tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60448732024-03-08T19:06:46.053-05:00Future MBA GirlI'm went to Wharton. I graduated. Wanna hear about it? Here it goes...FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comBlogger278125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-58971117502205703292009-11-02T00:12:00.004-05:002010-02-27T23:01:02.935-05:00<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“What do I want to be when I grow up? I would like to continue to work in the nonprofit world (once you go nonprofit you never go back!). I am interested in researching how entire industries and fields evolve, and in organizational leadership. I hope to work at a think tank or a nonprofit consulting firm.
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<br />And how does an MBA fit in? I hope that I’ll learn more about organizational structure and dynamics, and I’ll beef up my analytical skills.
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<br />Ultimately, to co-opt my favorite line from the movie </i><em><span style="FONT-STYLE: normal">Notting Hill</span></em><i>, I’m just a girl asking an MBA program to accept me….” – Future MBA Girl, 11/10/03<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Just six years ago I put pen to paper (or rather cursor to screen) and started this blog.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>When I started it, I wanted to chronicle my journey through the MBA application process.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>At the time, there were less than 2 dozen MBA bloggers out there and none of them were women.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I threw my hat into the ring to add some diversity to the MBA applicant voices, to have an outlet to spew my anxiety, and to help others by describing my experience.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Once I got into and matriculated at school, the blog morphed into a description of my Wharton experience.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>After graduating from Wharton, I’d hoped to continue to share my experiences in the nonprofit consulting world in this blog.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>But alas, that didn’t pan out.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>(Obviously since I haven’t written in over 2 years.)<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">You see, while I was anonymous during my application process, I was completely outted once I started school.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>And I didn’t mind that.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>It was a little weird to meet someone for the first time and experience them telling me how much they love the blog, or having a friend comment on a recent post.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>But I got used to it.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I really enjoyed writing, and I loved knowing that reading my angst was helpful to people.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">But being angsty just doesn’t work once you have a job.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>And trust me; there have been plenty of angsty moments during my three years post Wharton.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>But it doesn’t seem right complaining and freaking out about work when everyone knows who you are.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">So I held back.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I limited the few posts I wrote to platitudes and generalities (“Consulting is sooo hard”), which wasn’t helpful – not to people reading and definitely not for me.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>And so I stopped writing.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>It wasn’t deliberate.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>In fact, I’ve started this LAST POST dozens of times during the last two years.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>But it didn’t feel right to leave the blog behind.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Something always felt incomplete.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">But this is my LAST POST (teardrop!).<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">This seems like the right time to officially close the blog.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>A lot has happened since I left Wharton.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I went to work for a nonprofit consultant firm (Bridgespan).<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I remember being extremely excited for the opportunity to work for Bridgespan.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>And my time at Bridgespan was amazing.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The work WAS hard – like other consulting firms, I worked crazy hours, I dealt with demanding teams, and I grappled with some of the biggest strategic questions facing my nonprofit clients.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>But I loved my clients.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I worked across the nonprofit sector: public health, early learning, foundations, intermediaries, charter school management organizations, etc.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>And I love my colleagues; they’re some of the most passionate, smart, dedicated people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>But consulting was never supposed to be a long term thing for me.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>In my essays to business school, I talked about doing it for 2-3 years and moving on.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>And this past June, I moved on.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">It was probably one of the scariest things I’ve ever done.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I didn’t know what was next.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I knew I wanted to work in K-12 education.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I believe that the disparity in our public education system is one of the greatest civil rights issues of all time.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>And I wanted to contribute my skills to an organization focused on addressing education inequity in this country.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I talked to a lot of different organizations and people during my search.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>But throughout my search the thing I was most interested in was how to improve human capital in education.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Not surprisingly, the adults in the school (e.g., teachers, school leaders) are the most important “in school” factor contributing to student achievement.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Now that we know that, we can get to work articulating what it means to be an “effective” teacher.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>And then we can find ways to modify professional development and training to increase the pool of effective teachers out there (notice – I didn’t say get rid of bad teachers.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Yes, that’s part of it.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>But to me, we can’t leave out PD and training.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>And that’s something that’s totally missing from most of conversations about teacher effectiveness).<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">As you can see, I’m sort of geeky about this human capital thing.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>
