tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58989439080598425882024-03-21T15:06:03.995-07:00Welcome to the FamilyWhat if you left your job and your old life for business school... and ended up in the same place as four of your closest family members and friends?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614842897523350035noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898943908059842588.post-67710936273061628592013-04-16T12:09:00.001-07:002013-04-16T12:09:54.871-07:00TransformationI remember speaking to several students when I first came to Darden for my admissions interview. They were so confident, so eloquent, brimming with potential and promise. They seemed at ease, genuinely happy, and excited about their present and their future. Their conversations and their answers to questions were so perfect and fluid it left me in awe. At every opportunity, they jumped at the chance to offer their assistance and support, even though we'd met just minutes ago. Even the way they walked was different. It was as if they glided through the halls of the school, so sure of their way around, so sure of themselves.<br />
<br />
I wondered if and when that would ever happen to me- a transformation. Things felt so uncertain. I felt like such a novice, an outsider. I was stuck in a routine, concerned about my future and desperate for a change. I thought about the transformatoin as I drove home to Nashville after the interview. I thought about it as I waited eagerly for word from admissions, distracting myself with long hours at the TV station. I even thought about it after being accepted, and after being enrolled. Would I ever possess that ease and confidence I saw in those Darden students months ago?<br />
<br />
The transformation was gradual. There were moments when I thought it wouldn't happen at all. Accounting was a foreign language I thought I'd never understand. Classwork took up the whole day, from 8 am to 10 pm on countless nights. Final interview after final interview came and went, and I began to wonder if I'd be left without a summer internship. Did a former TV reporter with zero business experience really belong in marketing?<br />
<br />
After making it through first quarter exams, I started to realize that maybe I was good enough. My grades got progressively better through the year. Then, I landed an incredible internship that gave me invaluable experience in marketing, innovation, and strategy. All of a sudden, the clubs and groups that held events for me and other FYs to attend were now providing me with leadership opportunities.<br />
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I returned to Darden in August 2012 to finish the transformation. They say Second Year is just as busy as the first, but your days are filled in completely different ways. It's true. There are First Years who are looking for advice, reassurance, and support. There are events to be planned, projects to lead, friends to spend time with. And yes, there is golf to be played.<br />
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Maybe it's a little bit funny. Maybe it's nostalgic. Maybe it's an accomplishment. But with graduation just a month away, I have to admit: I am genuinely happy about today and excited for the future. Conversations about all things Darden and business come so much more fluidly than ever before. It is an honor and a privilege to help those whose life searching and career aspirations lead them here.<br />
<br />
And, the ground beneath me feels light and airy as I walk through Flagler Courtyard on a beautiful spring day in Charlottesville. Maybe I am floating through Darden in these last days, my stride accelerating and my footprints lightening as I prepare to fly away from this amazing place.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614842897523350035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898943908059842588.post-78346386942303567872013-01-25T06:55:00.001-08:002013-01-25T06:55:14.134-08:00Moments from 2013Hi Friends-<br />
<br />
So there's no good excuse for the radio silence on this blog. I had all these wonderful ideas, all these noble goals of reaching out to prospective new students, dishing out sage wisdom to First Years, and recounting the adventures of Second Year.<br />
<br />
But here's the thing- I've been fortunate enough to reach out to prospective students through Admissions events, guiding tours of Darden, and my MBA.com video blogs. I've been able to work with First Years as a SY coach, a Co-Director of Education and Career with the Marketing Club, and as a general buddy to countless Class of '14 members for whom I'm totally pulling for to do well in the internship search.<br />
<br />
Lastly, the adventures of Second Year have apparently been so darn good that they've kept me from posting blogs. Fortunately, my cousin Mikko started a website where participants write short entry each day about a moment in their lives. A few have been about Darden and Charlottesville life so I'll share them here:<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><em>January 7th</em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
It never ceases to amaze me when I notice the ease of the conversations we
have at Family Dinner. We’ve tried to do one every week or so for the past year
and a half with great success. Sister-in-law Liz was out of town (her presence,
caring, and high pitch giggle are always missed) so it was just Jeff, Beth,
Aaron and I. Still, you’d have to strain your ears to catch any lull in the
conversation. Talk flows effortlessly between the Denver Broncos, school, Beth’s
job, the delicious shrimp cakes, crazy college stories, the upcoming bachelor
party, and countless other first rate topics.<br />
<br />
The National Championship game was a dud, but it didn’t matter. There was a
great episode of 60 Minutes on DVR, Trader Joe’s desserts, red wine, and more
laughter than anyone could hope to count on. We simply have a great time being
together.<br />
<br />
“…I think this will likely be the two best years of our lives,” I remember my
bestest friend Jeff telling me before we started grad school together. With
nights like this, how could you argue to the contrary?<br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
<strong><em>January 12th</em></strong> (about a hike some SYs and I took in Shenendoah)<br />
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<br />
I couldn’t stand getting dirty as a kid. My socks had to be perfectly white,
I hated walking barefoot, and mud was an abomination.<br />
<br />
Maybe I’m subconsciously trying to make up for all those things as an adult.
