What is the MAC Conference you say?

Well...it's the source of my anxiety and stress but also a source of pride. I'm proud to be working on such a big project with such amazing speakers.

The first annual marketing conference at Columbia! For the number four MBA program in the nation, it's about time! The theme of the conference will be "marketing in a world if increasing consumer power." It's somewhat inspired by my experience at my summer internship. As technology improves, consumers have more choice to zap out advertising. There's Tivo, XM commercial free radio, etc. How are advertiser to reach their consumers?

I think the topic is extremely interesting, we also have two amazing keynotes secured. The CMO of American Express and CEO of Coach. At the same time, we are lining up some great panelist, who are not yet confirmed...so can't be named...yet!

My days at school are now spent in classes, and ever free moment is MAC meeting, MAC meeting, MAC meeting...

First its with my Co-VP, then wieh the Asst. Dean, then with the Office of Student Life, then with the Vice Dean, then with the head of the Marketing Department, then with the MAC board...the meetings never end. Also email after email after email to get more people to sponsor, to attend... next it's promotional materials, programs, giveaways, totes...then the budget, tickets, attendance...

Think about adding all that with recruiting presentations, company lunches, on an yes.... classes, homework! I've had more than one person ask me, how do you do it? Well, I'm not the only one, it's b-school, we're all ambitious, we all have our hands full. It's just a matter of more full or less full. :)

MAC Conference

The MAC Conference is consuming my life. Every free moment I have, have been spent on meetings for the MAC Conference, replying emails, sending emails, I'm eating and breathing MAC Conference at this point...

I must say, it is a wonderful experience and opportunity to network, but it is also an immense workload. *Sigh* With recruiting going on at the same time, I really am not getting any break anytime, I feel like the Energizer bunny...going, and going and going and going....

Bat...Squirrel

This little fella was hanging upside down right above my head as I sat on one of those little stone benches outside Uris Hall, checking my email. He was totally unafraid, just nibbling on his fruit...ahh, what a life.

No, B-School is not all about parties and happy hour...

I've heard this so many times. Don't people just party at lot a business school? You have no work! I so wish that were true, it would certainly improve my situation as much as any other b-school students. But in fact, we work, a LOT.

The second week of class was no better than the first. In fact, Monday was the first corporate presentation for the 2nd years, first presentation after only 3 days of class. My schedule is once again chock full of colorful blocks so I make sure I don't forget which meeting I'm supposed to be at, at what time...and most days are booked solid. One good thing though, I surely feel like a VIP.

So Monday was a late night because of this corporate presentation. It's actually quite fun, networking with the people from the company and learning their stories. Of course they only have good things to say about their firm, but they are also believable! Tuesday, I ended up skipping a corporate presentation because I had to do the computer exercise for Wednedsay's venturing class by 9PM. I opted to skip, didn't feel bad about it... things will work out in the end.

Wednesday was a hellacious day. I started off with a meeting at 9:30am about the ever-important MAC Conference. Then had a follow up meeting to discuss implications of the 9:30 meeting. After that, was class, a quick lunch, then another meeting, with the head of the Marketing Department to update him on the progress of our MAC Conference planning and secure funds from the Department. Then another class, a long 3 hour one at that. Finally at 6:30 was the MAC kick-off meeting, this went until 9PM or so, when I finally called it quits and dragged my tired ass home. There were 2 parties on Wed, I had no energy left to go...

Thankfully I only have one class on Thursday and was relatively relaxed after yet another MAC meeting about the budget, plus the ABA kick-off meeting. I find it ironic that now as a second year, I have little first years coming up to me to ask me how I do it. How do I manage to deal with classes, and be VPs of three clubs? Well, I say, you just do it! In all my wisdom. I guess I can only blame my incredibly crazy schedule on myself. I did not have to be that involved in school activities, I could have just cruised along, and gotten my MBA just fine...

But what would be the point in that? B-school is only two years. I say, make the most of it! I am a little over-extended at this point. But I love being "in the know". I have meetings with Vice Deans who know me by name, who tell me they would love to work with me and help me find jobs. I know the staff in admissions, career services, the Chazen Institute, and of course, the office of student life, and I love it. I love feeling like I am part of the school, that I'm really contributing to make it a better place, that I am really connected. So yes, I'm working, hard, but I'm also having so much fun! And that, is how I want to remember my 2 years at b-school...work hard, play hard!!

First week of Classes

I'm still playing catch-up on Orientation entries, but if I don't start jotting something down, I'll miss everything else!

This week was the first week of classes, we are now officially second years. The first week was really just two days. While classes started on Wednesday, GSB tried a new reorientation program on Tuesday afternoon. If it's the thought that counts, the administration sure gets points for "the thought". The program itself dragged on too long and student interest waned after the Dean gave his welcoming speech. People were leaving en mass by the end of the 2nd hour. I personally persisted, thought I did pretty much tune out by the end. The best idea was the Rececption for the Class of 2006. Drinks and good food are always the way to get the conversations flowing. I was so happy meet up and chat with people I haven't seen since then end of last semester. If reorientation is to continue the only part they should really keep is the Reception, it was definitely well received!

On Wednesday, I had two classes, Intro to Venturing and Education Consulting Leadership Lab. The professor for ITV is truly a hardass and he does not hesistate to admit to, and warn us that he is most definitely a hardass... so beware. He started of the class by showcasing the negative comments he received in his reviews from past years. Comments ranging from, "the professor is mean, and lacking in social graces" to "he needs to take a pronounciation class..." I don't fine his accent a problem at all, but it is obvious that he is anal and yes, probably mean. But a least he is honest in setting up his expectations!

Ed Consult. Lab is an unsual class. Instead of the usual lectures and cases, etc, the class is split into teams and each team consults for a Principal at a New York Public School. My Principal's school is in Jamaica, Qns, a very poor neighborhood with a large immigrant population. She has many issues that us students can help with ranging from operations to human resources management. The tough part is prioritizing where to start. I am so excited about this class! I think it will be an excellent opportunity to learn consulting skills and then apply them to a real life situation, plus give back to the community at the same time. The class is co-taught by a professor and and executive in residence who use to be a partner at McKinsey & Co, so I believe I will truly learn a lot.

As for Thursday, I had just one class, Marketing Plans Workshop. This also looks like it is going to be a great experience since the final project is a marketing plan for a company, service, start-up, etc. of our own choosing. I have some ideas but nothing final for the topic of my project, still need to brainstorm. After class, I met with Stephanie and Leslie to discuss details for the MAC conference, a meeting that took much longer than I thought it would. But we made some crucial decisions and updates, so it was worth it.

And of course, Thursday was the first HH of the year. The turn out was as tremendous as was expected. Breaking my own record, I actually stayed until midnight! The free beer was flowing and there was a lot of catching up with old clustermates, plus of course, the sharing of summer (or last spring) gossip. By the end of the night, Uris Deli was "jumping" and fresh scandals for the Bottom Line was being generated both on an off the dance floor. I learned some new things that night. 1. Miller Lite sucks, tastes like water, 2. I can drink a lot of sucky beer and not get drunk , and 3. we have a pretty darn cool first year class (lots of good looking people). I wonder if it has anything to do with the people who conducted the interviews for the incoming class...knowing some of them...I wouldn't be surprised. :)