am happy to say I am back after surviving my summer internship and kicking off the semester as a second year student. I have to say I am looking forward to it! One of the many great things about my first year was having a lot of support from our upper year students and I think it's going to be a great year and hope I can pay it forward to the incoming class.
First things first - our Career Day student panel. The career center asked me and a few students from a diverse set of backgrounds with broad interests to participate in a panel discussion and speak about our experience and offer advice to the incoming students. Its always a bit tricky because we have our own experiences and everyone will have different work and education backgrounds so its hard to say that what worked for me will play out the same for others, but I hope we can at least shed light on what to expect.
The next step is volunteering at Orientation Camp. An important part of the MBA is developing your network and that starts at camp. Its a great place to get to know names and faces of your classmates. Reality is the people you spend time with at camp may or may not be your closest friends throughout the year, and once classes start you may not actually see them all that much if you have conflicting schedules. But the other thing about camp - its a time to let lose and enjoy the company of your classmates, get to know some of the upper year students and chill before the chaos of school starts.
Signing off for now and will aim to provide some insight on the second year student life in the coming months.
First things first - our Career Day student panel. The career center asked me and a few students from a diverse set of backgrounds with broad interests to participate in a panel discussion and speak about our experience and offer advice to the incoming students. Its always a bit tricky because we have our own experiences and everyone will have different work and education backgrounds so its hard to say that what worked for me will play out the same for others, but I hope we can at least shed light on what to expect.
The next step is volunteering at Orientation Camp. An important part of the MBA is developing your network and that starts at camp. Its a great place to get to know names and faces of your classmates. Reality is the people you spend time with at camp may or may not be your closest friends throughout the year, and once classes start you may not actually see them all that much if you have conflicting schedules. But the other thing about camp - its a time to let lose and enjoy the company of your classmates, get to know some of the upper year students and chill before the chaos of school starts.
Signing off for now and will aim to provide some insight on the second year student life in the coming months.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Summary of First Year
Looking back now that I have completed 13/14 exams, I feel like it was a pretty great year. With 7 large paper's handed in, 20 classes completed and countless assignments, quizzes and readings, I have to say I did learn a fair bit.
I learned the material, and can remember most of it (but please don't ask me to write the exams again). I learned even more about people and the entire interview recruiting and industry side of things, and of course the real lesson: Time Management.
One thing I hear frequently is that MBA school isn't difficult material it is just a lot of work. That is true to a point. Everyone is going struggle with some component of it. Be it the game theory in strategy, mathematics in about half the courses or writing ability in the other half. But the MBA gives you an opportunity to play to your strengths and develop skills in the area of your weaknesses. I think one of the mistakes people make (myself included) is only focusing on your strengths, and doing the minimum to get by on the weaker spots.
Below are a few of might highlights and low lights for each quarter and other area of activity in the year. Long blog post today... trying to compensate for not having posted in a while, and expect I won't be able to post frequently over the summer.
Recruiting:
Obviously a very important component of the MBA experience regardless of what you want to do, it is important to develop the skills necessary to get the job you want, whether it is a traditional banking/ consulting goal, or how to pitch your entreprenurial idea to a Venture Capitalist, the school did a decent job of this. However, very much a we'll help you if you help yourself operation. Which is important. Classic learning from accounting and operations is utilization and maximizing results on limited resources. So it makes sense to invest time where it will pay off. I found the students that were successful were focused and committed to what they wanted. Of course there are exceptions to every rule. Some people didn't have a clue and got lucky and others not so much. So much to say here, in the end I had a positive experience but was also very fortunate to have decided early, had tons of support and developed friendships with people interested in the same industry so we helped each other out. January to April can be a really tough time at school, but keeping perspective goes a long way.
Graduate Business Council:
The GBC Class rep role was a big part of my first year experience. It was both amazing and frustrating. When people feel they have an outlet to complain to they will. It is the 'job' of the rep to filter and try to discern between class wide systematic issues and individual one offs. It can be wonderful, you have lots of opportunity to meet people outside your section and cohort but can also be a thankless job. All in all a great experience because I was working with 3 other amazing reps and we could lean on each other and vent.
Friendships:
By far one of the best things about my experience are the friendships I developed. Meeting people who I was already connected to via university or Vancouver. As well as just meeting people constantly. I would say that the effort to go out to big events early on is well worth developing the network and can improve the entire year. Also, definitely go to MBA games. It helped bring a group of us together to have a genuine opportunity to chill outside of Rotman.
Q1
Stats
Financial Accounting
Managing People in Organizations
Foundations of Integrative Thinking
Economics (micro)
Q1 is a shocker. It is where everyone starts off motivated and doesn't know what is going on at all. We are still figuring out printer points and professors and what we want to be when we grow up and how everything all works together. We also learn that if you are hungry, there is no shortage of Pizza. So don't load up before you get there. All the club kick offs and intro meetings will serve Pizza. Also a good intro to prioritizing work. It is impossible to do all the work for everything. So figure out what to focus on and what can be skimmed.... High-light of Q1 meeting new people. Low-point spending thanks giving writing papers instead of relaxing with the family.
Q2
Finance
Strategy
Managing customer value
Financial Accounting
Stats
In Q2 is where it heats up. Q2 can also make or break it for people interested in banking/ consulting. Banking people, because so much success is depending on networking and attending events and participating in competitions and Super Saturday and Industry Night. Consulting, and to a degree banking, it is also the grades. Top marks are required (for the most part) so getting through Q2 is an uphill climb. It is also crappy weather, and you don't get a break from Q1 exams before you have homework and readings due for first class of Q2. High light for me was winning the stock pitch competition. It was a roller coaster competition and fun, but also a lot of work. Low-light was being exhausted for 8 weeks straight, and worrying about summer jobs.
Q3
Strategy
Finance
Managing Customer Value
Leadership
Economics (macro)
The time spent in Q3 is like an alternate universe from Q1 and Q2. The course load is very back heavy. A couple of quizzes and assignments. But most of the marks came in exam week. This is by design as students have a hard time getting to class let alone study while the summer recruitment machine wakes up. The high light is hard to decide so i have a few: getting the job I wanted, MBA games, inter MBA socials, Winter Olympics... Its also hard to pick a low point, except maybe a little disinterest in school as I finally let myself relax a little.