Some friends and I are out for a hike in the Shenendoah Valley, and I wear my
Vibram Fivefingers. Ever since Mikko and I’s trip to Yosemite, they’re the only
footwear I’ll use for hikes.<br />
<br />
The hyperthin soles connect you to the ground like nature intended. Your
toes, arch, and heel, normally sandwiched in a conventional shoe, all work in
beautiful symphony to keep you moving, balanced, fluid. So I jump from stone to
stone like a little kid, yelling “hah!” when the pace quickens. The mud squishes
up between my toes, the water in the streams we cross is frigid and numbs my
feet. <br />
<br />
I love every second of it.<br />
<br />
Sadie and Fender stride along in front of me, and I know they feel the same
way.</div>
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<strong><em>January 14th</em></strong> (Okay this isn't about Darden but it's about a show I saw with a classmate a couple weeks ago)<br />
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Jon Spencer flings sweat off his mangy black locks, as he strafes across the
stage, wailing on his beat-up guitar. Every once in awhile, he drops into rock
star pose, his left knee hitting the stage, his leather pants stretched to their
limit.<br />
<br />
Spencer eats the microphone more than he sings into it. He literally
envelopes it, spit flying every where as he yells “Blues Explosion!” and other
somewhat recognizable words.<br />
<br />
Next to him, Judah Bauer is shredding away on his guitar. He is absolutely
killing it, but you’d never know by just looking at his face. Judah is the most
oddly calm performer I have ever seen, and his expression resembles that of a
man walking down the cereal aisle of the grocery store. In the meanwhile, his
fingers flicker and dance across the frets and strings as he unleashes a torrent
of lead licks, rhythm chords, and even a base line.<br />
<br />
Behind Judah, Russell Simins sits on the drumkit, destroying his snare and
cymbals. He looks like a drunken trucker or a lazy mechanic, but in reality he
is a killer drummer. Simins isn’t fancy, isn’t particularly intricate, but he is
always. in. the. pocket.<br />
<br />
The auditorium swims with angry notes, power chords, reverb, dark stage
lights, and Spencer’s bombastic voice. Our heads bob, we throw our hands in the
air, and we shout out words of adulation and praise to the band.<br />
<br />
Long live rock and roll music.</div>
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<strong><em>January 17th:</em></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="comment-content">
I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed being a student again. There’s
something beautiful, satisfying, and overwhelming about realizing how much there
is left to be learned, even at 30.<br />
<br />
Today was the best day of classes in my entire second year of business
school. I can’t point to one class, one professor, or one moment to prove why it
is so. Instead, it was a combination of many things- the joy of a professor
getting to teach a beloved pricing elective for the first time, the excitement
of a young guest speaker walking us through his most recent consulting project
about getting a bowling alley company back on its feet, the sheer enthusiasm
surrounding a discussion about The Great Gatsby in our ethics class.<br />
<br />
For a moment, I wish I could be a student forever.<br />
<br />
Then I realize that in many ways I can, and will, be.<br />
</div>
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
<strong><em>January 23rd:</em></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="comment-content">
I’d like to think that by the time we’re in grad school, “cliques” should be
a thing of the past. The sad truth is, we usually segment ourselves and form
little groups just as if we were in middle school all over again.<br />
<br />
Tonight was an exercise in the opposite. Part of my Business Ethics Through
Literature class is a weekly dinner with a randomly assigned group of
classmates. The idea is that we’ll get together to talk about the books and
short stories over a home cooked meal and some good wine.<br />
<br />
I hosted our inaugural meeting tonight, and served shrimp stirfry- a go to
dish. The food and the books were just a starting point, though. For an hour and
a half, seven classmates (two guys I was friends with, two girls I vaguely know
before today, an international student, a foreign exchange student, and me)
talked about careers, school, literature, and life.<br />
<br />
Push your comfort zone boundaries, and welcome new people into your home and
your life with an open heart and a big smile. This tactic has seldom led me
astray.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614842897523350035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898943908059842588.post-20231542476566321592012-07-30T20:19:00.002-07:002012-07-31T04:09:43.363-07:00On the Good Side of Things<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today is a big day for me, so I’m told.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some 262,800 hours ago, I was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a big, round number, but so is 10,950—the
number of days since my first one on this planet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And yet apparently, the biggest number of them all is 30,
which mathematically makes no sense (it doesn’t take a Darden student to figure
that out).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyways, that’s how many
years I’ve been on the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All at
once, that's amazing yet routine, blazingly fast yet calmly calculated, fortuitous
yet arbitrary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course I’ve heard all the jokes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been called “old man,” “over the hill,” “has
been,” you get the point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The jabs are
dished out in fun, and they’re received with an equally big smile—because in
truth, I’m on the good side of things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve never been wiser, more peaceful, more happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never been more comfortable in my own
skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never felt more loved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Admittedly, I’m a bit bummed about the softball knee injury that
won’t go away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not thrilled about
the three extra pounds that seem to creep up when I’m not exercising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, long gone are the 3 AM nights of shots
and beers from my undergrad days—the mere thought of the inevitable brutal
hangover is usually enough for me to call off the night early.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Those negatives, however, are heavily outweighed by the positives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>30 finds me at a brilliant time—a rare moment
when career, family, and self-discovery are perfectly interwoven and on the
upswing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve had an outstanding summer internship
experience at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters— I’ve learned a ton, met some
incredibly kind and talented folks, and proven to myself that I have what it takes
to succeed in marketing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But at the same time, I’m excited to see my family back in
Charlottesville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait to have
our weekly dinners, catching up with each other over a glass of wine before engaging
in a brisk XBOX Kinect competition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And last but not least, I am proud to return to Darden as a
second year MBA student.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m dying to
hear about my classmates’ summers—from their work experiences to their cross-country
travels to their promising future job leads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t wait to see my friends each morning at First Coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m eager to get back in the classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an “elder,” I’m allowed to talk about the
virtue and joys surrounding the pursuit of higher education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learning really is fun, and as I’ve learned
this summer, it is useful too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am honored to be able to pass on what I’ve learned this
past year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recently, I checked out the
Darden Class of 2014 Facebook Page. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was jam-packed with postings about sharing apartments, pre-school trips to the
Corner in Charlottesville, and advice on laptop bundles and pre-matriculation
curriculum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Future classmates
volunteered to help each other move heavy furniture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They gave each other leads on living
arrangements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They asked each other
about their hobbies, fantasy sports teams, and family members.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It made me proud and excited all at once. And yes, a little
bit old too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t hard to accept the
fact that I’m 30 years old, but it is REALLY hard to believe I’m an SY already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems like yesterday I was asking about
pre-matriculation curriculum and laptop bundles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Still, optimism rules this day, no doubt about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To those who’ve been a part of my first thirty years, I say
thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To those whom I’ll meet in
just a few weeks, I say “Welcome to Darden.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Admittedly, it appears that welcome is a bit late—judging
from how you’re treating each other so far, you’re already part of the family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614842897523350035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898943908059842588.post-10096521181342835382012-05-09T13:03:00.003-07:002012-05-09T13:03:55.443-07:00Be The Case<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The case method is great!”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It might be the most cliché phrase used to describe Darden,
but it’s true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Business concepts,
analytical formulas and economics theories are all important, but the case method
allows us to learn those things in the context of a authentic, accessible,
fascinating scenario.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At Darden, we
learn our frameworks through a series of real cases instead a pile of textbooks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The only thing more realistic than case method is real life—something
I realized during our Marketing Intelligence class this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The curriculum is designed to expose us to data
