The MBA Student Voice

UCLA Anderson = Quality People

I often get asked why I decided on UCLA Anderson. There are several reasons but one of the main reasons was for its people. The UCLA Anderson student body has a reputation of among other things being bright, collegial, down-to-earth and well-rounded. It sounded like the kind of people I could enjoy two years with and now that I'm here, I certainly have not been disappointed. Starting from the first day of orientation it has been really easy to make connections with my classmates. And while everyone is here to get a degree, that doesn't mean mean we're in the library all day. While we do get our study on in Rosenfeld, you're just as likely to find an Anderson student working out in the Wooden Center, volunteering with C4C, tailgating or just hanging out in the sun. We come from all different backgrounds, and if you want to get a better idea, take a look at the audio animations created in conjunction with the UCLA film school (bottom of the page). Very cool!

Interacting with such talented and fun people makes me look forward to going to school (even for the 8am classes, although admittedly it is a bit harder). And while some of my classmates may have questionable tastes in the sports teams which they support *cough Sreesha*, they have been a huge highlight in my UCLA Anderson experience thus far.

--JP

~We sometimes encounter people, even perfect strangers, who begin to interest us at first sight, somehow suddenly, all at once, before a word has been spoken. ~ Fydor Dostoevsky

Anderson is in the House - Get Going on Your Career

Hey Everyone,

Hope all of you out there in cyberspace are doing well. It is getting harder to come up with a catchy article title - hopefully I didn't disappoint. I have been getting emails from some of you (you really like me, you really really like me! .......sorry, I just had to pull a Sally Field). Okay, what was my point? Ah yes....I have been getting emails about my blog and general questions about the application and MBA environment; I am glad some of you got some use out of this. Feel free to contact about me about anything like the application process or why the heck you should even care about an MBA or whatever else is on your mind.

My week has been has been a little less hectic, although I am still writing this blog at 10pm, so not sure what that means. I'm a night owl I guess. I have been spending a lot of time working on my resume these days. The Parker CMC and my lovely ACTgroup have given me some good tips and pretty much inundated me with comments and revisions - but it's all good. It's amazing how much you improve with a little constructive feedback. My resume has gone through three revisions and will be seen another two times before I submit my final version to the career management center. Company recruiting has been picking up lately too. It's getting near that time when we will be applying for upcoming summer internships - oooh scary! I have also been practicing my 30-second pitch in the shower - hey! practice makes perfect - don't judge. FYI:  a 30-second pitch is a succinct and memorable way of describing yourself (in 30 seconds) to recruiters at company events. Now comes the next hard thing - coming up with a list of companies I am interested in working for. Yikes. Again, my ACT teamcomes to the rescue. They gave me some templates for how to evaluate companies and how best to pitch to to them. For those of you who haven't been reading my previous posts (I shudder at the thought), the ACT group is led by two second year students who have been there and done that when it comes to first year recruiting. They lead a session every week or every two weeks and basically keep you on track. With all the fun college times to be had, we definitely need people to keep us in check. The ACT coaches, which are the 2nd year students, guide you through all the elements of recruiting from learning to handle yourself at company presentations, preparing a rockin' resume, marketing yourself, to grabbing an interview, among so many other delicious things. I am part of the Strategic Ops and Management ACT team. There are also a gazillion databases available to Anderson students (including our large and helpful alumni database). These databases contain every company known to man (or woman) based on industry or location or whatever other manner of search criteria you choose.

Okay, some of you may be wondering what this poor blogger does for fun. Is she all about resumes and internships? I must dispel that opinion at once! Aside from getting some exercise on the weekends and checking out the town, I joined Riordan Scholars on campus where I will be mentoring high school students. I've also attended so many fantastic workshops offered through many campus clubs. One in particular that I just attended yesterday was titled "Launching an Internet Business in One Hour." How awesome is that? The speaker had launched several of his own companies and basically gave us an insiders look at some of the most common pitfalls to avoid and some of the great resources to take advantage of.