Q4
Operations Management
Managerial Accounting
Ethics
Integrative thinking practicum
Economics (International)
Well I am almost through... but Q4 is a bit of a return to last semester after Q3, I will include spring break here, as it was in between the two. So we come back from a week off and it is very difficult to get energized for school. I started to plan for South America Study Tour, summer internship, next years club involvement. Not so much focusing on the classes at hand. I am paying for it now, as I review material that I didn't stay on top up through the quarter. But I am overall pleased with this quarter. Good way to round out the year. Always room for improvement. But still a net positive. High light - going to see my family for Easter in Vancouver. Was brilliant to be out west and see the friends and family. Low light.... Flying home after a big night out and not feeling so great in the air.
That's all she wrote.
I learned the material, and can remember most of it (but please don't ask me to write the exams again). I learned even more about people and the entire interview recruiting and industry side of things, and of course the real lesson: Time Management.
One thing I hear frequently is that MBA school isn't difficult material it is just a lot of work. That is true to a point. Everyone is going struggle with some component of it. Be it the game theory in strategy, mathematics in about half the courses or writing ability in the other half. But the MBA gives you an opportunity to play to your strengths and develop skills in the area of your weaknesses. I think one of the mistakes people make (myself included) is only focusing on your strengths, and doing the minimum to get by on the weaker spots.
Below are a few of might highlights and low lights for each quarter and other area of activity in the year. Long blog post today... trying to compensate for not having posted in a while, and expect I won't be able to post frequently over the summer.
Recruiting:
Obviously a very important component of the MBA experience regardless of what you want to do, it is important to develop the skills necessary to get the job you want, whether it is a traditional banking/ consulting goal, or how to pitch your entreprenurial idea to a Venture Capitalist, the school did a decent job of this. However, very much a we'll help you if you help yourself operation. Which is important. Classic learning from accounting and operations is utilization and maximizing results on limited resources. So it makes sense to invest time where it will pay off. I found the students that were successful were focused and committed to what they wanted. Of course there are exceptions to every rule. Some people didn't have a clue and got lucky and others not so much. So much to say here, in the end I had a positive experience but was also very fortunate to have decided early, had tons of support and developed friendships with people interested in the same industry so we helped each other out. January to April can be a really tough time at school, but keeping perspective goes a long way.
Graduate Business Council:
The GBC Class rep role was a big part of my first year experience. It was both amazing and frustrating. When people feel they have an outlet to complain to they will. It is the 'job' of the rep to filter and try to discern between class wide systematic issues and individual one offs. It can be wonderful, you have lots of opportunity to meet people outside your section and cohort but can also be a thankless job. All in all a great experience because I was working with 3 other amazing reps and we could lean on each other and vent.
Friendships:
By far one of the best things about my experience are the friendships I developed. Meeting people who I was already connected to via university or Vancouver. As well as just meeting people constantly. I would say that the effort to go out to big events early on is well worth developing the network and can improve the entire year. Also, definitely go to MBA games. It helped bring a group of us together to have a genuine opportunity to chill outside of Rotman.
Q1
Stats
Financial Accounting
Managing People in Organizations
Foundations of Integrative Thinking
Economics (micro)
Q1 is a shocker. It is where everyone starts off motivated and doesn't know what is going on at all. We are still figuring out printer points and professors and what we want to be when we grow up and how everything all works together. We also learn that if you are hungry, there is no shortage of Pizza. So don't load up before you get there. All the club kick offs and intro meetings will serve Pizza. Also a good intro to prioritizing work. It is impossible to do all the work for everything. So figure out what to focus on and what can be skimmed.... High-light of Q1 meeting new people. Low-point spending thanks giving writing papers instead of relaxing with the family.
Q2
Finance
Strategy
Managing customer value
Financial Accounting
Stats
In Q2 is where it heats up. Q2 can also make or break it for people interested in banking/ consulting. Banking people, because so much success is depending on networking and attending events and participating in competitions and Super Saturday and Industry Night. Consulting, and to a degree banking, it is also the grades. Top marks are required (for the most part) so getting through Q2 is an uphill climb. It is also crappy weather, and you don't get a break from Q1 exams before you have homework and readings due for first class of Q2. High light for me was winning the stock pitch competition. It was a roller coaster competition and fun, but also a lot of work. Low-light was being exhausted for 8 weeks straight, and worrying about summer jobs.
Q3
Strategy
Finance
Managing Customer Value
Leadership
Economics (macro)
The time spent in Q3 is like an alternate universe from Q1 and Q2. The course load is very back heavy. A couple of quizzes and assignments. But most of the marks came in exam week. This is by design as students have a hard time getting to class let alone study while the summer recruitment machine wakes up. The high light is hard to decide so i have a few: getting the job I wanted, MBA games, inter MBA socials, Winter Olympics... Its also hard to pick a low point, except maybe a little disinterest in school as I finally let myself relax a little.
Q4
Operations Management
Managerial Accounting
Ethics
Integrative thinking practicum
Economics (International)
Well I am almost through... but Q4 is a bit of a return to last semester after Q3, I will include spring break here, as it was in between the two. So we come back from a week off and it is very difficult to get energized for school. I started to plan for South America Study Tour, summer internship, next years club involvement. Not so much focusing on the classes at hand. I am paying for it now, as I review material that I didn't stay on top up through the quarter. But I am overall pleased with this quarter. Good way to round out the year. Always room for improvement. But still a net positive. High light - going to see my family for Easter in Vancouver. Was brilliant to be out west and see the friends and family. Low light.... Flying home after a big night out and not feeling so great in the air.
That's all she wrote.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Home stretch
There are several expressions for being in the 'home stretch.' Near the end of the tunnel, just shy of the finish line, almost there. The only thing ringing in my head is that I am almost at the end of the line, of the first step. Everything gets broken up in MBA land. First Quarter, First, Semester, First Year, Summer, Second Year, First Semester Second Year etc. And the reality is, as we pass each milestone, the baby steps seem less important. For instance, the first exam week is this marathon adventure whereby we live at school, study for all hours, the 6 weeks leading up to exams (i.e. from day 1). Then by the time fourth quarter roles around. Exam week is a comfortable recurrence. We are no longer as perplexed by exams, and have made up our minds about the level of work required for different classes for different levels of success. There are few exams and more assignments and a general sense of people already focusing on whats next.
First quarter finals - focus on first quarter finals
Second quarter finals - focus on second quarter finals, a little on recruiting and networking, and Christmas... but not entirely checked out.