collection and analysis methods that can help us extract consumer insights from
surveys and interviews. There are no cases in this class: we ARE the case writer, and the outcome depends on how we help our clients.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Professor Kathryn Sharpe collaborated with the
Charlottesville Community Investment Corporation to assemble a group of local
entrepreneurs looking for help growing their ventures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students were partnered with these
entrepreneurs, each with their own set of skills, challenges, and questions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our team had the pleasure of working with Lorraine Pike, a
Charlottesville resident hoping to start a mobile juice stand on the Downtown
Mall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lorraine has several vegetable
juice recipes that were handed down to her from her father, who grew up in
Jamaica.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her kids love the juice, and
she has a hunch the public will too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Lorraine and her son.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">During our final term as First Years, “Team Juice” learned
survey and marketing concepts in class and then applied them to Lorraine’s
venture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We conducted in-depth
interviews with folks who live and work near the Mall to learn more about their
views of health, food stands, and fresh juices.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Using those insights, our team crafted a survey that helped
us quantify consumer attitudes and purchasing behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We distributed the survey online and in
person, handing out yummy treats from Cinema Taco as rewards for those who were
brave enough to take the three page questionnaire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who wouldn't want a free taco on Cinco de Mayo?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Team Juice spent hours putting together interview
checklists, survey questions, and Power Point presentations that showcased our
interview and survey findings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met
with Lorraine each week to keep her posted on our progress, and to learn more
about her efforts as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully she
will be able to use the insights we uncovered to further develop her business
plan!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>Sean builds, Blythe eats.</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was an absolute blast to put together a series of
recommendations and findings for a real life client.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I head off to my summer internship, I can’t
help but wonder if I’ll see Lorraine’s smiling face on the Downtown Mall when I
come back, peddling her homemade juices to happy customers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614842897523350035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898943908059842588.post-32932573591845729492012-05-03T13:46:00.000-07:002013-05-07T10:04:44.304-07:00The Fabled Darden Cup<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In theory, the title of Darden Student Association President
is the highest pressure position there is for a student.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are others, though, who believe that
social chairs in varying clubs and sections have it the worst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or perhaps the president of the Darden
Capital Management Club feels the most heat, responsible for managing a chunk
of Darden’s all-important endowment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I, however, humbly submit a fourth option, that the highest
pressure position on grounds is Athletics Representative for Section E.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It sounds crazy, unless you know about the legendary Darden
Cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Cup (yes, I’m capitalizing it
for the rest of the blog entry) is awarded to the section that earns the most
points during a series of athletic and community competitions held throughout
the school year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sports include
softball, basketball, dodge ball, a 5k race, and cricket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sections also can rack up points by
volunteering in events like the Boys and Girls Club Bike Race.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All the sections take great pride in competing for the Cup,
but none more than Section E.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coming
into the 2011-2012 year, Section E had taken home the trophy three consecutive
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the newly elected Athletics Representative,
it was my job to motivate the section on to an unprecedented four-peat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It wasn’t easy—Sections B and C quickly showed their
superior athletic prowess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
bigger, faster, stronger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Section D leveraged
its close-knit bond to come up big in several community events.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Section E, though, stayed in the mix with its unbeatable
ground game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time and time again, my
classmates answered the bell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Can everyone pitch a few bucks in to buy a bat for softball?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are you able to stop by the game to sign in for
participation points?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s out of my
way, but I’ll do it with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Second years, can you take some time to participate in the
cup for us, even though you’re busy looking for jobs and enjoying your last months
at Darden?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Absolutely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the year progressed, we stayed at or near the top of the
standings with pure heart and organizational grit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That wasn’t to say we didn’t have our great feats of “athletic”
heroism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A thrilling, last-second “Final
Jeopardy” style question catapulted us to victory in trivia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sublime performances by two second year students
carried us to a dominant win in bowling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And, an improbable rally in dodge ball saw us rise from last to first in
a true underdog story that rivals Vince Vaughn’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This year’s competition was the closest in recent memory, with
four of the five sections still in striking distance with just two events to
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a rousing cricket tournament,
Section B pulled ahead of Section E by the slimmest of margins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The last event was the Darden Cares 5k race—an all too
perfect time to shine for the section with the unbeatable ground game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Section E mates Lauren Byrne, Chris Short, Caroline
Burns and I spent hours planning out a comprehensive game plan to maximize our
point intake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It paid off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone
had a hand in it, from winning a costume bonus to
bringing out students and faculty (thanks, Professors Weiss, Snell and Wicks!) in
droves to run the event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Cote led a
pack of Section E runners to the finish (earning the top 5 times) and it was
enough to push us to the victory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cup was ours again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oops, I meant The Cup.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And while I’m obviously joking about my job being the
highest pressure one at Darden, the victory took the weight of the world off my
shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know this may feel
like a one-sided view of the Darden Cup, but I believe it carries takeaways for
all of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At Darden, we all want to win
and we want to be the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some
ways, the Cup is an outlet for our competitive spirits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I’ve also been extremely impressed
with the sportsmanship and class the vast majority of my classmates showed
throughout the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re not whiny 15
year olds sitting in the dugout crying about playing time anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope we learned that we can still compete
at 100% effort while having great attitudes and affinity towards each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even better, we raised thousands of dollars
for great causes in the process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Cup also taught me values and challenges of leadership,
organization and motivation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bringing 64
people together for a common cause involves loads of hard work, lots of
collaboration, an extra heavy dose of humility, a positive and enthusiastic
culture, and most importantly a great group of colleagues. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t know how, but Section E has been blessed with all of
those elements four years running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being
a part of such a wonderful group has been a total joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That being said, I don’t envy my replacement for next year—the
