So this is it. Projects are completed and presented. Papers are written and turned in. Classes are done and finals are taken. Disorientation activities start on Sunday leading up to graduation on Friday. Where has the time gone? It feels like only a short time ago I got the email from Sharon telling me I had been admitted to the class of 2010. At that point, sitting in my office in London I was very excited to be heading back to school and of course back to Texas, but I had no idea what the next two years would entail. All I knew was that this could possibly be a life changing event. Looking back on my two years I can say that I was right. In my last blog as an MBA candidate, I wanted to look back on the past two years and the events that have shaped my experience here.
MAP Argentina – 16 people, 7 days, many cows eaten, many bottles of wine consumed, endless memories and laughter. Bonds created for life. Our MAP trip to Argentina can me described as nothing less than amazing. It set the tone for what was going to be a great two years.
The crew at the Independientes contra Estudiantes
Explore McCombs 2008 – With Danielle and Digo, I helped to organize our diversity weekend, shedding some light on McCombs to a group of prospective students. I really enjoyed being a part of this event for multiple reasons, but mostly because I really do love talking to prospective students about my expereince and this was just the first step in what was going to be two years of trying my best to help them out.
MBA Finance Challenge - I know that I am going into investment banking and I’m supposed to know finance, but back in November of my first year I still had a of learning to do. Luckily I was a part of a great team that worked well together and we won the challenge (and the $10k prize). Shouts to Tide, Mike, and John for a job well done.
Midterm week 2008 – One of the most painful and gratifying weeks ever. Five exams in five days. Little sleep, studying all day. By Friday the last exam seems almost irrelavent as your brain is fried and all you can think about is either the post midterm party or sleeping for next 3 days. I thankfully chose the party. Sleeping is overrated.
Wall Street Trek 2008 – 3 days in New York allowing me to make the connections that led to my internship, and ultimately my full time job. Enough said.
Super Week 2009 – So this was the 8 interviews in 2 days that changed my life, giving me an opportunity I never thought I’d have just 2 years ago. It just speaks to the power of business school and if you want something and put your mind to it, you can do it. Click the link to read the recollection of it. I actually laugh reading it now but as I sit here remembering it, it was brutal and exhausting, but something I can always look back on as “worth it”.
Summer internship at JPM – My summer reflection blog is here (Summer reflection). I just wanted to say that after my experience I’m looking forward to the next couple years, am a little scared, but know that I have gained the knowledge and experience here at McCombs to be successful as well as a strong support system to help me through the tough times that are sure to come.
Fall semester 2009 – Wow. And I thought first semester was tough. I didn’t even have to search for a job given my full time offer after my internship, but I was ridiculously busy. 6 classes, a Plus project, and leadership roles in two on-campus organizations kept me busy to say the least. But if you know me, that’s the only way I can live.
Global Connections 2010 – Dubai, India, Goa. An amazing 2 week trip full of professional and personal development as well as a whole lot of fun.
And now what is left? Well, the rest of my life I guess. It’s been a good ride. No, scratch that, an amazing ride. I have had the time of my life, while at the same time learning and experiencing things I never thought I would, with people I will know forever and that have impressed me endlessly. If I had to start over and choose where I could have gone to school, I would choose McCombs every time. I would not change a thing. I’ve loved my time here and come May 21st I will be crying like a baby because you just can’t get this time back, but it has afforded me the opportunity to create more memories in the future. And for that, I cannot wait. I wish you all luck in your search for the right school, but I know it would be hard to go wrong with McCombs. It was perfect for me.
And I’ll leave you with this gem: some photos of me as I entered the program and some recent ones as I left it. Hope you find it as funny as I do! Has it been 5 years or 2?!
Cohort games during first year orientation
First semester fun
MBA Formal 2010
Legacy Bash 2010