Third quarter finals - focused on recruiting, hanging out with friends, spring break, the winter Olympics and - oh yeah - third quarter finals.
Fourth quarter finals - focused on anything but school. I am hoping it will this weekend, as I need to get a lot of ground covered to round out the year, but it really hasn't hit yet.
To elaborate a little on all the other non-school priority things that are occupying my time and attention, just for those who may consider a similar career/ study path as me:
Study tour preparation: Vaccines, visa's, currency exchange, class research, planning packing details, reading up on Brazil & Argentina
First quarter finals - focus on first quarter finals
Second quarter finals - focus on second quarter finals, a little on recruiting and networking, and Christmas... but not entirely checked out.
Third quarter finals - focused on recruiting, hanging out with friends, spring break, the winter Olympics and - oh yeah - third quarter finals.
Fourth quarter finals - focused on anything but school. I am hoping it will this weekend, as I need to get a lot of ground covered to round out the year, but it really hasn't hit yet.
To elaborate a little on all the other non-school priority things that are occupying my time and attention, just for those who may consider a similar career/ study path as me:
Study tour preparation: Vaccines, visa's, currency exchange, class research, planning packing details, reading up on Brazil & Argentina
•Summer job preparation: buying another suit and some dress shirts, attending every financial modeling class the school offers, bugging my friends with IBanking experience about what to expect and getting excited
•Next year class schedule: Planning what classes I want to take, what profs I want to learn from, how many 'bid points' each will cost me, whether or not I care if I am in the same classes as my friends and wondering if I will still want to take mostly finance classes after a summer of finance, or if I'll switch to basket-weaving.
•Next years club involvement: weighing the options of and applying for club positions for next year and crossing my fingers that I get the position I want.
•Cleaning up my apartment: this is clearly a function of actually allowing myself the free time to spend time in my appartment and this want to clean it!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Maro Club : Racism in 2010 in downtown Toronto
I am happy to say that there was no blood, fighting or injury this evening. However me an several of my classmates went out for a night on the town to celebrate a few birthdays. With a program of 270 first years, every week or two there is a cumulative night out party to celebrate the passing of time and have a few drinks.
Tonight, we went to Maro Club. Our friend knew one of the staff members and could get us guest-listed so we trekked a little out of the way, further west than usual, to check out a different spot. I am usually happy to try new places, especially places that can accommodate large groups, as we often end up being 75 plus from the school that will end up at the same bar, on a 'small night' its 20. And that is a weekday.
After being told to get to the club by 11:30, we arrived a few minutes late to find man of our friends had been held in line for 20 minutes or longer. We spoke to the bouncer, manager, another couple of bouncers, and then the manager.
I understand how the night scene works in a big city, short skirts and pretty smiles dominate. Guys with cash get to skip to line, to finance the short skirts drinks for the evening. Friend of a friend jumps the line, one person with a $20 can walk up to the bouncer, pull a smooth "Richard" handshake and bypass.
It is a money driven world. It sucks, but that is capitalism, and in a capitalist economy, it makes sense. The income discrimination is a reality, and so long as businesses are running the night scene and not the Canadian Government (where everyone will be equally inconvenienced thank you very much) it won't change.
But my experience tonight was so shocking, that I wonder exactly how ignorant and stupid some people are. After getting the run around about whether or not we would get in. We had 30 friends already inside, and another 20 or 25 people outside being told 'we were capped out.' The folks inside were messaging us saying "its not busy at all - whats going on?"
The long conversation with the manager, eventually revealed the truth, when he said (paraphrasing) - we just don't want to let in that many Asians and Brown people.
We have a very diverse student body, and people come from all over the world, and all over North America with different Ethnic backgrounds, born and raised in cities like Vancouver, Toronto, New York and L.A., but apparently this Toronto club forgot it was in the epi-centre of one of the most culturally diverse cities there is, and decided to act in a way befitting a small child in 1930's not a grown adult running a business in the 21st Century.
Shame on you Maro, and I hope your operations are shut down, and that the individuals influencing these beliefs can recognize the tragedy of how these small decisions can become big societal beliefs.
Tonight, we went to Maro Club. Our friend knew one of the staff members and could get us guest-listed so we trekked a little out of the way, further west than usual, to check out a different spot. I am usually happy to try new places, especially places that can accommodate large groups, as we often end up being 75 plus from the school that will end up at the same bar, on a 'small night' its 20. And that is a weekday.
After being told to get to the club by 11:30, we arrived a few minutes late to find man of our friends had been held in line for 20 minutes or longer. We spoke to the bouncer, manager, another couple of bouncers, and then the manager.
I understand how the night scene works in a big city, short skirts and pretty smiles dominate. Guys with cash get to skip to line, to finance the short skirts drinks for the evening. Friend of a friend jumps the line, one person with a $20 can walk up to the bouncer, pull a smooth "Richard" handshake and bypass.
It is a money driven world. It sucks, but that is capitalism, and in a capitalist economy, it makes sense. The income discrimination is a reality, and so long as businesses are running the night scene and not the Canadian Government (where everyone will be equally inconvenienced thank you very much) it won't change.
But my experience tonight was so shocking, that I wonder exactly how ignorant and stupid some people are. After getting the run around about whether or not we would get in. We had 30 friends already inside, and another 20 or 25 people outside being told 'we were capped out.' The folks inside were messaging us saying "its not busy at all - whats going on?"
The long conversation with the manager, eventually revealed the truth, when he said (paraphrasing) - we just don't want to let in that many Asians and Brown people.
We have a very diverse student body, and people come from all over the world, and all over North America with different Ethnic backgrounds, born and raised in cities like Vancouver, Toronto, New York and L.A., but apparently this Toronto club forgot it was in the epi-centre of one of the most culturally diverse cities there is, and decided to act in a way befitting a small child in 1930's not a grown adult running a business in the 21st Century.
Shame on you Maro, and I hope your operations are shut down, and that the individuals influencing these beliefs can recognize the tragedy of how these small decisions can become big societal beliefs.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
How to get A's in MBA School
Coming to Rotman is an interesting experience, because the students that are here are all in the upper half of their undergrad classes, have interesting and valuable work experience and scored decently on the GMAT. In short, they are smart. And now you have a situation where the classes are all bell-curved and they can only give out so many A's...
There are a few key lessons I learned about how to be successful in classes - several of which I need to remember and reintroduce into my daily habits!
