ONE-YEAR AT GOIZUETA: ALANNA HOLMAN – Not Trading In This Experience
Fall semester has been a different kind of busy. Instead of classes all day like in the summer, I have a “normal” class schedule Monday-Thursday. But, I have the added effort of recruitment. I cannot believe that I registered for Spring semester courses and May is not too far in the distance. So that might sound like added pressure, but I am thriving off the experience.
Here are the reasons why I still love this MBA experience:
- I’m in great electives that I chose. After summer core classes, you get to choose your electives. Some stay strictly to their desired concentration, while others take a variety. I have a mix of operations management electives plus some others. I do not regret adding a marketing class and the managerial accounting class. Yes, I elected to take an accounting course again (through high recommendation by peers and alumni). I was hoping to round out my skillset as a potential manager, but I have already seen the benefits of my learning. Not only do I approach problems in a different way, but also I was able to use my new knowledge in a case interview in my job search!
- I’m a strong candidate in my recruitment efforts. A tradeoff for the One-Year program is that we are taking classes while our colleagues in the Two-Year program are interning. But after my summer core classes and career preparation, the One-Year class is primed for on-campus recruitment. We have the same opportunities to attend company presentations and national conferences. At networking events and interviews, I believe distinguishing myself as a One-Year MBA has served me well as it demonstrates my focus and work ethic. I also have great stories to share about my leadership development.
One-Years at the NBMBAA Conference in Orlando
- I “rejoined” campus life. In the summer, Goizueta Business School halls are filled with only One-Year MBA students. The bustle of the fall semester had shocked my system at first, but now I thrive off all the energy. I’ve joined some student organizations, like Goizueta Women in Business, where I have met more great future leaders and am connected to campus. KEGS every Thursday afternoon has been bigger than ever and is a great opportunity to reconnect and unwind after a hard week.
Celebrating Birthdays!
- I’m setting the foundation for lifelong relationships. This is the key component that keeps me going. I am building trusting relationships with my classmates, especially with my One-Year colleagues. In our electives, we have more opportunities to work with different sets of teams, so I am learning from their working styles and diverse thought. However, it is the time outside of the classroom that solidifies our relationship. We share recruitment stories, introduce each other to our professional contacts, lend a listening ear when a day is a little rough, and share a joke or story just because it’s funny.
And in my closest circle, I have my biggest promoters. They are there to tell you what you need, not what you want to hear. “Why should you not apply for that job?” “You could improve your case interview by…” “Just finish that assignment and get it done.” They help get those voices of self-doubt out of your head when the odds seem stacked against you. They remind you that it may not be about you; it’s factors outside of your control. They celebrate with you and share laughs. They teach you about other cultures and share how wonderful their families are. They share food, which is the universal language of friendship. They are always just a phone call or message away. They also remind you that there is more to life outside of school and work…that moments should be savored and that tomorrow is an opportunity to make life better than it already is.
Cheers to friendship