Off the record

And .... we're done!

2010-05-26T11:16:00.000-04:00

Packing up

2010-05-12T18:09:00.003-04:00

On Monday, I began a task I've been dreading for weeks: packing. Fortified by lunch at Eppie's and my friend Kari's best-wishes, I dragged out the boxes I've used for my past two moves (I wanted my $3.50 worth), and surveyed the scene. It did not take long to realize how much I've accumulated in my time at Darden. There's a significant amount of new clothing; a three foot stack of cases; a shelf sagging under the weight of course-packs and textbooks; various souvenirs from recent trips to France, Egypt and China ... and much, much more. Ugh. Given my plans to head north with my boyfriend and move into a 700-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn, this accumulation is a thing of grave concern. And so, for the past couple days, I have been trying to gear myself up for some heavy-duty downsizing. Thus far, I have stuffed two, large garbage bags with unwanted purses, clothes, knickknacks and books. These are going to the Salvation Army. In addition, I have filled another two, large garbage bags with junk. These are bound for the trash compactor. All in all, I am quite proud of myself. And so, as a reward, I will now put off the rest of my packing until after graduation, when I'll be fortified by a not just lunch and well-wishes, but my old friend, necessity.

Foxfield ... 6th Edition

2010-04-25T15:22:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I celebrated my 6th (and quite possibly last) visit to the infamous Foxfield Races. Often touted as UVa's social event of the year, Foxfield offers attendees a quintessentially Charlottesville mix of early morning cocktails, horse racing and seersucker. Usually, Foxfield is a signal that spring has truly sprung -- sundresses and the subsequent sundress-tan lines are viewed as a given. Yet this year, forecasts called for rain. Now any other community would likely have clicked on weather.com, seen the thunderstorm warnings and thought better of spending an entire day trudging through muddy fields dressed in their Sunday best. But Darden, and the greater University of Virginia student body, would not be deterred. To protect ourselves (and the aforementioned sundresses) from the drizzle, we zipped into windbreakers, pulled on rain boats and fashioned makeshift shelters out of tarp, wooden stakes and duct tape. We were rewarded with a fabulous day. The drinks flowed freely, my horses won and we all walked away without those awkward tan lines.

Getting ready for the big move

2010-04-19T16:06:00.003-04:00

When not trying to milk every last drop of fun out of our last weeks in Charlottesville, Jesse and I have begun sizing up the painful challenge that is moving from Central Virginia to Brooklyn, New York. This is a task that falls squarely under the "not-fun" category of pre-graduation activities. Like everyone I have ever met in my life, I hate moving. It involves tedious packing; carrying large, heavy objects; and worst of all, negotiating tight spaces while relying on the guidance of loved ones. Gross.
Add to this, a very strict budget, and the prospect of a 6-hour U-Haul drive, and it's almost enough to make me give up on our big city dreams and remain here in Charlottesville forever.
Such a decision is, of course, highly impractical. While allowing me to keep my lovely, "seafoam blue" sofa exactly where it is, it would mean missing out on this "empire state of mind" I've heard so much about. And a new life with my significant other. So ... U-Haul it is.

Three more weeks!

2010-04-11T15:14:00.003-04:00

According to various status updates on Facebook, there are a mere three weeks left in my Darden career. In preparation, I've gone through all the necessary motions: I've submitted my cap and gown sizing information, made graduation weekend dinner reservations, donated to the Second Year Gift and earned the required Leadership credit (like a Boy Scout badge, but no flare!). And yet ... I'm just not ready to say goodbye. Clearly, my boyfriend is feeling this too. Coming into Q4, he sat me down and told me he wanted to get everything he could out of his remaining weeks in Charlottesville and at Darden. This, he explained sweetly, would involve taking afternoon golf lessons, visiting all local vineyards and breweries, and attending every single Darden-related social event, from the highly-anticipated Foxfield Races, to the random Huntington Village barbecue. I, of course, agreed that this sounded like a phenomenal plan. Which bring us to now ... it's mid-afternoon on a gorgeous, 70 degree day. Over the past three days, my boyfriend and I attended Darden's Spring Social at the Jefferson (an awesome event featuring live music at a recently renovated old theater on the Downtown Mall); won Darden's inaugural squash tournament (well, he did); went wine tasting and picnicking at King Family Vineyard in Crozet; and played a sorry round of cornhole by the light of some tiki torches. All in all, a very-Charlottesville, very-Darden weekend. Perhaps tuckered out from all this activity, or simply having put his Fear Of Missing Out to rest, Jesse is now hard at work on a paper (he just asked me how to spell "contentious," so I know he's actually working). Some of us still haven't earned our Leadership Credit.

Nearing the end

2010-04-01T18:28:00.005-04:00

The signs are all around ... the diploma form stuffed into my Darden mailbox, the push to support our Second Year Gift, and oh yes, of course, the class meeting about graduation logistics ... The end, as they say, is nigh. And soon, I will leave this cocoon-like, b-school existence and make for New York City. As exciting as this is, the prospect of leaving Darden makes me pretty glum. I have truly loved my time here. Not only have I learned a ton, I've made great friends and in some small way, I feel like I've made an impact. Yet now, it's transition time. This afternoon, I'll meet with a first year who will soon take over my duties as Communications VP for the National Association of Women MBA's. And next week, the Media, Entertainment & Sports Club will host its last alumni conference call. And pretty soon, this blog will stop featuring my musings on MBA life and begin to chronicle my Big Apple adventures. Sigh.

Paris! Cairo! Luxor!

2010-03-21T17:40:00.004-04:00

Posing at the Temples of Karnak ...

... and the great pyramids

... and in front of Notre Dame Cathedral

MBA Media and Entertainment Conference

2010-02-24T21:00:00.001-05:00

As you might imagine, recruiting for a job in the media and entertainment industry while living in Charlottesville, Va. can be a bit of a challenge. The city, while full of a multitude of delights, is far from a media hub. Because of this, my job search has taken me to New York City ("concrete jungle where dreams are made of," according to Alicia Keys and Jay-Z) on several occasions. Tomorrow, I head north again to attend the MBA Media and Entertainment Conference at New York University's Stern School of Business. According to the conference website, the event is "the premiere event for business school students focusing on the media, entertainment and technology industries." And the list of panel topics and panelists is indeed impressive. Yesterday, I signed up to attend talks on corporate strategy, a new business model for news and new media subscriptions. I have to admit, I'm pretty excited. While Darden has attracted a strong cohort of would-be media execs, it'll be great to talk to others with similar ambitions and passions.
To find out more about the conference, visit: www.mbamec.com.

20th Annual SHE Auction

2010-02-20T09:39:00.004-05:00

Last night, NAWMBA hosted the 20th annual SHE Auction, Red Carpet Gala. The event, held at the Boar's Head Inn, included dinner, dancing and a live auction. We all had a blast raising money for an amazing cause: Charlottesville's Shelter for Help in Emergency.

Women's Leadership Week

2010-02-16T17:48:00.002-05:00

This week, the Darden chapter of NAWMBA (National Association of Women MBAs) is holding its annual Women's Leadership Week. As the name implies, the week is devoted to encouraging conversations about women and leadership -- from the hurdles female execs may face en route to the C-suite, to the challenges of balancing work, family and personal time.
This afternoon, Tricia Griffith, group president with Progressive, flew into Charlottesville to give a talk as part of Darden's Leadership Speakers Series, and I had the pleasure of joining Tricia for lunch beforehand. In addition to detailing her more than 20-year tenure with Progressive, Tricia talked about the planning required to vacation with her husband and their six (yup, six!) children, the importance of leading by example and the merits of encouraging healthy debate among your team members. The conversation was great and it made me even more excited for the other activities on tap this week, including: tomorrow's case discussion led by Prof. Ed Freeman, Thursday's reception and fireside chat and of course, Friday's SHE Auction Red Carpet Gala!

Snow ... again

2010-02-08T22:11:00.003-05:00

The last time I wrote about snow, I was all about it. Snow, I recall saying, inspires a sense of adventure; a feeling of newness. Hah. That was last week.
This week, I'm over it. Having just survived about 20 inches of weekend snowfall, Charlottesville is now expecting another 5 to 10 inches by Wednesday afternoon. And that, my friends, means more power outages, more aborted travel plans, more slippery roads and sliding cars, more grocery stockpiling and more shoveling. Disastrous! As the inconveniences pile up, snow has begun to lose its luster. While this California girl was once seduced by its shiny, fresh, downy facade, she has now come face to face with snow's more sinister side. The side that turns snow angels into sniffles and coughs, outdoor plans into candlelit games of Apples to Apples and dusted curbs into icy, rock hard obstacle courses. Last weekend's snowstorm was a novelty, this past weekend's was an irritation and this week's will be my undoing.

Help support a great cause!

2010-02-05T13:17:00.002-05:00

On Feb. 19, the National Association of Women MBAs at Darden will host its 20th annual auction to support Charlottesville's Shelter for Help in Emergency. The event, which will feature a sit-down dinner, dancing, music from Blues Jam and bidding on a variety of items, will begin at 7 p.m. at the Boar's Head Inn in Charlottesville.

Tickets cost $35 per person and are available at:

http://forms.darden.virginia.edu/student/dsa/ClubEventPayments.html

Snow!

