OwenBloggers: Jared - MBA '09

Three 1st Year MBA Strategies For Use In Getting an iPhone

Yes, true to form I am in line early to get my iPhone 3G. But...I have a strategy.

With the incredible powers of intellect bestowed upon me by the likes of Luke Froeb and Gary Scudder, my strategy is wholey intended to minimize my stress and maximize my chances of getting one:

1) Game Theory - Everyone and their mother is going to be at the Apple Store so I went to an AT&T store...30 minutes away.

2) Be A First Mover - I got here at 5:30 AM...and yet there were still 12 other people in line.

3) It's All About People - Get friendly with the store manager and you'll find they react better than the uber-competative guys.

We're about an hour out from opening and our fearless AT&T crowd liason has informed us that there are just enough phones for all of us in line to get the one we want.

That's Strategy!

Let's Talk Numbers: Owen Class of '09 Summer Internships

Rushing between project launches and group meetings back at Accelerator, I had a chance to pop in to speak with CMC Director, Joyce Rothenberg about how the numbers played out for the Class of 2009 and their summer internships.

Overall, the Class of 2009 faired well with 98% of all Owen students looking for internships finding MBA-level opportunities this summer. This number takes into consideration information that has been reported, by students, to the CMC and Joyce is careful to mention that the CMC doesn't consider its job quite done. She cites that the CMC is still fielding calls from potential employers that are looking to source summer MBA talent, even if it is for shorter projects rather than 10-12 week internships.

It's interesting to note that Joyce was more than willing to share information - with the understanding that it would appear here on OwenBloggers - about the job of helping over 200 students find internships in one of the most complex job markets the economy has seen in a while. To me, that says a lot about the way the Owen exists in the MBA marketplace and the emphasis they are placing on creating a better career management mechanism for Owen students and alumni.

In particular for 20080-2009, the CMC wants to put greater resources in the hands of students, starting with the recent purchase of access for Owen Students to the "Going Global" job database featuring access to job and internship listings, world-wide. The CMC staff are also planning trips across the US to form new relationships with corporate recruiters. Finally there are even mummers of testing an application that may replace OCNS, the database and job search system that currently serves as their IT system.

While everyone may not agree about the role of the CMC in their personal internship/job search, one thing is for certain; they are serious about putting tools in place to diversify options for Owen students.

In fact, what would be on your "wish list" for new CMC tools in 2008-2009?

Technorati Tags: CMC, Joyce Rothenberg, Owen, Owen Graduate School of Management, Career Management Center, Vanderbilt University

Moving Day! (And Some Advice To Incoming Owen Students)

One right of summer I can't seem to shake is the inevitability of moving apartments. This is disturbing to me because before Owen, I moved once in five years. Today, I am moving for the second time in 11 months.

The enormity of this event only came upon me as I was sorting through my files and my books trying to decide what to get rid of/donate and what to keep. Amongst the usual collection of desk objects, lamps and pieces of furniture were pieces of memorabilia from orientation as well as class books I've decided to keep. Looking back on all that stuff, its amazing how many experiences b-school packs into a mere nine months.

If you are on the other side of this coin, and are just getting ready to move down to our fair music city, take my advice; pack lightly!

Not only will you be taking notes like crazy and want to file them away "just in case," you will also find that your t-shirt collection doubles as do sweatshirts. All of them will have Vanderbilt or Owen printed on them and yes, you will find reasons to keep every single one.

Thankfully, the move is just to the other side of Hillsboro village. The legacy of this last year however, is much, much longer.

And now, for our summer programing season

Greetings, OwenBloggers Fans!

Not to break the fourth wall - if there such a thing in blogging - but here's a quick update on things going on here at OwenBloggers:

As you can imagine, things are really quiet around Owen. The class of 2008 has marched triumphantly into the next chapters their careers and the majority of the class of 2009 is either on vacation or has already departed to start their internships. That begs the question, "what the heck am I still doing here?"

Well, in addition to single-handedly ensuring that Bruegger's remains open, I am also trying to coordinate our "summer programing" here at OwenBloggers. In fact, over the next few months, expect to see some great reports from everyones' internships as well as the addition of some new voices to the blog. Though some of these bloggers like Chaya and Bradford, you've already met, we also have some great new blogger perspectives from the Class of 2009.

Add to those new voices our Accelerator Blogs (both from the Coaches, and Michael Burcham, himself), reporting from different aspects of Vanderbilt's summer business program for undergrads and recent grads, and it will be a great summer to stay tuned into OwenBloggers.

Thanks so much for reading the blog and, as always, if you like our blogs make sure to let us know by leaving comments.

Best Wishes,
Jared

PS: Keep in mind, ASKANOWENBLOGGER is still very much up and running so keep sending us questions you'd like answered about Admissions, Owen and Life in Nashville.

Technorati Tags: Accelerator, Ask An OwenBlogger, Bruegger's Bagels, MBA, Owen, Owen Graduate School of Management, OwenBloggers, simmer programing

Our Dedication To Isaac

Over the next few days, we want to take some time to thank the outgoing OwenBloggers in the Class of 2008. It's the least we can do given their enormous contribution to the Owen community and we hope you'll join us in wishing them well on the next chapter of their lives.

It is my pleasure to make my Class of 2008 dedication in honor of Isaac Rogers, the first CEO of OwenBloggers and a truly great example of a multi-faceted business leader.  Not only the technical whiz that brought OwenBloggers to life, he is also very much the embodiment of the professionalism that has made OwenBloggers the force it is today.

Though not many people get a peek behind the scenes here, I can tell you that keeping things running is a full-time job in-and-of-itself.  Isaac has handled the job with such a steady hand and such compassion for his team that the legacy he leaves behind is very much personal as well professional.

