I wanted to title this blog "How MBA's are like a Cat." Because, as rumor has it, cats always land on their feet (a fact I believe to be true, but as I am not an expert on cats, I say with a certain reservation." But since the analogies stop there, I figured it might be a confusing title, so you get what you got.
It seemed like just last week (I think, it was in fact 2 weeks ago) I let you in on the struggles of the MBA Internship search. The processed dragged out. I had sent out 40 applications. I didn't hear back from firms. Connections who offered to help turned out to either try really hard with little success or to just completely disappear/drop the ball/decide they actually hate me and don't want to help any more/or something less self centered where they just were no longer able to. But then, I finally got my first breakthrough in the process. A call back for an interview.
Hilti is a brand I had not heard of before, well, I applied to them and did a little research. They are in the construction tool business. Apparently, their brand is well known, but then again, what do I know about construction tools? But the internship, well one of two, was centered around 1-2-1 sales, which I knew a lot about. So I researched Hilti a bit more, and went all in (well, at least it felt like that at the time.)
About half way through the interview, things seemed to be going well. I had mentioned something and why that would help me with the 1-2-1 sales internship, and got a curious response from the two sitting across the table. "Oh, we thought you were interested in the other one. Well, are you?" Of course I am! But the problem was I did not know what the other project was, so I didn't want to get caught. "Well, I was more interested in the 1-2-1, so I haven't read the other brief, but I guess I would be interested..." Shit, that was a terrible answer. So we got the interview back on track and I continued to hammer my sales experience for the original position.
To prevent a long story from going any longer, I got a call back for round two, had what seemed like another good interview, with no fumbling about what position I was interested in (although, I had actually prepared and understood the other brief, and even was interested in that one too!) The following Monday, I shockingly received an offer. Not shocking that I received an offer (MBAs - always got to keep faith) but shocking in the fact that it was for the 'other' position.
In retrospect, I am actually happy I got the project outside of my comfort zone. Working on a 1-2-1 sales project, while fun, would be a chance to take what I know and apply it in a new way. Working on this project is going to be a chance to learn something new while applying it in a new way. While I am nervous, I just can't forget my lessons from my MBA - That we are like cats. I mean resilient.
BONUS SECTION:
This really has nothing to do with anything except a quick catch up of what is going on in my life. If you have no interest, thanks for reading this far and see you next time.
Marathoning: I was once again, easily talked into signing up for a marathon. This one was the Greater Manchester Marathon. Note, it was the Greater Manchester - not the Manchester. We did not in fact step foot in the city of Manchester. But we did run 26.2 miles just west of the city. On a rainy day. in 40 degree temp. In 25 mile an hour wind. Blowing in our face (for at least the majority of the exposed 2nd half of the race.) Lovely British running conditions. I am proud to say I finished in 4:15:15 (knocking off over 30 min from my previous time.) Up next is a goal of 4 hours in Amsterdam on Oct 21st. In the words for fellow marathoner Rafael - Keep Running.
Traveling (or at least trying to): In addition to Amsterdam, I am off to the US in June before my internship, Dubai in Sept. for some classes, and hopefully a couple more trips beyond that. Goals for the summer. York, Oxford, Cambridge (yes, you friend of shorter stature that will be studying there), Stonehenge and places in Scotland. Goals for the fall: US (DC and Denver - gots to get me a job) Bali to eat some of Chef Nicks great food, another European city on the back end of Amsterdam, and as many day and weekend trips as I can afford around the UK. That is lofty goals, and it won't all happen. But I will be stoked if even some of it does.
MBAT: Next week I am off to Paris for an international sports competition involving MBAs from all around Europe. 3 days of sports, drinking and fun. Should be an amazing time and lots of pictures to come.
Wedding: Kathryn and I are looking at May 2014 time frame, although nothing is set in stone yet. But we at least have an idea. And we plan to stay in a bungalow over the water in French Polynesia for our honeymoon. Google them and tell me that they don't look amazing. So excited for that (and the whole rest of my life with her thing too!)
Other than that, life remains busy as hell, but it is good. Less than a year left, and we will have a new batch of nervous MBAs starting in just 3 months. To just think where I was last year compared to this. Man, life is good.
As always, drop me a line, let me know your thoughts or just to say hi. Love you all!
