The MBA Student Voice

Mentor/Mentee Dynamic

First of all happy 2011 everyone! With the arrival of the new year, my mind turns to thoughts of transitions, and specifically for this post the transition from being a mentee to a mentor. As a student at UCLA Anderson, it is easy to find mentorship. Anderson alumni are always open and generous with their time and willingness to help. There are formal programs such as Vistage which is available through the EA. We have also been fortunate to have prominent business leaders come speak to us and enlighten us with their experiences. Speakers from the past quarter include Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com and Kevin Plank, CEO of Under Armour.

Finally there is also a mentorship dynamic between the first and second year students. Through club leadership, the ACT program and informal discussions, this adds to the existing collegial and supportive atmosphere at UCLA Anderson. To date I have benefitted greatly from all of the above, but now as a second year with 6 months left before graduation (wow where does the time go?!), I feel a shift in dynamic as I am in more of a position to share some of my experiences and networks I have been able to build to first years and prospective students. Being able to help colleagues and vice versa is key to any type of success and feel fortunate to to be in such an environment.

--JP

~A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself. ~ Oprah Winfrey

“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.”~

First Year vs. Second Year

Now that I'm well into my second year of MBA (as hard as that is to believe), thought I would share some observations comparing the two years.

1.    Second year is a different kind of busy

I always felt like there was never enough time in the day during first year. Long days were spent on campus, doing group work, recruiting and participating in a variety of events. Second year is just as busy, but it's a different kind of busy. As second years take on leadership roles in the clubs, meetings rather than group work dominate your time. And as the courseload is elective based in second year, means greater control over your schedule. This provides the nice perk of being able to get involved in non-Anderson things like taking some classes at the Wooden Center (golf lessons for me).

2.    Extra effort needed to keep in touch

One of the best parts of first year is how well you get to know the people in your section. Taking all the core classes together and being in learning teams means you literally spend more time together than with your non-Anderson friends and family. But in second year, many of your friends go on exchange, or take different electives meaning it becomes harder to see some of your friends on campus as much as you did in first year. I especially miss having lunch with the lunch crew from first year!

3.    AMR is sui generis

Near the tail-end of first year, you hear more about the Applied Management Research Program ("AMR"). Sure, many have come from consulting or have done project based work, but it's a special kind of challenge working with a group of 4-6 colleagues/friends who may all have vastly different schedules and priorities.

--JP

~All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.~ Anatole France

Diversity - in many ways

When we think of "diversity", we typically think of what I would call demographic diversity: race, age, gender, nationality, religion, etc.  However, during my summer internship at Harrah's, I had the chance to be a part of a diversity training program, where I learned that there are over 50 ways to measure diversity.

(Yes, I know I said this last year.  But last year I just wanted an excuse to make fun of my fellow blogeteers John Park and Matt Kerbel being fans of the Toronto Major Laughs Maple Leafs.  This time I actually have more to say.)

Applying that logic, here are a few different ways that you could measure the diversity here at UCLA Anderson:

* Career Aspirations: One of the reasons I decided to come to UCLA was that while there are healthy contingents of people looking for careers in finance or consulting, these two fields represent a much smaller portion of the total UCLA Anderson population than they do in other schools.  Nothing during my time here has dissuaded me of this opinion.  There are many other career aspirations on campus, including sports, entertainment, healthcare, non-profit, and education. 

* Entrepreneurship. I had heard a lot about UCLA Anderson's commitment to entrepreneurship, but I never appreciated that until i came here.  Many of my classmates are actively looking to start new businesses after graduation, and the school encourages and actively supports these endeavors -- as evidenced by the projects that came to fruition during the summer and in our second year. 

For example, one of my classmates has been working on edilex, a company offering professional grade business contract templates to legal professionals and business people over the web -- check it out at www.edilex.com.

* Previous work history: in my section last year, there were many different career backgrounds.  The usual pre-MBA careers of finance and consulting were present, but so were military (not just US), entertainment (including a feature film producer!), non-profit, healthcare, and energy, plus two Mormon missionaries and a published author.  And that was just within my 72-person section.

