Adieu! auf Wiedersehen! Adios! Bona Fortuna!

A full year out of B-school... Can you believe it!?

It went by so quickly! But, sadly, it does seem fitting that I now bid adieu to this All Up In Your B-School blog.

Having sat with the predicament of what could be the final post for quite a while, a common thread finally emerged from the trials and tribulations of this past year, so here we go!

The one last lesson I have learned since leaving the classroom and embarking on the grand adventure known as "The Real World" is this:

You will never stop learning and that which is the most difficult will be your best teacher. 

Whether that challenge takes the form of a project or a person, you will learn. You will grow. You will never grow stagnant or lose your edge if you choose to be open to the lessons that are often a hard, bitter pill to swallow.

Just a hypothetical: A guy starts on your team at work. He is quite knowledgeable about the subject matter at hand. He is well-versed in all the technologies that your company implements, and his background lends itself to strategic discussions regarding your niche customer segment, but he also does not allow others to voice their opinions. He monopolizes every conversation and addresses all team members, including his superiors, with an air of condescension. Any normal person would be irritated (& maybe even plotting his demise).

Not the ideal situation, right?

Here, my friend, is the great epiphany that is simultaneously a real bummer, yet a very liberating idea: You cannot change this crazy person. 

You yourself are the only "change-able" factor in this equation. You can and will have to change to adapt to this situation. 

I know, I know, you're saying, "This guy's the maniac, and I have to change?!"
Well, yes, yes you do.

Here is why...
The people and projects that drive you nuts will show you the door that will take you to the next level, but it's up to you to open the door and walk through it.

You have to open that door as a service to yourself. Assess the situation and with all your courage and stick-to-it-iveness, take a deep breath and say to yourself, "Ok, I clearly have to get a different job. Since the next opportunity has not yet knocked down my door, what is it I can learn from this person, from this situation, that will give me the secret weapons I need to get out of here and into something better?"

Turn this guy into your greatest teacher. Use your brainpower to do your own personal SWOT analysis instead of silently plotting how to trip him when he walks out of the meeting. What does he know that you could learn? Which of his qualities, characteristics, or experiences are, indeed, part of being successful in your industry or role? Which could help you talk the talk or walk the walk into your next promotion? What can be learned from managing his personality? What elements of business savvy can you observe that will help you distinguish yourself from others in your next job application process, during your next board meeting, or in starting up conversation at your next networking event?

It's your secret mission, should you choose to accept it. Let the biggest challenges challenge you to rise to the occasion and into the corner office or out the door to start your own business.

You have the strength to bear it and the wits to tackle the challenge ahead. No matter what it may be. The exams we face in business school are not the last tests we take.

But you have what it takes to keep growing and reaching and dreaming and climbing, and you will achieve what you put your mind (and heart) to. I believe in you!

And even more so, I must also say Thank You.

I wasn't quite sure how to part with this sweet vehicle that was my partner in crime through business school. It brought with its inception a life of its own and gave me a special filter through which I could see the life of a graduate student as I told it to you. It allowed me to connect with you and brought along a unique, objective perspective to my graduate school memories. I would not have been afforded such a gift without this blog, and for that, I must thank you.

I wish you the best of luck in all your adventures and success ahead. If you ever have questions, reach out to the Graduate Admissions and Student Services Office at GA State. (They still know where to find me!) :)

Thank you.

Hello From the New World!

At the EU Central Bank

Hello from the New World, a.k.a. the Real World (& not the one on MTV) -

Over the past few months, I have studied abroad, traveled throughout Western Europe and ... started a new job! Whoo hoo! All very exciting, but of course, not without lessons to be learned and shared. So, get ready; here we go! 

Let's start with a glimpse into the newest phase of the grad school experience: the post-grad career path.

You may - as I did - assume that once you complete your MBA and devote the status quo 10-12 weeks to job hunting, you'll fall into your ideal job, the one that will allow you to:

1. Put that brand spankin' new MBA to use 
2. Finally get your foot in the door of that glamorous/prestigious/cutting-edge/cutthroat company you've had your eye on for as long as you can remember
3. Make $120,000+ a year
4. Make the world a better place
5. Have a work/life balance and energy to enjoy it

What I Expected...

Silly rabbit!

I'll tell you, I expected the journey that began with grad school to immediately and seamlessly continue into a career path that was everything I was looking for with no adjustment period, learning curve or corporate culture shock. Naive, huh? 