pressure is already on to continue the legacy.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614842897523350035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898943908059842588.post-39133858207710112442012-02-29T08:47:00.001-08:002012-02-29T16:09:45.334-08:00Leap Year, Leap of Faith<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m a pretty risk-averse person at heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That typically means I don’t take a chance on something without doing the calculations first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll do everything I can to maximize the probability of a positive outcome—work a little longer on a project, or pay a couple bucks more for the right gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give me surefire bloop single over a chance at a homer any day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The simple phrase “roll the dice” kind of freaks me out.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But obviously, there are times in life where you have to take a leap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s how this former TV reporter ended up at Darden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw that my industry was changing, my development was slowing, my ambition waning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was time for a change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wasn’t the only one seeking new opportunities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost all of my classmates gave up good jobs to return to school—it was a gamble that we believed was worth it, so we jumped at the chance to come to Charlottesville.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, the Class of 2013 is about to leap again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first chapter of our Darden experience is nearing an end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have just one more week of core classes in our sections, one more week of learning team meetings, and we’re currently choosing our electives for the spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is kind of a sad time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to miss meeting in room 293B every night, where intense and remarkable collaboration meshed with surprise birthday celebrations and impromptu dance lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, I’m incredibly attached to Section E— room 120 is where we witnessed Drew Barrett’s wolf shirt howl, where Leo Hergenroeder and I took opposing sides on countless class debates, where unsuspecting prospective students became sketch-a-scholars, and where 62 of the smartest people I know dominated during simulation competitions.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNn3urd2tAaZHFsgBEB_KaIktdpyHro-ROEdK7xzGccSbnIEhu_3qY1023w6oUUbyj_gVRUdTInOnsWefVP_UOowksA_XsmxGtUXMoVEM4pjkcKDIw33BSejVp20D1RK1GlPlEaQ3OHUQ/s1600/IMAG0760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNn3urd2tAaZHFsgBEB_KaIktdpyHro-ROEdK7xzGccSbnIEhu_3qY1023w6oUUbyj_gVRUdTInOnsWefVP_UOowksA_XsmxGtUXMoVEM4pjkcKDIw33BSejVp20D1RK1GlPlEaQ3OHUQ/s320/IMAG0760.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After exams, spring break and electives we’re on to our summer internships, where many of us will be dipping our toe into completely new waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll have new job responsibilities, new cities to live in, new colleagues to work with and learn from, and a new career trajectory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s extremely exciting, and yes, a little bit scary.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These are the thoughts that cross my mind on leap day of leap year—where strangely enough, it feels like we’re moments away from actually making our own leaps of faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The skies are beautiful, the wind is at our backs and the sun is shining joyfully down on us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, all that’s left to do is fly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614842897523350035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898943908059842588.post-68738038210425513262012-02-17T09:19:00.000-08:002012-02-17T09:19:19.717-08:00Mountaintop or Valley?<span style="font-family: Calibri;">During the winter, heavy fog often rolls into Charlottesville and the surrounding areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some ways, it symbolizes what our futures looks like as MBA First Years—cloudy and uncertain.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over the past two months, most of us have thrown ourselves headfirst into internship recruiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a hectic, time-consuming and extremely difficult process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consultants practice dozens of case interview questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marketers mow through mock behavioral interviews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And bankers are blitzed all at one time during a week where candidates can have interviews with as many as five companies in a single day!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our noses are stuck in books and online research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We build spreadsheets listing our strengths and weaknesses, teamwork and leadership stories, favorite and least favorite marketing campaigns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days, the only person you see is yourself—in the mirror as you practice your two minute pitch.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This, my friends, is being in the fog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will the hard work pay off?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will a company see and value your abilities?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will you convince them you are a fit for their culture?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where are you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Headed towards the top of the mountain or still wandering through the valley?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When you’re in the thick of things, it’s almost impossible to tell.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even more challenging, you don’t have long to break through— interviews last between 30 minutes and an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, almost immediately after you shake the interviewer’s hand, the fog thickens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes days, sometimes weeks to know if you’ve moved on to final rounds, where the process repeats itself again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then… it’s over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fog clears, and you’re on top of the world, offer in hand, looking down on the horizon that is the rest of your first year at Darden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s scenario #1.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scenario #2 isn’t so rosy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it’s a “thanks for your interest in us, but we’ve decided to go in a different direction” phone call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other times it’s a stock mass rejection e-mail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worse still, some other recruiters are never heard from again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These moments shake your confidence to the core.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They crush your self-esteem.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All you can do is get back up and jump back in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Admit your faults and correct them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fine tune your stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get help from the Career Development Center or a Second Year. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are told constantly that all works out, but that can be hard to see when things are so hazy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is an interesting time for First Years at Darden: are we at the mountaintop or in the depths of the valley?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That depends on the day, who you’re asking… and what the weather’s like.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614842897523350035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898943908059842588.post-64119128562021914902012-02-14T16:17:00.001-08:002012-02-14T16:17:25.224-08:00Adversity.Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are.<br />
<br />
-Arthur GoldenAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614842897523350035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898943908059842588.post-24495058812165126172011-12-25T17:50:00.000-08:002011-12-25T17:50:16.667-08:00Interview like a Yoga Instructor<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;">If life is a cycle of breath, we currently find ourselves mid-exhale at Darden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exams are over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winter Break is here.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">And yet, the next inhale is just upon the horizon—interviews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re still dropping resumes, and the invite lists are starting to trickle in from companies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means there’s no real rest during the holidays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students must find time to practice and prepare for interviews in between shopping for (and opening) presents, job treks and family time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m dialed in, back in Charlottesville after an awesome job trek to the Bay Area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The goal? Concentrate on landing a great internship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It won’t be the first time I’ll be working instead of playing this time of year—reporters have to work most holidays, and I’ve spent many a Christmas Day hunting down stories instead of drinking eggnog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, though, it’s different. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The truth is interviews are intimidating, even though I’ve been a broadcaster for my entire career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so I’m reading every possible marketing website, scouring the Darden company Wiki, and building elaborate interview spreadsheets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll also be doing a number of mock interviews with second year students, CDC faculty, and prospective companies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">That being said, I’m taking this time to regain my balance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s no secret that hobbies go on hiatus during first year at Darden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used to rock climb three or four times a week: I’ve probably climbed that many times the entire semester. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of my other favorite forms of fitness is yoga.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Climbing is my favorite activity, but yoga is my most necessary one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helps me breathe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It improves my flexibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It brings me peace and balance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Nashville, I did Vinyasa Flow Yoga weekly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve yet to do it a single time in Charlottesville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, break has given me time to Bikram Yoga four days in a row, and I’m loving it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">So there I am, in 105 degree heat, locked into triangle pose, drenched in sweat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the background I hear the instructor’s calm, steady voice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Bend until your right knee is at a 90 degree angle… eyes gazing over your thumb… good… gently push your elbow against your knee… breathe through your nose… hold… and hold… and hold.