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<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">And now I get to work on it all the time.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Next month, I’ll be starting work with The New Teacher Project (<a href="http://www.tntp.org/">http://www.tntp.org/</a>) in Louisiana. <meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" equiv="Content-Type"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CCOMPAQ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --</style><span style=";font-family:"font-size:12;"><a href="http://www.tntp.org/">The New Teacher Project</a>.<span style=""> </span></span>TNTP is a national organization focus on working with districts and states improve teacher effectiveness.<span style=""> </span>I can’t WAIT to start work.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">So, you may be wondering why I’m ending this blog.<span style=""> </span>I mean, I could write ad nauseam about education and things like the administration’s use of things like <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CCOMPAQ%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><span style="font-size:0;"></span>But there’s that anonymity thing.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I don’t have it.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>And to blog like I’d want to blog, I’d need it.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-size:0;"></span></p><span style="font-family:';font-size:12;"></span><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I might start another blog.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Even writing this last blog has reignited something.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>But I won’t be able to tell you where it is or what it’s about.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Cuz if I told you, I’d have to kill you.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Metaphorically speaking, of course.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">And really I think it’s time to end the blog.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>After all there’s nothing “future” about me.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I have my MBA.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I graduated from Wharton.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I became a nonprofit consultant.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I did what I said I wanted to do in my business school essays.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>But now I’m going off plan.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>It seems fitting to end the blog now.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I’ve loved blogging.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Thank you for reading my musings and whining. I hope it was helpful to you.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Peace out, y’all.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Peace out.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-13400276612550003192007-08-26T20:37:00.000-04:002007-08-26T20:57:10.940-04:00One year ago today, I was settling into a hotel room in Boston anxiously awaiting my first day of work at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bridgespan</span>. It feels like its been longer than that.<br /><br />I remember worrying about whether I could cut it as a consultant. Whether I'd be smart enough, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">likable</span> enough, and of course, whether I'd wear the right shoes. I wondered if <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bridgespan</span> was the right job for me and whether I was right for it.<br /><br />A year has passed and I realize that I'm smart <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">enough</span>, and gosh darn it - people like me! I feel like the consultant position at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Bridgespan</span> fits me like a glove and I believe I'm a valuable member of the team. And I KNOW I'm wearing the right shoes.<br /><br />Despite my love for the job, the commitment to the causes we serve, and the pure adoration for the people I work with, this year has not been without its challenges. Consulting and its lingo and frameworks is not a natural state of being. I'm still learning a lot - which is great. But I still worry that I may not be learning fast enough or that my approach to the work might not be "consulting-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ey</span>" enough. I guess no matter where you are or what you do, life isn't without its anxieties.<br /><br />In addition to the case in early learning, I just got staffed to an education case. We're working with a charter management organization (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">CMO</span>). <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Bridgespan</span> does a lot of education work, but this is my first foray into the K-12 world. My <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">work stream</span> (which just means the part of the case I'm working on) includes looking at school performance data. It was shocking to me to learn how poorly schools all over the country were doing. Don't get me wrong - I knew schools were bad but I had no CLUE how few kids graduate or can pass a standardized math test or have a chance of getting a college education. The stats are incredibly scary. And I also wonder about the data we collect on kids. The data I've been looking at is all about test scores - but is that the point of school really? It reminds me of the grade non-disclosure debate at Wharton (whatever happened with that - it's funny how something you care passionately about can fade from view over time... out of sight out of mind I guess). Are those who do the best on tests the ones who received the best and most fulfilling education?<br /><br />But like I said - I'm completely new to the ed space. Who knows? Maybe what I learn over the coming months will make me a believer in the proof that tests matters most. Maybe I shouldn't say this, but I hope not.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-84766095889273597722007-08-05T00:34:00.000-04:002007-08-05T00:59:16.946-04:00Super long time - no post. <br /><br />Things have been hectic at work and my refusal to get more than wireless card (that doesn't work in my apartment ) for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">internet</span> has squashed my ability to blog to nearly non-existence.<br /><br />I still love my job - I moved on to a new case in early learning. We're working with a nonprofit that's focused on making sure children from birth to five have the right opportunities to be successful in school and in life. What's really cool about this organization is how they approach early learning. It's not just about childcare and preschool. They recognize that MANY different factors affect a child's ability to succeed in school: their parents, the community they live in, the other adults they interact with regularly, their physical conditions of the environments they are in, etc. etc. What's really exciting about this view, is how they are working to change how people think about early child development - which I believe is critical to being able to change early learning experiences and getting more kids school ready.