* Sport Activities: My regular readers will be forgiven for thinking that all we do here is drink, watch sports, play poker, and get into political debates.  I can't imagine a sport that isn't represented from both the fan and the spectator perspective.  And from those in the 1st year class I've met so far, that now includes cricket!

* * * * * * * * *

* Yeah, I'm a little annoyed at my Steelers, who managed to terrify Tampa Bay, 38-13 last week. See, I'm annoyed because we have so many holes to fill - offensive line being the most glaring - that we need a year off, get a high spot in the draft, and rebuild.  This year seemed like a good year to do that -- no Ben, no Santonio, difficult off-season.  Instead, after beating three teams we should have beaten, we're talking about making the playoffs and I can just see that 7-9 train wreck coming.  Of course if we make the playoffs, then I'll be happy to admit I was wrong.

* Great move by the NHL to get HBO involved in the Winter Classic with its behind-the-scenes documentary of the Capitals and Penguins up to the Winter Classic.  The best part is that the NHL series is being covered by broader entertainment media, such as the Hollywood Reporter - this shows that the NHL can build on the momentum of last season, arguably the best NHL season since 1994 (the Capitals' own demise against Montreal notwithstanding).

* I've seen Chicharito's goal in Valencia several times now.  What a brilliant strike!  But I still don't understand why Macheda didn't just have a shot himself!  Macheda has a lethal strike himself, surely he would have put that in.  I complain only because of United's woeful finishing this season and last.  Macheda has either lost his shooting instinct, or has gained an unworldly sense of vision. 

-- Sreesha

 

 

 

UCLA Anderson MBA Admissions Events in LA

For those interested in finding out more about UCLA Anderson by speaking with admissions officers, current students and alumni, there are numerous opportunities to do so in the coming weeks. Please see below for details.

I will be at several of those events so please stop by and say hello if you do happen to attend. Look forward to seeing some of your there!

***

Saturday, September 11th
QS World MBA Tour
2:00-5:00pm
Wilshire Grand Los Angeles

Wednesday, September 15th
Forte Forum
6:00-9:00pm
Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa

Saturday, September 25th
The MBA Tour
3:00-5:00pm
Wilshire Grand Hotel

Monday, October 4th
Los Angeles Information Evening
7:00-9:00pm
Korn Hall, UCLA Anderson

Saturday, October 16th
Inside the MBA
2:30-5:30pm
Hyatt Regency Century Plaza

First Year Recap

"First year is over and I'm about to start second year" - even though I just typed this sentence the truth of this statement still isn't quite registering. I've been thinking a lot about my first year at UCLA Anderson recently, especially as I had the opportunity to present to the incoming international students during their International Student Orientation Days. Just seeing them filled me with excitement and nervousness for the adventure on which they were about to embark, as well as feeling a certain sense of accomplishment and relief that I had survived and made it to the start of year 2.

Looking back at the year that was,I would recap my experience as follows:

1)    First year is challenging -

It's challenging for everyone but to varying degrees and reasons. For me, the academics, in particular the core courses, were borderline Sisyphean. Never having been exposed to courses like accounting, statistics, economics etc., it was a real personal struggle trying to keep up. That being said, my knowledge increased exponentially.

2)    The people are amazing -

From my fellow classmates, professors, administrators and everyone in between, the people at UCLA Anderson are amazing. Brilliant, personable, supportive and fun, I would not have survived first year without them. And I am really excited at the prospect of meeting the new incoming class of 2012.

3)   It was one of the most memorable years of my life -

First year was full of so many positive experiences that despite the challenges, it will be forever remembered as one of the most memorable and best years of my life. Bold statement? Yes. But in light of the people, program and location, I absolutely stand by it with confidence.

With the experience of first year under my belt, I'm looking forward to see what second year holds in store. But before that, still have a couple weeks of fun and relaxation to enjoy and plan on taking full advantage!

Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever remains to them?  ~Rose F. Kennedy

UCLA Media, Entertainment & Sports Week (January 25 - January 30, 2010)

As I mentioned in an earlier post, at UCLA Anderson I'm focusing specifically on media and entertainment. I figured that with the location in LA, alumni, entertainment student clubs and the Center for Managing Enterprises in Media, Entertainment & Sports (MEMES) there would be plenty of opportunities for exposure into the media and entertainment industry. And I was right. There's always something going on and the challenge is to try and fit everything in while balancing all your other commitments. Feeling like there is not enough time in the day has become the norm.