2010-01-31T09:39:00.005-05:00

While just a few days ago the temperatures here in Charlottesville were hovering in the mid-50's, I woke up yesterday to snow-covered sidewalks and fresh flurries. I love a good snowfall and, with spring just around the corner, my boyfriend and I couldn't let this one go to waste. So off we went, plowing through the white stuff, intent on enjoying our day. Yet come to think of it, we spent our snowy Saturday much like we spend other Saturdays -- we went downtown, enjoyed a couple cups of coffee, watched a movie and went out for a few drinks on the Corner. The only real difference is that somehow the cold weather and the inches of snow underfoot made everything seem like an adventure. En route to the Mudhouse, we walked along relatively empty streets and it felt like we'd gone back in time (at least, until the snowplows hit the road). And on our way home from the bar, we slipped and slid, pushing each other into piles of snow and returned home cold and completely covered. In the midst of it all, I lost a glove, bruised my knee and tracked in some ice. A small price to pay for an awesome snow day.

Paris, Cairo, Amsterdam

2010-01-13T18:16:00.003-05:00

Apologies for my long absence, faithful readers (you're out there, right?!). I have a good excuse. Since Sunday, the majority of my time online has been spent researching flights for my GBE this March. The GBE, or Global Business Experience, is a Darden-sponsored, credit-earning, week-long trip to learn about how business is conducted elsewhere in the world. With about 20 fellow Darden students, you travel to Argentina, Bahrain, China, Spain or Sweden, attend local b-school classes, visit foreign companies and sight see. As my longtime followers know, I didn't go on a GBE last year, opting instead for the relaxing sands of Playa del Carmen. This year, however, I am. I'm going to Egypt! And let me tell you, the itinerary looks fabulous. In between business and university tours, we see The Great Pyramids of Giza, visit the Khan el Khalili Bazaar and travel to Luxor. There's even a light show. Not kidding.

But wait, there's more! Two of my closest Darden girlfriends are also going on the Egypt GBE and we, in our infinite wisdom, have decided to take advantage of the fact that we are traveling around the world to make some strategic stop-overs. Think Paris! And Amsterdam! Sigh. It's a tough life.

On leadership ... and collaboration

2009-12-22T19:14:00.002-05:00

Over the past few months, I've been working on an article with Darden professor, Ryan Quinn. In about 800 words, it discusses the role our culture played in creating the current financial crisis, and the small, personal choices we can make to help enact change. The piece was published in The Washington Post's "On Leadership" section last Friday: http://views.washingtonpost.com/leadership/guestinsights/2009/12/four-questions-for-changing-culture.html
Writing it was a great experience. Not only did I get to try my hand at a new style of writing, I got the opportunity to work closely with a professor who just a year before had stood before my Section B class and cold-called me! To me, this is a testament to the wonderful relationships students and professors can form here at Darden; relationships of creativity and collaboration.

Snowed in

2009-12-20T12:50:00.003-05:00

I left New York City just in time! A mere 24-hours after I wrapped up my trek visits and boarded a train back to Rhode Island, the snow started falling. It hasn't stopped. And judging from a recent walk (or rather, attempted walk) with my dog, it's about knee-deep now. Not that this is a bad thing. With a counter-full of baked goods, a Christmas mix on repeat and a tree still un-trimmed, my family's been keeping busy.

NYC Job Trek

2009-12-14T09:32:00.003-05:00

Each year, several Darden groups and clubs organize two- to three-day treks to cities near and far, from London to Las Vegas, San Francisco to Charlotte, and Houston to Hong Kong. The aim is to visit companies that don't recruit at Darden on their own turf. And it's the perfect opportunity to find and follow-up on job leads when your search is geographically focused.
Last year, I attended the Media, Entertainment & Sports Club's Washington DC trek. For me, it was a fabulous way to learn about companies, meet with executives and network -- an especially important part of finding a job in the media industry. The trip was so successful, in fact, that tomorrow I jump back on the trek bandwagon.
This year my destination is New York City, where the first-year trek leads have compiled an impressive list of companies to visit, including: NBC, The New York Times, Hearst and ESPN. So excited.

Papers, exams and things that distract me from completing papers and exams

2009-12-05T14:58:00.003-05:00

One of the (many) luxuries of second year is being able to take home your papers and exams and complete them at your leisure during exam week. The only problem, of course, is that leisure leaves the door wide open to a whole host of distractions. Chief among them today, has been posting (and anxiously reviewing) all of the photos taken at last night's Darden "prom." See, every half hour for the past three hours, someone new posts their pictures on Facebook, leaving me no choice but to spend a few minutes clicking through the album. The result? Some lightening-fast photo "untags" and just two pages of a six page paper done. Sigh.

New blood, new blogs

2009-11-18T18:50:00.002-05:00

This afternoon, the Darden Student Bloggers held its first meeting to welcome its new, Class of 2011 bloggers into the digital fold. As is typical of any b-school gathering, there was plenty of cheese-covered unhealthiness to nibble on as we introduced ourselves, discussed issues of privacy and censorship and talked blogs. Toward the end of the meeting, one of the first years turned to me and asked if I'd experienced any negative recruiting repercussions by being so open about my early struggles at Darden. The question made me pause. I've always looked at this blog as an opportunity to share, in real-time, my relatively unfiltered view of Darden. As a result, it was only natural that I chronicled my DA angst, my long --and sometimes sleepless --nights and my tear-filled Black November. No recruiter has asked me about the posts I've written, but if they did, I'd like to think I'd be proud of them. Sure, they highlight personal weakness. And yes, they call attention to a difficult and far-from-seamless transition. But they're also a testament to my ability to push through. My tenure at Darden has been riddled with moments of self-doubt, aching frustration and even, heartbreak. Yet you know that age-old maxim -- "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"? Well, in this case, it's proved true. Each DA spreadsheet I made, each restless night I weathered, each crushing ding I cried over contributed to an experience I wouldn't trade for the world. Because of all these things, I truly believe I'm a stronger person and a better leader. And I don't mind the world (or at least the five people who read this blog) knowing that.

So, as you fresh-faced bloggers take to your keyboards, I urge at least a couple of you to consider being really frank and open about your time at Darden. Own up to the fear, admit to the worry and share the lows as well as the highs. In doing so, you may give up the shiny, near-perfect facade. But you'll get a series of posts that make you realize just how strong you are.

Reconnecting

2009-11-11T20:00:00.010-05:00

A couple weeks ago, I took advantage of one of my reading day Fridays to drive two hours down to the bustling metropolis of Roanoke, Va. The Star City of the South. My home for three years.

I hadn't been back since I'd started at Darden and as I drove, I thought about how different my life is now from what it was just five years before when I'd made my first trip to Roanoke. At that point, I thought I'd be a journalist forever. I'd just moved from my native California back to Virginia and was excited to take on a new job, a new newsroom and a new community. But I didn't know a soul.

Fast-forward five years. I'm no longer a journalist. I've traded Southwest Virginia for Central Virginia. And I was heading back to Roanoke to reconnect with a few close friends -- people I'd grown to love and who had supported me as I embarked on a huge life change. At lunch and in a post-lunch meeting, I caught up on the goings-on at my old firm, shared my summer experiences and post-graduation job ambitions and just gossiped. It was fantastic -- like, warm, happy feeling in your stomach fantastic. I was reminded of the wonderful network of friends I have -- friends who care deeply and believe fully. Totally worth the two hour drive.

A night out with the girls

2009-11-05T21:28:00.006-05:00

This past Tuesday, I enjoyed a regular night out with five of my favorite Darden ladies. Over dinner and wine we talked about Halloween misadventures, complained about problem sets and offered each other relationship advice. Pretty typical. But as chatter turned to the future, I realized how much I'd miss my girls when we parted ways post-graduation. Happy as I was to toast job offers and signing bonuses, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness that none of my friends' jobs were likely to take them to the Northeast.

I've said here many times how much I value the tight-knit Darden community and in particular, my close circle of friends. And it's true. I really believe that some of the best things I'll take away with me come May are the relationships I've made here ... well that, and a massive diploma.

The silver lining? As we were contemplating the menu at Maya ($12 Tuesdays!), I looked across the restaurant and spotted a table full of first-year women. Like us, they'd traded an extra hour with their cases for a little girl bonding. Nice choice, ladies.

My favorite time of year

2009-10-28T19:19:00.003-04:00

... is just about now, when the temperatures start to dip into the '60s, the hills around Charlottesville transform under fall foliage and coffee shops start selling warm apple cider. With the hot, sticky summer a distant memory and a snowy winter still months away, it's time to pull on a sweater and explore the 'ville at its finest. Recently, my boyfriend and I took a "date day" and did just that, hiking and wine-tasting our way through some of the prettiest autumnal scenes around. It was a fantastic break from recruiting and case-reading -- the kind of day that puts everything in perspective. And as I sat outside Veritas, wine glass in hand and cheese plate in reach, I realized how lucky I was to be enjoying another fall in Charlottesville.

Time to get a J-O-B

2009-10-22T19:11:00.004-04:00

... or at least, that's what the parade of stressed and suited Darden students would indicate. Yet I have not put on a suit all year. And I'm feeling the pressure. Big time. Problem is, the industry I have my heart set on - media - doesn't recruit on the same schedule or through the same process as other, more popular post-B-school industries, like banking and consulting. While other companies have visited Grounds, toting free water bottles and scouting for incoming MBA classes of 20 or 30, most media companies have no idea what openings they'll have next year. Which leaves me ... stressed.
Both a planner and a worrier, I have spent the last few weeks worrying about not having a plan. In some ways, this worrying has been good. It's spurred me to reach out to Darden alums, scour media websites for job listings and remind myself (sometimes hourly) that "everything will be fine." In other ways, however, this worrying has been ... bad. I've cried, complained and dragged myself around my apartment feeling woeful and sorry for myself. Not attractive. Not even to my very loving and supportive boyfriend.
Yet even in those dark moments, I know I'm on the right track. After all, no one said following your heart was easy.

