Wharton so far ... 25% MBA

I am writing to my blog after a long time, so expect this to be a longish post, or maybe not. I plan to comment on my 25% time at Wharton in the two year MBA period. But my stay during the part 4 months seems like a lifetime, filled with great experiences.

Some people call their experience life changing, some might say exciting, some others might say exhilarating, but I would like to say "eye-opening". While there are too many things that Wharton offers, one of the most important is the wide range of opportunities in terms of people, companies,industries, networks and countries, all at your doorstep. Therefore,it's essential that you know what your goals are or at least have an idea where you will be heading.

Talking about them, my goals got redefined several times over the months.There are several industry events for consulting, finance, technology, marketing/luxury CPG etc. Wharton does an incredible job in terms of the access that students get in reaching out to various companies. So much so, that you feel tired and want all the info sessions, coffee chats to stop. But in the end, I think what's important is realizing and finding the spot where you lie. I personally think it's better to have that one job offer that you are really passionate about rather than 5 different job offers. Therefore, sitting down, reflecting over my own thoughts, talking to my friends and family about these things helps a lot. The ecosystem that you meet and create at Wharton with your friends is valuable. I now understand when people that they met their friends for a life time over the course of their MBA.

The journey at Wharton almost feels like an incredible train ride, fast, ever changing, and very rigourous. Yes, the academics at Wharton put all the engineering rigour to shame. I had 7 courses in my first quarter, 5 in the second. Talk about completing 12 intense courses in the first semester versus 14 overall in my graduate degree!The academic rigour is intensified with the smart people in the classroom, not to mention the diversity of their experiences. There's a good amount of thereotical concepts in the classroom learning, supplemented by case competitions, presentations outside the classroom.

And it is with this people, that you get to discover yourself. I don't think one comes of the MBA mastering everything. You have to figure out your strengths -whether it is dealing with numbers, or envisioning highly creative marketing plans, or finding and connecting with a set of people. It is the rich ecosystem that allows one to discover these things and become more self aware. That is the gap that MBA helps to fill in.

There are also very many fun events to keep one occupied, themed social parties every weekend, professional and leisure treks, happy hours, house parties and what not.

Overall, I have enjoyed my Wharton first semester so far, as much as I am enjoying my much needed chilled out winter break, which ends next week. Happy holidays and greetings for the new year!