Bittersweet Goodbyes

Goodbyes are never easy. Especially not when you're doing it over multiple days. And now, on my last night in Cambridge, MA, I'm sitting here reflecting on it all. Definitively sad, but not remorseful of the decision I've made.

After a lot of thought, reflection, and discussions, I've decided to take a leave of absence from MIT Sloan. Making this decision definitely ranks up there in terms of difficult decisions I've had to make. While it was a tough dilemma, I was fortunate that the two paths I had to choose from were both excellent options.

I feel blessed to have had the chance these past few days to spend time with friends new and old. To have gotten a glimpse of what life as a second year Sloanie would've been like. And especially to be reminded of how amazing a group of people my classmates are.

What I'll miss most are the 25-50 pick-up basketball games I would've played at the Z-center, the dozen or more c-functions, mingling in e51's lobby, burgers at Miracle of Science, nights at the BHP, and random meals and outings. What I'll miss most are the people.

Year 1: Done!

It's amazing how different life can feel depending on your environment, objectives, and circumstances. I just wrapped up my first year of business school. Nine very fulfilling months that went by in a flash.

It's been such a whirlwind that I couldn't remember my initial impressions and expectations. (Fortunately, I can just go back and read old blog entires.) I'm happy to say that—though it took me a while—i have figured out where i want to concentrate my energy in the year i have remaining.

Before i reflect on my second semester, there are a couple recent events i want to mention:

Sloan Follies
The annual Sloan Follies (held last Thursday) was a ton of fun. I was really surprised and impressed at the quality of the production the organizers put on, and also the many talents of my classmates. Some videos should be up on YouTube now or shortly (will hopefully come back and insert links later).

Entrepreneurship & Innovation Year-End Reception
I'm really happy that Abhinav, Sandy and I got to plan a year-end reception and send off for the inaugural E&I class. It was a bit last-minute and stressful, but well worth it. While listening to some of the graduating students speak about their own startups that they're working on after school, i suddenly realized a big reason i'm happy to be at Sloan and a part of E&I. Many of my classmates plan to go out and change the world—whether in clean energy, social entrepreneurship, helping developing nations, or in tech entrepreneurship—all of which is really quite inspiring. Some are going for it right away with their own startups, but i'm sure many others will eventually have large impacts on people's lives.

Sloan Olympics
The Sloan Olympics were a lot of fun and a great chance to re-bond with my fellow Pacificans. Dan Morash, Steve Rullison, Lauren Hunt, and i won the medley relay (despite having me on the team). There were also a lot of fun field events to watch and participate in. The BBQ afterward wasn't bad either.

AdMIT Weekend (Round 2)
I didn't get to help out with the Round 1 AdMIT weekend so was happy i got a chance to lend a hand the second time round. It was bizarre to think how i was in the shoes of the admits just a year ago. I really enjoyed seeing the energy and enthusiasm, and especially enjoyed observing people who arrived uncertain about which school to choose, leaving convinced and committed to attending Sloan. The awesome Southeast Asian C-Function and Net Impact house party featuring the Rolling Sloans probably didn't hurt.


Onward to a brief semester recap and reflection:

Classes
I realize i never touched on the classes i took this semester. They were:

• 15.012 - Macro and International Economics (H1)
• 15.025 - Game Theory
• 15.351 - Managing Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• 15.390 - New Enterprises
• 15.847 - Consumer Behavior (H2)
• 15.900 - Strategic Management
  

My favorite class of the semester was by far Game Theory. Prof. McAdams was an excellent teacher and was fully committed in his delivery and presentation (leading on occasion to him being slightly melodramatic, which was still appreciated).

Macro/Int'l Econ was useful for gaining a better understanding of monetary and fiscal policy, as well as efforts in international aid to developing countries and the many challenges involved there.

Prof. Frederick was extremely enthusiastic while teaching Consumer Behavior, and it was interesting learning more about the irrationality of consumers and how some of the simplest variations can affect the way people perceive things.