1. Go to class
2. Pay attention in class
3. Do the assigned homework problems
4. Get involved in every group assignment
5. Study for exams in groups - cover the courses from start to finish, other students can add an extra layer of perspective to material that you may have thought you understood but you actually didn't.
Additional thoughts - stay on top of classes throughout the quarter - it is amazing how fast 6 weeks (and then the whole of first year) goes by and you end up wondering how it all happened so fast!
That's all for now, I am going to go and take some of my own advice and catch up on readings!
There are a few key lessons I learned about how to be successful in classes - several of which I need to remember and reintroduce into my daily habits!
1. Go to class
2. Pay attention in class
3. Do the assigned homework problems
4. Get involved in every group assignment
5. Study for exams in groups - cover the courses from start to finish, other students can add an extra layer of perspective to material that you may have thought you understood but you actually didn't.
Additional thoughts - stay on top of classes throughout the quarter - it is amazing how fast 6 weeks (and then the whole of first year) goes by and you end up wondering how it all happened so fast!
That's all for now, I am going to go and take some of my own advice and catch up on readings!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Weekend & MBA life
Another weekend over. Its hard to believe how quickly they go. Not that weekends are all that different from week days. I had a group meeting yesterday from 10 am to 2 pm. Plus a few more hours of work, followed by a night out with friends.
Today, another group meeting putting together a presentation deck for Latin America Study Tour on Brazil and Argentina Financial Systems. Looking at these types of projects, I haven't really done this kind of research in a really long time and had to get back into the critical research mode. The main problem - no Wikipedia is not an acceptable source. While it is great for general information, it is not academic and should be corroborated by other actually published resources.
We have another quiz this week, Global Managerial Perspectives (affectionately called GMP like every other MBA class that can possibly be shorted to a TLA)
The thing about quizzes is they force you to study. When you have to study, the good old procrastination beast rears its ugly head and all of a sudden doing that reading, or catching up on the news, planning for a weekend trip and laundry all become very important.
I for one spent part of last night (when I should have been studying) catching up on LOST. Amazing show, but the reality is the show will be there later, the opportunity to learn about economics and international trade prior to the quiz is a limited factor. Have to continue to remind myself to keep on pushing, work hard and the rewards will be worth it. Slack off, and often the indulgence isn't worth the price paid. (E.g. if you slack off and then find out you short changed an assignment, didn't put enough effort in, and got a marginal mark, after working hard for every other assignment in the class, you realize you are on the cusp between grades, and had you put a little more effort into that early assignment, you would be up a point.
I suppose life is full of lessons and hopefully many of them stick. Sometimes lessons have to be learned the hard way, and sometimes you can learn from someone else.
Right now, I am learning that no matter how hard you try, it is very very very difficult for an MBA student who lives alone to eat meals at home. Particularly when even on Sunday I am ordering delivery to the school. One day I will go grocery shopping.... but I get the feeling that day is in May 2011.
Today, another group meeting putting together a presentation deck for Latin America Study Tour on Brazil and Argentina Financial Systems. Looking at these types of projects, I haven't really done this kind of research in a really long time and had to get back into the critical research mode. The main problem - no Wikipedia is not an acceptable source. While it is great for general information, it is not academic and should be corroborated by other actually published resources.
We have another quiz this week, Global Managerial Perspectives (affectionately called GMP like every other MBA class that can possibly be shorted to a TLA)
The thing about quizzes is they force you to study. When you have to study, the good old procrastination beast rears its ugly head and all of a sudden doing that reading, or catching up on the news, planning for a weekend trip and laundry all become very important.
I for one spent part of last night (when I should have been studying) catching up on LOST. Amazing show, but the reality is the show will be there later, the opportunity to learn about economics and international trade prior to the quiz is a limited factor. Have to continue to remind myself to keep on pushing, work hard and the rewards will be worth it. Slack off, and often the indulgence isn't worth the price paid. (E.g. if you slack off and then find out you short changed an assignment, didn't put enough effort in, and got a marginal mark, after working hard for every other assignment in the class, you realize you are on the cusp between grades, and had you put a little more effort into that early assignment, you would be up a point.
I suppose life is full of lessons and hopefully many of them stick. Sometimes lessons have to be learned the hard way, and sometimes you can learn from someone else.
Right now, I am learning that no matter how hard you try, it is very very very difficult for an MBA student who lives alone to eat meals at home. Particularly when even on Sunday I am ordering delivery to the school. One day I will go grocery shopping.... but I get the feeling that day is in May 2011.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Two weeks in... 7 to go.
Two weeks into the fourth quarter. I kind of feel like I am writing a long description of a basketball game. First quarter, 3 pointer! Second quarter, strong defense. Third quarter: traveling. Fourth quarter, who knows....
We have had our first quiz of Q4, a few assignments and a fair bit of reading and classes. Life is pretty busy at good old Rotman high. And it's feeling more like high school than ever. Everyone is pretty gelled as a class, and we are all getting anxious about the summer, the schools offices are starting to plan for next year already, and the weather is starting to tease us with a few good days.
The motivation to clean up our "third quarter Olympics and relaxing" behaviours and hit the books in earnest. I think I have said before, and I will say it again, with a six week quarter, you are behind after your first class. So prioritize, address what you need to and can get taken care of, and keep on keeping on.
By this time of year, there are still (per usual) a number of students seeking jobs. The hunt continues, the career forum's are still being held at school with networking opportunities and the perspective changes.
I am hoping that positive thoughts bring us all through this last quarter and we can finish up first year with success. I know I will plan on celebrating in South America on the study tour! Now to do the homework for that class! Oh boy.
We have had our first quiz of Q4, a few assignments and a fair bit of reading and classes. Life is pretty busy at good old Rotman high. And it's feeling more like high school than ever. Everyone is pretty gelled as a class, and we are all getting anxious about the summer, the schools offices are starting to plan for next year already, and the weather is starting to tease us with a few good days.
The motivation to clean up our "third quarter Olympics and relaxing" behaviours and hit the books in earnest. I think I have said before, and I will say it again, with a six week quarter, you are behind after your first class. So prioritize, address what you need to and can get taken care of, and keep on keeping on.
By this time of year, there are still (per usual) a number of students seeking jobs. The hunt continues, the career forum's are still being held at school with networking opportunities and the perspective changes.