One of the hardest realities to wrap my head around was this: If you are completely changing fields (or even companies), you will not feel comfortable or competent for at least three months. Three MONTHS?! Talk about a hard pill to swallow! But, it's true.

The First Three Months

After that little nugget has soaked in, I found a few of the coping strategies that have helped me maintain my composure and helped me keep on keepin' on. Maybe they will serve you the same.

Breathe. Take a walk. Take a break. Make a friend. Call a friend. Do whatever it takes to recharge your batteries and revive your confidence in yourself. (I have even set alerts on my phone to remind me every few hours to take a deep breath. Seriously.)

Enduring the temporary discomfort at this stage requires a serious adjustment period. Blend in having to learn a new industry, a new product line, a new company, a new boss, a new team, a new area of town, new time/project management skills … It will blow your mind! Clean up, aisle 2!

But I have also learned, that even though it will take time to soar to the the rockstar status we may have achieved in a previous life (as a student, a CEO, a stay-at-home parent, etc.), we are equipped with the skills and the strength to succeed. Just be patient, believe in yourself, breathe, and reboot. You got this!

Have you checked out The Ladders?!

Hello, everyone!  Sorry for the delay in posting - we've had some technical difficulties, as well as the end of the semester, which like you know, is never dull!

I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear the job search is still swinging!  On that note, have you heard of The Ladders?  It is a great portal to jobs AND job search info!

Here's a glimpse into what they've got going on!

If you're looking for a job or just looking for some tips on building yourself professionally, this is a great site, and their weekly emails are fantastic.

As always, feel free to leave your own job seeking tips! I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Create the Life You've Always Imagined!

What Lies Ahead, Job Huntress! ... But, What Lies Within?

Here are a few stats on what to expect in our technology-driven world as a job applicant.

Huh.  That's a little intimidating, isn't it?  From a statistical standpoint, what are the chances that I am the one person who is offered the position? 1/1000... 0.001.  Pardon me for a moment as I panic!

Of course, these estimations do not take into account one of our most powerful weapons: Networking.  We've talked about it before, and we can all agree, it's a key point of differentiation in the job search.  It's all about landing the interview before you land the job, and you can secure an interview much more easily if you know someone within the company.

If you'll notice, only the first three stages are computer driven.  Good news for you!  With your strong network, you'll bypass those steps and go straight to a real-live human!  You've prepared and practiced your concise description of what you want out of a job and what you can offer!  You know what you can bring to the table that no one else can, and that makes you unique and different.  You will catch the eye (& ear) of any recruiter and position yourself to succeed!

Though the stats seem a little ... daunting, don't let them intimidate you. Remember how far you've come and how hard you've worked to get to this place!

"What lies ahead of you is nothing compared to what lies within you," right?  So, when the job search - or any challenge - gets tough, hang in there!  You're kind of a big deal, so don't forget that!

What are YOUR Magnificent Seven?

Related to the most recent post, here's a challenge posed by CPG Supergroup:

In seven words or less, can you describe what you do?  

(You cannot use the words "I" or "We.")  

That's quite a toughie, but give it a try - it's kind of fun!  And it's certainly great practice for your elevator speech or self-promotion sales pitch!

Check out the CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) Supergroup on LinkedIn for some great networking opportunities and thought-provoking discussions!

Risk Taking? NOT Overrated.

How's Your Sales Pitch?

I don't know about you, but the job search has taught me many lessons - many of which, I did not see coming!

For example, it is not as easy as it may appear to provide an eloquent, on-the-spot response to: "What kind of job are you looking for?"  Can you articulate your ideal job in 20 seconds or less?  Try it! It takes some serious thought!

You'd think it would be easy to rattle off an answer, particularly after submitting job applications, drafting customized cover letters, exchanging emails with friends and colleagues on the topic, and giving it plenty of thought, wouldn't you?  However, it has taken time and practice for me to craft an authentic and articulate description of what I'm looking for!

With this in mind, I wanted to share a few points on how to communicate your career objectives and how to present your best, most authentic self in a concise and enthusiastic way:

Practice your sales pitch so that you can concisely convey the most valuable assets you've got that others don't - your skills, talents, passion and individuality!  Just like any other sales opportunity, the keys to promoting yourself are preparation, relevance and authenticity!  

Dear Stress, Let's Break Up

Exams, end-of-term projects, outside consulting projects, boxing training, social life, and oh, yes, the all-important job search...  It makes me want to say

Can you relate?!  It's safe to say each of us balances more than enough (too much?) to fill those meager 24 hours a day, and let's not forget the time we must devote to our jobs and sleep, let alone family time or time for ourselves to regroup, get grounded, get our wits about us - you know what I mean.  