<br /><br />I'm still in love with the Bay area - I can hardly believe that exactly one year ago I moved out here to my new home. I have to say, San Fran's weather has finally reared it's weird head. I never thought I'd say this but I miss hot and humid summers. There's something to be said for having a sticky night where you throw open the window and turn on the fan full blast and HOPE that the stickiness will subside enough to allow sleep. But something tells me if I were in a hot sticky summer I'd remember why it sucks. Funny - I don't miss the snow that way. <br /><br />I am ready to move into the city though. I live in the suburbs - and despite my insistence that the commute doesn't bother me, I have to say, the commute ABSOLUTELY sucks. Especially late at night when I'm hanging out. It sucks to leave dinner at 10p knowing that I won't cross my threshold until 11p. I need to rectify that - I don't know what I was thinking. No I take that back - I liked my neighborhood - it was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sanitized</span> and safe and full of shopping. But I need to live in the city. I'm a single girl! I guess I didn't think about that when I moved a year ago. Oh well. Hopefully, this time next year I'll be in a smaller apartment that I pay out the nose for. Hey - at least I'll be in the city!<br /><br />I'm not sure if I'll continue blogging. Firstly, I started this blog to talk about my anxieties about the business school application process and then my anxieties about school itself. Now don't get me wrong, I have plenty of anxieties about work. Last week for example was a particularly hard week for me. But there's something about the lack of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">anonymity</span> that keeps me from blogging about that. And I don't want to blog about clients so...<br /><br />And that's a nice segue to my second thought - "the seal" has been broken. People at work have discovered the blog. And they sometimes bring it up in conversation. I don't know why it weirds me out to have people at work reading the blog. People at Wharton read my stuff all the time and often commented on what I posted. But this feels different. It feels like <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Worlds+Collide+Theory">two worlds are colliding</a>. I feel like George Costanza ("If Relationship George walks through that door, he will kill Independent George! A George divided against itself, cannot stand!") Well not that extreme but you get the picture. <br /><br />So this may be one of my last posts. Unless I can find a way to write about stuff going on in my life (and let's face it the majority of that is stuff at work) without feeling like I'm violating other people's privacy or client confidentiality or (most importantly) "the seal." We'll see.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-14475224748533019082007-03-11T22:06:00.000-04:002007-03-11T22:19:50.852-04:00They say March rolls in like a lion and out like a lamb. Usually they're talking about the weather. Given the mild weather we're having in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Norcal</span> this winter, the statement doesn't seem to hold true. It DOES hold true, however, for my work life right now. Work has been a bit hectic. The last two weeks were my busiest since starting at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bridgespan</span> 6 months ago.<br /><br />I can't believe its been 6 months. Time flies. I've learned so much in the last 1/2 year. It's amazing to look at something as simple as slides to see my progress. My first deck (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">consultantese</span> for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">powerpoint</span> presentation) was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">abysmal</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Embarrassing</span> even. Now when I look at my slides, they look like other people's slides. They look like they belong in a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Bridgespan</span> deck. May seem simple - but it was definitely I had to make an effort to learn. I'm starting to feel more confident. Not because I know everything - far from it. I feel more confident because I'm starting to realize that I can learn how to be a good consultant. And I'm lucky to work at a firm that's so supportive in helping me learn how to BE a good consultant.<br /><br />This week, I'm attending <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Bain's</span> New Consultant Training (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">NCT</span>) in Miami. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">NCT</span> is an opportunity to take a step back an review some of the frameworks we learned in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">pre</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">NCT</span> when we first started. What's great about revisiting these topics 6 months later is now I actually know what a consultant does, so it makes more sense now. It's also great to head to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">NCT</span> because it's training for 25% of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Bain</span> new consulting class from around the globe. So that means there's lots of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Whartonites</span>. It's great to run into people I haven't seen since May and catch up. Everyone looks happy - and more well rested. And it's just nice to reconnect with people with whom you shared this amazing experience. It should be a good week.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-21617856473078202952007-01-23T00:11:00.000-05:002007-01-23T00:41:33.355-05:00Happy new year!! Well belated happy new year, anyway. Long time, no blog. <br /><br />The past month and a half have been kind of crazy. With travel and a case that's going warp speed, things have been kind of hectic. This past weekend was my birthday. The day was pretty chill. I went out with friends which was fun. I got a lot of calls, emails, and text messages which gave me the warm <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">fuzzies</span>. Talking to friends and family is actually the best present ever.<br /><br />Work is going well. I can't believe I've been here 5 months. It's kind of flown by. I'm still 100% staffed on my case. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Bridgespan</span> (and many other consulting firms) uses a 50-50% staffing model. That means that you're often staffed on two cases. At <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Bridgespan</span> our training model eases new consultants into 50-50% staffing. The case I'm on is a bit of a beast so I'm still 100%. The prospect of being on two cases is kind of scary, so I'm glad to still just be on one case.<br /><br />Tonight I'm in LA. I just missed the crazy winter weather they had here last week - now things are serene and characteristically sunny. I'm getting to work more with the client, which is cool. I'm also working more on the content of the strategy (before I was working mainly on org stuff), which is REALLY cool. It's so interesting to talk about strategies and approaches that can transform peoples lives. Our client is working with some of the most vulnerable and marginalized segments of our society. They approach systems change holistically, which is unique and an extremely powerful way to approach this work. It's fulfilling to get to work on these issues.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1164781443333763232006-11-29T01:01:00.000-05:002006-11-29T01:24:03.473-05:00Today as I was walking to the BART station, a familiar sight passed in front of me. An old Philadelphia street trolley was running along Market St. in San Francisco. When I saw the trolley with the word "PHILA" plastered on it, this wide grin spread across my face. I never thought I'd be so happy to see something familiar from Philly. I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder.