Class of 2011 and the legacy of a school

(Written on 1st Oct'11)

Right then, busy days continue. Today I want to write about 2 pieces: our recent interaction with the class of '11 and a novel concept in SBS re career services. I'll try explaining SBS jargon as we go along.
Yesterday (30th September) at the school the highlight of the day was supposed to be Career Connect (CC). CC is SBS's system that let's students find job opportunities, book appointments with sector consultants (more on them later), etc. In a way, CC adds the CCs to your job search. As it turned out CC is an exhaustive, well structured and well researched system. That said, we had an hour blocked for the President of the outgoing class's Student Advisory Board (the body that is the official voice of the class and represents them in various forums) to address us. Lets call him AM. We didnt know a lot about what that hour would entail. AM was joined by a motley collection of people. 2 women and 8 men from the class of '11 came and wanted to have an open house about their experiences in the last year. They introduced themselves and then answered questions with palpable excitement and reverential candor. I really liked how one student, let's call him SL, talked about how they went about 'preparing' for MBATs (the sports tournament held and organized at HEC Paris where schools from all over Europe compete and SBS finished 3rd last year) and Capstone week. They shared stories about teams were formed less than a week before the competition and how a contingent of 170-180 people cheering for you in every game can really be an experience in itself. Capstone is another milestone that's about an year away for us right now. But I suspect it'll be here sooner than I can imagine right now. More on Capstone in an year I guess.
I'd like to focus on some key points the panel made, I'll call them takeaways or points to remember and stuff that our school's legacy should be made of. In typical consultant manner (I wasnt one before coming to the school and not entirely convinced if I want to be one post MBA) I'll limit them to 4 points. I would've liked to go with 3 but couldn't do away with any, so here it goes:
- Collaboratively Competitive: AM spoke about the class of '11 being 'collaboratively competitive'. Help others reach their goals, even in situations where you might for instance be competing for the same jobs. Really powerful concept that would, in my eyes, distinguish a good school that prepares and encourages Type As, and a great school. One McKinsey alum who was in the panel (who is returning there) spoke about how helping others prepare for cases helps oneself get other perspectives on a case and/or strengthen one's view. Can't argues with McK now, can we? :p
- Aim for, but dont become, an MBA: The outgoing class's Cricket team Captain suggested that we aim to aim to get an MBA and not be an MBA. 'be an MBA' obviously referring to the notion of a typical MBA- brash, immature and attitude-ridden. Subtle difference in wording but a fundamentally different way of aiming at your goal. Again a really simple, practical and rather profound advice. I hope I remember it and so does the little Type A monster inside me :)
- It's a family: this would probably not need much explaining but basically a bunch of people with whom one spends countless hours during an impressionable year will become one's family. Someone also pointed that there is always an odd cousin who just looks downright weird and dodgy. Ignore him/her and cherish the time with rest of the gang.
- A teetotaler camera guy: definitely get someone in your gang, someone who doesn't drink and can carry a digital camera to all the parties. A series of unpublishable photos of future filthy rich people could mean a lot of money. And oh yeah, you could also chronicle your parties for posterity too if you want. But I like the former more ;)
Sorry, unlike a good consultant I didn't plan my time well and will pen down the bits about Careers later. Need to go for our first game of Cricket! We have a Dutch (yes, Dutch) leading the charge and he has booked a make shift ground (a basketball/tennis court) Off I go!