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I listened, I followed, I acted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when I realized something: I want to interview like a yoga instructor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allow me to explain:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. <u>Practice, practice practice</u>- You didn’t become a yoga instructor without being good at yoga.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similarly, you don’t become an interview expert overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Practice case questions, learn more about your field, and research the companies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. <u>Cool, calm and collected</u>- If you pull someone off the street, put them in a room that’s hotter than the Sahara, bend them up like a pretzel and tell them not to move they’ll probably freak out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, the key to yoga is calm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students pick the calm vibes up from the instructor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Likewise, calmness equals confidence in that interview room, and companies need to know that you’ll be calm in high pressure situations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. <u>Rehearsed, but genuine</u>- Instructors often repeat the same lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go back, way back, fall back… etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to some extent, that’s okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students need to know which foot to pick up, or how their weight should be distributed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That stuff needs to be right every time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your “tell me about yourself” pitch needs to be the same way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, you still have to be passionate and care about your story, much like an instructor must genuinely care about his or her class.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. <u>Be flexible</u>- This one is a double meaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The skill level of yoga students varies with each session, and invariably a student will need specific help from an instructor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so, mid-class, mid-pose, mid-sentence, an instructor must be able to call out guidance on the fly to that student.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same goes in interviewing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re gonna get hit with a question you didn’t prepare for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How well can you adapt what you’ve practiced to this unexpected challenge?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. <u>Have fun</u>- Let’s be honest: not too many folks would practice yoga unless it was a.) good for them and b.) enjoyable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best instructors aren’t afraid to laugh, flash a smile, and engage their students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great interviewees must do the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would a company want to bring you in to their family if you don’t have a personality?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a million other candidates out there with great resumes gunning for the same job, and I bet a bunch of them are pretty cool people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll win the tiebreaker every time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">So there you have it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interview like a yoga instructor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Darden, finish that exhale and then take a deep breath—we’re not done yet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614842897523350035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898943908059842588.post-81477014231845935752011-12-07T07:43:00.000-08:002011-12-07T07:43:53.512-08:00From the FoxholeHigh pressure events have a way of knocking us out of rhythm, and I'd classify exams and resume drops as high pressure events.<br />
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Darden first years are squarely in the middle of exams and the job hunt. As a result, my faithful bi-weekly blog entry rhythm went out the window two weeks ago. It's not that I didn't have any spare time, it's just that I had WAY less of it.<br />
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So, here's the update: we've begun submitting our resumes and cover letters to the companies we'd like to intern with. The networking is over, but the interview preparation process is just around the corner. That means hours of industry research, hours of structuring responses to likely questions, hours practicing in front of the mirror, and hours of mock interviews.<br />
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This is where we lean on our incredible second years, like my SY Coach Devin. Devin is an absolute rockstar. In the midst of her own constantly changing, busy life, Devin found time to leave massive amounts of ink on my resume and cover letter, helped connect me with folks who can help with my internship search, and offered honest criticism of my two minute pitch. Most importantly, my coach is a master of motivation. She's positive, encouraging, understanding. Her confidence in me gives me confidence in me.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1hdf6Uac9OS_vR-zw6hMuvMbd-MQ6ked571HrPXSlemMhDOqBJqC94axFc2usyg_AiPRiVxRAtwVAMtDeINtVLXUZLWPAHxgtGoBPqCXFA-FItqYr9sFlOToHv83DtArk1Uetd2d71M/s1600/devin+schwarz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1hdf6Uac9OS_vR-zw6hMuvMbd-MQ6ked571HrPXSlemMhDOqBJqC94axFc2usyg_AiPRiVxRAtwVAMtDeINtVLXUZLWPAHxgtGoBPqCXFA-FItqYr9sFlOToHv83DtArk1Uetd2d71M/s320/devin+schwarz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">Devin doing an all important task: Darden tailgate setup.</div><br />
Devin's not alone. SYs are always willing to sit down during First Coffee to talk about their internship experience. They share their insight on how they made it through interview season. It is this kind of selflessness that separates Darden: we are truly here to help one another succeed, and I treasure that spirit.<br />
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Lastly, I'm in the middle of exams. Like right now. My left side brain is yelling, "the finance exam won't take itself!" My right side brain, though, needs a moment to write something fun (although I'm enjoying finance way more than I thought I would).<br />
<br />
This is by far the most daunting exam period we've had- five tests in six days. And, they're not fluff exams either: strategy, operations, accounting, finance, econ. Fortunately, I feel prepared for most of them, thanks to an awesome group of professors and the patience of my learning team.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyr9muUKvy9XKm925aXnjW_Vy9yIuXI0vnnqpzzVCNkAG1dV9cPu6rmI__X1kgySB6z2pXEPPrVzhcO9VgP2QKBCr9eJq1zPi0iOzWG5oMMkXNUIS73sTj1T0nb9w9X-IuJenZ6mL2yI/s1600/IMAG0688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyr9muUKvy9XKm925aXnjW_Vy9yIuXI0vnnqpzzVCNkAG1dV9cPu6rmI__X1kgySB6z2pXEPPrVzhcO9VgP2QKBCr9eJq1zPi0iOzWG5oMMkXNUIS73sTj1T0nb9w9X-IuJenZ6mL2yI/s320/IMAG0688.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">LT 54, Hillary you should have eaten pizza with us that night!</div><br />
OK, time's up. Right brain wins. It's back to my foxhole (aka my desk) and my new rhythm- the exam rhythm- one driven by the cadence of laptop keys and page flipping.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614842897523350035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898943908059842588.post-1290896332176625582011-11-06T14:24:00.000-08:002011-11-06T14:24:01.058-08:00Letter to Last Year’s Me (and to this Year’s Applicants)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear Jeff (Insert your name here if you hope to be part of Darden’s class of 2014),</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s Thursday evening and you’ve just finished another tough day of running and gunning at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re tired and frustrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know the feeling, because I am you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Okay, applicants, I’m <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> you, but you get the point.)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyways, I’m writing to remind you that not long ago, you realized it was time for a change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember the day the light switch flipped on? <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You knew it was time for the next stage of your journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, you’ve been successful at your current career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You might even have some trophies on your shelf, some fancy documents in frames on the wall, and some accolades on your resume (which will be SERIOUSLY reformatted one year from now, by the way).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But deep in your heart, you know you’re capable of even more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can have a bigger impact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can take on more responsibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can be a leader.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Obviously, that stuff doesn’t happen overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is so much to learn, from people who’ve done it and from people who can teach it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve got to give it a try in a safe environment, where you can afford to make mistakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has to be a place that welcomes new ideas, doesn’t push you down, and doesn’t restrict what you’re capable of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helps if this place surrounds you with smart, successful people who have the same goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These folks want to get to the top, but they want you to get there too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As such, they’ll take their own spare time to help you, and they won’t grab opportunities at the cost of your success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll be your friends and your teammates.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These people are your classmates, and this place is the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know it’s the right place because I’m here right now, and believe me, life is awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted, class is HARD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Case method involves continuous class participation, constant thinking, lots of reading and lots of learning team time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, you’ll work harder at school than you currently work at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But trust me, it’ll be interesting stuff and you’ll learn a ton (WACC isn’t just a football conference (sic), Five Forces isn’t a Star Wars reference, and Crystal Ball really can help you understand the future).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On top of class and homework, there is something going on every night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are sporting events, social events and charity events (FYI you’ll end up taking the Darden Cup entirely too seriously).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, there’s a networking event every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are on grounds companies to talk to and off grounds companies to reach out to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are brand challenges and consulting competitions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll still want to rock climb and write songs on the piano (good luck scheduling that stuff in!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, your mom, your college buddies, and the guy who currently occupies the adjacent cubicle will want to call and chat (always call your mom back first).<br />