<br /><br />This week I'm actually headed back to my former home for the <a href="http://wmy.wharton.upenn.edu/">Whitney M Young Jr. Conference</a>. It'll be my second trip back since moving away. Last month I went back for a recruiting event. It was weird to be a visitor in a place I called home so many years. I know Philly like the back of my hand, so it was odd to be in a cab for once and know whether or not the cabbie was trying to take the long, stupid way to my destination. I'm still in near constant state of being lost in San Francisco - I hardly ever know when the cabbie is going the wrong way. Although the other day, I was VERY proud to be able to tell the cabbie he was going the wrong way. And on another day I was actually able to direct a tourist - sure it was only one block away, but hey, it's something.<br /><br />The trip this week will feel exceptionally weird because I'll be manning a career fair booth. Being on the other side of the recruiting table is SOOO weird. People act so nervous around me, and sometimes avoid returning my phone calls and emails. I think I'm pretty approachable, so it's hard to process these reactions. And it can also be frustrating when you see people drop the ball. As a student, sometimes all it takes to make the interview list is reaching out and connecting with people at the firm you're interested in - when you don't do this it makes it hard for people to advocate for you. I remember how much I hated doing this stuff when I was at Wharton - but I still did it. It's sad to see people avoid doing it. It's like watching people shoot themselves in the foot.<br /><br />So this week will feel weird. Weird to be in Philly. Weird to have people nervous around me. What I am excited about is seeing some of my old classmates. WMY is a homecoming of sorts for a lot of <a href="http://www.whartonaambaa.com/site/index.php">AAMBAA </a>alums. It'll be great to catch up with people and hang out.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1163310199539312572006-11-12T00:30:00.000-05:002006-11-12T00:43:19.556-05:00Life is good.<br /><br />For the last 6 years or so, I wake up after election day pissed off and totally avoiding the news. This past Wednesday was a different experience - one I've missed. I've definitely had a bit of a spring in my step this week.<br /><br />Work continues to be pretty cool, although the honeymoon period is over with the client. It's interesting to see how the team manages the client relationship and how they think about who needs to be looped in to ensure buy-in of our ideas. I'm also becoming more independent in my work. Although whenever I'm feeling super confident about my ability to do my job, something will happen to make me feel like an absolute idiot. Like earlier this week, I volunteered to do extra work. Good right? Well I just didn't get the assignment. And it felt like everyone else in the room did. Who ever made up the phrase that "there's no such thing as a dumb question" was a big ole liar, and this week, I was living proof of that. What truly sucks is I had my moment of dumbness in front of a partner. Great. Now he probably thinks I'm an idiot. Hopefully I'll be able to redeem myself.<br /><br />Things are picking up socially, and I find myself totally falling in love with San Francisco. This city is wonderful - in some ways it reminds me of New York. Lots of activity at night, and a bit gritty. I love walking down the street and seeing some random group making music or dancing or whatever. But the people are so much nicer here. I really love it.<br /><br />And I've committed myself to not saying no to hanging out with folks. Because I live in the suburbs, its really easy to come up with excuses to not hang out with people in the city. I've decided, I'm not doing that. So yes, it means I have to drive into the city, find parking and the like. But I think it's worth it.<br /><br />I'd still like to volunteer or do some other activity, but I'm glad that my social calendar is beginning to fill.<br /><br />Slowly but surely, I'm beginning to make the Bay area my new home.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1161559562721604812006-10-22T18:55:00.000-04:002006-10-22T19:26:02.753-04:00It's been a while.<br /><br />Work has been wonderful. The piece of the case I'm working on centers on organizational behavior issues. During undergrad and Wharton I took quite a few classes on this stuff because it interests me. It's kinda cool to actually use the stuff I've learned. It's been kind of surprising actually, the classes that are relevant to nonprofit consulting. I quoted one of my OPIM professors the other day. If you told me last year that I'd quote my OPIM professor, I'd tell you it was time to lay down the crack pipe. But even operations is relevant. (The quote you ask? "When you look at a process that's broken, ask yourself what's changed to get to the root cause of the problem.")<br /><br />Beyond the organizational issues, I get to think about systemic change. One of the big theories in the nonprofit sector is that societal systems (economic, political, social, health, etc.) are broken. Nonprofits work to correct these broken systems through the use of various subsidies (lower staff salaries, direct funding, training, patient capital, etc.) and through efforts to change the system. We're working with our client to help them think about their "Theory of Change" - what the believe about the current system and what they believe will change it. It's really cool to contribute to that kind of thinking. Hell, it's really cool to be asked to think period.<br /><br />Not only is the work interesting, but I truly enjoy being around my co-workers. They're smart, funny, compassionate, and not afraid of being a little bit nerdy. I admire them a great deal, and I'm grateful to be given the opportunity to work with them.<br /><br />But all is not sunshine and light - I'm still trying to figure out how to rediscover that other part of me. I feel like I go to work, come home, sleep, repeat. I need something else. I just don't know what I would do or when I would do it. The great thing about Wharton is that you just have to show up, add water, and stir and POOF - there you have it. Instant friends and other activities. It's a little bit more difficult this time around. I just feel incomplete. And sometimes a bit lonely. Most of my friends are on the east coast. With the 3-hour time difference, it's really hard to connect with people. And living in the suburbs has exacerbated that situation at times. Now that I'm settled into the Bay area, I'm starting to look into some of the San Francisco neighborhoods as possible places to settle. Noe Valley and Potrero Hill have piqued my interest. So despite my aversion to moving I may move to the city once my lease is up. Something tells me living closer may help create more opportunities to be involved in SOMETHING.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1158124201336182512006-09-13T00:58:00.000-04:002006-09-13T01:10:01.353-04:00I've just finished my second day of Bain training, and I'm definitely feeling a tad bit overwhelmed. Most of the people in our training class have been consultants before, whether at Bain or other firms. So they all speak consulting. I feel like I'm taking calculus in a foreign language. I'm still at the point where I have to translate what people are talking about. <br /><br />The thing about consulting is that consultants are trained to approach a problem in a very systematic way. When you add this systems challenge with the lingo challenge, it makes it hard for people like me to contribute during the training sessions. The good thing is people seem really understanding about slowing it down and understanding that I don't speak powerpoint-slide fluently yet. I try not to worry about it, but nobody wants to be the slow one in the group. <br /><br />I still absolutely LOVE my job. Last week during lunch a group of us started talking about some of the challenges of measuring success in education (is success graduation rates? is it the ability to think in a more concrete way? is it exposure to new ideas? is it the same for everyone?). The conversation drifted to other things (as these type of conversations often do), but when we finally ended 2 hours later, a manager mentioned that these types of conversations were important to the work we do. That meant A LOT to me. It really made me feel blessed and lucky to have my job. I get to spend my day talking and thinking about subjects about which I'm extremely passionate. And while I'm doing it, my employer actually cares whether I get something out of the experience. I recognize that everyone doesn't have that. I'm very grateful that I do.