3 more quarters to go! No!

2009-10-12T19:24:00.002-04:00

This afternoon I handed in a take-home final, a paper and two projects and in that one trip to the Faculty Office Building, officially ended my first quarter of second-year. Instead of the usual post-exam euphoria, however, I felt kind of sad about the whole thing. I mean, with one quarter done, and only three more ahead of me, it's just a matter of months until I'm out of Darden and back in the real world. And I'm just not sure I'm ready for that.
See, Darden is like a wonderful cocoon. Sure, we feel job pressure and suffer through late night project work and presentation meetings, but we also spend our waking hours surrounded by our best friends, learning truly interesting things, protected by the student safety-net.
For almost a year and a half I've reveled in this free and easy existence. Yet now I'm starting to feel the clock tick down. All of a sudden, I'm worrying about finding a full-time job, moving to a new city, covering my looming loan payments -- all of the adult issues I'd managed to avoid while here in business school. And it's scary.
So ... who wants a Ph.D?

Second year!

2009-10-02T17:15:00.001-04:00

Bonding over food

2009-09-25T19:11:00.002-04:00

Last night, my friend Caroline and I had five first-years over to my apartment for dinner. The dinner -- one in a series of NAWMBA potlucks -- was the perfect opportunity for us to get to know some of Darden's new ladies.
As is typical of most Angela/Caroline evenings, there was plenty of wine, food and chit-chat. Over plates of coconut shrimp, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus and chocolate fondue (I mention the menu, because this was one of the VERY rare occasions when we cooked!), Caroline and I talked about a whole range of b-school related experiences -- from participating in class and taking finals, to dating and bar-hopping. And we listened as the first-years shared stories about their learning teams, their sections and their post-Darden ambitions.
Maybe two glasses of wine into the conversation, I realized how short a time it's actually been since we were in these girls' shoes. As they talked about their long hours and moments of self-doubt, I thought how odd it was that just a year ago it was me admitting to those same crises of confidence. Yet there I was last night, trying to lend support and encouragement.
What a difference a year makes.

Family Day

2009-09-20T22:07:00.002-04:00

... this year, with family!

Each year in the fall, when Charlottesville is at its prettiest, Darden welcomes its students' families to Grounds. Last year, my family couldn't make it and I had to watch enviously as many of my first-year peers proudly introduced the school to their parents, siblings, spouses, etc. This year, however, my mom and stepdad drove down from East Greenwich, RI, setting up camp in my one-bedroom apartment. Despite the tight squeeze, they had a great time.

On Family Day, they sat in on classes (Valuation and Leading Strategic Change), met my friends and professors and admired the school's column lined courtyards. On Saturday, we went wine-tasting, drove around Crozet and engaged in some good, old-fashioned bonding.

It was a wonderful weekend: one that reminded me not only of how much I enjoy my parents' company, but of how fond I am of Darden and how much I like showing it off.

Dear First Years,

2009-09-17T22:40:00.005-04:00

I have to admit, when I first saw you walking the halls, crowding the bar at TNDC and pushing your way en masse to First Coffee, I was a little wary. I mean, I'd just spent an entire year getting to know everyone at Darden, and now, with the 09's departure and your arrival, half the school was again a mystery. I probably took a few days (... or more ...) to get re-acclimated; to make peace with all the unfamiliar faces; to learn the personalities behind those shiny silver name tags.
Yet over the past couple of weeks, you've won me over. In a whirlwind of club events, Pepsico Forum run-ins and FY-SY Peer lunch dates, I've gotten to know several of you and, despite my early trepidation, I've really liked those of you I've met. You're great additions to the Darden community and I'm excited to see what you contribute. So, welcome ... belatedly.

Oh reading days, how I missed you!

2009-09-04T11:55:00.003-04:00

One of the great luxuries of attending business school is the reading day -- a day all to oneself without a single class blotting space in your schedule. As an intern, it took me a few weeks to recover from reading day withdrawal and now that I've returned to Darden, I welcome each one of those 24 hours back with open arms.
Ahh, but how to spend them?
Because reading days usually fall on a Friday, you can approach your reading day in one of two ways. One, you could opt for the productive route, viewing the day as an opportunity to catch-up, get ahead, or work on extra-curriculars. Basically, the reading day is an additional work day. Two, you could take the not-so-productive route, viewing the day as a chance to rest up, relax and re-charge ... in short, the reading day makes for a 3-day weekend.
On this particular reading day, I'm going with a blend. I'm writing cover letters and attending meetings, but I also plan on making a trip to the party-supply store and enjoying a couple lazy hours on my new couch.

NAWMBA Welcome Event

2009-08-30T13:42:00.002-04:00

This past Friday, the National Association of Women MBA's at Darden (henceforth, NAWMBA) hosted a welcome event for first-years at a winebar on the downtown mall. The event was fantastic -- we filled the event space, wine and conversation flowed freely and I was able to meet and chat with more than a dozen of Darden's newest members.

Back in Charlottesville

2009-08-23T19:16:00.004-04:00

I'm a week into my second year at Darden and I'd just like to take the opportunity to dispel the notion that second year is a breezy, golf-filled float to graduation. True, I no longer have 15-case weeks, or hours-long learning team meetings, but I still spend a ton of time on-Grounds (maybe even more than last year!). Each day this week there has been reading to catch up on (in some cases, entire books), bonds to price, club meetings to attend and events to help plan. And to think my expectation was to have wide open gaps in my Outlook calendar!

Yet while the schedule and pace may not have improved, my ability to manage those things certainly has. One of the greatest skills I think we acquire here at Darden is the ability to prioritize what needs to get done, focus in the free hours we have and quickly jump from one thing to the next.

Almost home

2009-08-11T21:36:00.005-04:00

Just three more days until my summer in DC ends and I make my way back to Charlottesville. And I have to say, I'm pretty excited about going home.

While I've loved my internship and the chance to explore a new city, I've missed my life at Darden. I've missed my friends, I've missed my apartment and I've missed the b-school community I've become apart of. And what's struck me recently isn't just how much I enjoy being at Darden, it's how temporary my stay there is. One more year and I leave the bubble for good.

Post-presentation work

2009-08-04T18:47:00.005-04:00

With my final presentation done, life at the office has entered a new phase. Gone is the feeling of intense pressure once so palpable atop my shoulders. Gone too is the compulsive need to update my PowerPoint decks every 15 minutes. Now, I just have ... work. With a week and a half remaining in my internship, my presentation may have signaled a peak in my summer workload, but it certainly didn't mark the end of it. Today, for example, I had three different meetings on three different projects (two of which I presented on last Friday and one of which is new).

Without the all-consuming stress of my presentation bearing down on me, this return to routine has been a relief. I've gotten the opportunity to work on another new product concept and through it, investigate a couple new marketing channels and meet with a few new faces around the company. But it's also been pretty busy. As I realized during an 8 a.m. Monday chat with my boss, the real world offers no post-presentation reprieve, no prolonged pat-on-the-back. It's simply back to work. Until of course, it's back to school.

Final presentation

2009-07-31T22:31:00.003-04:00

For many MBA interns, the summer's work culminates in a big, make-or-break final presentation to company execs. It's a chance to show off the work you've done, bask in some c-level exposure and leave a lasting (and hopefully positive) impression. My final presentation was Friday. And I'm not going to lie, it was a pretty nerve-wracking experience. In the weeks prior, I'd met with employees throughout the firm, fine-tuned business and marketing plans for a new product concept and slaved over dozens of PowerPoint slides. By the time Friday rolled around, I thought I was ready. I'd done five run-throughs, practiced with the projector and clicker and written out my talking points. It still didn't quell my nerves. I think I literally shook as I walked to the front of the boardroom to deliver my presentation ... and then, 45 minutes later, it was done. And the relief set in. While I wasn't sure I handled the Q&A part of my presentation as well as I could have. It was done. I'd achieved one more milestone in my MBA journey.
To celebrate, I went home, poured myself a generous glass of wine and got ready for a weekend that, when compared with my Friday, could only be restful and relaxing.

Plantlife

2009-07-15T19:04:00.005-04:00

My office plant is dying.

Okay fine, maybe it's not dying. But, if it's browning leaves are any indication, it's suffering. This plant, or actually this basket of assorted plants, was given to me by my boss as a way to liven up my otherwise sterile office. As a result, its deteriorating state is of great concern. I mean, it's a bad sign when you let the office plant die, right? Doesn't exactly scream "Hire me, I'm responsible!"

Sigh.

Dinners with Nick

2009-07-12T19:13:00.004-04:00

Every week, usually on Mondays at about 6, my 16-year-old brother Nick and I meet for dinner. The meals aren't lengthy and they won't continue forever -- we're both in DC this summer as interns -- but they've provided a great way for Nick and I to build a relationship. See, my brother and I haven't always been close. In fact, with 11 years between us, this summer is the first time we've spent concentrated, one-on-one time together. But when Sunday nights like these roll around and I'm staring another 5-days of work in the face, my weekly dinner with Nick is something I look forward to. It serves as a nice reminder of who I am and where I'm from at a time when I'm introducing myself to both a new career and a new city. It's also great to see how much Nick's grown up. When he was a toddler and I was a teenager, he was sometimes mistaken for my child (yes, this is strange). Now, I often wonder if he's confused with my college friends.
Another perk? Because neither he nor I know DC well, we've used the dinners as excuses to get out and explore the city together. A couple weeks ago, we had Thai food in Dupont, last week, it was Mediterranean food in Woodley Park and tomorrow, we'll meet for pizza in Chinatown. Over plates of pad thai and baskets of pita, we chat about work (he's interning with a member of Congress, something I did 10 years ago), family and friends. We laugh. And sometimes, I forget all the years between us.