I am hoping that positive thoughts bring us all through this last quarter and we can finish up first year with success. I know I will plan on celebrating in South America on the study tour! Now to do the homework for that class! Oh boy.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
No good excuses
The fourth quarter has started, Olympics wrapped up, and we are staring at a very busy set of classes for the next 5 weeks.
Current schedule (and rating on a scale of 1 to 10 so far)
Ethics (9)
Integrative Thinking Practicum ( more neutral and waiting to decide what I think)
Managerial Accounting (7)
Global Managerial Perspectives (8)
Operations Management (5 - I am definitely not an engineer!)
Lots more assignments this quarter than there were in Q3. But also seems like we are all at the end of our storage of patience. At least I am. The title for this blog entry, no good excuses, comes as with there not being recruiting, having just come back well rested from a week off, and not having major world events like the Olympics, I really have no excuse not to be completely on top of EVERYTHING. And yet somehow... I am not.
I guess it will have to be the old "I'll buckle down this week!" and see how it goes.
will return with updated thoughts on classes etc at a later date!
Current schedule (and rating on a scale of 1 to 10 so far)
Ethics (9)
Integrative Thinking Practicum ( more neutral and waiting to decide what I think)
Managerial Accounting (7)
Global Managerial Perspectives (8)
Operations Management (5 - I am definitely not an engineer!)
Lots more assignments this quarter than there were in Q3. But also seems like we are all at the end of our storage of patience. At least I am. The title for this blog entry, no good excuses, comes as with there not being recruiting, having just come back well rested from a week off, and not having major world events like the Olympics, I really have no excuse not to be completely on top of EVERYTHING. And yet somehow... I am not.
I guess it will have to be the old "I'll buckle down this week!" and see how it goes.
will return with updated thoughts on classes etc at a later date!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Student Involvement
Its the time of year in which we are starting the fourth quarter of first year and anxiously planning for summer and second year. The information on clubs and student council is out, and there is a healthy buzz about students getting involved. There are lots of great people interested in positions and I am eager to find out who lands where!
Right now we have the student elections for Graduate Business Council. Some level of interest, but it was disappointing to see that a number of positions had only one student running for them. One of the many benefits of student council representatives is the election in which students are given a voice. But if they are not given options, then there is a certain self selection process which leaves positions to be won by acclamation.
I hope that there are more people applying for roles - that we have a great council next year! Best of luck to those applying.
Incoming students who are student council/ club 'types' which many MBA students are, should know there is lots of opportunity to get involved and if it doesn't pan out for first year, there are lots of options for second year.
Right now we have the student elections for Graduate Business Council. Some level of interest, but it was disappointing to see that a number of positions had only one student running for them. One of the many benefits of student council representatives is the election in which students are given a voice. But if they are not given options, then there is a certain self selection process which leaves positions to be won by acclamation.
I hope that there are more people applying for roles - that we have a great council next year! Best of luck to those applying.
Incoming students who are student council/ club 'types' which many MBA students are, should know there is lots of opportunity to get involved and if it doesn't pan out for first year, there are lots of options for second year.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Top 10 things to do in your first year as a Rotman MBA
10. Get involved, meet people and get sucked into the world of Rotman
9. Study, study, study.
8. Hang out with people - more relationships (genuine friendships) you have, the more the whole experience is worth all the study, study, study.
7. Perfect your resume/cover letter writing skills. Remember your resume is never "finished."
6. Sacrifice study time to meet industry people - they may be your boss one day!
5. Read the business press. If you are taking an MBA hopefully it interests you to start with.
4. Practice time management skills (you simply cannot do it all, so pick and choose!)
3. Prepare enough for everything that is IMPORTANT so that whatever happens, you don't regret not giving it your all.
2. Avoid studying in the fishbowl. Otherwise it will become your mailing address, mix it up.
And the number one thing to do.....
1. Go somewhere fun for spring break. A little R&R and a sun tan go a long way to making the final haul of Q4 not look so scary. The break is well-deserved and much needed, so take advantage of the time off.
As you can probably guess, just back from Mayan Riviera in Mexico, after a restful week of R&R. Have a lovely sun tan, and slept more in the past week, than the previous 2 (if not 3) weeks combined. Managed the best of both worlds with a little family time and traveling with some friends. Personally - I didn't want a party week, and took the time to rest, contemplate the difficult decision of which pool to camp out at for the day and caught up on some non-academic reading.
Some of our class hit the slopes, others headed to Vegas or home to wherever they hail from, a couple of Caribbean trips and a scattering of Mexico sun searchers too. Some ventured to NYC, Chicago or Montreal for a different city scene. Whatever you can swing, be it sunny Mexico, Niagara Falls or a home-cooked meal with the folks. Take a break!
That is my two cents for the day! More to come later, have prep for the Latin America Study Tour that is capturing my interest daily! Brazil & Argentina here I come!
9. Study, study, study.
8. Hang out with people - more relationships (genuine friendships) you have, the more the whole experience is worth all the study, study, study.
7. Perfect your resume/cover letter writing skills. Remember your resume is never "finished."
6. Sacrifice study time to meet industry people - they may be your boss one day!
5. Read the business press. If you are taking an MBA hopefully it interests you to start with.
4. Practice time management skills (you simply cannot do it all, so pick and choose!)
3. Prepare enough for everything that is IMPORTANT so that whatever happens, you don't regret not giving it your all.
2. Avoid studying in the fishbowl. Otherwise it will become your mailing address, mix it up.
And the number one thing to do.....
1. Go somewhere fun for spring break. A little R&R and a sun tan go a long way to making the final haul of Q4 not look so scary. The break is well-deserved and much needed, so take advantage of the time off.
As you can probably guess, just back from Mayan Riviera in Mexico, after a restful week of R&R. Have a lovely sun tan, and slept more in the past week, than the previous 2 (if not 3) weeks combined. Managed the best of both worlds with a little family time and traveling with some friends. Personally - I didn't want a party week, and took the time to rest, contemplate the difficult decision of which pool to camp out at for the day and caught up on some non-academic reading.
Some of our class hit the slopes, others headed to Vegas or home to wherever they hail from, a couple of Caribbean trips and a scattering of Mexico sun searchers too. Some ventured to NYC, Chicago or Montreal for a different city scene. Whatever you can swing, be it sunny Mexico, Niagara Falls or a home-cooked meal with the folks. Take a break!