I am also itching to try the indoor rock wall at the John Wooden campus gym. It looks awesome. I just need to carve out some time and go.

Alright folks. It's been a pleasure as usual. Until next time!

Anderson Guide to MBA

Hi Everybody!

I'm back again for yet another delightful post - okay, I'm a little bit chipper today even though it's 11:37pm and I am catching up on some homework and also writing this blog. Now for those of you who are freaking out as to why I am up so late, let me tell you now that this is not unusual - well not for me. You see, as most of you might have read in my previous posts, I am a little unsure of what my career focus should be. Therefore, I ended up joining a ton of clubs to learn a little bit more about various industries and job functions. So, instead of having some nice quiet afternoons with my books, I've been in one company presentation after another. Don't get me wrong - I have enjoyed each and every meeting and only wish it were humanly possible to attend all of them. But the art to being successful in anything is having a good balance. So today, I decided to forgoe my club events and company meetings in order to catch up on homework.

There are still more events to come so I don't think I missed out too much. So, I'm feeling good because I have a better handle on my classes and ALSO because I just finished my ACT group meeting. ACT stands for Anderson Career Teams and is a small group that every student is assigned to based on their interests. I picked the strategic operations ACT group because I have an interest in operations and figure that this group paired with all my other clubs will nicely round out my plethora of informational sources. We just practiced our 30-second elevator pitches for potential recruiters. It was a really great session in that we discussed the pros and cons of different approaches and I received some valuable takeaways.

So back to the main goal. I laughed when I read my earlier posts because I sounded utterly lost. But surprisingly, due to the lack of time, I have quickly narrowed down my focus. There is simply no time to manage classes and eight different professional clubs. So, I've had to pick and choose which club sponsored events were more important to attend. It's amazing what you learn about yourself when you don't have a lot of time to waste making a decision. So here it is - the career options I am interested in: Strategic operations, finance, and business development (entrepreneurship). The industry I am most excited about is renewable energy - simply because it is cool to be part of the future (I got inspired during a recent club event). But I am also happy with high tech, manufacturing, or bio tech. Pretty much any industry will do.

My next task is to reach out to 2nd years and alumni for their take on the internship experience as well as any advice they might have. The great thing about Anderson is that the student body and alumni have been extremely helpful. I have not come across this degree of helpfulness in any other place - it really feels like family out here. Alright.....I'm getting a littly mushy. That means it's time to go to bed.

Until next time!

Another Adventure in the MBA Career Search

Hi Everyone,

As you all know, I am a first year MBA student and already riddled with questions regarding what career I should focus on. If any of you read my previous post, you'll know that I am still in the process of deciding - sigh. Yes, I am a bit overwhelmed. But like all those before me, somehow I will manage to get through this, especially with support from my fellow students and faculty at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Yes, that was a plug for my school, but hey, when it's the truth what does it matter?

Okay, let's get real. With my background in accounting, I could fair reasonably well in consulting (would be like working for the Big 4 - long hours but a variety of interesting projects and clients), finance (but then why did I come to MBA school when I could have found a finance job on my own), entreprenuership (not exactly sure what this is but it sounds cool), and a whole assortment of other areas. I think the areas that would instantly get me labeled a career switcher if I chose them are Marketing, Investment Banking, Human Resources, or say, Sports Management. Nothing against these avenues, but I decided that I need to pursue a field where I can leverage off of some of my skills. That's not to say I couldn't switch completely if I wanted to, but quite honestly I enjoyed being an accountant - at least parts of it. So why go off on a completely different course?

So, I just completed my second week of orientation. There were so many fun events! We did a ropes course where you have to basically compete with yourself the whole time and learn to trust your team members. You learn a lot about your determination and courage and also learn that your class is comprised of many awesome individuals. I came over my fear of the dreaded 40 foot log (or however high it was) and stood on top of it. Then I jumped off of it and sucessful grabbed a trapeeze bar several feet away - my legs were shaking the whole time. Sheer determination kept me from falling I think. Okay, enough sap. For the readers who are still with me, thanks for hanging in there. Back to business. Suffice it to say that I met a lot of people because Anderson put together these amazing events that just naturally made you bond with members of your team. After talking with several of them, I realized that I am not the only one confused about which career path to take.