Work: The Half-Way Point

2009-07-05T22:47:00.005-04:00

While it seems like just yesterday I was sweating through first-day-of-work jitters, a second glance at my Outlook calendar confirms it: I'm half-way through my summer internship. My final presentation is a mere three weeks away. And my stay in DC ends in just over a month. I guess that means it's time for an update ... and this time, I'll try and stick to what I've learned on the job.
First, there's definitely something to be said for being part of a well-established MBA internship program. For decades, the company I work for has hired its next generation of managers from its pool of summer interns. As a result, the internship program emphasizes real world experience, impactful projects and significant company exposure. Each week, my fellow interns and I have lunch with at least two or three executives. Casual and intimate (there are only 5 MBA interns), these lunches give us the opportunity to learn about a variety of departments, introduce ourselves and share our impressions of the company and the industry. It's been great.
Second, "impactful projects" = real responsibility. And this is particularly true when you're in an industry like media, which is under significant pressure to change. One of the projects I'm working on involves taking a new program from concept to launch. I realized pretty quickly that the figures I keyed into my spreadsheets represented not only real dollars, but real risk: the risk of trying new things at a time when resources are scarce and the need for innovation is palpable.
Third, you can learn a lot about a place from the way people approach their jobs. One of the things I appreciate most about the firm I work for is the enthusiasm people have for the product and its legacy. There's a real sense of pride that comes through when executives talk about their commitment to journalism. And that pride trickles down throughout the organization.

Weekend in NY

2009-06-28T21:56:00.003-04:00

While I love getting to know DC - my temporary home - summer wouldn't be summer without a few weekends away. This past weekend, I went up to New York to spend time with my boyfriend and also, to enjoy a girls' day out with one of my closest Darden girlfriends. I'd been looking forward to the trip for weeks, in large part because of the aforementioned "girl time." Now, for the male readers of my blog [if there are any ... or even any readers :) ], "girl time" is what we call those sacred hours spent gabbing and giggling ... when the conversation flows as freely as the wine (or in our case, the mimosas) and covers topics as various as work pressures, family issues, boy drama (little to report, thankfully!) and life's little embarrassments. Often, it includes a meal or some stereotypically female activity, like shopping. Since my friend and I hadn't seen each other in what seemed like ages, but was really maybe a month, we decided to include both. Saturday kicked off with brunch and mimosas served, literally, by the pitcher. Then it was off to the shops where we spent some of our hard earned paychecks pumping up the city's retail sales figures. Finally, we capped the day off with a visit to Magnolia's Bakery and a couple scoops of gelato. Perfect.

Catching up with friends old and new

2009-06-24T21:47:00.005-04:00

In the four weeks since I arrived in DC, I've spent most of my weekends and dinner hours catching up with folks from my pre-B-school life. College friends, work-life friends ... friends I'd neglected for much of the nine months I was in Charlottesville. Over lunch, dinner and drinks, we played catch up on months' (and in one instance, years') worth of life changes, from break-ups and new relationships, to home purchases and book deals. The conversations offered a chance at reconnection, and they reminded me how much my friends have done and gone through while I was toiling away in Darden's LT rooms.
And what of those that toiled alongside me? Well, this past weekend, I finally met up with several of my "Darden friends." It was great to hear about their internships -- not only the projects they were working on, but their transitions back into the working world. With our shared first year experience as a foundation, we talked about how useful our spreadsheet skills had proven, how much we missed our 5-hour work days and how rewarding it was to be tasked with real responsibility in our jobs.
So, what's on tap for this coming weekend? A trip to New York!

Work: Week 1

2009-06-05T23:31:00.002-04:00

I survived! For all my stress and sleeplessness, I made it through the first week of my internship! And, while I feel a little sheepish admitting it (given the extreme nervousness that pervaded my last post), it was a great week. I lucked out with an interesting summer project that combines my editorial background and my newly honed business skills. And, I really like my supervisor, the company's VP of marketing. Oh, and one other thing ... I have an office! For a former cubicle dweller, this in and of itself, is a big deal.
But before I let the office situation get to my head (hah!), here are a couple things to note about Week 1:
First, with just 10 weeks of work, orientation is minimal and a lot of the training is on-the-job. For me, this meant jumping into project work on my first day and drawing up financial projections on day 2! Initially I felt a little overwhelmed, but once I opened up Microsoft Excel, I realized I actually knew what I was doing ... such a relief.
Second, returning to five day a week, 10-hour days takes some adjustment after a year in school. By day 3, I was definitely in need of a reading day! (Maybe this is why second years seem so much more appreciative of the Darden experience ... )
Third, once I got over my reading day withdrawal, I realized how much I enjoy working on projects that will actually be implemented. Fun as it is to debate and discuss within the classroom, this is what I came back to school for: the opportunity to bring exciting new ventures from launch to implementation.

Internship countdown

2009-05-30T08:45:00.002-04:00

I return to the working world on Monday and I have to admit, I'm pretty anxious ... not quite up-all-night anxious, but definitely churning-stomach anxious. According to my boyfriend (who at the moment is unhelpfully located in London), this anxiety has made me a bit sensitive; a bit testy. Probably true, but in my mind, totally justified.
For a born worrier, there's just so much to stress out about. First: proving myself. I've spent the past 9 months at Darden working incredibly hard on subjects that were initially quite foreign to me. During my internship, I'm really hoping to prove to myself and others that this was time and energy well-spent. But what if I can't? What if instead of confidently applying concepts and frameworks, I fumble and flail? (See, this IS scary stuff.)
Second: learning as much as I can. During Q4, I took a class called Establishing Yourself at Work. In several class discussions, my peers and I talked about how we could position ourselves to both learn as much as possible, and provide as much value as possible to our summer employers. It's a tough balancing act and I want to make sure I do it right. And again, what if I can't?
Third: adjusting to work outside the newsroom. As I've mentioned a number of times on this blog, I'm a former journalist who is switching to the business side of media. I've been lucky enough to land an internship that helps in that transition, but I'm worried about how it'll feel to work "on the other side." So far I haven't missed writing and reporting, but what if I find that I do now? Or that the skills I used so effectively as a reporter don't translate as well as I'd thought?
Clearly, there is enough here to keep me in a tizzy for the next 48 hours and distraction is in order ... That's my cue to step away from my computer and explore DC.

Packing up

2009-05-26T17:10:00.002-04:00

After a relaxing two and a half week break from Charlottesville, I have returned and now face the dreaded task of packing. Picture this: two open suitcases, a bed full of clothes and shoes strewn everywhere. Sigh. You'd think that after more than a dozen moves, I'd learn how to pack efficiently, but given the state of my bedroom, this is clearly not the case. Like my mother, I'm an over packer -- especially when it comes to months-long relocations. And that's what this is. On Thursday, I depart for a three-month stint in D.C. where I have a business development internship with a large media company. I'm pretty excited. Not only am I interning in an industry I love, but I've been assigned a great project and have the opportunity to live in a city I've always liked.
The only hurdle, of course, is filling these suitcases.

A much needed break

2009-05-10T10:58:00.003-04:00

I'm home! After a 10 hour drive (with two shrieking cats), I arrived at my mother's house in East Greenwich, RI last night, utterly exhausted. It wasn't just the drive that did me in. I also blame the two weeks of craziness that marked the end of my first Darden school year. See, before I left town, there was a long list of things to be done. On the practical side: taking exams, finishing class projects (including the infamous Enterprise Leadership Audit), updating club websites, packing for a summer away and cleaning my apartment. And then there were the social events: the barbecues, the bonfires, the bar nights and the aptly-named "End of the World" party. Combine the two and you get a schedule with nary a minute to relax and recover.
So yeah, it's good to be home. Not only am I looking forward to spending Mother's Day with my mom for the first time in 10 years, I'm also hoping to get a little rest before my summer internship begins June 1. I'm off to a good start. Last night, I slept for a solid 10 hours. It was almost enough to make up for my 10 hour drive.

One more exam

2009-05-05T16:07:00.006-04:00

... four hours of Data Analysis and Optimization, and likely 20+ pages of hypothesis tests, regressions, sensitivity reports and scatter plots, and my first year at Darden will come to a close. Now, I've said many a time that the months have rushed by, but these last couple in particular seem to have passed at warp speed. I mean, wasn't Spring Break just last week? Uh, no, it wasn't. In fact, I've apparently sat through 75 classes (5 courses) between then and now. But really, that's how it feels.

And this is something I hope my peers and I conveyed to the hundreds of prospective students Darden hosted last weekend for Darden Days: the time goes quick, so engage in and enjoy as much as possible.

Throughout this year of tremendous highs (internship offer!) and devastating lows (Q1 confusion), there are definitely moments when you need to lock yourself away in your apartment and bust out a few spreadsheets. But the more memorable moments, to me at least, are those when you're out engaging with the rest of this incredible community ... the girls' nights at Continental Divide, the section parties at abandoned frat houses (oh, only our section did that?) and the club receptions at Dean Bruner's. When stress levels are at their peak, real, rest-of-your-life friendships are forged. To me, that's been the best thing about Darden. Yes, I've learned a ton. Yes, I'll go into my internship prepared and confident. But most of all, yes, I'll walk away from this year feeling a part of a community.