My other three classes—Managing I&E, New Enterprises, and Strategic Management—gave me practice in analyzing industries and companies (with emphasis on my interest in tech), both big and small, and gave me a solid foundation to approach strategic decision making.

Sloanies
I'm happy that in the past four months, i've gotten to know many of my classmates better. A sizable chunk of my class will be in the Bay Area this summer, so i look forward to some summer Sloanie fun. And i look forward to our 2nd year together, though it's sad that the 2nd years (class of '08) are graduating and we won't be seeing them around regularly.

Now i just need to wrap up some loose ends and pack/move before i jet off to Cali and start my summer internship at FriendFeed!

Events around February 28, 2008

So i found out yesterday that i share a birthday with Paul Krugman. The slight relevance beyond birth date is that I've been hearing about him a bit in my macro econ class, he obtained his PhD at MIT and used to teach here, and my buddy Chris has shared some of his columns with me from time to time at NYTimes.com.

A nice birthday treat was getting to hear Clay Christensen speak. He's an HBS professor, and author of The Innovator's Dilemma, which I read just last year (and loved). In particular, he had a very interesting segment talking about a way to look at products. For the product, what job is it that I'm hiring it to do? That can help drive your decisions and get to the root of what consumers really are looking for.

On Wednesday I went to a session where I got to hear Tim Westergren speak. Tim is the founder of Pandora and is currently its Chief Strategy Officer. He had a great story to tell about his experiences (and big challenges) and what led him to make Pandora. I just signed up at Pandora and it's come a long way and looks and feels completely different than the early version I tried back in 2005.


Being tired from lots of traveling and readjusting to school, as well as having been fighting off a cold for the past week, I didn't really want to do anything for my b-day. But a couple good friends caught wind of this and so I ended up going out to a low-key dinner and then drinks afterward. It was about all the energy I had since I woke up this morning feeling a bit more sick. Alas, I had a good time, and hopefully I can be fully recovered by the end of the weekend. Many thanks to all who found their way out last night to spend time with me on my b-day, and to those (all over the world) who remembered and offered warm b-day wishes! :D

A crazy (good) start to 2008

One week into 2008 already! 1/52nd of the way through!

It started off on New Years Day when I checked into the Stanford Park Hotel to start the MIT Sloan Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program's Silicon Valley Study Tour. For four days we had the chance to visit and speak with entrepreneurs and venture capitalists in the Bay Area. It was a great experience hearing real stories and perspectives on high tech startups, even despite the ridiculously un-California-like weather we endured.

Following that, 40 of us ventured into San Francisco, where Freddy had arranged for us to party on the Mexican Party Bus. Our bus, Lola (see right) took us around a few choice bars in SF. It was nice to dress down and just chill with my fellow E&I'ers.

The next morn, 17 of us journeyed further north up to Napa Valley for some wine tasting, courtesy of Jared and his friend Justin's planning. We visited three wineries and enjoyed some clear skies. The ride back was not surprising, with nearly everyone in deep sleep after a tiring but enjoyable week.

First semester reflection

Wow. i can't believe the Core is coming to a close. the semester has truly flown by. With both the last day of classes and my first final next week, i thought i'd take a moment to reflect.

Classes
i wasn't totally sold on the virtues of taking nearly all of my first semester classes with my ocean (cohort), but as i sat through the last day of class for some of my courses, one benefit became very clear: the bonding that occurs when you struggle through something with others. Having done my undergrad at UC Berkeley with 300+ student classrooms, the intimacy of my ~60 person Sloan classes has made the experience that much more meaningful to me. i actually found myself saddened by the fact that courses were ending and i'd no longer be learning regularly from some amazing professors.