That is my two cents for the day! More to come later, have prep for the Latin America Study Tour that is capturing my interest daily! Brazil & Argentina here I come!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Future Rotmanites at Open House
At school studying today (and most days) in order to ensure I can have a clean calendar for tomorrow at 3 pm EST. The epic re-match of Canada vs USA in Olympic Hockey on home ice... and yet I have a final on Monday morning. Oh boy.
Today is a Rotman open house for prospective students, they come in and check out the school, meet a few upper year students, professors and administrators to get a feel for the program. The school puts on a little presentation about how many opportunities there are as a student and the many ways in which you can kick off your career.
I highly recommend attendance, but remember that it is much like info sessions and a direct contact (get the school to put you in touch with an ambassador, or ask friends if you know anyone at the school) and get the 'real deal.' I'd recommend this for ALL schools you are considering as prospective MBA students because the programs differ a fair bit, and there are pro's and con's to each.
Back to the books, Macroeconomics!
Today is a Rotman open house for prospective students, they come in and check out the school, meet a few upper year students, professors and administrators to get a feel for the program. The school puts on a little presentation about how many opportunities there are as a student and the many ways in which you can kick off your career.
I highly recommend attendance, but remember that it is much like info sessions and a direct contact (get the school to put you in touch with an ambassador, or ask friends if you know anyone at the school) and get the 'real deal.' I'd recommend this for ALL schools you are considering as prospective MBA students because the programs differ a fair bit, and there are pro's and con's to each.
Back to the books, Macroeconomics!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Avoiding the cold
Both the weather and the sniffles. Its one week until our last exam, and 8 days til our papers are due. Nine days until I am on a plane.
But of course, first I have to get through the next week. Healthy preferably. The snow has come back, our relatively moderate winter all of a sudden feels like it has been the longest winter ever (at which point I remind myself that this is EASTERN CANADA in February). With the snow comes the snow plows (at 3 am) and then "do I bust out my winter boots again" question.
BUT also with the snow comes the Winter Olympics. My posts have trended towards this topic recently, and I will go there again today, simply because today is the Women's Gold medal Hockey game (GO CANADA!) and tomorrow is the Mens semi-final - Canada vs Solvakia.
Of course, the mens Gold Medal game is on Sunday night, the night before ECON - which means that my econ exam will be a secondary goal to staring at the TV for 3 hours.
Another tangent - today was our last day of Marketing, handed in our reports and did group presentations. Wonderful feeling to be finished a class!
But being up until the wee hours of the morning, not such a wonderful feeling. I think the general feeling is to try and avoid the dreaded all-nighter in your Rotman Career.
I believed that the all-nighter would come for an intense case competition or a difficult finance or econ class. The last thing I expected was a marketing report to be the first one.
I guess that goes to show you - you don't always get what you expect.
But of course, first I have to get through the next week. Healthy preferably. The snow has come back, our relatively moderate winter all of a sudden feels like it has been the longest winter ever (at which point I remind myself that this is EASTERN CANADA in February). With the snow comes the snow plows (at 3 am) and then "do I bust out my winter boots again" question.
BUT also with the snow comes the Winter Olympics. My posts have trended towards this topic recently, and I will go there again today, simply because today is the Women's Gold medal Hockey game (GO CANADA!) and tomorrow is the Mens semi-final - Canada vs Solvakia.
Of course, the mens Gold Medal game is on Sunday night, the night before ECON - which means that my econ exam will be a secondary goal to staring at the TV for 3 hours.
Another tangent - today was our last day of Marketing, handed in our reports and did group presentations. Wonderful feeling to be finished a class!
But being up until the wee hours of the morning, not such a wonderful feeling. I think the general feeling is to try and avoid the dreaded all-nighter in your Rotman Career.
I believed that the all-nighter would come for an intense case competition or a difficult finance or econ class. The last thing I expected was a marketing report to be the first one.
I guess that goes to show you - you don't always get what you expect.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
12 days and counting
Its 12 days until the end of Q3, almost to the minute as our last paper is due at mid-night on Friday. Naturally that means I watched the Canada v USA hockey game tonight, with my computer open in the student lounge hoping my paper would write itself. Seeing as how the old learn through osmosis if I fall asleep on my school books never worked, I didn't harbour high hopes for this plan.
BUT I had expected better performance from Team Canada! We out shot the Americans by a factor of 2, and they still beat us by 2 goals in a nail biting game. One word Coach, goaltending. Broudour is a phenomenal player, but so far in the 2010 Olympics tournament he has not demonstrated his world class skills. Hoping we see him step it up and that the front line can convert a little more on those shots on net, turn them into scoring chances and better yet, goals.
To tie the viewing experience to the Rotman student experience, I had the pleasure of catching the game in the student lounge with a few other students interested in both the hockey and their GPA's. A number of students were still in the library, this wasn't an elimination game after all, and the more hardcore hockey fans were at the bar with the full-on excitement that entails.
It is one of the many pleasures I have discovered in my Rotman career, that there are a number of hockey fans and during the international tournaments, I am cheering for the same team! (Not going to be converted to a Leafs fan anytime soon, so its more rare than you may think.)
BUT I had expected better performance from Team Canada! We out shot the Americans by a factor of 2, and they still beat us by 2 goals in a nail biting game. One word Coach, goaltending. Broudour is a phenomenal player, but so far in the 2010 Olympics tournament he has not demonstrated his world class skills. Hoping we see him step it up and that the front line can convert a little more on those shots on net, turn them into scoring chances and better yet, goals.
To tie the viewing experience to the Rotman student experience, I had the pleasure of catching the game in the student lounge with a few other students interested in both the hockey and their GPA's. A number of students were still in the library, this wasn't an elimination game after all, and the more hardcore hockey fans were at the bar with the full-on excitement that entails.
It is one of the many pleasures I have discovered in my Rotman career, that there are a number of hockey fans and during the international tournaments, I am cheering for the same team! (Not going to be converted to a Leafs fan anytime soon, so its more rare than you may think.)
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Olympics 1, School work 0
It has come that long awaited time that the Olympics are in Canada, in my home town of Vancouver. When these incredible athletes are ripping down the hills that I learned to ski on, and I am somehow supposed to do school work? Its not going so well.
I have all these ambitions, about putting the TV on mute, so I just watch the events and avoid the commentary. But that isn't going so well. I end up with one eye on the TV and a leadership essay that is rapidly turning into a series of mish-mash sentences because I never finish a thought.