I attended a one-on-one Parker Career Management Center (CMC) meeting last week and had the chance to talk to a counselor about my career options. It was really helpful. She gave me a guide as to how to do some introspection and see where my skills and desires align. The Parker CMC also put together this really comprehensive and insightful package explaining all the different career options, tips/tricks for recruiting and resumes, and quiz sheets and assessment tests to help me figure out what types of careers migh be suited to my interests and skills. I have my work cut out for me.

This coming week is going to be fun as well. After doing some community service with Junior Achievement we all get chance to pick our Anderson Career Team (ACT). This team will provide all sorts of career guidance throughout the MBA experience. Will let you know how that goes.

Until next time!

A New Two-Letter Home

As I stood at the baggage check-in with four 49.9 lbs suitcases and my sister's car fading into the distance, I couldn't help but smile.  3000 miles away, a new home, a new set of lifelong friends, and an experience that would forever influence my professional career awaited me.  Not even the sinking feeling that my phone charger and Big Lebowski DVD were not contributing to the absurd heft of my luggage could dampen my mood.  This was going to be an unreal new lifestyle!  A top-tier MBA program in a world class city.  A city renowned for its incredible diverse population and industry; one celebrated for its opportunity and scenic beauty.  Beaches and sun, here we come...

This Cali dreamin' lasted roughly as long as it took the poor Southwest attendent to carry/roll/kick my bags out of sight.  The only things waiting for me in Los Angeles were a rental car and a hotel reservation.   Everything that would transpire next would be a result of hard work and a disciplined approach.  It was this realization, the stark recognition that the next 22 months were going to be what I make of them, nothing more, that kept the smile on my face all way to touch down at LAX.  I spent the past year busting my hump, trying to exit my comfort zone in DC.  It was time to discover my true capabilities.

I'd love to continue with the "new adventure/self-discovery" platitudes, but unfortunately, real life kicked in the minute I got off the plane.  I stubbornly refused help with my bags and lugged my personal shantytown a few football fields to the rental desk; a decision that led to numerous pulled muscles in my back the next morning.  Word to the wise: If you need to drive around an unfamiliar city for a couple days, engage in stop/start traffic, and explore various apartment complexes, it's best to perform said tasks with a properly functioning spine.  Unless they are Victor Hugo enthusiasts, property managers tend to be wary of renting to those who look fit for a belltower.

Despite this episode of bad luck, I was able to secure a place in Brentwood relatively quickly.  It's close to campus, close to the highways, and close to the beach.  A solid trifecta for LA living.  I would recommend that any prospective students or admits come out to Los Angeles to familiarize themselves with the neighborhoods prior to applying or moving here.  There are so many desirable places to live in West LA that it's an enormous time-saver to know what you want before settling on a place. I spent my first three days here walking (well, shuffling awkwardly) the neighborhoods and testing the drives to campus before deciding on Brentwood.  Regardless of what's important to you (proximity to campus, nightlife, or the beach), you'll find a neighborhood that satisfies all your needs.

Since settling in, my days have been busy with getting prepped for orientation next week.  Resume preparation, Q&A sessions with the Parker CMC, registering my car in California, and if I have time, covering my textbooks with brown grocery bags (I'll be the guy with the "Arithmetic" book).   There is much to do before the madness begins.  However, there is no real trepidation, only excitement.  I'm about to spend the next 22 months learning from some of the best minds in business, all while surrounded by 370 talented, accomplished individuals whom I will soon call friends.

Many of my future entries will focus on the academic, recruiting, and social elements of Anderson.  I will also address my past experiences and what I hope to personally accomplish at UCLA Anderson. However, right now, there is much I'm in the dark in regarding the Anderson experience.  It would seem prudent to save my thoughts on the coursework and culture until I'm fully immersed.  Take my word for it though, I look forward to sharing them with you, through this blog and hopefully, someday on campus.