Sloanies
My classmates as a group are the most unassuming, down-to-earth, and amazing people i've met. their humility sometimes causes me to forget how accomplished and talented they are. they definitely have challenged me to do better, but also helped me along the way. i'm thankful that i had great people on both my core and marketing teams, as well as the other friends that have helped me keep my sanity throughout the semester. i look forward to next semester when we're told things should slow down a bit, and i get a chance to get to know and bond further with other Sloanies.

Opportunities
i've heard countless CEO's and heads of businesses speak on their experiences and challenging leadership issues. i've had the chance to chat with startup founders and VC's (venture capitalists) on various entrepreneurial topics. In the first week of January, i'll be touring Silicon Valley with the E&I (Entrepreneurship & Innovation) Progam, visiting a variety of VC's and startups. On the side of pure fun, i went to two Red Sox playoff games at Fenway, including ALCS game 7, and a Celtics game with 20+ other classmates in a luxury box.

Personal growth
There's a stereotype that b-school is a two-year vacation filled with socializing and drinking. While there's definitely plenty of opportunity to connect with people, it's far from a vacation. i don't think i've ever been busier in my life. With that, i've surprised myself with how much i've been able to grow, especially in time-management and prioritization. Given the vast number of things constantly happen, i was forced to constantly pick between two or more things i really wanted to do. i've learned to make that choice quicker and move on.

Anyway, this post has taken a bit longer than i expected. i should get going on my Econ studying before heading to the Celtics game tonight. :)

adMIT weekend

welcome to my b-school blog! having just gotten back from the Round 2 adMIT weekend, it's a perfect time for me to start blogging about my b-school experience.

i hitched a ride with Barath, another R2 adMIT last Thursday. we'd known each other for all of 5 days at that point, having met at a NY/NJ adMITs event the previous Saturday. it was pretty indicative of how adMIT weekend was and, i'm sure, how the whole Sloan experience will be. during adMIT weekend, i met so many current students and admitted ones that were amazing, friendly, and easy to connect with people.

on Thursdsay night there was a student-organized c-function (consumption-function) at Tavern in the Square in Central Square. it got packed pretty quickly, but it was tough to tell who was a student, a fellow admit, or just a random person in the wrong section. i mostly talked to current students, and got some good insights into life as a Sloanie. one of the impressions was that there are definitely the Sloanies that party hard. myself not being the biggest partyer, opted to call it a night around 11:30 and head back to my friend's apartment.

the next morning started bright and early. according to the schedule, registration and coffee was 8 - 8:45 AM. i showed up around 8:30 thinking most people would be gunning for the 8:45 time (the welcome message was at 9 AM). i was surprised to see a ton of people already there. after walking through the door, i was promptly greeted and given an MIT Sloan School of Management t-shirt, messenger bag, pen, as well as a name-tag, and welcome folder.

i proceded to get a bagel, some fruit, and orange juice, and started to meet tons of new people. i won't delve too deeply into other details so not to spoil the experience for future adMITs, but the three main points that they highlighted that are valuable to know if you're considering MIT Sloan were:

1. The MIT and Sloan brands open doors. Many people cited how surprised at the degree of help they got by just saying they were MIT/Sloan students. Obviously MIT is a well-recognized school, but people were still surprised at the extent to which it opened doors.
2. Sloan's integration with the rest of the MIT campus and departments. Sloan students have open access to a wealth of MIT's other resources, and cooperation between departments is encouraged. A big one for those, like me, interested in entrepreneurship and tech innovation is the freedom to work with those in MIT's engineering and computer science departments.
3. The people. Even the faculty and administration recommended to us from the first welcome message to get to know the other admits around us, since, with a high yield from those that attend adMIT weekend, it was very likely the people we met would be our classmates for the two years ahead. The existing first and second year students exemplified the things that we were told; students that pursued innovative solutions and to make significant impacts on the MIT community and world at large.

the experience made me super psyched to dive in and become an active member of this community and to get to know my fellow Sloanies better. i'm sure the two years will be hectic and busy, but will also be one of my most memorable life experiences, and fly by all too quickly.