I hope the Class of 2011 got a taste of what that's like at Darden Days. Friday night's dinner at King Family Vineyards highlighted Darden at it's finest. The setting was absolutely beautiful, the food and drink were plentiful and the company was phenomenal. I honestly have no idea how anyone could walk away from that event unsure about coming here in the fall.

Foxfield

2009-04-27T13:55:00.005-04:00

As a double 'hoo, Foxfield -- a day devoted to outdoor drinking and supposed horse-watching -- has long been a much-anticipated part of my springtime entertainment. During my undergrad days, my friends and I would don our sundresses, string on some pearls and enjoy a day at the races tailgate style. Drinks would be poured from the back of SUVs and pickup trucks, and hours would be spent wandering from one raucous plot to the next. This year, however, things were a tad classier. There was a tent (a welcome upgrade given the 92 degree heat), a series of tables and chairs and a catered lunch. All in all, a much more adult set-up than I've enjoyed at Foxfields gone by.

Spring socializing

2009-04-12T09:45:00.004-04:00

It's spring and, with the weather warming up, socializing in Charlottesville has become much more appealing. There's no need to drag your winter coat into college bars or to trudge through snow in 3-inch heels. Nope, now is what I like to call sit-on-the-patio-in-a-sundress time. And, thanks to Darden's social organizers, there are activities aplenty.

Yesterday, for example, about 40 to 50 Darden students and their significant others boarded buses to visit the local wineries and breweries. My girlfriends and I opted for a tour of the Barboursville and Horton Vineyards. On the 6-hour tour, we learned more than we'll probably ever need to know about Charlottesville viniculture, sipped glasses of Chardonnay and returned home exhausted. Up next? Easter brunch at the Horse and Hound. Not a bad way to enjoy a Central Virginia spring.

Forte Foundation Conference

2009-04-08T20:48:00.002-04:00

For those incoming female MBAs, I just wanted to write a quick note about the Forte Foundation's upcoming conference in New York City. The two-day affair (June 26-27) is a great way to network with women in a variety of MBA programs.
I attended last year and got advice on everything from transitioning to b-school and maintaining work/life balance, to finding a non-traditional internship. Plus, being at the conference somehow made attending Darden in the fall much more of a reality!
Curious? Check out the foundation at www.fortefoundation.org.

Birthday

2009-04-06T20:10:00.002-04:00

So, it was my birthday last weekend and, because I wholeheartedly believe in being self-indulgent on your birthday, I not only drank way too many champagne cocktails, I also got a little nostalgic. Lolling in bed, nursing a headache, I tried to think of all my little girl dreams and of those, how many I'd actually accomplished.
Become a veterinarian serving a clientele of puppies, kittens and bunnies? Nope.
Own a home with built-in bookshelves and a breakfast nook? Also, no.
Write the next great American novel? Hah.
As I kept counting things off, I quickly realized that my life is nothing like what I imagined it would be like at the tender age of 6. I'm back in school and, as a career-switcher, somewhat careerless. I own a car and two closets' full of clothes, but nothing more substantial than that. And, the only semi-creative writing I've done recently has been this blog. Judged against my little girl standards, I'm sort of a sorry case.
But when I think about my life at 27, I'm actually quite satisfied. I'm here at Darden, preparing to transition to the business side of media (an industry I truly believe in). I have fabulous friends (who provide not only champagne, but also aspirin). And, without the responsibilities of home ownership, marriage and motherhood, I'm free to pursue my passions as I see fit. All in all, I've gotten to a great place, one I'm proud of and happy in.
Over the past 21 years, I've come to grips with the fact that I may never be able to check off veterinary sciences or the great American novel. And I'm perfectly okay with that. Of course, I'm still holding out for that breakfast nook.

Changes, choices

2009-03-22T19:42:00.006-04:00

It seems like I begin every quarter with a discussion of what's changed and, in keeping with the trend, this post will offer a brief sample of what's new in Q4.
First ... choice!
For the majority of our first-year, my peers and I have diligently worked through Darden's core curriculum. Kept on the same schedule (three classes, 8 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.) and in the same room, we've learned Finance, Decision Analysis, Marketing, Accounting, Economics and Leading Organizations together. Yet now, during Q4, we've started to diverge. While we all still take Leading Organizations and Ethics, we also have three electives ... meaning that for the first time, we have the ability to choose classes based on interest and need. The result is an interesting split. With summer internships looming, there have been noticeable divisions: the bankers are in Valuation; the marketers, Marketing Intelligence, and the consultants, the Consulting Process.
Second ... leadership transition. As I mentioned earlier, the time has come for second-years to cede club positions to their first-year successors. For those successors (myself included), this means taking on new responsibilities and stepping up to provide real impact. Of course, as with anything, more responsibility equates with more demands on our time. But I'm sure I'm not alone in believing it's worth it. As an example, the new leadership team for the Media, Entertainment & Sports club met this week to hash out plans for next year. For me, the meeting was a great reminder of my peers' enthusiasm for, and their dedication to making life (and job-hunting) easier for fellow Dardenites.
Third ... internship prep. With just a couple months between me and my internship, I'm starting to worry about how to make the most of my summer. I want to feel confident going in that I'll be able to contribute and lately, that's meant taking stock of all that I've learned at Darden. Just from a cursory glance around my bedroom, that's about two feet worth of cases and technical notes.

Spring Break!

2009-03-10T20:01:00.002-04:00

It's Spring Break and, perhaps in an effort to recapture beach weeks of years past, I am enjoying my break in Mexico. So far, it's been glorious. The weather in Playa del Carmen has been perfect -- mid-80's, slight ocean breeze; the resort is fantastic and stretching out poolside is a welcome change from curling up in front of my laptop.
Another welcome change? Apart from this evening's brief blog session, I'm completely unplugged here. No email. No texts. No phone calls. No meeting space meetings. In fact, I wouldn't even be online now if it weren't for Jordan, who apparently needed to check his stocks this morning (some things never change, even when you're surrounded by miles of white-sand beaches and endless margaritas). What makes this break from technology so remarkable is my Darden-fostered addiction to my Blackberry. Now, long before I walked Darden's halls, I'd heard about the dangers of the so-called "crackberry." But now I know it's true. In the past six months, I am rarely without my calculator-sized best friend. And because of it, I'm rarely inaccessible. I have friends with whom I'll email and text almost simultaneously ... 5 minutes before I see them face-to-face.
But not here in Mexico. Here, the sound of my phone has been replaced by the sound of the ocean and the blinking light of waiting emails has been replaced by the twinkle of stars. Give me a few more days and I might miss these signs of connectedness, but for now I'll relish the much-needed break.

Bidders welcome

2009-02-27T20:43:00.004-05:00

A few posts ago, I wrote about the trials and tribulations of off-Grounds recruiting. Now, I'd like to tell a more uplifting story; a story about scrappy job-hunting.
But first, some background...
Here at Darden, students earn interview slots with recruiting companies in two ways. The first (and more traditional) route is by getting on the company's closed list. The second is by bidding.
At the start of recruitment season, all first years are given a specified number of points with which they can bid on a small number of interview slots set aside by companies. The highest bidders win spots on the company's interview schedule and, with luck, the opportunity to move on to second-round interviews. People bid for a couple reasons. Some might have missed the application deadline. Others, however, simply didn't make the closed list.
So, who would bid on an interview they'd already been rejected from?
Uh ... me.
In January I didn't make the closed list for my top choice on-Grounds company. It hurt my feelings. Badly.
But it also motivated me to prove them wrong. So, I bid on the interview and got it. Then I got a second round interview. And early last week, I got an internship offer. See, a happy ending!
Also, an ending with some important takeaways:
First, some people's experiences/personalities/leadership qualities simply can't be sold on paper. They have to be talked about.
Second, don't let anyone tell you you can't do what you want.
Third, bid.

Taking the reigns

2009-02-20T16:56:00.003-05:00

Now is the time of year when the leaders of Darden's many clubs and student organizations hand the reigns over to members of the class of 2010. For us first-years, this can be daunting as well as exciting. After all, in just a few short months, the second-years with whom we've shared the halls will be back to work and we'll be left to guide and support a new crop of Dardenites. For someone who sometimes still feels like a newbie, this is a kind of crazy notion. I mean, I know I've made huge personal strides here, but am I really capable of helping others do the same?

I hope so. I've come to realize that one of the great things about this school is people's willingness to get actively involved in making Darden better.

The Darden experience

2009-02-05T17:08:00.005-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, I was asked to be a part of Darden's Perspectives campaign, an ad campaign featuring members of the Darden community talking about their experiences here at school (http://www.darden.virginia.edu/html/standard.aspx?menu_id=182&id=16954). I readily agreed and the piece I submitted is below. Since its submission, the ad's been tweaked and edited, but I thought I'd post the original here. It explains why I came to Darden and, for those newly admitted prospective students out there, it offers a taste of the kinds of changes you can expect next year.

