My 2 cents

Summer is almost over, and it is time to begin the 2nd year of my MBA. I had the luck to get an internship (…ahem... "paid" if I may add) in a great company with great people and in my area of interest (i.e. corporate finance). Before that, I had to endure a series of in-depth interviews; here is some advice about what I believed helped me to tell a better-rounded story about my experiences, therefore standing out from the crowd.

• Participate in Business school competitions


• Take initiative in student run organizations on and off campus

Participate:
Business Plan Competition:
Last year there were two business plan competitions that were organized at GSBM. The business plan competition that was organized by GSBM’s Entrepreneurship Club was open to all Pepperdine schools while the other was in partnership with UCSB. My team made it to the finals of the business plan competition at UCSB (4 finalists out of 28 teams… awesome, right!). In my opinion, Business plan competitions give you a safe place to experiment with different feasible “get rich quick” business ideas that you or others around you might have come up with. Well it’s not that safe as you still get grilled by a bunch of “Angel (ya right) Investors” and have to defend your plan in front of a large audience (prepare to test your public speaking skills). It also gives you a chance to explore the different resources that b-school has to offer i.e. Alumni network, professors etc. And if that’s not good enough for you… they also have cash prizes, if your plan has what it takes to be a successful business venture.

Case Competition:
Like most of the business schools, GSBM also holds case-competitions. The Graziadio Case Competition sponsored by Value-centered Leadership Lab, requires competing teams of 3-5 students to think creatively, analytically, and ethically to solve a real world business problem. I have heard from the winners of last year, the “In it to Win it” team (i.e. Kasie, Vineet, Jerry, Frederik) that it was grueling but a great experience. Again, gives you something to talk about during interviews, looks good on resume and cash reward if you win.

Take Initiative:
Student Clubs:
There are 13 distinct student clubs at GSBM that organize different events, career treks, guest speaker events in their focus area. I am sure at least one of the 13 varied students club would interest you. If yes, take leadership roles at these clubs. In my opinion, don’t just sign up and be a part of the mailing list but try and organize or help in organizing different event. This will test your time management skills and how well you prioritize. More importantly it will give you a chance to reach out to Pepperdine’s Alumni network and generate contacts, which would come handy when you are looking for internship/job. Benefits… leadership position in student clubs adds to your resume, helps you network (most used term in b-school) with people in your field of interest and helps you stand out.

So the bottom line is - don’t be overly focused on your grades/GPA. Involve yourself in meaningful extra-curricular activities that will differentiate you from the crowd and help you meet your career goals

One other thing, attend the Mixers organized by MGBS. I missed a lot of mixers last year and missed out a bit. I wouldn’t say they are the best place to complete the group assignment (or maybe they are.. depending on the assignment or the group) but they are a part of the Business School experience - and the friendships you form are valuable and will help you later on in your professional and personal life.

Communications Workshop... part 1

Well, it is Wednesday. One group has just completed their stay at Casa de Pepperdine and one group has just started. As one of the EL members that participated in the first half of the workshop, I wanted to give everyone my perspective.

The key to the communication workshop is to be OPEN. Now, most of us do not enjoy talking about ourselves but I was really impressed with the level of openness the first group exhibited. I urge the second group to follow their lead and extend beyond your comfort zone. If you do, I promise you, you will make life long friends and more immediately find that your organizational behavior class becomes much easier.

While I was extremely impressed with what I witnessed during the first session, there is one point I would like all the first years to think about. Ask More Questions..... There are few things in life more frightening than the unknown. Pepperdine, for the majority of you is the unknown. And, business school, for ALL of you is the unknown. The second years, however, have just traveled the journey you are about to begin. Use us as a resource to guide you and help you navigate what is ahead. Understand as well that our offer of help does not end when this workshop, orientation, semester, year or degree. You have all just become a member of the Pepperdine family and because of that you have earned continued support.

One final point before I stop. Help each other.... Understanding your own strengths and weaknesses is important, but even more so, understanding and helping others improve upon their weaknesses is the trait of a true leader.

So as you continue with your journey over the next two years, always remember that we are here. And, always remember that you should be extending that same offer to your fellow students.

Communications Workshop - One Student's Perspective

As I take a look back to last August, I can’t believe, 1. That is has been an entire year already, and 2. How much I was NOT looking forward to the ‘Communications Workshop’.

I recall receiving the letter, explaining that I had to go on an overnight trip to some random ‘camp’ and bring something sentimental to ‘share’ with the group. WTF. I have to share my feelings with complete strangers… I thought this was business school not a therapy session.

I immediately called my friends in a panic and they urged me to think positively – it is a great way to meet new students and maybe learn something. Since I trust my friends, I stopped complaining and went in with an open mind. Well, maybe not wide open, but at least not 100% skeptical.

My goal for the first day of orientation was to meet someone that was in my group. That day I met many students. After 6 hours of orientation, I had not met one classmate that was in my communications group. Goal not achieved.

Monday afternoon I drove to Calamigos Ranch in the canyons. I received my room assignment and made my way to the cabin. I am glad that I had gone to summer camp during my youth, otherwise the accommodations would be less than rustic. Bugs, musty wood smell. Yum. Anyway, my roommates arrived, one brought wine (I like her!) and then we decided to review the reading assignment: Emotional Intelligence. Luckily, I was in a group that had to read a summary, not the entire book.

The next three days were long, but fantastic. The workshops offered insight to my development as a leader. Yes, there are corny name games and exercises (what overnight retreat wouldn’t?). However, it truly honed in on how others’ perceive me, how I interact in a group, and how I can react to people in order to optimize an outcome.

Aside from the workshops, there were 3 ‘free time’ sessions. Monday night (I was exhausted and stayed in with my roommates), Tuesday afternoon (I decided to play pick-up soccer) and Tuesday night. Tuesday night there was a 2nd year panel, which is more like an open forum and then drinks afterwards. The drinks afterwards turned into a house party at the ‘big’ house on the ranch. It was like undergrad again – card games, Beirut (beer pong), and getting to know my new classmates.

Tips:
1. In Blackboard, click on your leadership development class, on the left-hand side of the page, click ‘communications’ then click on ‘roster’ and ‘list all’ - you can get the names of everyone in your class.
2. Have an open mind – it is a great experience to learn about your own strengths and weaknesses as well as to learn about your classmates on a uniquely personal level.