Next week is definitely going to be busy. The inaugural Media, Entertainment & Sports Week put together by MEMES is taking place and it's jam-packed with interesting speakers, workshops and networking events. And the great part is, most of it is free! Check out the following link for more information and registration:

http://memesweek.eventbrite.com/

I encourage you to take a look at the events, and if you are interested in attending, please let me know and I'll make sure to introduce you to other students, faculty and speakers in attendance.

--JP

~The clock talked loud.  I threw it away, it scared me what it talked.  ~Tillie Olsen, Tell Me a Riddle~

Round 1 Admits - Invitation to A-Days I

Round 1 admissions decisions were released today. To all applicants who received good news: CONGRATS!! Time certainly flies; it wasn't that long ago when I received my acceptance notification. I'm actually thinking about that moment right now and it still brings a smile to my face. I hope you have a chance to go celebrate the fruits of your hard work.

After you're done celebrating, I strongly encourage you to make plans to come visit us on campus during Anderson Days ("A-Days") which will take place February 20-21, 2010. Among the countless reasons why you should attend, this will be a great opportunity to:

1. meet and interact with current students, professors and future classmates
2. check out Anderson's awesome facilities
3. experience first-hand the collegial Anderson culture
4. explore Los Angeles.

I guarantee that not only will this be informative, but it will be fun. Bold words you say? Perhaps, but as the Programming Chair for A-Days I'm sure I can back them up. The various A-Days committees are hard at work to ensure this will be a fantastic event, and I'm confident that you won't be disappointed.

So go check out the A-Days website here for more information, and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. I hope to see and meet many of you there.

--JP

~You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry, don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way. ~ Walter Hagen

Thanksgiving with the Dean

WHEW!! Now that Finals are over, have a chance to catch up on my blogging. Let me start with how I spent my Thanksgiving.

Since coming to LA I've had an ever-growing number of new and memorable experiences. My latest such experience was my first US Thanksgiving. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving the second Monday of October, and while the general traditions between Canadian Thanksgiving and US Thanksgiving are quite similar, it was still exciting to partake for the first time in such a major American holiday. It was made that much more special as I had the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving at Dean Olian's house with some of my other colleagues. 

Having never been to a dean's house (or a principal's house although I have been to the office a few times o_O), I admittedly had some butterflies not knowing exactly what to expect. What followed was a really fun evening with interesting conversation, amazing food (turns out the dean is also quite the chef!) and even some singing. Below is a picture we took after dinner was over. It's clear you're looking at a bunch of happily fed people. Notice that I almost got caught off at the left. So close to improving the picture!

Special thanks to Dean Olian for hosting a great event. And if you aren't following her already on Twitter, you may do so here.

--JP

~The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts.  No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.  ~H.U. Westermayer

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

Midterms

So the first years are currently knee deep in midterms. Accounting and economics are now under our belts with the Marketing final (at UCLA Anderson we have Marketing everyday for the first two months, followed by Financial Markets everyday for the rest of the quarter) and the Statistics midterm Monday. You can check out the first year curriculum here.

Coming from a non-quant background (I majored in politics in undergrad followed by law school) I anticipated that these core courses which we take in the first quarter would be a challenge. It certainly hasn't disappointed. This may sound funny, but one of the biggest adjustments for me has been to come to grips with the idea that in these classes, there's a "right answer". Coming from the liberal arts and law side of things, I was used to writing essays and analyzing cases. It was a new type of stress taking the accounting and economics midterms knowing that there was a definitive answer.

Being exposed to these topics for the first time, my knowledge has grown tremendously since the start of school. But I admit I sometimes find myself feeling envious of some of my colleagues who have a business background and seem to pick things up more quickly. Luckily there hasn't been a lack of colleagues offering to help me get through what are hopefully temporary growing pains. Good thing I've been trained in the corporate law firm experience and am used to putting in some long hours.

Speaking of which, I should get back to the books....

--JP

~I'm normally not a praying man, but if you're up there, please save me Superman! ~ Homer J. Simpson