How in the world can we hope to do it all and do it all well?  

I've realized that occasionally we have to re-evaluate our coping strategies and here's what I've found to be helpful: 

• Prioritize
• Do the best you can with the time, energy & resources you have
• Don't hold yourself to an unreasonable standard of perfection because the yard stick we use to measure ourselves is much more stringent than the one others apply to our performance
• Find the time for what's really important, what lets you shine, what gives you the energy to keep on

Fact: Stress really does do damage to our bodies!  The chemicals we secrete because of prolonged stress levels encourage colds, fatigue, sugar cravings and other conditions that can prohibit us from achieving greatness.  

Yikes-ski!  It certainly explains why I crave sugar & caffeine when I'm anxious, and it definitely makes me want to change my approach to life.  

Which is why I was so intrigued when a friend of mine recently mentioned the 10-10-10 rule.  Have you heard of it?  

Basically, with any decision that causes you unrest, apply this test: 

What are the consequences of the choice I make in 10 minutes? 10 months? 10 years?   

Gives you perspective, doesn't it?  

After he shared this with me, it gave me pause and  

What will really have an impact on my life over the long-haul?  What is that important? Certainly not a 100 on an Econ exam or the "perfect" term paper.

That is not to say that I won't give it all I can, but I realized I cannot get an A on every test this semester.  Other things take priority.  I cannot make more hours in the day, and I cannot sacrifice my sleep or health in the pursuit of perfection.  Besides, perfection is subjective and totally overrated! Life is too short!  We must do the best we can with what we have, and realize it truly is good enough!  

Keep On Keeping On!

A Day In the Life of A Job-Hunting Grad Student

Ever since kicking the job search into high gear, the days are a little different than when I was "only a student."  Meetings, networking events, emails, internet searches and more have taken over the time I once only devoted to class work.  Talk about re-prioritization!  Don't tell my Econ professor, but one of my classes has slipped to the bottom of the totem pole! Can you guess which one?

Here is what to expect if you find yourself in the same boat.  (And don't worry, it IS manageable if you're smart about it!)

7 am - 8:30 am: Get up, make coffee, let the dogs out, assess which tasks I can handle while waiting for the coffee to kick in.  Decide to begin answering emails, work on taxes, and make a list of what to prepare for class this week.

8:35 am: Refill coffee mug.  Get my act together to go to kickboxing.

9:00 am - 10:00 am: Go to kickboxing.

10:00 am - 10:45 am:  Prepare for a meeting with our Alumni Association, grab a Luna Bar, rush out the door.  Run back inside to grab laptop. You never know, may need it later today... On the way, call my grandmother to check in since she had surgery this week.

11:00 am - 12:30 pm: Meet with alumni.  Start planning a Graduate Business Association mentor program with the Alumni Association to go into effect in the Fall.

12:35 pm: Grab lunch at Chipotle.  Read through emails on my phone while eating.  Find out my meeting later today with a social media guru who is helping me find a job needs to be rescheduled for two days later.  Send email to Career Coach at Georgia State to find out status on a couple internship applications and get names of contacts at target companies.

1:00 pm:  Receive harsh email from professor letting us know that the group presentation we've worked on for over a month has significant room for improvement.  Note: We have to give the presentation tomorrow. 

1:01 pm: Panic.

1:04 pm - 4 pm:  Pull it together.  Breathe a sigh of relief that I have my laptop & that meeting was cancelled, which means the afternoon is wide open!  Send an email to the group - all of whom are employed full-time - to let them know I'll handle the editing, then thank my lucky stars that I'm a full-time student with time to work on this.  Take a few breaks from the project during which I check emails, follow-up on job applications, do a brief job search for my target companies... I might have gone on Facebook, too.  Just for a minute. :)

4 pm:  Reinforcements arrive!  Ashley, a team member, & I keep working on the presentation. Sheesh!

6 pm - 7:30 pm:  Change locations to grab a bite to eat while we keep working on the presentation.  Just today, we've spent over 6 hours of work on this presentation, folks!  This is exhausting!  I need a refill on my Diet Coke. We finally finish up the presentation, then send it out to group for final edits.

7:45pm to 10pm: Head home. Walk the dogs. Catch up on the other work I had to push to the side to work on the presentation.  Try to stay awake because I'm exhausted!

10pm - 11pm:  Get ready for bed.  Read a few chapters of the 2nd book in the Hunger Games series.  It's so good!

