To the classes of 2010 and 2011:
Today we pass the torch to the next generation of 2nd Years and venture back out into the wilds of the “Real World.” Before we do though, we thought we would pass on what advice we can. Whether or not that advice is relevant, however is up to you.
There may be some nuggets of wisdom given that we stand where you are today and where you will be perhaps one or two years down the road. The point is that we are taking away a lot from this experience and we want you to as well.
To the class of 2010:
Your second year is going to go faster than you can possibly imagine. Enjoy the summer, have some fun and get ready to take some risks when you arrive back here in August.
- Use what flexibility the 2nd year schedule offers you. For instance, explore the talents you no doubt will discover in your internships through some independent studies and take a class or two outside your area of concentration.
- Corporate Val will not kill you. In fact, I highly encourage you to take it with Craig Lewis and participate in class, even though you may be unsure of the exact answers. It really is as much art as it is science and the more you bring non-finance reasoning into the class, the more you will get out of it.
- Sleep is not the enemy. Though you might be tempted to come back and show the 1st years “how it’s done,” with all nighters and frequent 3 AM stands at Loonie’s, you’d be surprised how much you can get done with a regular to 7 hours of sleep. Believe me, you’ll see it plainly when it comes to those full-time interviews; they call it “first-mover advantage” for a reason.
To the class of 2011:
Get ready for the ride of your life. Your time here at Owen will provide you with incredible experiences, both constructive and joyous and believe me when I tell you I wouldn’t trade a moment.
- If you want to make the most out the experience, plan on learning how to ask for things. Owen is an incredible wealth of resources that are there, if you only know how to ask.
- Start by networking like crazy. Not only within the Owen alumni community and with your fellow classmates but take some time to find external networking as well. Find local interest groups or small businesses that might need some independent project work. The point is that the best opportunities may be ones that will pop up, not on OCNS, but in random social conversations with people already in the industry.
- Next, find ways of getting involved here at Owen. One of the great things about this place is the intimacy and shared responsibility the students, faculty and staff feel for its future. Take some time this summer or across the first few months to decide what you want to be known for. If you see a class, a club or a functional area that you think should exist, take the initiative and be the one that starts it.
- Identify the stakeholders, make a pitch and find people around you who share the same goals. The effort always pays off – trust me.
Lastly, to the OwenBloggers – It’s no surprise that I believe vehemently in the power of social media and interactive marketing. In fact, OwenBloggers has been an integral experience for me at Owen, not only in identifying where I wanted to steer my career, but also as a leadership experience.
OwenBloggers carries with it a unique brand of authority, candor and prestige that you may not completely grasp, yet. It almost takes the experience of traveling to other b-schools and talking about OwenBloggers to see how bold and incredible this initiative is. Nowhere else does a school take such a proactive approach to transparency and whose support and trust in the voice of the students so apparent.
My point is that you have a legacy to uphold. It’s as much about telling your story as it is participating the dialogue about the future of the school. Take advantage of the medium to show off your intellectual capital and don’t underestimate the power of your own words when it comes to impressing potential recruiters. It doesn’t have to be the most groundbreaking prose or thinking but, the very act of exploring your concentration through your blog may very well be the most impressive documentation of your achievements at Owen.
As the class of 2009 exits stage left, we wish all of students that come after us good luck and an incredible experience. Ask questions, take risks and above all enjoy the ride.
Thanks!
Best,
Jared
Read the full article: Transition Memo