Everyone's summer before business school is different. My future '17 classmates are doing everything from going on transcontinental road trips to simply working full time and saving up. Here's a little taste of what I am up to this summer:
Soaking up as much knowledge as possible in my summer internship: I applied to Anderson planning on staying in the same industry (nonprofit education) but transitioning to management and operations post-MBA. I've been fortunate enough to be doing an internship that has been the perfect bridge between teaching and business school. I'm assigned projects that are definitely areas of growth for me. For example, one of my projects has been to help draft our school's annual report to the Massachusetts Department of Education, and the task requires compiling data and information from a wide range of staff members. The assignment has forced me to be intentional about networking with colleagues and following up consistently in my communication.
Learning Excel: I knew almost nothing about Excel before this summer, but am getting a lot more experienced through tutorial videos and using it in my internship projects. I've been watching the Excel tutorials on Lynda, which is offered through UCLA for free! You can find the link here (scroll to the bottom of the page).
Downsizing my belongings: It's always a strange experience- albeit a necessary one- cleaning out your belongings before any big transition. Below are some of the oddest things I found and likely parting ways with (and which may also be coming to a craigslist posting near you!):
- one- but just one, not two- winter snow boot (I'll never stop looking for you, left boot!)
- a fishing tackle box (I have never fished in my life, so curious as to why I even have this)
- middle school yearbook (sadly, time to let those glory days go...)
(ABOVE: Most of the books I have owned the past 10 years. Yes, I'll be donating them- the market for old LSAT prep books isn't exactly buzzing these days)
Looking for an apartment in LA while living in Boston: Fortunately, my girlfriend's parents live near LA and were gracious enough to act as surrogate property viewers for us, taking pictures of the different apartments during viewings and scanning/emailing us the rental applications. We've been using WestSide Rentals- I know there are mixed reviews but the site has generally worked out well in terms of supplying legitimate listings. We're still in the application process so I am keeping my fingers crossed!