Just your average Friday...

Writing my last exam of year 1. Then flying to India.
You know, the usual. Just your average Friday.

The Operations exam is wee bit terrifying. Yesterday I kept feeling like I was going to throw up while trying to work my way through practice problems. No actual vomit though, so I guess I got my nerves under control. (ish).

What my day consisted of
[x] Clean house (vaccuum, bathrooms, laundry, wash floors, dishes
[x] Pick up ANTI-malaria pills & emergency stomach infection pills
[x] Take Daisy for a long (ok, medium) length walk
[x] Buy batteries for camera & memory card
[x] Pack for 10 days of business formal events, plus a bunch of fun things too
[x] Study for Operations
[x] Have mini-nervous breakdown
[x] Study some more
[x] Watch documentary on India on CBC.ca (quite good)
[x] Pack some more
[x] Panic some more
[x] Come to terms with the possibility that I am not a natural at Operations
[x] Sleep

It was quite a productive day.

PS - I also ate lots of salad & fresh veggies since I'll be avoiding them for the next 2 weeks. Also drank water from the tap, another thing to avoid.

Random Note:

Giardia is a miniature parasite that can infect the water. It's one of the reasons that I plan to brush my teeth with bottled water just in case. What you might not know is that this isn't the first time I've come face to face with this little critter.

When I was a canoe guide, we used to purify the lake water to avoid contracting Giardia. Or, as it's known in Canada, 'the Beaver Fever.'

And now you know.

Sometimes I wonder why I try

I spent more than 20 hours researching and writing my last ethics reaction paper and I got a LOWER mark than on the first reaction paper. I cited 12 sources.

TWELVE!

I thought I had presented rational arguments but I got an average grade which equates to "average – case facts covered and a bit of an analysis and some personal reflection."

I am BEYOND heartbroken.

Just what I need when I am responsible for our group's final case - due tomorrow. I do NOT need this right now. Seriously. Why?

I was going for this: "a truly outstanding paper, well-written and researched, which demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the material, and is supported by examples that clearly support the student’s thoughts and opinions"

Apparently I don't know how to write. What a thing to discover in the final 3 days of school.

Accounting Prowes

FAIL!

Just kidding....

The exam wasn't an F-minus, but certainly wasn't the A-plus, I was gearing for. With only 2-minutes per point, you have to be really nimble and answer every question fast, fully and accurately - the first time. Because there is no time for second guessing and no time to double check your answers.

Unfortunately, while I am rather clever, I'm not all that nimble. Sadly, I left some questions blank. What can you do?

I guess my secret accounting prowess will remain a secret weapon to be unleashed, another day.

Managerial Accounting

I am really glad that we had this class! Managerial Accounting is the arm that allows managers to make decisions based on the information that they have at hand. Unlike Financial Accounting, which is more geared toward external reporting, Managerial Accounting's sole purpose is to be a tool for the internal manager.

I find that I don't always appreciate the value in the material until I'm studying for exams. This morning, I've already squirelled away a few frameworks that I can readily use post MBA. Now, if only I could find myself a summer internship so that I can put this knowledge to work!

Ouch!

I finally got my inoculations for my upcoming voyage to India. I am officially protected from Hepatitis and Typhoid. Plus, I will soon be in possession of anti-malarial pills and an emergency dose to ward off extreme diarrhea.

I now have one very sore arm and a REALLY long to do list.

Now, if only this pesky essay would finish being written and these exams studied for so that I can start to concentrate on such things as laundry, shopping and packing.

Bon Voyage! (soon)

Last lecture

My goodness, I cannot even believe this moment has arrived. In officially, 5...4... 3.... 2.... 1.... No more lectures, no more books. No more teacher dirty looks.


Just exams.


Officially lecture done! :)

Taking Responsibility

Today in our ethics class we learned the importance of taking responsibility for how our actions are interpreted. This afternoon, I had the opportunity to do just that.

