Last MBA Presentation

I know what you're thinking - student presentations in a business school mean wearing a suit. Well, you would be right.

Most of the time.

Looking down the halls of Rotman, you WILL see a sea of black suits, shiny shoes and ties. Not so in Marketing Using IT.

For the purpose of this presentation, this common beachwear was transformed with this:
Into Digital Marketing Executive.

Yes friends. Believe your eyes.

Seriously, stop rubbing your eyes! It's true! Our team was transformed from 'bum' into 'digital marketing executive' simply by adding a blazer, scarf and heel. This technique works for dudes as well! Your old band Ts and sports shirts are, in fact, professional when modestly covered with a suit jacket. Your old jeans are equally appropriate, with a pair of dress shoes. It's a miracle really.

Dear students doing presentations for such exciting classes like M&A, Value Investing, and Supply Chain Management. Don't be haters! I know you're jealous. I would be to - it's almost summer, the sun in shining and you are wearing black, constricting suits and I am wearing sandals and jeans.

There's not much I can do to help you work through your emotional feelings of anger and disbelief ("How on Earth can these jean wearing vagrants be earning a professional degree? It's not FAIR!"). Nor can I help you with your physical discomfort, ("This suit is so hot, I hope no one can tell how sweaty I am!"). I also can't help you stand out in your uniform ("Hey, nice suit! Is that 'midnight black' or 'nightshade'?)

Just know that I feel for you.

What I thought would never end, is ending... MUCH TOO FAST!

These days it seems that all of my time is spent reflecting. Reflecting on classes and readings for journal assignments. Reflecting on past careers job applications.

Today, I'm particularly pensive.

Grad Ball started with a toast of champagne and ended with sloppy hugs and pats on the back as we danced the night away with friends. The requisite slide show has an air of finality to it. Set to mournful ballads, I watched almost forgotten photographs flash across the screen. Collectively, the hall filled with whoops and cheers. Laughter and sighs. The whole affair had an air of finality to it.

Tomorrow is Rotman DisOrientation. The opposite of Orientation camp where we were fresh faced and relaxed. Anxious to meet new friends, our only worry was whether our costume for the 'Rock n Roll Legends' party was edgy enough (but not too edgy, it is a professional program after all!). DisOrientation is the exact opposite. This is yet another event where we all start to say good bye.

Where is this all this reminiscent, sappy, slightly-sad, lovey-dovey dribble coming from?

These past two years, I've been living in the moment. Scheduling my week, making 'to-do' lists, and getting assignments done. Well, my MUST-do list is getting shorter, and my WANT-to-do list is getting longer. All of the sudden, I'm very conscious that my time here is ending, and I want to hold on to what I've learned, the people that I've met, and the experiences that I've had. I want to hold them tight so that I don't forget them, don't lose them.

It's not that I want to delay my future. On the contrary, I'm ready to get out there and start the next phase of my life. More than that, I'm EXCITED to show the world what I've gained by being here. I'm imagining myself in that still to be defined future, and I'm proud of what I've achieved here. It is in that imagining, that I see myself taking those first steps into my future. First across the stage to collect my diploma...

With any new beginning comes an end. A change.

In all that I imagine, I cannot picture not being surrounded with these wonderful, bright, smart, funny people every day.