UCLA Anderson - Choosing a MBA Focus

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to my first official blog. I am a first year MBA student at the Anderson School of Management. School has not yet begun, but I just attended a one-hour Q&A session at the Parker Career Management Center, which is a group that helps MBA students find internships as well as choose a career specialty (for those of us, like me, who are still not sure in which direction they want to go). The information session was informative to say the least. The discussion touched upon things like recruiting timelines, recruiting tips and tricks, and research tools and people that might help students decide on a MBA focus.

So, yes, the session was informative. Do I feel completely overwhelmed now? The answer is YES. You've heard it before, but I will say it again, students who know what they want to do with their careers have an easier time in MBA school. What the Q&A session reminded me is that B-school moves fast and decisions like career focus (and by extension the clubs you want to join) must be made within the first few weeks of starting school. The reason being that the summer internship recruiting process starts in the fall/winter.

So what am I to do? Some might call me a career-switcher, but I like to think of myself as an explorer - which still doesn't make it any easier but sounds cooler. I am not sure what I want to do, and I came to B-school to, dare-I-say-it, explore my options. Well, hope is not lost. I am not the first MBA student to feel this way, as the folks at the Q&A session reminded me, and I won't be the last. Countless students like me have made it work, so why can't I? The one great thing was that UCLA Anderson made me feel like they were there to support me in any way possible through one-on-one counseling sessions and other events. They also have second-years and a huge alumni network who are there to share their experiences and advice regarding summer internships and careers.  

I invite you all to join me on my quest in determining which career direction I should go. Will it be finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, strategic operations, consulting, or back to my previous career in accounting? I will describe the events I attend, the people I talk to, and the research I do to help me make a decision.

Until the next blog fellow explorers!

LA Here I Come!!!

As I write this I'm getting ready to move from the San Francisco area to Los Angeles to start what's shaping up to be a great adventure at UCLA over the next few years.  It's funny as a northern Californian I never really pictured myself living in Southern California but I've fallen in love with UCLA so LA here I come!!!!!! 

Before the LA adventure starts I figured I should introduce myself.  I'm a Berkeley, CA native but I spent most of the last ten years elsewhere.  I went to school in Upstate New York at RPI, when I graduated in 2003 I moved to the New York City area to become a management consultant first with American Management Systems (now CGI) and later with IBM.  I consulted to financial service firms, at AMS in a technical role, at IBM in organizational change and regulatory compliance roles.  I loved consulting both for the work and also because it allowed me to feed my love of travel, I did client work in New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Tokyo, Hong Kong, London, Gabon, Vietnam and Laos.  The more exotic work locations came out of a consulting engagement I had with one of the worlds biggest environmental NGO's that ran in parallel with my financial service roles over a four year period.

Consulting provided all sorts of amazing professional opportunities, it also opened the door to a really amazing personal opportunity.  Through all my work travel I built up a lot of airline miles which made it possible to pursue my life long dream of taking an around the world trip.  Last year I turned in a little over 200,000 miles for an around the world plane ticket and traveled through twenty countries. 

I came back from the trip and launched into the school hunt which is a little more complex for me because I'm hoping to get a JD/MBA.  I knew I wanted to attend a west coast school, first and foremost because after ten years away from home I was ready to come back and secondly because I wanted schools with a strong focus on entrepreneurship and social ventures.   

I moved back to California last summer and started looking at schools.  I actually didn't initially look at the southern California schools but I eventually decided to take a trip down to LA to check out the schools.  During my first visit to UCLA I absolutely fell in love with Anderson, the campus culture just clicked, I really liked the interaction between the students and faculty in a class I sat in on, UCLA has great entrepreneurship and social venture programs and I really liked the area around the UCLA campus.

With my heart and mind set on attending UCLA I applied and got into Anderson, the law school side of my JD/MBA is a little complex so I'll get into that during a later post.  Once I had the application process behind me I decided to learn more about what it's like to work at a social venture so I took a volunteer role with Kiva.org in San Francisco, CA for six months prior to school.  I had an amazing time at Kiva and learned a ton, I'm now wrapping things up in the Bay Area and preparing to move down to Los Angeles.  I'm really looking forward to my time at UCLA, I'll be posting again soon as school gets going in the coming weeks. 