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1157516583572150672006-09-06T00:02:00.000-04:002006-09-06T00:23:03.623-04:00Last week was my first week at work, and today was my first day in my office. I'm extremely excited to start work on the case I'm working on.<br /><br />Last week was fabulous. It was great to have so much training. At previous jobs, training usually consisted of benefits orientation and a point towards my corner of the office. So a full week is somewhat new. And next week we'll go through another week of Bain training. It's a whole new world.<br /><br />Working for a professional services firm is taking some adjusting. I've never been in an environment so focused on professional development. People seem genuinely interested in making sure I learn to do my job and providing constructive feedback. And the place is INCREDIBLY organized. That's what really floored me. I'm used to masked chaos. It's definitely different.<br /><br />But what's truly been awesome has been the people. My co-workers are amazing - extremely smart and VERY passionate about the work we do. It' s so wonderful to be surrounded by people so focused on mission oriented work. I've had good conversations - like the kind you have in undergrad after a night of beer and pizza. It was an amazing week.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1156722944724861752006-08-27T19:52:00.000-04:002006-08-27T19:55:44.773-04:00My stuff and my car finally arrived. I cannot even describe the happiness the surged through me when my car got here – 3 weeks without a car was interesting to say the least.<br /><br />Tonight, I’m in Boston, where it's overcast and raining. After a month of forget-me-not blue skies without a cloud in sight, I have to say I've become a bit spoiled. The dreary weather had more of an effect on me now that I'm a California Girl than when I was a Philly Girl. I start work tomorrow and my first week of training is in Boston. I’m excited to start work. I will definitely miss being a lazy ass. But since I got to be a lazy ass for more than 4 months, I feel like I’m lazy-assed out. <br /><br />It’ll be GREAT to get a paycheck. I’ve been looking at the bottom of my bank account for a while now. I’m also jazzed about getting to meet some of the people with whom I’ll be working.<br /><br />I’m a little nervous, too. I spent WAY too much time picking out my outfits for the week. I had flashbacks to the first weeks of junior high when what you wore during those critical first weeks determined your pecking order in school. “Business casual” leaves a lot for interpretation. And I had a shoe crisis (quel surprise.) Because of my broken foot, I haven’t worn any shoes other than tennis shoes, sandals, or flip flops for over a year. When I tried to put my foot in some of my shoes last night, my foot screeched with uncomfortable unhappiness. I didn’t have a basic black shoe that would work. I had to make a last minute run to DSW to remedy the situation. I hadn’t bought shoes all summer so it was WONDERFUL to get back in the game.<br /><br />But beyond the usual dress concerns, I’m nervous about the actual work. It didn’t hit me until I started doing some reading for work. The usual work insecurities came flooding back. I’m not sure I have the skills. I feel like the made a hiring mistake. Sure, Wharton has allowed me to develop skills – but will I be able to mobilize those skills to be an asset at work? Will I be articulate enough? Will I be smart enough? Will I get along with my co-workers? Will I wear the right shoes? (:))<br /><br />Anxiety abounds right now. I want to be impressive – but not obnoxious. Knowledgeable, yet seen as excited to learn. Poised but energetic. Despite the current feeling of anxiety and inadequacy, I’m VERY excited to finally start the next chapter. Let’s see how it goes.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1154984941904743552006-08-07T16:56:00.000-04:002006-08-07T17:09:01.926-04:00I made it to California! Woo hoo!!<br /><br />My move hasn't been going well. I had to buy a new plane ticket for $330 because changing my original ticket would cost over $600. The guys who moved me were unsatisfied with the amount I tipped them AND they let me know. (Seems the internet is wrong - $40 per guy isn't enough - these guys were expecting $150 each. Mind you this is $75 per hour - which would mean they would make $150K per year on TIPS ALONE based on a 40 hour work week. That seems a bit excessive to me. But I digress.) I think complaining to the tipper about a tip that's not mandatory is just plain rude and tacky. And I still have to tip the delivery people. Hopefully my unintended tipping faux pas won't delay the delivery of my stuff.<br /><br />I love my new apartment, although I hate not having a proper bed. Sleeping on an air mattress is NOT cool. I can't wait to get my stuff. I'm also car-less. I should get my car in a few weeks, but until then I'll be taking the BART and walking. So far the weather has been so awesome that I haven't minded. We'll see how<em> </em>I feel on Wednesday when the weather out near me is forecasted to reach the mid-90s.<br /><br />On Wednesday, I'll be taking part in a <a href="http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba/admissions/events/index.cfm">Wharton Admissions event</a> in San Francisco. It'll be great to meet prospective students, as well as connect with other alums in the area. So if you are in the bay area, try to make it out.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1154397946148420652006-07-31T21:43:00.000-04:002006-07-31T22:05:46.163-04:00Today is my moving day. At least it was supposed to be. Well it seems my mover forgot. I waited all day in a TVless apartment and no mover. No response to phone calls. Great.<br /><br />So now I'm scrambling to arrange the move with another mover and extending my stay in Philly one extra day. Love it. Absolutely.<br /><br />I guess this is kind of my fault. There have been signs that <a href="http://www.njflatratemovers.com/">my previous mover </a>was shady. 1) They operate under a name that is VERY similar to a <a href="http://www.flatrate.com/">popular NYC mover</a>. In fact when they called me I thought they were the NYC mover. And since the NYC mover was Whartonite recommended, I went with them. Little did I know that I had accidentally booked shady mover. 2) Two weeks ago I wanted to change my inventory, but I couldn't get in touch with anyone at shady mover for several days. I tried to call the number on their website and it was disconnected. When I finally connected with the shady mover, they told me their phone lines were down. I should have known then. 3) Their quote was much lower than the other movers. That should have really tipped me off.<br /><br />Needless to say DO NOT USE <a href="http://www.njflatratemovers.com/">shady mover</a>. They suck and are unprofessional. <a href="http://www.flatrate.com">Popular NYC Mover</a> on the other hand has bent over backwards to work with me and has been very professional. I've been very pleased. And even though they cost more, I think it'll be worth it. I guess you truly get what you pay for.