My new Passport arrived today. Not terribly exciting news, I know, but what is surprising was that I just mailed my application on the 17th. That's right, the federal government processed my application for a passport renewal in less than two weeks. Amazing. I'm sure it helped that it was a simply renewal, and that I missed the pre-holiday rush, but still, I'm both surprised and impressed. The passports sure have changed a lot in the last 10 years.
Elizabeth just submitted her passport application last week, so hopefully she'll have hers soon, too, and then we can go someplace interesting this summer. We have our fingers crossed that an opportunity in Ireland might manifest itself. I'm also applying for an exchange program in Europe for the Spring of 2009, too. We'll see what happens.
Happy New Year!
--Chris
My first semester at the Johnson School is complete; winter break has begun. It's kind of weired to have a few entire weeks on the calendar with no appointments or meetings scheduled. The past 18 weeks has been very busy, challenging, and fun. August feels both like it was just yesterday, and years ago.
So, what I have done since arriving in Ithaca in August? I've completed "core" classes in Marketing Management, Microeconomics, Accounting, Corporate Finance, Statistics, and Business Strategy. I've been to a retreat to get to know my new classmates (part of orientation back in August), and traveled to New York City to meeting with some prominent consulting companies. I learned how to play rugby (I'm being generous with myself when I say "learned"), practiced numerous consulting case interviews, rewritten my resume, attending numerous corporate recruiting breifings, written several cover letters, and have applied for some select summer internships. I've probably learned over 300 new names and spoken with several alum regarding their current employers. It's certainly been busy. Most 2nd years and alum say that the lest few weeks of the first semester are the toughest and busiest part of the entire 2 years here. I hope that proves to be true.
The teaching here has been truly excellent. Before coming to Cornell, I've taken classes and great schools and at marginal schools, so I was fully aware of how different the two can be. That was no small part of why I chose to get my MBA through a full time program at a top school. The professors here at the Johnson School certainly delivered. Johnson puts its best faculty into the teaching trenches, and not a single class is ever taught by a TA. All professors are very accessible, as well as eager and willing to help. What I especially liked is how well the coordinate with each other. First year MBAs are required to all take the same set of core classes (unless they test out, and CPAs are not allowed to take intro accounting). The professors meet weekly, I believe, and discuss what subjects they are currently covering. This allows, for example, our Finance professor to time his introduction of certain topics with the material we covered in Statistics (calculation of Beta, if you are interested), or to apply som accounting concepts in our marketing course as we determine break even points for new products.
I've also really enjoyed living in Ithaca. The fall was especially nice, although now we have had quite a bit of snow over the past few weeks. It isn't as cold here as Wisconsin, but the weather is generally very similar. Students from LA and Texas are having fun adjusting (sarcasm). Locals like to act as if Ithaca is the coldest place on the planet, but a lot of Cornellians seem to have never lived outside of New York, so their world view isn't quite as broad as they think it is.
So, what don't I like about the Johnson School? I really have few complaints, and they are minor. The biggest disappointment for me has been the overlap in dates of the international treks planned over winter break with the early start of classes for those of us enrolled in certain "Immersion" programs. Classes officially begin on January 21st, but I am taking the Managerial Finance Immersion, which requires me to start classes on January 8th. There is a trek to China immediately after the new year, but it doesn't finish in time to make it back for class. Hopefully a similar trip will be available in my second year. Generally speaking, there is so much going on here that you just simply can't do it all. You have to prioritize and do the best you can.
The Career Management Center here is top notch. It comprises a great staff that is eager and very qualified to help. Unfortunately, they are also very busy and it can be difficult to get on their calendar. But they are worth the wait.
I am not in the Investment Banking program, but I see the biggest downside to Johnson resting on the wannabe bankers' shoulders. Ithaca is close enough to NYC (under 5 hours), that both banks and the school expect students to make frequent trips to the city to network and gain traction on getting an internship. However, 5 hours is a long drive to be making once or twice a week. The school has tried to help with this by arranging busses, but I would still like to see the school do more. We have a classmate in the hospital because he was involved in an accident on the way to the city. Luckily, I hear he'll be back in classes next semester. Again, none of this directly affects me, but I do see what hoops many of my classmates have to jump through. Then again, no one really ever feels sorry for Investment Bankers.
So, now I have a few weeks to relax. Well, mostly. I do have homework assigned over break. As I mentioned, my Managerial Finance Immersion (MFI) begins on Tuesday, January 8th. It begins with a class called "Corporate Financial Policy" and kicks off with a quiz over 3 chapters of our finance book on the first day of class. The entire 1.5 credit hour class is condensed into 6 days of classes. We then get on a bus and visit 5 corporate headquarters over 3 days to discuss real-world financial issues that each has faced and how they addressed them. These visits will frequently include discussion with the CFO. Companies we'll visit include Air Products, Merck, S&P, American Express, and JP Morgan Chase. It should be a great trip.
After the first two weeks, I'll begin the normal class schedule. I'll be taking Consulting Process, Intermediate Accounting, Managing and Leading in Organizations, Operations Management, and Valuation Principles, as well as a Managerial Finance Practicum that includes case studies.
Late January and February is the prime interview season for summer internship positions. I've applied to a few already and have several more that I'm interested in. There are a lot of opportunities here, so it's really hard to say we're I'll end up. Hopefully I'll have something locked up by February. That means I'll be spending a lot of time over my so-called break to study and practice for interviews. Maybe it's a good think that I couldn't make the China trek after all?
I'm having a great time here and am pleased both with my decision to get an MBA and to attend the Johnson School at Cornell. It's a great experience and opens the door to a whole new world of opportunities. It's also a great facilitator for a career change, as long as the career you want to change into appreciates the benefits of an MBA.
Next semester will be even more enjoyable for me as Elizabeth will get out here next week. She is about to finish up her school. The job prospects for nurses looks pretty good here in Ithaca, so hopefully she can get her NCLEX behind her and find a job quickly. We'll both be happy to erase the distance between us.
I know I have some friends that are contemplating an MBA, so please let me know if you have any questions.
--Chris
Maurice W. Day, age 80 of Batesville, Indiana, died Friday, November 30, 2007, at Margaret Mary Hospital in Batesville. Born September 29, 1927 in Vincennes, Indiana, he is the son of Mamie (Nee: White) and William Day.
Maury managed the Hills Department Store, part of Federated, Inc., in Vincennes for 10 years before moving to Batesville in 1970. Maury then managed the Nobbe Clothing Store for the next 25 years before retiring in 1992. After retiring, he remained with the store part time for several years.
Maury enjoyed several hobbies and volunteered many hours to civic activities including the Batesville Chamber of Commerce and the Batesville Promotional Association, serving as a past president for both organizations as well as being extremely involved in Junior Achievement, spending several years as its’ president. Being an avid golfer, he was a charter member of Cricket Ridge Golf Course in Batesville. Other pleasures included reading, working crossword puzzles and bowling, where in recent years, he still carried a 185 average.
He is survived by daughter Cindy Price of Greencastle, Indiana; son Tim Day of Noblesville, Indiana; step son John “Pike” Fielder of Atlanta, Georgia; four grandchildren, five step grandchildren and former wife June Howard. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his second wife Mary; step son Ernie “Skip” Fielder; sisters Loretta, Genevieve; Roxie, Phyllis and brother Wesley. Friends may call on the family Monday, December 3rd, from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home. A private family burial will be held. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.