Decisions decisions ...

This is the time of year where some of you are having to make some tough decisions. Maybe you got into your top two choices and you have to choose between those. Maybe you are being offered a significant scholarship from a lesser school but you also got into your "reach" school. Or maybe you're deciding whether to go to b-school at all. A legitimate question, given the economy we're in.

I was faced with this decision last year as well. My memories of the period are intense -- it was a stressful time for me; I was fortunate enough to have a choice between three great options. 

I was deciding between three schools. Let's just call them A, B and C. A and B were my co-top choices; similar academic reputation, both in great locations in major metropolitan areas, phenomenal faculty at each. C was one of my backup schools, but had given me a very generous scholarship offer (significantly more than either A or B offered me).

The first thing I did was eliminate C. Even though it is also a very strong school, I knew from the outset that I wasn't in this to save money. The difference in 2 years of tuition would be dwarved by the difference in the experience I would have; and even if you want to get picky about the numbers, then the increase in expected salary upon graduation makes up for the difference, anyway. I have never regretted this decision.

The much more difficult choice was between A & B. In situations like this, I usually like to trust my "gut" -- and so I visited each school and really tried to channel my instincts. But even my instincts were undecided. Both schools felt good.

How did I end up choosing A(nderson)? The people. The students. Having visited a number of b-schools and knowing people from a handful of others, I feel confident saying that this school has the most outstanding student body of any in the country. In my class of 375, there are people representing every continent (ok, not Antarctica, but I'd stake something large on the fact that someone in my class has spent time there), every type of work background, dozens of races and cultures, dozens of mindsets and perspectives, many dozens of industries and job functions ... to call this a "network" is a vast understatement. To call it a "family" is a little gushy, but still an understatement. You know that trust game where you fall backwards and trust that your coworker will catch you? I'd jump off the Anderson roof and know someone would catch me. Ultimately, the students here are in it as a team, and that manifests itself everywhere from the classroom to recruiting to the bars, after-hours.

If you have a tough decision on your plate, just remember that you're going to b-school to get a job, sure, but that you're choosing a culture, too. If this sounds like the type of place where you want to spend two years of your life, Anderson is the right choice.

On the success of A-Days 2!

This past weekend, UCLA Anderson welcomed almost 200 admits and their sig-o's to A-Days 2. Events ranged from beach activities, a club fair, and dinners with alumni, to career round tables, an academic test drive, and information panels. Admitted students had the chance to mingle with future classmates of Anderson's Class of 2011, as well as with current students, faculty, and alumni. From the flip side, we were excited to meet such a diverse group of smart and sincerely friendly admits!

To check out some pictures from the two weekends, click on the links below:

A-Days 1 (Feb. 21-22)
A-Days 2 (Apr. 4-5)

Thanks to the fantastic A-Days Committee, the Admissions Office, and all those who volunteered their time and energy for this significant event. We've gotten some great feedback already, and hope to see some familiar faces this fall!

A-Days II is coming up!

One of the best and most stressful things about getting an MBA is trying to manage multiple lives: academic, extra-curricular, and social.  While spring break was a great time to focus on the social aspects of getting an MBA (Mexico is great, by the way!), this first week back has been a pleasant reminder of the other reasons I'm here.  Classes are great, and I get to meet with my new study group tomorrow, but most of my time this week is going to be spent getting ready for A-Days II.

Anderson Days gives new admits for the class of 2011 a chance to visit campus, meet current students, and see a bit of what Anderson is all about.  I'm helping to organize a bunch of the social events, which has been a great opportunity to think about what activities we have that are unique to southern California.  From football and volleyball on the beach to hiking in the Pacific Palisades to biking through Santa Monica and Venice, we have tons of fun activities to help us unwind.  Of course, I only get to do those activities after I've done my work... so off to read that strategy case!