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There won’t be time for everything, but that’s the point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great leaders strike the right balance, and Darden is here to help you become a great leader.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, keep up the good work at the office, but be sure to crush the GMAT and get that application in on time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Darden won’t be easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will be exhausted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will be tested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will be shaken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be worth every minute.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You’re getting better, getting stronger.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And, you have a future- one both of us should be excited about.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Best,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Jeff<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /> </span>P.S. In all seriousness, drop me an e-mail if you're interested in finding out more about Darden. <a href="mailto:TangJ13@Darden.Virginia.edu">TangJ13@Darden.Virginia.edu</a> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptdk70FgHJh44it2_IjggfMRQkxJmW2-lbgGp1qcbKwc2Kt1vjr93bQKqjY6Uac31IWXw9AukLDwfPymXT-SOGI8C3APhO2AF0GbH6cv20iHAYcgBGXjo0NkWolsq08cFxYsYRrNNYqc/s1600/jeff+in+flood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptdk70FgHJh44it2_IjggfMRQkxJmW2-lbgGp1qcbKwc2Kt1vjr93bQKqjY6Uac31IWXw9AukLDwfPymXT-SOGI8C3APhO2AF0GbH6cv20iHAYcgBGXjo0NkWolsq08cFxYsYRrNNYqc/s320/jeff+in+flood.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Me, in another lifetime, during the Nashville Flood in 2010</span></o:p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614842897523350035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898943908059842588.post-90286574687366798832011-10-24T10:23:00.000-07:002011-10-24T10:23:59.433-07:00Superstitions and Traditions<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What do you do when you see a coin on the ground?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you pick it up?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I kid, I would have told you it depends: if it’s heads up, it’s yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it’s tails up, leave it- unless you’re asking for trouble and bad luck.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What a silly superstition!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, I believed it as a boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, it didn’t take me long to figure out a loophole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I ever ran across a fallen coin that was showing tails, I simply kicked it against a curb or a wall until it flipped right side up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Squealing with delight, I’d bend down and pocket the change, filling up my good luck reservoir in the process.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I thought back on that funny little superstition this weekend, and realized it is a metaphor for how we should live our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes you’re dealt a good hand, sometimes you’re dealt a bad hand, but you make the most of it either way.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In other words, you can make your own luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s something that became so apparent during exam season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Term 1 at Darden was hard, but Term 2 was substantially harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Need proof of that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask any first year how much sleep they’re got.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask them how confident they felt going into the Decision Analysis, Marketing and Accounting exams.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Class was difficult, and the work load exhausting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the hand we were dealt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, so many of my classmates chose to make their own luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We attended DA workshops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met with professors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to Q&A sessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent hours at marathon learning team meetings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even stayed in on Friday night to spend extra time on cases instead of heading to the bars on The Corner.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can only hope the hard work paid off this past weekend, which was as challenging as advertised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tests took three hours for Accounting, four for Marketing, and five for DA, with tons of studying in between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For someone with a non-quantitative background who hasn’t been in school for seven years, this was a pretty crazy four days.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And while I didn’t rely on superstitions to aid my cause, I did employ a final exam tradition that dates back to my junior year at Northwestern.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Burdened by finals, deprived of sleep, and with no one to impress, I let it all go for a full week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t shave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, I never changed out of my pajamas.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thus was born my finals tradition.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eight years later, I stand firmly by my finals pajamas ritual, as the picture below proves (you’ll be glad to know I’ve made some tweaks, however- I’ve showered twice this weekend, thankyouverymuch).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowkgrFf1mwAAzN5Wd3BP01hb3PuBL6KAHSW8V86W1hRWLCLaNMtqZ-cSuFtclq0Rdfq1S71oFkUYzr11GrwHtjT7NSjBHhMj6PwexgmxuY5IzTQyUEiU6l7ix5AQTF7DzubMM-cz7NQ4/s1600/exams+in+pjs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowkgrFf1mwAAzN5Wd3BP01hb3PuBL6KAHSW8V86W1hRWLCLaNMtqZ-cSuFtclq0Rdfq1S71oFkUYzr11GrwHtjT7NSjBHhMj6PwexgmxuY5IzTQyUEiU6l7ix5AQTF7DzubMM-cz7NQ4/s320/exams+in+pjs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyways, I bring up the coin on the ground and the pjs examples to make a larger observation: the line between superstition and tradition is a seemingly fine one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to me, there’s a big difference: superstitions leave too much to chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They suggest that luck has more to do with success than hard work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Traditions, on the other hand, feel more like a comfort thing, something you do because it feels right- not because you expect it to solve all of your problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And boy, does walking around in pajama pants and hoodies for four days feel right!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I might be inclined to challenge superstition and embrace tradition, but I’ll make the occasional exception.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">During exams, I found myself looking for any kind of good fortune, any kind of hopeful sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Friday night in between tests, I saw a coin on the ground while walking back from dinner at Liz and Aaron’s house.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was heads up.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Superstition or not, I picked it up and put it in my pocket, where it’s been all weekend.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey, during exam week, I’ll take all the help I can get.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614842897523350035noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898943908059842588.post-71186804653512799892011-10-11T19:09:00.000-07:002011-10-14T20:02:53.608-07:00The Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_EHkbRPn7E7fVdSwqESHT0b1gOdMyv0_3WISUF7PSbzSizZrLGQaX-phD5O8p1XPcq1AoaF6R92rMt-5mEE344BPTsTpBvK2xXhuSCuW1Lns1Jwa9FEGrMWN2xV1yw3RG3hEVSwfrLY/s1600/family+pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_EHkbRPn7E7fVdSwqESHT0b1gOdMyv0_3WISUF7PSbzSizZrLGQaX-phD5O8p1XPcq1AoaF6R92rMt-5mEE344BPTsTpBvK2xXhuSCuW1Lns1Jwa9FEGrMWN2xV1yw3RG3hEVSwfrLY/s320/family+pic.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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So I realized there wasn't a picture with all of us together anywhere on the blog. Here's us at Aaron and Liz's wedding, all making the letters for "Cville." Abstract I know. Nevertheless, you get the sentiment!<br />