<br /><br />So the moving saga continues. I'll keep you posted. Hopefully the suckiness of moving across the country has reached its peak.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1154016879303019842006-07-27T11:58:00.000-04:002006-07-27T12:34:29.873-04:00I've started to say goodbye to people in Philly. This week was the first time I felt really sad. I guess because it's the first time when it really is the last time I'll see people who I'm leaving behind. As excited as I am to move to the Bay area, I'm really going to miss the people who filled my life during these 9 years.<br /><br />I'm a little nervous about moving to a new place, too. I'm a bit of a homebody, and I'm not a big partier. So I wonder how long it will be before I make good friends. Not acquaintances. But good friends who you tell your secrets to. People who see you without makeup, or who are there when you need a good cry, or who you can just sit around in silence with. Real friends. I wonder how long I'll need to go until I find those people. My second family. That's what's scary - being in San Francisco without that second family.<br /><br />When I think about that and the fact that I'm leaving so many people whom I love behind, I get really sad. I try to keep it positive. But I have to say, I've been a bit mopey for the last few days.<br />On a lighter note, it was kind of funny to read messages from all the Californians who freaked because they thought I was moving to the Golden State sans automobile. It was like they were frantically trying to save me from a fate worse than death. It kinda made me chuckle. Rest assured, I have every intention of having a car - I am a Houstonian you know. I had planned to buy a new car when I got to California, but now, I've decided on a more economical choice. I'm keeping the car that I own. It's not cute, but it runs. It will serve my transportation needs. And I won't have a car note. As I'm coming to terms with the obscene amount I'm going to have to pay per month for my student loans, no car note is a good thing.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1153832450349512212006-07-25T08:31:00.000-04:002006-07-25T09:00:50.526-04:00I hate moving.<br /><br />I hate packing. I hate having to trust random people with my stuff. I hate the thought being without said stuff for 2-3 weeks. I hate that's gonna be me and an air mattress til I get my stuff. I hate unpacking.<br /><br />I hate moving.<br /><br />When I'm rich and famous, I'm hiring someone else to deal with this. Like a wedding planner. That's what the world needs - moving planners. I'd buy it...<br /><br />I have a week left in Philly. Today, some friends and I are going to Pat's / Geno's in South Philly to get cheesesteaks. Believe it or not, during my 9 year tenure to Wharton, I've never made the trek to Pat's or Geno's. Mainly because I don't like cheesesteaks. But maybe Pat and Geno will make me feel differently.<br /><br />I do know how to order though. Whiz with. That means I'm getting my cheesesteak with Cheese Whiz (an-oh-so-tasty cheese food product) and fried onions. Now I can hear the groans now - why Whiz you ask? Why not get provolone. Because the grade of meat that they use for cheesesteaks was never intended to have real cheese on it. You gotta get it with Whiz. That way you eliminate all nutritious value entirely. Good stuff.<br /><br />After cheesesteaks, we plan on going to the Italian Market, which an open air market in South Philly and a popular tourist spot. It's also another thing I never did before. I'm trying to move down my list of stuff I've never seen.<br /><br />It's amazing how when you live somewhere you don't see some of the most popular things. One of my friends once suggested that you have to "use your city." I think I've done pretty well - I've seen the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Museums, Chestnut Hill, New Hope, the Philly Zoo, the Belmont Plateau, and more.<br /><br />But there's so much I haven't seen. So many times I said I wanted to do things but I put them off because I was doing other things or I was busy with school, work, whatever. Now, with 1 week left, there's no time left to do it all. I guess the lesson is to do these things while you can. Don't put them off. Use your city. Don't leave a place regretting all the things you wanted to do but never did.<br /><br />So today, I scratch a couple of things off my list of "never-dids." At the very least, it will get me out of the sea of boxes that is my apartment. I so hate moving.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1153344221184285552006-07-19T17:03:00.000-04:002006-07-27T12:33:36.980-04:00<p>Long time no blog.<br /><br />I can't say I haven't blogged because I've been too busy. This has been one of the most low key times of my life. I'm basically taking it easy. I fill my days with packing, TV, movies, furniture shopping (and selling/donating), and hanging out with friends and family. My apartment looks like a shell of its former self - I'm surrounded by boxes and all the accoutrement that made my place home are packed away. Packing that stuff away makes it easier to pack. It was like when I packed my pictures and things I packed my attachment to my apartment. It's now easier to say goodbye to two years of memories.<br /><br />Now I'm trying to get rid of things that won't make the trip across country with me. Goodwill and the Salvation Army have been the primary beneficiary, although the trash divers in West Philly have also made away with some stuff. I'm now about to try to sell a few things online. I've never sold anything online, so this is a new thing for me. I also have to sell my car. I'm also a bit nervous about that - I've never sold a car. I wish my family lived closer so I could lean on them to help me with that stuff. But I realize that I'm on my own - I'll have to figure it out.<br /><br />I leave Philly in two weeks. I still have a few things on my to-do list but it should be a pretty easy two weeks. It feels weird to be living a place that was my home for the last 9 years. I'm actually moving 9 years to the day of when I first set foot in Philly. I'm ready to go - but I'm a little sad. I won't miss Philly's crappy weather, or my crappy landlord, or my, at times, crappy neighborhood. But I will miss knowing where everything is, and knowing the quickest way to get somewhere, and knowing where to get some obscure gift, and knowing what to expect.<br /><br />San Francisco is completely new to me and I know nothing. I have to admit I'm a bit scared. Last night I had my first nightmare about moving (I dreamed my new apartment was only a itty-bitty studio with a shower curtain for a wall. I was panicked for a bit until I realized it was just a dream). I guess a little of anxiety is a good thing. It's just weird to be a ball of emotions - scared, anxious, sad, excited, happy - all at once. I guess I feel a lot like I did when I started school. I wasn't sure I'd be successful and I didn't know what was ahead of me. I feel the same thing now.<br /><br />So the next two weeks I plan to finish my packing, sell my car, TV, and microwave, go see all my favorite haunts one last time, go see those places that I always meant to go to but never did, say goodbye to my friends :(, and say farewell to my life in Philly. I'm ready to go, but I'm sad nonetheless.</p>FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1150768518066076972006-06-19T21:39:00.000-04:002006-06-19T21:55:18.083-04:00The summer issue of the <a href="http://www.ssireview.com">Stanford Social Innovation Review</a> has a great articled called "<a href="http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/what_business_execs_dont_know_but_should_about_nonprofits/">What Business Execs Don't Know - But Should - About Nonprofits."