The whole first four weeks of Q3 has been a write off, with the assumption that I will buckle down in the time before finals and just take up residency in the library and power through the work. How on earth is that supposed to happen?
Occasionally, on this blog, I try to share some advice for future Rotman students, or students potentially navigating the decision of whether or not to be future Rotman students. In this blog, I am asking advice. Aside from the obvious (turn off the TV and miss the Olympics, or accept the badgering impact on my GPA) what is a girl to do?
Thoroughly enjoyed watching the freestyle moguls, biathlon and am looking forward to some more moguls today.
To top it all off, I am planning for and attending classes related to the Latin America Study Tour, and booking a spring break adventure to Mexico!
Will work on focus tomorrow. In the mean time, Happy Valentines Day, Happy Family Day and Happy Olympics!
I have all these ambitions, about putting the TV on mute, so I just watch the events and avoid the commentary. But that isn't going so well. I end up with one eye on the TV and a leadership essay that is rapidly turning into a series of mish-mash sentences because I never finish a thought.
The whole first four weeks of Q3 has been a write off, with the assumption that I will buckle down in the time before finals and just take up residency in the library and power through the work. How on earth is that supposed to happen?
Occasionally, on this blog, I try to share some advice for future Rotman students, or students potentially navigating the decision of whether or not to be future Rotman students. In this blog, I am asking advice. Aside from the obvious (turn off the TV and miss the Olympics, or accept the badgering impact on my GPA) what is a girl to do?
Thoroughly enjoyed watching the freestyle moguls, biathlon and am looking forward to some more moguls today.
To top it all off, I am planning for and attending classes related to the Latin America Study Tour, and booking a spring break adventure to Mexico!
Will work on focus tomorrow. In the mean time, Happy Valentines Day, Happy Family Day and Happy Olympics!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Q3 is your friend
I think I have said this a number of times. But I am telling you, that Q3 is your friend. If you come to Rotman, and work your butt off for the first two quarters, and the first bit of January in recruiting, the class aspect of Q3 is your friend.
One thing I love about Rotman, and my class in particular is that we are still going out in pretty big groups. The general theme is that while we have different groups forming, they all kind of blend at the edges, and everyone generally gets along. This is really impressive. Our second years told us that by January the consulting and finance groups form, and so on. While that is true, we spend more time with people going after similar jobs because you are attending the same events and studying together, and rooting for each other during recruiting.
Something to keep in mind, the student body - whether you like it or not - becomes your family. By spending as much time at school as we do, and as much time together as we inevitably do - it has to happen. So meet people, get to know your classmates (and potential classmates) and the previous years class as well.
My two cents for the day brought to you by tomorrow's intra MBA fund raiser in which we have run out of tickets because there is an overwhelming interest!
One thing I love about Rotman, and my class in particular is that we are still going out in pretty big groups. The general theme is that while we have different groups forming, they all kind of blend at the edges, and everyone generally gets along. This is really impressive. Our second years told us that by January the consulting and finance groups form, and so on. While that is true, we spend more time with people going after similar jobs because you are attending the same events and studying together, and rooting for each other during recruiting.
Something to keep in mind, the student body - whether you like it or not - becomes your family. By spending as much time at school as we do, and as much time together as we inevitably do - it has to happen. So meet people, get to know your classmates (and potential classmates) and the previous years class as well.
My two cents for the day brought to you by tomorrow's intra MBA fund raiser in which we have run out of tickets because there is an overwhelming interest!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Q3 - Back in the game....
Last week we had our first quiz of the quarter, we handed in our first case assignment, and now it is starting to pick up again. Its hard to believe that it is February, students are starting to plan for Spring break and its 30% of the way through the quarter. People are thinking about the summer, thinking about next year, curious about how the class selection process goes and how to get involved in next years student clubs. The funny thing is, we are all thinking about 4 and 8 months away, when we can't pay attention to today.
We have a great selection of classes, some more interesting than others, but so far, I have thought that Rotman sets the the bar high. My east favorite class, is pretty much better than most of the undergrad classes I ever took. But we still can't get motivated. Great professors, fun classes, and a much better foundation of friendship with your classmates. But that pretty much means that we are getting along, wanting to head out on Tipsy Tuesday (they make a stunning comeback in January after disappearing for the fall semester) and enjoying the odd night out on the weekend.
Here's to hoping that we get the energy going again and get back in the game! Its only four weeks til finals! (I swear the time goes so fast: its a coin toss between I have been here for only 5 months and I can't remember life before MBA school!)
We have a great selection of classes, some more interesting than others, but so far, I have thought that Rotman sets the the bar high. My east favorite class, is pretty much better than most of the undergrad classes I ever took. But we still can't get motivated. Great professors, fun classes, and a much better foundation of friendship with your classmates. But that pretty much means that we are getting along, wanting to head out on Tipsy Tuesday (they make a stunning comeback in January after disappearing for the fall semester) and enjoying the odd night out on the weekend.
Here's to hoping that we get the energy going again and get back in the game! Its only four weeks til finals! (I swear the time goes so fast: its a coin toss between I have been here for only 5 months and I can't remember life before MBA school!)
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Econ & all that.
Turns out that macroeconomics, is still well, macroeconomics. In the past 3 months, prepping for finance interviews, reading the paper, trying to figure out what the heck happened in the past few years with the financial crisis, and what we hope is the early stages of global economic recovery.
Some of my friends and classmates will say "no way," or present logical arguments as to why we are looking at the second half of a "W." I still go with the too often used "cautiously optimistic" because it's the most well rounded story, and for the purpose of interviews, it matched my stock pitch.
BUT, in all of this, I was hoping that taking Macroeconomics would be exciting, interesting, digging into the heart of the Canadian economy, and the impact of interest rates, and commodity prices. While we have touched on some of that stuff, our text book is still computing the CPI using a basket of goods that includes hot dogs and hamburgers.
I completely understand the need to simplify some of the components to clearly explain. But any chance we could ask for something a little more realistic? Even if they simply switch to Sushi & Starbucks, its a little more indicative of what we are dealing with today. I suppose some folks would say "well starbucks wasn't around 20 years ago to make a real relevant comparison... and to them I think I say... embrace the chaos! Accept that there are changes! Today you need to include the cost of a computer in a typical consumers 'basket of goods' how do you account for the 1980 equivalent of that?