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(P.S.: this is an addendum to the original post, "My Darden Family," hope you get a chance to read my prior blog entries!)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614842897523350035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898943908059842588.post-77793284588954646462011-10-10T20:29:00.000-07:002011-10-10T20:32:48.787-07:0029 and Holding... On<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Growing up, my brother and I called Marge Tennant “Grama.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marge took amazing care of us through our childhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She taught us to be respectful and courteous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She watched “Price is Right” with us each afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She made sure we dutifully practiced the piano.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> With the exception of</span> a blood relation and a couple of missing letters, she really was like a grandma to us.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Marge battled arthritis her whole life- she still fights it to this day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It often turned the most routine of activities into impossibilities for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, Grama maintained a happy disposition and a young spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She often jokingly described her age as “29 and holding…”<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div><strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Grama’s funny phrase was the last thing on my mind during Darden Cup softball earlier this year as I rounded second base. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Running at this point was supposed to be academic- I’d crushed the ball over the right fielder’s head, and it was a certain home run.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div><strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, no one mentioned this to my left hamstring, which exploded somewhere between second and third.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div><strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">I limped home, knowing this was a serious injury- I’d injured the same hamstring running indoor track in my senior year of high school and missed several months of action.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div><strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">I iced the hamstring, I wore a compression sleeve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I elevated it, I stretched it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought things were getting better, so I jumped back into the thick of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div><strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Bad choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week, I re-injured the hamstring practicing for Darden Cup flag football.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div><strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">That’s when I realized the truth: I am 29 and holding… on.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div><strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">And just barely holding on, it turns out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get hurt more than I used to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes longer to recover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I’m a step slower than my high school days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My flexibility has gone down the toilet, and my back is always sore.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div><strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">But physical deterioration is not the only thing I’m battling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The work load at Darden, famous for being robust, is kicking into high gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have three cases a night, and each often requires several hours of reading, calculations, and analysis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel my once firm grasp on the concepts slipping slowly away from me as the pace quickens.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div><strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">So, you do your best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You study your butt off while taping a bag of frozen peas to your hammy (efficiency!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You sleep a little less and drink a little more coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div><strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Most importantly, you do something you love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was reminded of this by Amanda Mills, who works in the financial aid office at Darden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was one of the first people I communicated with during the application process, and I see her now and again on the grounds.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div><strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">The other day, Amanda stopped me and asked how I was doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she asked a question that stopped me in my tracks: are you doing anything for yourself?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">I thought for a second, smiled, and said “yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div><strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">It was the right answer to this cold call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amanda told me she’d seen too many students collapse under the workload.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Among the networking, the briefings, the cases, the classes, they’d forgotten about themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div><strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">I’ve taken Amanda’s words to heart over the last ten days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I blocked off some time to play NCAA Football 2012 on the XBOX 360 with Aaron, Jeff and Liz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The family makes sure to have family together at least once a week (Beth is an awesome cook!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also traveled to Nashville to see my old friends and watch my favorite band Wilco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadie, Fender and I took an awesome Sunday morning hike to Humpback Rock with my friends Jesse and Taku.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The leaves are changing in Virginia, and it is breathtaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div><strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Sure, we hold on to our youth, and we hold on for dear life as the course load intensifies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But at Darden, you also have hold on to who you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the ripe young age of 29, I can at least say I’m doing a pretty good job on that last part.</strong></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614842897523350035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898943908059842588.post-83648164023041464972011-09-27T04:14:00.000-07:002011-09-27T04:14:22.853-07:00And So It Begins...<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Term two smacked me in the face with the drone of my alarm at 6:35 AM Monday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a week of no classes, I was just starting to get used to waking up on my own terms.<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6:45 AM: Took the girls (Sadie and Fender) on a potty walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mission accomplished… I’ll spare you the details.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7:00 AM: Shower, change into business casual clothing for networking events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clip on my trusty nametag.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7:30 AM: Jeff, Liz and I carpool to Darden, picking up our friend Bridget along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8:00 AM: Financial Accounting class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get cold called to present my balance sheet, saying a silent thank you to my awesome learning team for prepping me on the case the night before.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9:25 AM: First Coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a misnomer, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really Second Coffee (almost every one of us fills up before our 8 AM class). It could also be called First Bathroom Break (the men's rooms are usually packed during this time- that coffee runs through you!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Section E athletics rep, I use this window to plan a flag football practice for the Darden Cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> As three time defending champs, w</span>e take this stuff seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10:00 AM: Our first Global Economies and Markets (GEM) class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First words out of our professor’s mouth: “This will be one of the hardest classes, if not the hardest, you’ll take at Darden.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough, the class involves lots of complicated models and arrows and abbreviations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, Professor Li is interesting, engaging and intelligent (like every other professor I’ve had so far at Darden).<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">11:45 AM: Our first Operations Class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get cold called AGAIN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, I’m on the ball and provide some game-changing analysis on why Shouldice Hospital performs the best hernia surgeries in the biz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m beginning to realize, however, that my new seat is right at professor eyelevel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is both a good and bad thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not surprisingly, Professor Weiss is outstanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He keeps us laughing and learning nonstop for 85 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1:30 PM: Company briefing with Johnson & Johnson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had briefings all last week, but J&J’s is today immediately after class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, they provide some yummy vegetarian wraps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the briefing, my initial impression is confirmed: J&J is an awesome company to work for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is massively successful, environmentally responsible, and incredibly supportive of its employees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3:45 PM: Sneak into a learning team room to finish my Personal Career Plan (PCP) for our Career Development Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was due at 3:00… oops.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4:30 PM: Head back to the house to walk/feed the pups and study some more.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5:00 PM: My learning teammate Vikram calls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He, like me, is up to his ears in Darden stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has two critical company briefings and asks me to take the lead on our finance case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say absolutely, because Vikram is a rockstar who has already helped me on more occasions than I can count.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6:45 PM: I drive back to Darden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve rocked finance, but the other two cases (GEM and Accounting) not so much.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7:00 PM: Our LT looks at each other, sighs, and laughs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re all aware that things are about to get intense this term.