11 pm: Zzzzzzz....

As you can tell, there's a lot we students have to cram into one day!  The good news is, it always gets done.  It's weird.  Snafus and unpredictable challenges are inevitable, but, remarkably, they can sometimes be a blessing.  Had that meeting not been cancelled, there is no way we could have made such headway on the presentation with enough time to prepare.  Silver lining, you could say.  What I've learned is to swallow the panic and frustration and keep on keeping on.  It will always get done, and it will be good enough!

Just Say YES!

"The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure."

- Joseph Campbell. 

This past weekend, a friend of mine came into town.  He is a veteran skydiver and was heading to jump out of planes all weekend with a bunch of friends. It had been ages since we'd hung out, so we decided to meet at the drop zone (where all of the skydivers hang out/camp/jump).  He didn't mention it initially, but I suspected he might try to convince me to jump.  Let's just say this, I was hellbent that I would never fling my body out nothingness.  I mean, never.  

As you certainly guessed, of course, he tried to convince me.  For about 12 hours, he tried to convince me, and during those same 12 hours, I provided a variety of reasons why I would NOT be jumping out of a plane at 14,000 feet! 

But then he got me.  He came up with a reason so compelling, I couldn't stop the "yes" from falling out of mouth.

Here is what he said, "Katherine, when you're 85, you won't be worried about how much it cost or if you would have looked silly.  You'll be sitting on a patio wondering why you didn't do it and what it would have been like. There are all these people here who are cheering for you.  Just do it."

He appealed to the adventurer in me, to the Seize The Day girl who had let the (quite rational) fear keep her feet firmly on the ground.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I knew I didn't want to be the kind of girl who sat on a patio at 85 and wondered what it would have been like.  So, I jumped. Out of a plane. At 14,000 feet.

And you know what?  It was one of the best experiences of my life.  No kidding.  The entire experience was amazing - the people, the energy, the tumbling through the air trying to catch my breath.  I'm even thinking of getting licensed and doing this craziness more often!

I was so taken aback by how much this experience had truly changed me and the way I saw my life.  I mean, 14,000 feet really does give you a different perspective... I started thinking.  How many other times have I said no to experiences because I was afraid of not being good enough, looking silly, what may happen, what may not happen, etc.?  

Here's what I learned.  It doesn't matter if it's skydiving, a blind date, going to graduate school, a consulting project, a job for which you think you're not qualified...  SAY YES.  

Just do it!  Make the leap, swallow the fear, tell the voice that says "I can't do it" to hush up because you know what? You can do it!  You can make it in a new city; you can wow the pants off of that tough client; you can negotiate a higher salary!  You can!

The adventure that awaits when you step into the unknown - graduate school, a new job, a new home, off of a plane - is beyond your wildest dreams, and those are the moments that make life worthwhile.  So say yes to the adventure!

How's your Etiquette? Network Like a Pro on LinkedIn!

According to Business2Community.com (a new fave website!), there are 10 rules to live by on LinkedIn. It is so easy to forget basic professional practices, but Greg Linnemanstons explains how to have good manners on the top professional social networking site. His ideas are even applicable in the real world and can easily be put into practice at the office, like #3! Check 'em out!

Connect with people you know.
Sounds obvious, right? "But accepting invitations from unknowns makes no sense, nor is it appropriate to invite the same," he says. In other words, don't be a LinkedIn creeper. You are developing your personal brand with every move you make. The business world is much smaller than you think, so keep that in mind when you're inviting other professionals to connect with you; after all, it is a professional site.  We have to act like it! 

Respond politely.
"Whether or not you accept an invitation to connect, a direct, professional response is usually the best next step," emphasizes Linnemanstons. Again, it is a professional site, so we must all act accordingly. If Mr. Linnemanstons turns down an invitation because he doesn't know someone, he encourages the person to find a way for them to meet personally to eliminate that objection. How classy!

Say please and thank you. Frequently.
"What we all should have learned in kindergarten applies to LinkedIn as well. When you ask for something say please. When someone does something considerate, even if it’s not invited, say thanks." These are just good manners for life in general. We could all hear please and thank you a little more often, don't you think?

Keep updates interesting and professional.
If you’ve accomplished something noteworthy, read something that’s valuable, or discovered something you think should be shared, definitely post it! However, consider it might detract from your personal brand if you have frequent updates like "what you had for lunch or what you’re doing this weekend with your family. Save it for Facebook."