</a> The article features the findings of 11 high-level executives that made the switch from the for-profit sector to nonprofits.<br /><br />One of my favorite quotes in the article is from William Novelli, the CEO of AARP, where he says, "[The nonprofit sector] goes beyond under-appreciated. CEOs are often disdainful of not-for-profit management. They think it’s undisciplined, nonquantified." But in fact, “it’s harder to succeed in the nonprofit world. For starters, nonprofits’ goals are both more complex and more intangible. “It may be hard to compete in the field of consumer packaged goods or electronics or high finance," he says, “but it’s harder to achieve goals in the nonprofit world because these goals tend to be behavioral. If you set out to do something about breast cancer in this country, or about Social Security solvency, it’s a hell of a lot harder to pull that off." And “it’s also harder to measure."<br /><br />That in a nutshell sums up some of the misconceptions held by most of my classmates and even more of the for-profit recruiters. While these misconceptions don't necessarily hurt someone who wants to go into nonprofits post-Wharton, they definitely hinder someone trying to switch from nonprofits to for-profits.<br /><br />The article sums up some of challenges and nuances in nonprofits. I wish every one of my classmates could have read the article before starting Wharton. It could be a huge step in helping those outside the sector "get" the sector.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1150258555330206582006-06-13T23:20:00.000-04:002006-06-14T00:15:56.063-04:00I went to California this weekend to look for my new place. I am still stunned by the civility Northern Californians demonstrate. People actually <em>smile</em> at you. It's the weirdest thing. In Philly, people barely make eye contact. And I still can't get over how pedestrians rule on the Left Coast. I was in a parking lot, when a car started to back up. I stopped (because in Philly - the car will keep going, hit you, and then the driver will cuss YOU out for bumping into his/her car) and waited. The driver waived me by. I walked on, and the driver rolled down her window and apologized profusely. To me. For almost backing up. Weird place that California.<br /><br />I found my place, so my anxiety over my move across the country is MUCH alleviated. I'm living in the suburbs. Yes, I know that means I'm not cool. Yes, I know that means I'm not hip. But guess what? I don't care. I'm a suburban girl. I was raised in rural and suburban communities. I don't really like living in the city. I don't like the dirt. I don't like the grime. I don't like the crime. And I REALLY don't like the lack of parking. I mean in what truly civilized place does one have to pay for parking when shopping? But I love the town I will be living in. I will be surrounded by green and trees, and shopping. Oh the shopping - WITH proper parking lots. I'll be in suburban heaven.<br /><br />So I'll be commuting by BART. I like commuting via train. It's SO much better than driving. And after spending a week in Bay Area traffic - I think I'll skip driving (even with the super polite drivers).<br /><br />Life in Philly is pretty mellow. I just bought some boxes to start packing my stuff. I'm really not looking forward to that. I hate packing. Plus it's weird this time. I feel like I'm packing up a chapter of my life. After undergrad, I moved to Philly. And so now almost a decade later, to move across the country, feels like I've just finished a good book. I'm always sad to finish a book that I'm really in to. It's like saying goodbye to a really good friend. Sure, you can re-read the book, but it's not the same. Leaving Philly is kind of like that. Although my life here was not always happy, and although I'm really READY to leave, I'm still a little sad. Or maybe I'm just a little scared. Philly is like a stinky security blanket. Even though I know it's time to put it away, it's still hard to let it go.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1149000433060916952006-05-30T10:46:00.000-04:002006-05-30T10:47:51.680-04:00My transformation is complete. Today, when I saw on CNN that Hank Paulson would be the new Treasury Secretary, I immediately said to myself, “Self, isn’t Hank Paulson the CEO of Goldman Sachs?” Now for most of you finance nerds, that’s not impressive. But I’m not a finance nerd. Two years ago I didn’t even know what an investment banker <strong>did</strong> let alone know who Hank Paulson is. So color me impressed with myself.<br /><br />My life of leisure is FABULOUS. I’ve been surprisingly busy since graduation. I’ve been hanging out with classmates. Everyday someone sets off to start their world travels, so the Class of ‘06’s presence in Philly is quickly dwindling. Everyday I say goodbye to someone.<br /><br />This Friday, I’ll stop by Wharton’s Spring Welcome to welcome the R3 admits. It’ll be interesting to meet people who are excited about Wharton. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Wharton. The last 6 months, in particular, have been pretty damn awesome. But there’s something about the incoming class that takes it to a whole nuther level. I went to a party last week and there were a bunch of new Lauder students there. The conversations I had with the new students were very different than those with my classmates. It’s not that we’re jaded – it’s just that after 2 years of superficial conversations about where people worked, want to work, will be working (bla bla), the conversations seem more genuine now. Not that we’re talking about anything particularly deep. Usually it’s nonsense. But it’s just more relaxed. The incoming class is still excited, and in getting-to-know-you mode. I’m in lazy-ass-who-gets-up-at-11-am mode. So I need to prepare myself for rapid fire conversations about Wharton, where I live in, what’d I do before, what I’m doing after (bla bla) so that the admits don’t think Wharton Grads are lazy asses (although I must say life as a lazy ass is pretty sweet).FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1147661388935279552006-05-14T22:18:00.000-04:002006-05-14T22:49:48.950-04:00It's official. I'm done. The ink on my diploma is real. I'm not giving it back. I'm officially done with Wharton.<br /><br />Today was an excellent day. All weekend, the sky threatened to downpour during the ceremony. All the weather people predicted rain. But just as the ceremony started, the clouds parted, and the sun appeared. It was pretty beautiful.<br /><br />I've been keeping a bit of a secret. I was chosen as the student speaker for graduation. So the coolest part of the day was standing in front of all those people and delivering my speech. I was definitely nervous and a little scared. But I also felt really comfortable up there. It was truly one of the high points of my Wharton experience. I'm really glad I tried out and I'm really honored to have been selected. I hope I did my classmates proud.<br /><br />I was talking to some of my classmates, and we all agree. Graduation feels kind of anti-climatic. You go through this intense experience and then it's just over. I'm proud to be done. But I will miss it. I will definitely miss it.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1147401655715007252006-05-11T22:21:00.000-04:002006-05-11T22:40:55.733-04:00I just got back from Beach week tonight. Now that was some good times. Beach Week is kind of like a senior class trip. About 500 of the class of 2006 and a few partners headed down to South Beach in Miami Beach. And it was like a week long party. Miami is VERY different than Philly. In Philly clubs shut DOWN at 2 am. Can be kind of annoying. In Miami, some of our parties roared until 6am. You know, when the sun comes up? It was pretty wild. But what happens in South Beach REALLY needs to stay in South Beach.