That is my Macroeconomics rant for the day. Perhaps it is because Q3 is very difficult to get motivated to do work. Students are in one of two boats right now. Either they have a job through highly competitive campus recruiting, or personal contacts they lined up on their own, or they are still looking for summer options. Either way it is very difficult to make class a number one priority. Nothing like a quiz to bring us back to reality....
Some of my friends and classmates will say "no way," or present logical arguments as to why we are looking at the second half of a "W." I still go with the too often used "cautiously optimistic" because it's the most well rounded story, and for the purpose of interviews, it matched my stock pitch.
BUT, in all of this, I was hoping that taking Macroeconomics would be exciting, interesting, digging into the heart of the Canadian economy, and the impact of interest rates, and commodity prices. While we have touched on some of that stuff, our text book is still computing the CPI using a basket of goods that includes hot dogs and hamburgers.
I completely understand the need to simplify some of the components to clearly explain. But any chance we could ask for something a little more realistic? Even if they simply switch to Sushi & Starbucks, its a little more indicative of what we are dealing with today. I suppose some folks would say "well starbucks wasn't around 20 years ago to make a real relevant comparison... and to them I think I say... embrace the chaos! Accept that there are changes! Today you need to include the cost of a computer in a typical consumers 'basket of goods' how do you account for the 1980 equivalent of that?
That is my Macroeconomics rant for the day. Perhaps it is because Q3 is very difficult to get motivated to do work. Students are in one of two boats right now. Either they have a job through highly competitive campus recruiting, or personal contacts they lined up on their own, or they are still looking for summer options. Either way it is very difficult to make class a number one priority. Nothing like a quiz to bring us back to reality....
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Weekend
I have this problem whereby I think my weekends are my own, and I haven't gotten any work done. Despite the fact that I have a paper due on Monday, and a good stack of readings for class that needs to be completed. But somehow, I reasoned that sleeping in, playing ultimate frisbee, making spaghetti and taking a nap were all necessary Saturday activities. I guess there is a theory that there is always tomorrow.
This is an interesting time at Rotman, the students break into groups according to their preferred career path, and then break into groups based on their level of success. I don't know what it is, or what part of human nature drives it but it's there. I hope that soon enough we'll all have amazing summer jobs lined up and be packing our bags for somewhere hot and sunny... or if the boys have their way, a ski trip. But in either event, I think a break is overdue and so trying to make up for a lot of work and very little play in the first two quarters at MBA school by going out for the 3rd... maybe 4th? Time this week!
Nothing but good times ahead & best of luck to everyone in recruiting mode!
This is an interesting time at Rotman, the students break into groups according to their preferred career path, and then break into groups based on their level of success. I don't know what it is, or what part of human nature drives it but it's there. I hope that soon enough we'll all have amazing summer jobs lined up and be packing our bags for somewhere hot and sunny... or if the boys have their way, a ski trip. But in either event, I think a break is overdue and so trying to make up for a lot of work and very little play in the first two quarters at MBA school by going out for the 3rd... maybe 4th? Time this week!
Nothing but good times ahead & best of luck to everyone in recruiting mode!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Recruiting week
So by now the 2nd years (next year that will be us) and the CCC have told us 100 times or more that there is no time to get prepared for interviews in January and you have to do it earlier. I am here to tell you that.... its true!
The one caveat is that you may spend a lot time preparing and not necessarily get an interview. BUT that is why this is a package deal. Prepare by working hard, keeping your grades up, (ESPECIALLY in your related classes) and network with people. Visibility is important. If they see you coming a mile away and they like you, your resume will simply be more likely to get looked at.
Also by this week when applications are due. Have all your documents ready and waiting. The truth is there isn't enough time to prepare, sleep, do documents etc.
They get 100 applicants and sometimes only interview 4 or 5. All depends on how many jobs they are posting for - often only 1 or 2.
This little rant is brought to you by Katie saying - people prepare!!! And if you are lucky enough to get an interview - don't complain about how much prep you have to do to get it done. There are 99 people waiting to take your interview slot.
Anyhow - that's all she wrote....
The one caveat is that you may spend a lot time preparing and not necessarily get an interview. BUT that is why this is a package deal. Prepare by working hard, keeping your grades up, (ESPECIALLY in your related classes) and network with people. Visibility is important. If they see you coming a mile away and they like you, your resume will simply be more likely to get looked at.
Also by this week when applications are due. Have all your documents ready and waiting. The truth is there isn't enough time to prepare, sleep, do documents etc.
They get 100 applicants and sometimes only interview 4 or 5. All depends on how many jobs they are posting for - often only 1 or 2.
This little rant is brought to you by Katie saying - people prepare!!! And if you are lucky enough to get an interview - don't complain about how much prep you have to do to get it done. There are 99 people waiting to take your interview slot.
Anyhow - that's all she wrote....
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
MBA Games
Now that we have had a full week intensive classes, on negotiations, an all around interesting course and good way to ease back into school after the holidays, a few members of our class decided to go to Quebec city to attend the MBA Games. This was the first time Rotman has attended in a few years, and I believe we put in a good showing. There is lots of room for improvement and hope that another contingent goes next year to build tradition.
The games consist of Academics, Athletics and Spirit components, with several events in each, and provide a fantastic bonding experience. While there is lots of opportunity to meet other students from different Canadian MBA Programs, I most enjoyed doing something that was all fun & games with my classmates.
The intensity and rigorous demands of the MBA Program at Rotman, mean that you will spend at lot of time at school and get to hang out with your classmates in the library, however this was a rare opportunity to spend a full 72 hours not focusing on school but rather on fun!
The one thing I recommend to future coordinators is to plan further ahead! A 9 hour bus drive is not fun, anyway you slice it!
This week is recruiting week and applications are mostly in, with interviews coming shortly! Will try to update more frequently once Q3 kicks off next week.
The games consist of Academics, Athletics and Spirit components, with several events in each, and provide a fantastic bonding experience. While there is lots of opportunity to meet other students from different Canadian MBA Programs, I most enjoyed doing something that was all fun & games with my classmates.
The intensity and rigorous demands of the MBA Program at Rotman, mean that you will spend at lot of time at school and get to hang out with your classmates in the library, however this was a rare opportunity to spend a full 72 hours not focusing on school but rather on fun!
The one thing I recommend to future coordinators is to plan further ahead! A 9 hour bus drive is not fun, anyway you slice it!
This week is recruiting week and applications are mostly in, with interviews coming shortly! Will try to update more frequently once Q3 kicks off next week.
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