In my mind, there are numbers people and there are words people. I arrived at Darden firmly established as a words person. An English major by education and a writer by trade, I loved nothing better than a beautifully crafted sentence. But a beautifully crafted spreadsheet? Not really my thing.
In the halls of Darden, however, they make no such distinctions. We’re all first-years. And, whether you come from consulting, banking or -- like me -- left field, you’re expected to leverage and un-leverage betas, draw up balance sheets and model risk.
A novice in the arts of Microsoft Excel, I often found it challenging to meet this expectation. During my first semester, I spent hours upon hours highlighting cases, flipping through textbooks and running Monte Carlo simulations. At times, it was exhausting. But really, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I arrived at business school determined to stretch myself. I knew I’d be attending one of the most rigorous MBA programs in the world, but knew, too, that it was just this type of program that could transform a words person like me into the business leader I wanted to become. Within Darden’s student led discussions and case method curriculum, I’d learn not only the fundamentals of finance, but how to make, analyze and communicate complex business decisions.
As I go through my own transformation here in Charlottesville, businesses across the globe are also in flux. Faced with a down economy, they face mounting pressure to cut costs, increase efficiency and find new revenue streams. Perhaps now more than ever, these companies need leaders willing to take risks and innovate.
Darden is a training ground for such leaders.
Each day, I’m forced to deal with the unexpected; to run the numbers, to make the recommendations, but also to react. And, as I think to my future, and my plans to return to a media industry in tumult, I can’t imagine better preparation. Here at Darden, the days are long and the work is hard, but there is nothing like the confidence that comes with meeting high expectations.
So far it hasn’t been enough to change me into a numbers person, but I have to admit, I can craft some beautiful spreadsheets.

Comfort and confidence

2009-01-24T15:05:00.004-05:00

So, along with interview angst and return-to-school trepidation, the start of Q3 has brought some significant changes.

Among them, new sections. In a few of my earlier posts, I may have mentioned that I spent my first semester at Darden as a Section B-er. Each of the first year class's five sections has its own traditions and thus, being in Section B meant that I: a) often wore orange, b) frequently attended parties with a stuffed Big Bird doll, and c) sang an ode to section solidarity every Friday afternoon.

But no longer.

This past week I became part of a new section -- Section 3. And, while I have high hopes for this new group of peers ... it's just not the same. I miss the camaraderie and the closeness of my former section. Now admittedly, I was not the biggest ra-ra Section B-er. In fact, sometimes I was a little reluctant to pull on my Big Bird polo (sorry fellow B readers, it's just not my favorite look...). But being thrown into a new section has made me much more appreciative of the people, the atmosphere and yes, the traditions that made Section B, B.

See, in Section B (even while sitting in cold call alley), I felt comfortable. I knew my peers and trusted that when I finally got over my shyness and threw out a comment or two, they'd be kind. They wouldn't judge me -- even if I said something idiotic. Eventually this sense of comfort led to confidence and, while I was never the biggest contributor to class discussions, I eventually become a much more active participant.

So what happens now that I'm in a new section? Well honestly, I've been in what I like to call "observation mode" (read: "silent"). Blessed with a seat in the back row (affectionately called "the sky deck"), I spent the first few days of Q3 classes listening to my new section-mates' comments and trying to get up the courage to offer a few of my own. It's worked a few times but I know I need to do better.

But how do you rush comfort and with it, confidence?

Interviews?!

2009-01-15T11:54:00.003-05:00

I arrived back in Charlottesville last week to interview madness. For those first years on the banking and consulting tracks, it is suit-up-and-sell season -- a time when many are anxiously clicking on the Career Development Center's website scanning closed lists, holing up in learning team rooms for case prep and mock interviews, and receiving their first internship offers.
Me ... not so much.
The majority of my job search has been, and will continue to be, off-grounds. This poses all sorts of interesting dilemmas.
First, I'm on a totally different time frame than many of my peers. I, for one, do not have interviews this week. And, while I've put in some time prepping, it could easily be more than a month before I begin to hear back from some of the companies I'm interested in. On my bad days, this time gap makes me nervous and I begin to question whether it might not be best to start throwing my resume into contention for jobs that have a very clear interview and offer schedule. On my better days, however, I pat myself on the back for staying true to my interests.
Second, off-grounds jobs are, as implied by their name, more difficult to find. Throughout the past few months, I've become a daily presence on a variety of job sites. Sometimes I turn up hidden jewels. Other times though, I'm filtering through the same internships I spotted last week.
Third, often I feel like I am sending my applications into a great abyss. Unlike on-grounds recruiting, where you get to attend briefings, meet face-to-face with recruiters and submit your application through the CDC, applying online means you're often left in the dark about who is reviewing your resume and when they might contact you.
It all sounds so frustrating, doesn't it? Honestly, there are moments when it is. But then I think about what brought me to Darden. It definitely wasn't the dream of becoming an I-banker. While that may work for many of my peers, it's a job I know I'd hate. And I guess that makes waiting a little easier.

2009!

2009-01-02T00:02:00.003-05:00

It's resolution time and, while I'm not usually one for advertising faults (hah!), it might be nice to have a list to reference during what's sure to be an interesting year. So without further ado, my 2009 New Year's Resolutions:

1. Dial down the stress. I'm a major worrier, but as I get older I'm realizing that I tend to create a lot of my own anxiety. Need to stop doing that.

2. Stay true to the reasons that brought me to business school. With the pressure of finding a job in a struggling economy, it would in some ways be easier to throw my resume at any job posting I find. But that would steer my focus away from what I truly love and what truly drives me.

3. Patience! This is one I've been working on for years and fully expect to be chipping away at for the rest of my life.

4. Stop texting and driving. I'm embarrassed to admit I do this, but I do ... I mean I did.

Family & Friends

2009-01-01T21:11:00.006-05:00

One of the things I missed most during my hectic days at Darden are those just-hanging-out moments with family and friends. Luckily, I've had ample time and opportunity for that over winter break. During much of my time in Tokyo, I explored the city with my mom, stepdad and 17-year-old sister. Once I returned stateside, I was a bridesmaid in my best friend's wedding. And, this past week, I took a trip up to New England with my boyfriend. Throughout it all, it's been wonderful to reconnect. Rather than trying to fit phone conversations in between learning team and case prep, I actually got to sit down face-to-face with the ones I love. During extended lunches, car rides and shopping trips, our conversations ranged from serious to silly and giggly to tearful (weddings bring out all kinds of emotions).

For me, these talks have acted as much-needed reminders of how full my life is. While business school can often feel like the end-all, be-all, it really isn't. Out here in the real world, I'm not just a Darden first-year. I'm also a daughter, sister, friend and significant other. And each of those roles is important to me.

Thoughts from Tokyo

2008-12-17T01:12:00.002-05:00

Before I begin the holiday break edition of this blog, I just want to acknowledge that Q2 finals are now over. And, while I could indulge in a little finals flashback (read: whine-fest), I've decided my type-time is better spent happily chattering away about my vacation from Darden. Because really, there is no way for me to adequately describe what it's like to endure five five-hour final exams in a row, except to say that it was quite a week. And that I survived.

So, moving on ...

With finals an almost distant memory, I arrived in Tokyo Sunday evening for a two-week family vacation. Thus far, it's been awesome. Armed with a guidebook and a subway map, I've spent the past couple days getting to know Tokyo the way I love getting to know any new country or city: aimless wandering. Today, for example, I braved chilly, rainy weather and headed to Ueno and the Tokyo National Museum. While I enjoyed the collection of Buddha statues, swords and paintings, half the adventure was figuring out the Tokyo subway system. I'll just add here that I am a big fan of easy-to-navigate public transportation.

In addition to wandering, I've also taken a lot of photos ... of plastic food. Yup, that's right: plastic food. In Japan, it's really popular for restaurants to advertise their offerings by displaying plastic versions of menu items. They're amazingly detailed and, if you ignore the sheen, pretty realistic. My boyfriend keeps telling me to photograph temples and skyscrapers, but for some reason I keep coming back to the plastic food. It's kitschy! And I love it.

Leaving the bubble

2008-12-09T14:19:00.006-05:00

There are just three exams standing between me and a much-needed, 5-week vacation and I have to admit, it's getting a little hard to concentrate on my Operations notes. Instead of focusing on inventory carrying costs, reorder points and process capabilities, my mind keeps wandering to my post-test plans. And how could it not? The coming break will be the first time since graduating from college that I've been able to enjoy the holidays without rushing back to work a day or two after Christmas. Plus, I've got quite a packed schedule. On Saturday I will be leaving Charlottesville behind and traveling to Tokyo for two weeks. Then, it's back to Virginia for my best friend's wedding and immediately thereafter, I head to New England for New Year's.
Yet while I'm excited to (finally!) get away, it's going to be kind of odd to step outside the Darden bubble. Since arriving in Charlottesville in late July, I've made two forays into Richmond, but other than that, I've been limited to the 10-mile radius around Darden. It's gotten to the point where I've almost forgotten what a normal conversation sounds like (scratch the references to revenue recognition, right?).
And that's not good. Because before I came to Darden, I had a pretty full life: I read books, I baked, I had long chats with friends and family, I played sports, and occasionally, I spent entire days curled up on my couch watching mindless TV.
So here are my great aims for this vacation: reconnect with the person I was before I came to business school. Take advantage of a case-less, Outlook-free existence. Have a normal conversation.
Oh, but wait ... I guess I need to get Operations, Finance and Marketing out of the way first.

Relationship adjustments

2008-12-06T16:47:00.005-05:00

For me, the most exciting moment of the past week was not the end of Q2, my four hours at the Darden prom or the day I realized I'd soon be en route to Tokyo. While those were all good moments to be sure, they pale in comparison to the moment when my boyfriend, a Darden second year, learned he'd been offered a place in a competitive leadership development program. I don't think I've ever been happier for, or prouder of, someone. And yes, I cried.
But don't worry, this is not where I start waxing lyrical about the wonderful attributes of my significant other (although I could). Instead, this is where I write about something I've thought a lot about in recent weeks: how will his job affect where I go and what I do?
See, I've never been much of a follower. Until now, all of my relocation decisions have been based on what's best for me.
Not this time though. This time, I want what's best for us.
Job-wise, that has some interesting implications. Initially, it means finding a summer internship that will best position me to find a permanent job wherever Jordan is. And come next year, it'll mean my job search will be limited not just by industry and function, but also by geography.
While a few years ago, this would have been unthinkable, I've realized that to ensure a relationship will work, I have to make ... adjustments (I won't call them concessions).