Give recommendations to get recommendations. 
"There’s nothing wrong with asking for a recommendation. But the best way to ask is to first give one. The best recommendations should come from the people you already know and respect the most, and they are naturally the people you can most genuinely recommend." Win-win!

Be a responsible group manager.
"That means respond to requests quickly, and enforce group rules evenly. Enforcement isn’t for everyone, because everyone can interpret rules differently and that can lead to conflict, or to re-visiting rules. Being responsible as a manager means your rules will probably evolve as the group grows. Nothing wrong with that."

Be aware and follow group rules.
"If you want to avoid uncomfortable notes from group owners, read them before you start breaking them. Been there! And if you get called out as a transgressor, be an adult about it."  (Read: Be Professional.)

Be Honest.
"We’ve all experienced this. You find a former peer on LI, and as you review their experience, you see they’ve mis-represented a past role or the responsibilities they had. As a result, you look at everything they claim to have done since then with a little more skepticism. Don’t do anything that puts you at risk of harming your credibility."  You've worked hard to create your personal brand; protect it!

Don’t be a pest.
"You won’t do yourself any good professionally if you annoy people. We all know someone who does. Don’t be that person."

Participate.
"Kind of like when you go to a party. Don’t go if you’re not going to talk to people and add to the energy of the group. Same thing with LI. Be active, share information, contribute to discussions, grow your footprint, and be additive to the collective good." Love this one!  It's so easy; be your sparkling self, seize the opportunity to show off how fantastic you are, and continue to build your brand!

What are your thoughts?  What's your etiquette edge? 

Upcoming Networking Opportunities!

Check out these upcoming Networking Events that promise great times and great opportunities!

March 23rd, 2012 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm
GBA Happy Hour with the GSU Business & Law Society at Hudson Grille (Brookhaven).  Flex MBA'ers, you'll also get one MBA Advantage Point to come cheer for your favorite team during March Madness!  Full members get 2 free drinks + apps!  For more info, check it out at www.gsugba.org/events.

March 30th, 2012 at 6:30 (First Come, First Serve!)
The GBA is partnering with the International Business Alliance at Georgia State to offer even more events!  Check out the upcoming Dine & Unwind: How to Do Business in South Korea!  These sorts of events offer an authentic meal from the country of interest, like South Korea, as well as a country expert who shares tips on doing business in each specific environment.  Be sure to RSVP ASAP! It's First Come First Serve, and space is limited to only 20 people!

What I Learned Wednesday for March 13, 2012

This week’s WILW is brought to you by… ME!

Why? Because I want to share with you what I have been learning about resumes, and let’s just say this about that, creating a resume is nothing compared to refining a resume!

Here are some tried, true, and tough tips I've learned from people who took the time to point me in the right direction. (Thank goodness they did, too, because I was NOT on the right track!)

A resume is to get you an interview NOT a job! 

And here, I thought that was the point – to make it obvious what a good fit I am for the job, not to make it clear I would be fun to meet in person… whew, I keep having to remind myself of this again and again as I go through draft after draft.

On that note, keep your CV/resume to ONE PAGE.

This task is particularly a challenge for those of us with robust experiences and lots of enthusiasm about the work we have done. (Not that I know anything about that!)  :)  So, be careful to avoid telling your life story. The point is to hook your audience and make them want to learn more about you and give you an interview! (Again, with the interview!)

Do NOT put anything in a resume you are not dying to talk about.

For instance, if you are looking to show off as a community minded individual and list your community service in a lofty manner, consider downplaying it if your only responsibility at your company’s Habitat for Humanity project was bringing the donuts. Just sayin’.

Every single line must relate to the job you’re going after.

You must convey that you are a good fit for the job with every word! 

Have separate resumes for each job/company to which you are applying.

Again, tailor your resume to what the company is looking for (which you can find out on their corporate website and within the job description). For example, if you’re going for a very creative agency gig, do not emphasize the conservative corporate work you’ve done in the past. Dazzle them with your creative pursuits and the innovative campaigns you developed!  

On the other hand, though, if you are dying to have a job with a prestigious investment bank that demands attention to detail and a focus on results, your resume should shine with your skills and experiences to showcase that side of yourself.  Emphasize the experiences you have had that relate to the objective they explain in the job description.

Stay tuned for more networking and job-hunting strategies.  These are the just a few of them!  And as always, I welcome your feedback on your own experiences and job hunting adventures, so please share!  

How To : Be Great, by Mark Twain

Goal Setting: Every Day Goals Of My Own!