I went to San Francisco for the first time this weekend and it was AMAZING. A vacation was very much needed after the whirlwind of the past couple of months. It's hard to believe that I'm halfway through the fall semester already.
My classes this semester are excellent. I am taking:
- 15.269 Literature, Ethics & Authority taught by Prof. Leigh Hafrey. Fantastic. So off the beaten path content-wise from the stereotypical MBA course, but incredibly valuable and enlightening.
- 15.389 Global Entrepreneurship Lab facilitated by Prof. Simon Johnson: My team got our top choice for company matching! We are going to Peru for 3 weeks in January to work on-site with a company in fair trade/organic food production. Being that my parents are from Peru, I'm especially excited at the opportunity to visit family. :) My team will work with the company remotely over the next couple of months on a top priority project until we make the trip down.
- 15.615 Business Law taught by Prof. John Akula. This class has some great discussion and very applicable/real concepts. My only 8:30 AM class, by choice.
- 15.768 Management of Services taught by. Prof. Zeynep Ton - She's a superstar. One of those professors that's so nice and funny with an envious talent for commanding an audience. She doesn't let you get away with anything and I love it. Makes for a thorough learning experience.
- 15.821 Listening to the Customer taught by Prof. Drazen Prelec - Though only a half semester course, puts into practice some really useful techniques on qualitative market research. My team did a project in this class around physical therapy (one of my teammates is starting a company). We interviewed people, did some analysis using ZMET and stripped down Vocalyst. Good stuff and super applicable for Tim's ongoing product development.
- 15.515 Financial Accounting taught by Prof. John Core - A course everyone has to take as part of the first semester core. I liked it so much that I'm taking it again as a TA. :) The funny part is that my section is the Mediterranean Ocean (i.e. Cohort) and coincidentally, I am a 2012 Med! Go Meds!
Needless to say, a full schedule. I think everyone around me feels just as busy, which is kind of comforting. Thankfully, 15.821, being only a half semester course, ended two weeks ago, leaving me with 4 courses + TA-ing, just as G-Lab ramps up... I would have gone mad otherwise... (as would have my significant other as well).
Being a 2nd year and all, school is even more fun than before. Of course, unsuprisingly, the weeks are flying by and that "you have to get a job...eventually" feeling keeps peaking in. I would love, love, love (note. love) to go back to Adobe and am actively pursuing that still. The challenge is patience and focus. I see everyone (exaggeration) recruiting, getting hired, etc. and the temptation to recruit alongside them is moderate to strong. BUT, at the end of the day, I remember that I want Adobe AND I want San Francisco. It's too early to panic! And really, there are a TON of people taking the same approach. Waiting, patiently, for that light that guides to the next chapter.
In the meantime, I have a blast at school, play music and drink beers at the Muddy Charles! Not too shabby, eh? I'm not in any rush to finish. :)