I know, for my part, things won’t be the same around here without you.  Thanks for all you’ve done and we hope you’ll continue to see the fruits of your labor as we move forward with the next generation of OwenBloggers.

Technorati Tags: OwenBloggers, Isaac

Oh, The Things We Thought We Knew - Part IV

If there is one thing I can say at the culmination of not just this MOD, but at the end of my first year of business school, it is that I can safely say I don’t know everything.

Seriously, out of nine months of intense study, networking and, of course, socializing, I have found that the more you learn, the more realize you have yet to learn. Take marketing research for instance. I came into this year with a pretty solid background in customer analysis and segmentation. After three MODs with Jennifer Escales and Dawn Iacobucci however, I realize that the tools they have given me have loosened the floodgates of curiosity of what can be done in that area.

As such is almost everything in business school, I have found. And you know what? That’s the beauty of it.

If you can walk away from the kind of experiences you have in your first year at Owen, and feel humility at not only how much you have learned, but also how much road is left in front of you, its probably a sign that you’re doing something right.

Since this post represents the fourth end-of-MOD summation I’ve done here is also my dedication to the other major takeaways:

• The internship hunt is not just about long-range planning; it is also about flexible networking and willingness to get outside your comfort zone to reach the opportunity you really want.
• Never admit you can edit digital video.
• A wig and a pair of cartoon gloves can be a part of a legitimate business school presentation.
• Lastly, and mind you this one is taken as a lesson from the graduating 2nd years, you want to aim to be the person that leaves behind a great example as well as great ideas.

And, of course, the selected photos from this MOD:

Yeah, great mod...great year!

Technorati Tags: 1st year mba, business school, applying for jobs at mcdonald's, things we thought we knew

Say "hello" to the tornado sirens, everyone!

Just as preparations are in full swing for Welcome Weekend - the tornado sirens started to go off. Accordingly, we all filed into Owen's main auditorium and of course, immediately took out our laptops.

It's Spring, its Nashville; these things happen. The good news is that the storms should pass within the hour and we are promised pleasant, even crisp spring weekend.

As long as we are here - I thought I would snap some shots - say "Auntie M, Everyone!"

Technorati Tags: Owen Graduate School of Management, bored MBA, tornados

Prelude to the most-awesomest Owen week ever!

Disclaimer: the headline is a joke - we do have some sense of grammar in business school.

Unlike in real life, which occasionally has both slow and busy cycles, you're pretty much going full tilt here in business school. This week, in particular, finds Management Hall a hive of activity with a slew of programming including both Owen's Welcome Weekend for accepted students as well as the Annual Alumni Reception.

Despite the packed schedule, I wanted to single out a couple of things that are going to bring this week a crescendo of what makes Owen, Owen:

- John F. Brock, President and CEO of Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.

As the cap to Owen's 2007-2008 Distinguished Speaker Series, John F. Brock will be speaking at Owen on Thursday. Mr. Brock, selected as the beverage distributor's CEO in 2006, is a member of Owen's Board of Visitors and will be speaking on "Delivering a Legacy of Winning." Mr. Brock is credited with re-focusing CCE's strategy by "grow{ing} the value of existing brands and expand the product portfolio; transform{ing} the go-to-market model and improve efficiency and effectiveness; and attract{ing}, develop{ing} and retain{ing} a highly talented and diverse workforce."

- The Official Debut of our new video newsmagazine, OwenBloggers Viewpoints

For a while now, we here at OwenBloggers have been working on a super-secret video project code-named: PROCRASTINATION. After four weeks, we are finally able to pull open the curtains to reveal a new, ongoing video report that will highlight different aspects of life here at Owen. Every MOD, OwenBloggers Viewpoints will take you behind the blog with video features and interviews, produced by business students themselves. Look for this to "go-live" as of Sunday with sneak previews to be held at Alumni and Welcome Weekend.

- Puttin' on the Ritz Saturday Night

In true Nashville style, Owen is lighting up the night at the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center (home of the Nashville Symphony) with events that will culminate with a joint reception for both Accepted Students as well as Owen Alumni. If past weekends like this are any precedent, these events should both be absolutely incredible and not to be missed.

Like I said, there is a lot going on.

Technorati Tags: business school, Coca Cola Enterprises, John F. Brock, Owen Welcome Weekend, OwenBloggers, OwenBloggers Viewpoints

Where No Easter Candy Has Gone Before

For some, Easter is a time to gather with family and friends. For others, it's an excuse to buy ridiculously sugary candy.

However you chose to celebrate, enjoy the weekend and to all my mishpocheh, Happy Passover!

Photo Courtesy Washington Post - Peep Show II

Technorati Tags: Peep Show II, Marshmellow Peeps, Washington Post

Sweet, Sweet Entrepreneurship :: Gigi's Cupcakes

Up the street from my apartment, a new cupcake shop just opened up. Originally slated to be just another bar along 21st Ave, Gigi's Cupcakes assumed the lease of a tiny storefront and is defying convention by betting that Nashville is ready for a new culinary tradition.

Along with the video I did for Nashville MetroBlogs, I wanted to pass this along as a great story in entrepreneurship. Talking with Gigi, she really does have a great vision for her own personal brand and for the tastes of local Nasvhillians. More importantly, she also has a great story and is using it to bring a great personal brand to life.

Gigi’s CupCakes
1816 Broadway
(615) 342-0140
http://gigiscupcakesusa.com/

Oh! And props to Rachel B. for her help with the video!!!

Technorati Tags: Cupcakes, Gigi's Cupcakes, Marketing Diner, MetBlogs, Nashville, personal brand