Second quarter down!

2008-12-04T19:20:00.005-05:00

And with a cover letter-crazy flourish, it's done ... Q2 that is. I know I've said this before, but it is mind boggling how fast my time at Darden is flying by (of course, I didn't think that 2 posts ago when I was deep in the midst of Black November, but hey, it's December and my perspective has changed). What a quarter it's been, too. What with Finance and Economics and multi-day simulations, I think I've made it to just one TNDC (Thursday Night Drinking Club) event.
So what have I been doing with myself? Well sadly, I've spent a socially-unacceptable amount of time studying. As previously mentioned, the course-load this quarter was pretty quant-heavy. And trying to make sense of IS/LM shifts, free cash flows and marketable securities accounting took a looooong time. Still does, actually.
Then, of course, there's the job hunt -- that harsh romp-with-reality forced on all of us peddling resumes in a down economy. In the past couple weeks, I've spent countless hours scanning the Career Development Center's website, searching for off-Grounds job postings and writing cover letters. It's a seriously time-consuming process. And ideally, it's a process that spurs moments of real self-introspection: what kind of job do I want? How does that compare with the kinds of jobs I could realistically get? What would this or that job mean for my personal life? How would this job vs. that job position me for full-time employment? And on it goes ...
With so many things crowding my to-do list, it's easy to see why my social life has taken a hit. Tonight however, offers me a chance to redeem myself. Even though exams begin Monday and I desperately need to study, tonight I will put on a dress, blow dry my hair and strap on some 3-inch heels. For what better way to celebrate the end of Q2 and the impending holidays, than a charity auction and ball. That's right folks, it's Darden prom!

Black Friday

2008-11-28T20:58:00.005-05:00

I know that yesterday was technically the day for giving thanks, but this year I am most thankful today, the day after Thanksgiving. For the past three years, I covered regional business for The Roanoke Times and it was my unhappy duty to write about Black Friday. For those unfamiliar with this very American phenomenon, let me explain: Black Friday is one of the most popular shopping days of the year. It's a day when thousands of people wake up at ungodly hours to claim coveted items at ridiculous discounts. Usually, things are pretty festive. I've interviewed many a shopper who views their early morning dash-to-the-deals as a holiday tradition. In the past, however, it has been far from festive for me.
Covering this event, you see, meant dragging my bleary-eyed self out of bed at 3 or 4 a.m. when most of my family and friends remained tucked up in bed, soundly sleeping off their dinners. And I didn't even get to score any $400 flat screen TVs! Instead, I'd pull into near-full parking lots, shake my head at the dozens of people lining up to pounce on the aptly-named "door busters," and interview them. Hours later, when these same happy shoppers walked away from the mall dragging bags stuffed with purchases and mentally calculating the money they'd saved, I'd wander back to my car with a notebook full of quotes, mentally composing the next day's story.
But not this year. This year, I slept. And believe me, while I might have missed out on $5 sweaters and $12 universal remote controls, I cannot imagine a better way to spend Black Friday.

Black November

2008-11-19T17:14:00.003-05:00

... sounds ominous, huh? And maybe a little over dramatic? Well that's what I thought when I first heard the phrase. "How hard could it be," I thought to myself, "I've been in the working world! I know rigor!"
Oh, the naivete...
What with 36-hour simulations, recruiting events that go long into the night, chapters of reading, cover letter deadlines, WACC calculations and a persistent sniffle, this month has been bad. As in, no sleep bad. Grumpy all the time bad. Constant headache bad. Baaaad.
Thankfully, the end is near. Though I often find it hard to think beyond the next day's caseload, I managed to check my Outlook calendar yesterday and realized that I'm halfway through with this dreaded month. And just days away from Thanksgiving and a blessed 5-day reprieve from class!

Faculty chats

2008-11-15T16:30:00.006-05:00

Recently, Darden's faculty was named number one in the nation. But here's a confession: apart from my in-class interactions with my professors, I didn't really take advantage of this resource at all last quarter.
This quarter, however, I have. Motivated in part by a few less-than-stellar participation grades, I started sending emails to my professors asking to meet with them. So far, my trips to the faculty office building have been incredibly rewarding. Not only have my professors listened to my concerns, they've made real efforts to understand where I'm coming from and offered helpful advice. Given my relatively quiet disposition, these one-on-one meetings have gone a long way in increasing my comfort (and maybe even confidence) in class. I'm still far chatty, but more and more I'm starting to come out of my shell.

New Prospectives

2008-11-04T16:22:00.002-05:00

Just days after beginning classes in August, I, like many of my first year peers, volunteered to act as a host for prospective students. Because we're usually paired with people of similar geographic, educational and/or professional backgrounds, it didn't surprise me that months went by with nary a word from Student Admissions. After all, how many California-raised, UVa-educated reporters are out there looking at business schools? Even given recent newsroom layoffs, not many.
Still, I got an email last week that I'd (finally!) get to play Darden host. And at 9:30 Monday morning there I was, name tag glinting, ready to usher a prospective student through First Coffee and Global Economics and Markets. The experience was great -- not only because I got to see the caliber of people Darden is attracting, but because I had the chance to reflect on and share what business school has meant to me. And it's meant a lot.
Since I arrived in Charlottesville this summer, I've learned how to build intricate models and spreadsheets, draw up income statements and balance sheets, navigate tricky employment relationships and find Operations' infamous bottlenecks.
Day to day, it's often difficult to step back and realize how much I've been exposed to here at Darden. But talking to my prospective and answering her questions really helped me see the big picture: that though difficult and nerve-wracking, this school has widened my horizons in ways I never previously imagined.
And, while it seems like just yesterday that I was in her shoes, filling out applications and touring Grounds, it's been a transformative three and a half months. I only hope I was able to convey that to her.

Autumn in C'ville

2008-10-26T14:53:00.008-04:00

Admission: I love Charlottesville, especially in the fall. The weather's brisk, the leaves are changing and there's ample opportunity to engage in traditional Autumn activities (note apple picking photos above).

When I first started thinking about business schools, Darden rose to the top of the list not only because of its stellar reputation, but also because attending Darden would bring me back to C'ville.

A double 'hoo, I first fell in love with this city about 10 years ago. I was a junior in high school on a college visit with my dad. As a native Californian, UVa wasn't even on my radar - my target list was almost all UC's. But then I took a tour of Grounds. Particularly in the fall, UVa is stunning. It's brick and columns look even more stately set against a backdrop of orange leaves. The lawn becomes a playground for fleece-clad frisbee players. And it doesn't get more quintessentially college than treking across Jefferson's "academical village" clutching a cup of coffee and a book. Ten years ago, I knew it was the perfect place for me. Today I feel the same way.

But don't just take it from me, the New York Times has also found a few reasons to travel down to the 'ville: http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/10/26/travel/26hours.html?ref=travel.

Re-charging

2008-10-25T16:18:00.003-04:00

After the past few weeks of hardcore studying and socializing, a re-charge weekend is in order. And lucky for me, the weather cooperated. Rainy and autumn-crisp, it's a perfect curl-up-on-the-couch kind of day.
Unlike weekends past (and future), there will be no costume parties tonight, no late nights out. In fact, as I type, my boyfriend is reclining in his "man chair" watching football. We've got a pot of stew bubbling in the kitchen. And I'm shaking off a mid-afternoon nap. Lovely.
Necessary, too. Because at Darden, the constant cycle of classes, cases and company briefings can easily lead to burnout. To keep it at bay, you need a lazy day every now and again -- a day when you can shove away your case binder and Corporate Finance textbook and leave them unopened until, well, Sunday.

Q2

2008-10-21T22:14:00.003-04:00

Q2 began bright and early Monday morning and with it, a couple of new courses: Financial Management & Policies and Global Economies & Markets. For an English and History major like me, classes like these strike fear in my heart.
... it's the numbers. Quantitative analysis just doesn't seem to come naturally to me. In fact, it's sort of a foreign language. Yet here I am: reading income statements like I once read Jane Austen and checking ratios like I used to check grammar. And that's a good thing. Because if there's one thing I realized in Q1, it's that I'm about to learn a phenomenal amount about subjects I once shirked from. Ask me again in a couple weeks and I may not be fluent. But I just may be conversant.

Done!

2008-10-17T17:49:00.003-04:00

It's hard to believe, but Q1 is done and I am officially a quarter of the way through my first year at Darden! As expected, there's been a fair amount of celebration.

Following Wednesday's Accounting final, dozens of first years flooded the Corner, proving to all onlookers that we fully subscribe to the "work hard, play hard" approach to B-school. And it didn't stop there. Tonight, for example, is the famed 100 Case party. With an 80's theme, a "secret location," and 360 of our closest friends, it's sure to be an interesting evening.

... and then there was one

2008-10-14T14:30:00.003-04:00

One final, that is. And when it ends (3 p.m. tomorrow!!!!), my first round of Darden exams will be done. I'm counting the hours.
Because here's the thing with finals season. Without class or late night learning team meetings, I have a lot more time to myself. I go to the gym, I visit the grocery store, I spend quality time with my boys (cats Karl and Angus), I blog. But I also spend long hours anticipating the next test.
I am, by nature, a chronic worrier. I stress out about things big (go to school? or keep working?) and small (does my watch match my earrings? if it doesn't, will people notice?). And as a result, I've spent the past two weeks in a steady state of anxiety. Not tear-your-hair-out anxiety, but rumble-in-the-stomach, underlying-sense-of-tension anxiety. And I cannot wait to be rid of it.
To heighten the anticipation, emails started circulating a couple days ago advertising end-of-exam happy hours and socials. It'll be fascinating to see what happens when people start streaming out of the library and into the bars. Chances are, I won't be the only one with a little more pep in my step.

