People, I'm learning so much in these weeks before school begins! MBA Jumpstart was especially helpful, because the founders (here's to Elton and John!) allowed for really basic questions and no one held back. The result was that those who were interested in finance/banking got the real deal on how they would be looked at and challenged, what would be expected, and what they should start doing immediately if they're serious about that industry.
For those not interested in finance, there wasn't nearly as much on consulting. However the little that was provided on the industry was definitely helpful. Approximately 80 students from Stanford, Columbia, Fuqua, Chicago and Wharton were at this event and it was just, well, awesome to meet minority students headed to those schools. I thought I'd met all the minority students starting at CBS in the fall. I thought wrong.
Another event where I absorbed a lot was at Bain's first diversity recruitment effort. Those who were there got a chance to meet with some of Bain's recruiters, associate consultants and consultants early on in the game. Overall, this first effort was a decent one although some portions of the event were rushed slightly due to time constraints.
After making the rounds at a few of these events, it starts to become clear that you are destined the same faces over and over for a long time to come. It's quite startling to realize how few of us there really are. We were 30 strong at the Bain event, from Columbia, Kellogg, Sloan, Harvard, Wharton, and Stanford mainly. Also, I met a lone ranger from Fuqua and another from Stern.
Right now, there's so much to do! Send in pictures, tighten resumés, figure out finances...parties, happy hours, company events. Just part and parcel of the whole experience. I'm lovin' it!
It's been a long time since I've added an entry...I know. I can't understand why I'm so swamped of late.
At the office, I'm helping train someone who will take over a few of my responsibilities and I'm counting down the days to freedom. Yes, indeed. On my last day, I just might carry my own music around with a bandanna around my head, blasting some Nina Simone. "Bird flying high, you know how I feel!" Also, it might just be me, but I think my workload has tripled since I announced my departure.
At home, my husband is still jobhunting and that alone brings it own level of stress. Thank goodness I joined a NYSC that's on my way home! I'm tryin' to work that stress out, hear?
There have been and continue to be company events that students going to top business schools can apply for. It seems unfair, I know, that all students headed to b-schools aren't invited to consulting, marketing and other events by reputable companies. That was my first reaction, too. I applied and, miraculously, was selected to attend 2 events; I'll get back to you when I figure out why these are so exclusive.
Also, those of us headed to school this fall will all tell you that there are scores of events that we organize just to chat, unwind, and even party with each other. A good deal of these are interschool events which makes it all the more interesting.
Anyway, it's back to work for me. Can't wait to be gone.