10 days in LA = sunset in Santa Monica + moving into condo complex where The Hills girls used to live + canoeing 25 miles on the Colorado River + Dodgers game + UCLA tailgating + international orientation + multiple trips to DMV + NFL pool + career center Q/A + Redondo Beach barbecue + visit to Malibu …
The list isn’t done, but you get the point. I’m not cocky by nature; in truth, I hate people that are. Yet sometimes you have to take a step back and realize how good you have it. Well – this whole ‘I love LA’ thing … didn’t get it; now I do; took one week.
In lieu, I shall digress. 10 evocative recommendations based on the past 10 days (deep breath):
1. Get out there, (wo)man! This is LA! … Everyone you’ll speak to will tell you that you should have started networking yesterday … errr … so we did. Don’t look at going out to bars before you commence your scholastic endeavors as irresponsible; nay, look at it as responsible. Use that liquid confidence to make connections. Meet your classmates and others, because someone knows someone who knew this girl that had this nanny who, too, cleans Paula Abdul’s house on weekends. Seriously.
2. Pre-O Trip = Pre-O Yeah … There Is, honestly, no better way to meet new people than to be outdoors, with NO technology, overcoming serious obstacles. We trekked the Black Canyon in Arizona over 4 days, which included no less than the Hoover Dam, cliff jumping, rock climbing, sauna caves, hot springs, 110 degree heat, paddling to our excessive limits against the current, and some pretty new people (see excellence below ... 3 days sans showers). Don’t think about it; just do it. You’ll be glad you went.
3. Listen to your Yahoo! Group, it is wise … Yeahhh, it might be horribly irritating to get PDA alerts about yet another person who has missed the last 30 messages about how to configure Windows to a Mac. Nevertheless, you may be ‘that guy’, so read with care. It has helped keep me in the loop, and will help you.
4. Two years is not enough time to explore this place, so start now … This will be particularly true once school starts. Moreover, you sound much cooler when you can tell locals (or, really, anyone) that at A’Float Sushi in Pasadena, the sushi floats around on little boats and you take what looks good. Convo pieces = competitive distinction = insert that on your CV, big shooter.
5. You now love baseball … It’s the American pastime, and a great place to meet people over a Dodger dog. Remember: people love sports, and baseball rules here, so head to the pre-O game and go bonkers over Mannywood.
6. Please see Jon Stern’s advice on DMV appointments … If you’re not from here (and the majority at Anderson are not), then you should probably note that the DMV is closed the first 3 Fridays of the month. But, hey – it’s open on the 4th one! All right! Enjoy the Patty Bouvier replicas. And read the manual, genius …
7. Get the ACT binder from the Parker CMC immediately … Everyone else will. It might be long, but I’m pretty sure it swayed me from consulting to brand management and biz dev. It might just change your lives … too.
8. Eat @ Duke’s in Malibu … Go there. Order a Flat Tire pint and the parmesan and herb crusted Opah w/ sweet potato fries. Inhale the ocean air, and thank me later. Remember to open your eyes wide when speeding on PHC – it’s the nicest drive in North America in my opinion.
9. Invest in a longboard and a beach cruiser … There are over 75 beaches and 350 km (yup, the metric system) of coastline in SoCal, and the above represent two of the best ways I know of to have fun and stay in shape (see Craigslist).
10. Let’s reiterate this one more time – network with your classmates … They shall be your lifelines. Last year 3,693 people applied to UCLA Anderson, so you know your colleagues have done something right. They’ll probably do a lot more, too. REMEMBER: You’ll rise and fall together, make questionable decisions together, take vacations together, and rock CEOs worlds together. Power in numbers, people – we’re now all part of UCLA Anderson for life.
Disclaimer: If you’re not part of UCLA Anderson yet, you want to be. Trust.
Until next time …
(Canadian) Matt K