Giving up the hot seat

2008-10-12T12:17:00.003-04:00

It's the end of Q1 and this means, among other things, we all shuffle seats. For me, this will likely be a good thing. I sit in what is diplomatically referred to as a "hot seat," meaning I'm often a target for professors' cold calls. But, while I'll be happy to give that up, I'm kind of sad about the break up of my row. We're a good row (and look, we're so happy together!).

Accounting and Cherry Garcia

2008-10-11T20:27:00.005-04:00

It's Saturday night and here I am: sitting on my bed, laptop screen up, surrounded by Accounting notes, a pint of Ben & Jerry's frozen yogurt in hand ... it's the weekend -- Darden final exam edition!
So, is this really what I signed up for when I decided to return to school after a 4-year hiatus? Of course it is.
Even on nights like tonight, when I want nothing more than to put down my copy of "Management Accounting" and turn on BRAVO, I know that sometime in the not-so-distant future I'll be thankful for the hours I spent learning manufacturing overhead allocation and drawing up statements of cash flow ... right?!
I guess this is where "trusting the process" comes in.

Small victories

2008-10-07T13:52:00.003-04:00

Far too often I leave class still trying to get my head around the day's lessons. Today, however, was different. I have no idea how it happened, but I achieved clarity ... in all three of the classes I had today.
This is so rare, it deserves comment. Maybe even repetition (clarity!).
Now, I'm not saying I've mastered DA, Operations or Accounting -- far, far from it. I'm just saying that for the first time in what feels like ages, things clicked. And, as my eyes scanned from laptop screen to blackboard, a sense of contentment and even confidence pushed out the usual horror and confusion. At Darden, I've realized, these small victories need to be celebrated. I may even take an hour and go to the gym.

"So official"

2008-10-06T23:28:00.006-04:00

Recently, one of my friends started asking me when my boyfriend and I were going "FBO," by which she meant "Facebook official." For those unversed in the wildly addictive world of online social networking, your Facebook profile offers you the option of declaring to the world (or at least, your 277+ "friends") that you are single, married, in a relationship, etc. If you're in a relationship, you can specify who you're in a relationship with and have their profile link to yours. And this, according to my friend, is an all-important sign of commitment -- kind of the 2008 version of exchanging ID bracelets and officially "going steady."
Well, my boyfriend and I decided to go FBO Friday. And apparently, people noticed. "SO OFFICIAL!" read one message I received.
Such a public announcement (especially when the audience includes acquaintances you haven't seen in years) is not in keeping with my usual style. Despite my new found blogging habit, I'm a relatively private person. And this relationship is pretty new (we met at Darden, after all).
Funny then, that in just a month, my relationship has accelerated to the point where I feel no qualms listing my relationship status right above my hometown. And this, like so much these days, I'm going to chalk up to the stress and pressures of business school.
In this frenzied and frustrating time, relationships can provide an important antidote to a long day. Just in this past week, my boyfriend has seen me pushed to tears over a particularly grueling set of cases. He's seen me question myself and question my ambitions. And he's responded with impressive calm, not only listening to me whine, but trying to convince me that really, everything will be just fine. Even in Decision Analysis.
So yeah, I snagged a good one. It's official.

Finals season

2008-10-02T20:15:00.002-04:00

I'm about 12 hours away from my first Darden final and I'll probably get about 45 minutes more studying in before I settle into pre-exam relaxation mode ... that's right, relaxation mode.

I've always been a great believer in the benefits of a good night's rest. I don't cram. And really, I'm not sure cramming would help me any with my upcoming Marketing test. First, it's open note, so there's no need to memorize equations or concept definitions. Second, because of the case method, I've internalized (or at least, I hope I have) a lot of the course material through application and class discussion. And third, there's no way of predicting what kind of mini-case I may see when I open my test file in the morning.

... Not that I don't have my apprehensions. This is my first business school exam, after all, and I want to do well. It's just that by this time in my life, I've figured out what works for me: 8 hours of blissful, uninterrupted slumber.

Asking for help

2008-09-29T17:32:00.002-04:00

As Q1 winds down and the days between me and my Marketing final tick away, I've thought a lot about what has made these first few weeks at Darden so tough. Some of these things (panic over a new identity, lack of adequate sleep and nutrition, etc.) I've already touched on. But here's a big one I've been pondering lately ... the need to ask for help.

Like many of my classmates, I arrived here in Charlottesville completely comfortable (and accustomed to) blazing my own trail and taking care of myself along the way. If I had a problem, I dealt with it and then reveled in that satisfying feeling of self-sufficiency. It sounds extreme, but I hated --almost viscerally-- having to reach out and ask for help. Rightly or wrongly (wrongly as it turned out), I equated help with weakness, and worse, reliance.

Hah. It took less than a week of classes to realize my previous go-it-alone style would leave me ill-equipped to deal with the rigors of Darden. Here, where I had cases to prepare, spreadsheets to build and accounting metrics to learn, I was out of my element and overwhelmed. If I didn't learn to rely on my peers, on my learning team and on my new friends, I simply wouldn't make it.

Since then, I've made a concerted effort to ask for help. Perhaps this sounds natural, even easy, but for someone who prides herself on her independence and grit, it's taken some getting used to. In reaching out to people and relying on them, I've had to confront the long-held belief that I could do everything --and anything-- entirely on my own. As I continue to come to grips with the fact that I can't and really, shouldn't, I've found that I'm learning more; that people are a lot more receptive to my questions than I thought they would be; and that maybe, just maybe, it's not so bad to show a little weakness now and then.

Back at it

2008-09-22T14:29:00.005-04:00

Well, it's Monday again. Crazy how quick it comes, even after a three-day weekend. Yet this week, I've decided to try and do things a little differently: I've decided to make a conscious effort to work on my Darden/life balance. What does that mean?

First off, eating. This weekend, I went shopping for the first time in months. And, while trying on skirts at J.Crew, I noticed that my usual size was fitting a lot looser than it did pre-B-school. Typically, a realization like this would be welcome. But not when you know full-well that it comes as a result of not eating for so long that your growling stomach is audible from across the room.

Second, working out. In my real life, I'm a 6 to 7 day-a-week gym-goer. I know that sounds excessive, but for me, the gym is the place where I go to de-stress and let off some steam. Exercise keeps me sane. And believe me, I feel it when I don't go. Take last week 's minor meltdown as an example...

Third, downtime. Much as I love dissecting cases late into the night with my learning team, there comes a point when I need to pull myself away, steal half an hour for myself and relax. Sometimes this involves sharing a glass of wine with my roommate; other times, it's picking up a copy of The New Yorker and remembering the world outside Charlottesville. Recently, it's meant curling up on the couch with my significant other.

So there you have it, my plan for a balanced Darden existence. We'll see how realistic it proves to be.

Yay Thursday!

2008-09-17T23:34:00.001-04:00

So excited about the end of a particularly trying week! But before I begin the weekend revelry, I wanted to type up some thoughts on a subject that gets Darden's halls a-buzzing: Business school dating.
A couple weeks ago, a friend of mine suggested I pick up the latest copy of "MBA Jungle." I had no idea what I'd find or why he'd suggested it. Then I saw the cover: "Study Partners," it read, "8 Laws of B-School Dating."
The article inside is hilarious. But perhaps more importantly, it drives home some interesting points. One is that relationships (and here I'm talking about inter-school relationships) become fodder for the rumor mill at breakneck speed.
As one-half of a new Darden relationship, I've experienced this first-hand. I've gotten the looks and answered the questions:
Q: "Are you dating?"
A: "Uhhh ... yes."
Q: "And how long have you known eachother?"
A: "A week and a half."
Harmless. Funny, even. And, as more and more of us pair off (and according to "MBA Jungle," we will), I think that's a good thing to note. Yes, it's weird dating in a very high school-like environment. But it can also be great. You just have to shrug off the winks and whispers.

Reinvention

2008-09-17T23:34:00.000-04:00

It's resume-polishing time at Darden and the hours I've spent trying to craft interesting and engaging bullet points have made me a bit self-aware. Add to that a particularly salient Leading Organizations discussion on identity, and I've become downright introspective.
For the past three years, I've worked as a reporter in a relatively small town -- a town small enough that I'd see my sources everywhere from the cereal aisle at the grocery store, to the stairmaster at the gym and the barstool at the local watering hole. Everywhere I went, I was conscious of representing my newspaper and my work. I was a journalist, and everyone, it seemed, knew it.
So what happens now that I'm not; now that I have the opportunity to redefine who I am and what I do?
To be honest, I've struggled. Stepping away from a job as public and as 24-hour as mine, has really forced me to think about what I want out of life and the kind of impact I want to make. And that's a scary thing. For the first time since I graduated from college, I'm asking myself life's "big questions."
Admittedly, I'm not the only one. A large number of my current classmates are also career switchers and they too are being asked (through a particularly aggressive schedule of briefings and recruiting events) to reinvent themselves as prospective consultants, bankers and managers.
But I always thought of myself as the girl with the plan. The girl who knew what she wanted and had only to figure out a way to get it. So maybe I really face two identity issues now: who am I now that I'm not a reporter? And who am I now that I have no idea where I'll be in two years?