Those of you who are regular readers know about how I struggle keeping up with the engineers in the quantitative courses. In today's Integrated Thinking Practicum class, when I was faced with this:

a = a6 + a3b36 + a4b46 + a5b56 + a4b45b56

and words like 'multicolinearity'.

I panicked and began downloading old lecture notes and googling in order to keep up with our mathematician professor (who is not at all patient with those who see gibberish where he sees mathematical beauty). And then I made a fatal mistake - I messaged a friend. One that I knew would be honest about whether I was WAY off track in my misunderstanding. Well, she said something funny, I smirked and got caught with my pants down.

All of the sudden, "Megan, can you explain to me why you wouldn't want to use this regression for prediction x4 = a4 + b14x1 + b24x2 + E?"

In my head, "this is just like highschool algebra when Mr.Graham said I had no hope of ever mastering algebra - think brain! THINK!" But my brain went completely blank. Honestly, it was blank from the start. I had NO IDEA.

The worst thing was it was clear that he thought I was just fooling around.

At first I was furious - especially as more and more non-engineering students came up to me to say that they too had been quite confused.

Now, I accept that it was wrong to use messenger in class. Lesson learned.

A lot of students haven't been thrilled with the class, but as I put in my evaluation of the course, I can see a lot of value in this material and I have gotten out more than I was expecting, that being said - regardless of hours spent on homework and high grades on the assignments, clearly I am getting a low grade in class participation.

Sigh - another B+?

Back-up plans

We have received new employment stats and the majority of folks have yet to find summer jobs. I would be lying if I said I wasn't concerned, but I'm staying positive. When all was said and done, the majority of folks were employed LAST summer, and the economy was far more grim!

Back up plans:
1. Learn French - I am verbally proficient, but my writing is atrocious! It would be great to upgrade / refresh my language skills. Canada is a bilingual country after all

2. Conferences / Courses - Go to as many 1-day events that I can.

3. Tanning - I haven't had significant time off in a REALLY long time. That being said, I hope it doesn't come to this

4. Volunteer Employment - I'm looking for experience above all. Maybe publishing my now EXTREMELY modest compensation expectations is limiting, but when push comes to shove, I would prefer to be working!

5. Summer courses - TBD. Registration has already happened, but I might still consider this after I get back from India

I'm addicted to networking!

I think I'm becoming addicted to networking!

Today I met with a really interesting entrepreneur who started her own marketing consultancy while she was completing her MBA (at another southern Ontario university, which shall remain unnamed).

Some people think that networking is a chore, but I have met some genuinely interesting people - each of whom have taken a unique path to business success.

Lessons learned today:
1. Figure out what you love
2. Go after it
3. Don't fear the road less traveled
4. Don't give up

This is clearly an oversimplified representation of what we actually spoke about, but I can honestly say that her story and insights were positively inspiring! I definitely recommend meeting as many people as you can.


Finally, no blog post would be complete without the requisite photos of strangers shaking hands and networks being formed. Enjoy courtesy of Google Images!

BDC Executive

I am very excited to announce that I am officially the Head of Public Relations for the Business Design Club, 2010-2011!

Words cannot express how thrilled I am.

PS - the entire executive is fabulous :)

Club Elections

All clubs are now in the process of electing a new group of students who will steward the cause in the upcoming year.

Unlike the beginning of the year whe we were campaigning for first year rep, we have each found our niche, our passion. For me, having participated in the design visa, I know that Business Design is the place for me.

I will certainly maintain my membership in the Rotman Marketing Association and the Rotman Entertainment and Meda Association, but I would like to help lead the Business Design Club in the coming year.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me! :)

You just described an awesome game, but all it is is a flow chart!

Welcome to my widget factory!

Friday at 4:30pm, 56 teams took over their factories and had to optimize throughput, by purchasing new machines and changing the batch size. We also had to determine the reorder point and order size such that we could make the highest amount of interest on our cash.

All the while, monitoring the results and trying to outmaneuver other classmates. Sound like an interesting game?

Well, it looks like this: Really dynamic eh?