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7:15 PM: We knock out the cases as a team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve already said it, and this won’t be the last time, but our learning team ROCKS.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8:45 PM: I hurry to a J&J networking event at Bang, a downtown restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When J&J says it prides itself in its people, they mean it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The company’s reps (also Darden alums) are easy to talk to and full of passion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, they are so sincere in their efforts to help us rookie first years learn the ropes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m still in awe of the fact that companies like J&J COME HERE to see US.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So humbling.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10:15 PM: I head home, take the pups out one last time, and sit down to read my Decision Analysis case to prepare for a presentation team meeting tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I end up writing this blog entry first.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">P.S. I’m exhausted.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Darden is no joke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> There wasn't a free minute to be had today. </span>And yet despite all of the work and the chaos, I’m loving every second of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never felt so empowered, so excited, so satisfied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They throw the kitchen sink at us because that’s what the real world is like. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here's the thing: we can’t just cope when pots, pans, dishes and silverware are coming at us- we have to thrive and lead in these times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the challenge of it.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>First term is done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The training wheels are off… and so it begins.<br />
<br />
I say bring it on.</strong></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614842897523350035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898943908059842588.post-77191154207391274792011-09-21T19:09:00.000-07:002011-09-21T20:46:43.257-07:00My Darden Family<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Five weeks ago, I stepped onto Darden’s perfectly manicured campus, walked through the double doors of Saunders Hall, filed into a signup line, and clipped on my name tag: Jeff Tang, MBA Class of 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the beginning of my new life journey, and an introduction to a new community.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The concept of the “Darden Family” is a well-constructed one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, it is very real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The school and its faculty are incredibly supportive and wise, just like your parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Classmates really are like siblings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You spend hours at a time together in close confines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You laugh together, learn together, disagree with each other, and learn to love each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But for me, the words “Darden Family” have a different meaning because my real family is also part of my Darden family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ten years ago, I met my best friend Jeff Campbell on the campus of Northwestern University.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To this day, Jeff and I have almost identical interests- we were both television journalists, we play lots of sports, dance like goofballs to country music, have a desire to make everything a competition, and possess a nose for good coffee and red wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m proud to say that on that fateful day in August 2011, Jeff also clipped on his Darden MBA Class of 2013 name tag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeff’s wife Beth, also a dear friend from my Northwestern days, made the move to Charlottesville too. <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It doesn’t end there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out, Jeff has a younger sister and I have a younger brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Liz Campbell met Aaron Tang at me and Jeff’s graduation in 2004.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Can you guess where this is going?)<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On August 6<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>, 2011, the two younger siblings married in Keystone, Colorado.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One week later, Liz Campbell Tang clipped on her nametag and joined the class of 2013 at Darden as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s kind of crazy and more than a little confusing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why I’ve included a diagram in this blog entry- Liz created it in an effort to explain the family situation to our new classmates.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The point is we’re all together, and happy as can be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After getting our acceptance calls from Darden, Jeff Campbell noted that the next two years might be the best ones of our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So far, it hasn’t disappointed.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m excited to share my thoughts and experiences at Darden with you over the next two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, Liz and Jeff will be posting special guest entries on this blog as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On behalf of them, and all of us, welcome to our lives- and welcome to our Darden Family!<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmH1MBEwy6h8Cc2JX18jCEYcVW0fuPx80eUrPBwmuvnZIBe-0OnILsL18wWs5BGummg5j0miXDuYTRSn1aGTGf_AHrMnteM7wjHKmn7J9uTRdmlODrUbuJhkQ9FhiGvPbD2ullEFldSo/s1600/the+family+diagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmH1MBEwy6h8Cc2JX18jCEYcVW0fuPx80eUrPBwmuvnZIBe-0OnILsL18wWs5BGummg5j0miXDuYTRSn1aGTGf_AHrMnteM7wjHKmn7J9uTRdmlODrUbuJhkQ9FhiGvPbD2ullEFldSo/s320/the+family+diagram.jpg" width="320" /></span></strong></a></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><u><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meet Everyone:<o:p></o:p></span></strong></u></em></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jeff Campbell- Colorado boy…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Former TV news anchorman at the NBC station in Charlotte, NC… all-star intramural sports athlete…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>avid Denver Broncos fan...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>elected Section C Representative at Darden… <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <br />
Beth Campbell- Jeff Campbell’s wife… the glue of the family… resident sparkplug and expert chef… political junkie… former TV news reporter for the NBC station in Charlotte… Richmond native… <o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KEZdI_P9whryI7DJJ8_eCAR8rLn2SHlMnBaz1Da6uvephebqj3XSbuAcunozLX_Y1pni6vDYPabKNNmMmzymN-bf0PZbIZt0ifV6mY6SAN0yqKaDn9CZoAsUm8Mdur5tA9bjNF45UgM/s1600/jeff+and+beth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KEZdI_P9whryI7DJJ8_eCAR8rLn2SHlMnBaz1Da6uvephebqj3XSbuAcunozLX_Y1pni6vDYPabKNNmMmzymN-bf0PZbIZt0ifV6mY6SAN0yqKaDn9CZoAsUm8Mdur5tA9bjNF45UgM/s320/jeff+and+beth.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Liz Campbell Tang- Jeff Campbell’s younger sister… former environmental engineer who always thinks green… graduated from Washington University in St. Louis… softball catcher who shares athletics representative duties for Section D at Darden… <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <o:p> </o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Aaron Tang- Jeff Tang’s younger brother and Liz’s husband… recently graduated from Stanford Law School and is now working for a DC law firm remotely from Charlottesville… Yale graduate… expert at 1990s role playing video games…<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <o:p> </o:p></span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIZOgdKqkfDDcMWc3ijXc86i5TLqiYzuaS8WHpiT8BKWbdEJGhXxWwQ6GDKrDzvwB1SCVOnJQLPRS0cb3OCZj9IUXgpw0BHQso8GW3P2AcOfKUgXWtotRPbDHfOIxqRSTsLY47RyxWEY/s1600/aaron+and+liz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIZOgdKqkfDDcMWc3ijXc86i5TLqiYzuaS8WHpiT8BKWbdEJGhXxWwQ6GDKrDzvwB1SCVOnJQLPRS0cb3OCZj9IUXgpw0BHQso8GW3P2AcOfKUgXWtotRPbDHfOIxqRSTsLY47RyxWEY/s320/aaron+and+liz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ashlee- Aaron and Liz’s cat… adopted from a shelter in St. Louis… knows how to sit and shake hands/paws (Aaron and Liz wanted a dog but are now enamored with their kitty)<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAypA4NfOcIN69UaJe2eKKcZmRAxDoI4yI8feF8X48_omLzxEGc6dlgxMosxn9OUuJUd1jnNSW1VOVtmIy-i2SS3iORvL5gKR3-GRcO7QkasdB0ZBIluuRsy8822KrurB3dUH3YJtOm4/s1600/ashlee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAypA4NfOcIN69UaJe2eKKcZmRAxDoI4yI8feF8X48_omLzxEGc6dlgxMosxn9OUuJUd1jnNSW1VOVtmIy-i2SS3iORvL5gKR3-GRcO7QkasdB0ZBIluuRsy8822KrurB3dUH3YJtOm4/s320/ashlee.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fender- One of Jeff Tang’s dogs… would try to eat Ashlee if the two ever met… rescued off the streets of Nashville during an Oktoberfest event… Part Samoyed, part collie, part chow, part Shiba-Inu, all mutt…<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Sadie- Jeff Tang’s other dog… adopted from the humane society in Louisville, KY… shameless foodie and belly rub mooch… part Australian Shepherd, part American Eskimo Dog, part Akita, all mutt…<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmKkTVLw0cpPAsuHZy199SVFCBRgHRsn8-GGQXRTw-J5xvZh14ViisbDUSRBiQaF23OAMDNnnE3GXlObltT4T5ZVryQBqPVbxXJn0kCY3ZAjyOrfeQ-yBcgf5EPQR52RSD3O_5JfEf-M/s1600/sadie+and+fender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmKkTVLw0cpPAsuHZy199SVFCBRgHRsn8-GGQXRTw-J5xvZh14ViisbDUSRBiQaF23OAMDNnnE3GXlObltT4T5ZVryQBqPVbxXJn0kCY3ZAjyOrfeQ-yBcgf5EPQR52RSD3O_5JfEf-M/s320/sadie+and+fender.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me- former TV news reporter at the CBS station in Nashville, TN… rock climber… singer/songwriter that was part of a rock band in Nashville for four years… shameless promoter of healthy eating habits and environmentally responsible behavior…</span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitf1iJmcHO8wmEOAP9jSKs8Hoa80YkaIyS8cMhpGsIryhsKK8Fg6ebyiphEmlGGcSEqto6dem0pGwNbyBsPhZQNg9oGuXBN3oJWZmBSyT3DV3yqnP8DGBY7fSdQILfPFn6j4WBR2JYUaI/s1600/jeff+climbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitf1iJmcHO8wmEOAP9jSKs8Hoa80YkaIyS8cMhpGsIryhsKK8Fg6ebyiphEmlGGcSEqto6dem0pGwNbyBsPhZQNg9oGuXBN3oJWZmBSyT3DV3yqnP8DGBY7fSdQILfPFn6j4WBR2JYUaI/s320/jeff+climbs.jpg" width="191" /></a></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614842897523350035noreply@blogger.com2