<br /><br />Grades are all in, and it's official. I'm done!! I just need to get my diploma on Sunday, and I'll no longer be FutureMBAGirl. The journey is pretty much over. It feels weird.<br /><br />I've given a lot of thought about whether or not I'll keep blogging. The blog was supposed to be about my Wharton experience. It seems like I should end the blog since the experience is over. I don't know how I feel about that. But it something I'll think a lot about in the upcoming weeks.<br /><br />But before that, I have to get through graduation. The family is coming and staying in my apartment, so I'll be cleaning all day. It's amazing how cluttered my apartment is. Hopefully I'll get it into a presentable state. I'm a little stressed. Grinding my teeth stressed. The only time I've ever caused my teeth to ache from grinding my teeth was before I took the GMAT, and this fall when I was trying to get a job. So I'm carrying around a lot of stress. I think I know why. But I can't say why yet. More on that later!FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1146189137201925352006-04-27T21:30:00.000-04:002006-04-27T21:52:17.220-04:00I'm spending a lot of time on Bay area roads, and I'm realizing I may need to "de-Philly-fy" myself before I make the move to the left coast. In Philly, you need to be a pretty aggressive driver, otherwise, you won't even make it around the block. People in the Bay area are so polite on the roads! At stop signs people patiently wait for each other. And when someone does something stupid, like back their pick up truck into oncoming traffic - they just stop and wait. No angry honking, no hand gestures, no telling people where to go and where to put their dog and their mother. It's so weird. And people stop for pedestrians. What is that? In Philly, every pedestrian knows they better learn how to dash across the road like the proverbial chicken, or they may just get flattened. People here just cross the street without a care in the world. So weird. I realize I'm gonna have to let go of my Philly driving edge - and learn to pay attention to pedestrians.<br /><br />I am now officially done with classes. Despite my best efforts the take home I hoped to get done last week, didn't get done last week. So yesterday I spent time in the Santa Rosa library working hard on my final (and now I think I can fairly say that all public libraries in this country attract some creepy people - but I digress), and today I sent the test via Fedex. And now I'm done. Nothing else to do except walk across the stage to get my diploma. Feels good. To celebrate I had a deep tissue massage today. That is SUCH a good thing by the way! The massage therapist said I had A LOT of tension in my back and neck (surprise surprise) and that I should get a massage once a month. Might have to suck it up and do that - life can be so tough sometimes :)<br /><br />Tonight I'm gonna have some lobster tail and tomorrow I'm doing a Wine Train tour. It's so cool to just RELAX with nothing hanging over my head.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1146025242260447932006-04-25T23:53:00.000-04:002006-04-26T00:20:42.276-04:00I'm in San Francisco looking for an apartment. Actually I'm staying in Santa Rosa, which is absolutely gorgeous. I can't even tell you how many times I gasped at the scenery while driving up here. Absolutely beautiful.<br /><br />My old job as a hotel consultant is coming in handy this week. A major part of my job was going to a city, driving around A LOT, and visiting and touring about a dozen hotels. My apartment search feels a lot like that, and I find my self asking similar questions (how many units? what's your occupancy? etc. etc.). I guess old habits die hard.<br /><br />I'm really glad I'm taking the time to get to know the different parts of the Bay area - cuz all the parts ain't created equal. For instance, after seeing a particularly cute apartment online, I was excited to go and see it. Well little did I know the place was smack dab in the middle of the Oakland ghetto. Not that there's anything wrong with that!<br /><br />And I'm realizing that people in the Bay area are kind of special. Three times (that's right <strong>three</strong>) I was asked if Philadelphia is a city. It was all I could do to keep myself from responding "yes, it's a city that happens to be the birthplace of our nation." One person asked me if Philadelphia was a state. Seriously. I mean there's 50 - and they haven't changed in a long time. These were all people who grew up in the US too. Makes you worry about the US' ability to compete... at least in random trivia contests.<br /><br />Spring gala was last week. The gala is essentially the prom (seriously - they should rename Wharton, Wharton High), it was great to see everyone gussied up and in good spirits. The second years seemed particularly affectionate. Maybe its because for some, the Spring Gala is the last time you'll see certain people. All this second year love and good feeling means things will be VERY interesting during beach week.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1145505917959982812006-04-19T23:50:00.000-04:002006-04-20T00:05:18.026-04:00One class left to go and it's all over. Wow.<br /><br />Most of the second years seem to be a little bit more pleasant these days. I don't think it's because we're almost done. After all, most of us have had a plethora of projects and papers and finals and presentations due this week. And this type of concentration of due dates usually makes people cranky. No, something else is a foot with the second years.<br /><br />I think it's because we all are realizing this is it. With a few exceptions, like Spring Salute, Spring Gala, Beach Week, and Graduation, we just won't see each other anymore. So it feels like people are just trying to savor the time we have left. It's kind of nice... in a sad way.<br /><br />Just a take home and one class stand between me and being done. It's funny how these two years felt slow and fast at the same time.<br /><br />Well, I'm off to bed since I can actually get a good nights rest tonight.FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044873.post-1145400023679689502006-04-18T17:46:00.000-04:002006-04-18T18:40:23.753-04:00I'm sick *whine*whine*. And I normally don't get sick. And I have 3 projects and 1 take-home final to complete in the next 36 hours *kvetch*kvetch*. I'm tired and I want to go to sleep. *pout*pout*<br /><br />OK. Enough of that. There are two days of classes left. I'm in the final stretch. It feels weird to be this close to the end. Next week, I'm headed to San Francisco to find a place to live. I also plan to begin what will become four months of doing absolutely nothing. I'm staying at a spa in Sonoma, and while far from San Fran, I plan to take advantage of the spa facilities. Should be a relaxing week. The following week, will be a week in Philly with NOTHING to do, well except clean my very cluttered apartment. And then we have Beach Week, which is kind of like the senior trip - a big chunk of the second year class heads down to Miami Beach, and makes up for two years of lost time pursuing whatever they think they should pursue. Should be a fun and interesting time.<br /><br />At the end of this week, we have the Spring Gala, which is kind of like our Prom (I swear, Wharton can be SOOO high school), and I'm going stag with a bunch of my friends. We've decided to turn it into a ladies night. I love my dress for the Gala, and I am absolutely determined to have a kick ass time.<br /><br />Well that's enough lallygagging - back to the grind!FMGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032662773193570871noreply@blogger.com