You might not believe it, but we're all OBSESSED with this flowchart! I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that Team 22 (my team) will finish in the top 10. GO TEAM!

Rotman Bonspiel

I would like to thank my team for an AWESOME time curling this afternoon. You are all naturals, I'm really impressed.

After a nailbiter of a game, we lost in the sixth by a hair. Ok, more like 2 feet in a failed attempt to draw to the button. Regardless, fun was had by all, and I met a few cool cats. Fine, not cats at all, just second years. But I must say, each of them were nimble like cats.

Agent Based Models

If anyone in the class is STILL confused about why we're learning agent based models, they never will.

Our ITP professors invited a guest speaker from P&G to take us through a real-world example of the application of the models we are looking to interpret (and hopefully build at some point). Talk about interesting, insightful and overall inspiring.

I can definitely see the possibilties for what we're learning. My only critique at this point: why isn't there an advanced class in second year?

India Prep

Today was our final India Study Tour class.

I am officially BURSTING with excitement! Still so much to do - namely pick up my newly renewed passport and expiditing a tourist visa. Just the small things.

*yikes!*

Shamefully Unprepared

I'm sitting in the second row, right near the front of the class... and I didn't effectively prepare for class.

With networking most of yesterday, plus group meetings, assignments AND studying for 2 quizzes, I didn't get to read the case. I wish I was sitting in the darkest corner in the room, but alas, I'm definitely right in the front.

Besides compensation, what are other benefits that an employee will be looking for?

This was the question that was posed in Accounting class. In an attempt to raise the bar on class participation, I attempted to use an example from my advertising agency world. Well, I got interrupted and ended up looking like a total airhead.

Me: "In my previous job, the environment was a lot of fun..."
Prof: "OK" (starts to gesture to the next person
Me: "... because there were a lot of young people and parties...
Prof: "So you like parties" (smirk, and gesture to the next person)
FAIL

If I had my act together, I would have said,
Me: "The company culture makes a big difference. For example, when I worked in advertising, I was surrounded by young, like minded individuals, like myself. Overall it was a fun environment."
Prof: "Megan, that was really insightful" (ok, he never would have said that, but there wouldn't have been a smirk)

Complainers?

Every class starts with our prof justifying the class and what we're doing. If he wasn't so funny and clever, I would be quite annoyed.

It is clear to me that students have been complaining about the course - or they're confused. Honestly, I'm not 100% certain when / where I'll be using these tools in the future, but I can see that they have practical applications. Plus, everyone who accepts an offer from Rotman knows in advance that there is a class in Integrated Thinking.

Seriously though -

It is very sad that the prof feels he has to justify the class twice a week... But I'm glad that he continues to be funny and clever.

Depressing Day

1. It's Monday (no one likes Mondays)
2. It's sunny outside. I'm inside. 'Nuff Said
3. CAPM - it's back. And this time it looks like a video game, but not a fun one. More like ATARI, but not trendy.

Class Participation

Class participation is a thorn in my side.

I try to be insightful. I try to add a different perspective on the topics we are discussing. I never need to be prodded into contributing to class. No one has ever accused me of being annoying or vapid in my responses (believe me, I've asked). Participation is the one area that I believe I should be getting an A (perhaps, dare I say, an A+).

Yet, I am resigned to being only marginally better than those who speak MAYBE once per term - if at all.

Class participation is the one area where I feel that we do not receive adequate feedback (or feedback of any kind). Being able to contribute to a conversation is a skill that I would like to hone.

It is clear to me that an above average effort is not enough to get that A+ result.

Why is there no tutorial on participation and/or constructing an argument on the fly?

Horror Show

Ever watched a horror movie? Remember the part where the naive protagonist erroneously thinks that the bad guy is gone and starts to relax? The audience cringes in unison as the evil returns to terrorize her when she least expects it.

For me, the bad guy is Capital Markets. Just like those horror movies, I thought the nightmare was behind me - especially after successfully negotiating the Corporate Finance class. So today when I walked into the Integrated Thinking Practicum, BAM!

CAPM has reared it's ugly head once again.