End of an era~

Sadly, this is my last blog...

I graduated 2 weeks ago at Pepperdine, at our beautiful Malibu campus. I am currently job searching for that perfect position that will shape my career path. But as my safety net was pulled underneath me, I am no longer afraid of what lies ahead. My story at Pepperdine has ended but I have gained the tools to write a new (best seller) novel, starring me, Anne Lee. And I am ridiculously excited as what's to come ahead...

 I want to thank you for letting me share my journey with you as a 2nd year MBA student. I thank Paul Pinckley for giving me an opportunity to write my first blog. And while my blog ends here, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions any of you may have regarding Pepperdine Universtiy. 

Friendships

As I begin to wrap up (SAD!) my MBA life program at Pepperdine, I have realized that one of the greatest takeaways for me is the friendships I have developed over the 2 years. It's a heartwarming feeling to know that my group of friends are my support group, cheerleaders and a shoulder to whine on. I have  recently been down in regards to being unemployed, like the majority of our graduating class. But I have received countless emails from friends and peers with HR job openings.That's the great underlying culture of Pepperdine, the collaboration. We are all competing with one another for a job, but we're also helping each other along the way. 

It was comforting to know that my friends were thinking of  me when a potential HR opportunity opens up. I also recently had a birthday celebration over the past weekend. In the midst of finals and Easter weekend, I was touched to see that everyone showed up to help me turn a year wiser. The saddest thing about ending my MBA era is the friendship that I have developed here. I will no longer see the familiar faces in the cafeteria or in class. 

11 days to go~

I have 11 more days of my MBA life at Pepperdine University. And the sad thing is that it will go by in heartbeat because I am flooded with final presentations, finals and papers. I am taking a total of 5 classes this term. And I am bombarded with school duties for the next 11 days. I literally have such a full schedule that there will be no time for anything! And when my school work is all completed, it ends with a graduation ceremony, in ummmm....... exactly 13 days. As I am take a moment to write one of my last final blogs, I am getting a bit teary eyed. I have mentioned this numerous times, but where did the last 2 years of my life go? How did it go by so quickly? 

(sigh) As I leave my safety net of MBA life (still searching for jobs), I am optimistic. I realize that I, along with 85% of my peers graduating, so not have a job lined up. However, with the lagging economy, it is understandable. And with my invaluable school knowledge and former job experiences, I am looking forward to what's ahead.

NAWMBA~

NAWMBA is a relatively new club at Pepperdine, with a built in “limit” for membership as it is catered to women. However, NAWMBA is still a very well-run and active club on campus. In fact, the Pepperdine NAWMBA chapter is helping to plan the national conference for 2009! And being part of NAWBMA for the past 2 years has been a complete privilege for me. It is bitter-sweet as I pass the baton onto Jori, the president for next school year. For those female students who are coming into Pepperdine, here's a little recap of the organization and some of our events we planned throughout our school year.

NAWMBA prides itself on having a great variety of events tailored to meet the needs of the student body. We focus on creating leaders through networking opportunities, both informal and formal, with women executives, faculty, students in all programs and we foster an environment for growth. NAWMBA feels it deserves this award because of the variety of events it held, all with the singular mission. Below is a brief overview of the various events we have held this year in support of our mission.

A Day in the Life…Female Executives – 4 Females executives spoke at the panel and discussed the daily lives of successful working women while raising a family (Fox, Saks Fifth Avenue, AT&T, Southern California Edison were represented). - (9/08)

NAWMBA National Conference – In Stanford, CT (10/08) 10 NAWMBA members from Pepperdine attended the National Conference to network with different companies and other NAWMBA chapters throughout the United States.

Pepperdine NAWMBA Mixer – This was an opportunity to take NAWMBA on the road and have FEMBAs, Full-time students and Alumni meet to share their stories – Glow Bar at the Mariott in Marina Del Rey (10/08)

Breakfast with Dean Livingstone – West LA Campus (12/08) – The Dean met with NAWMBA members over breakfast. This was a casual, informal way to network with the Dean while she answered our questions. This is a popular event and we have had students ask to have more than one since it is always a sold out event!

NAWMBA Bowling Night – AMF in Santa Monica (1/09) A fun way for NAWMBA members to network and develop relationships. This event was especially focused on first and second years in the full time program and was similar to last year’s gold outing which was a great way to bring the team closer together. 

NAWMBA Charity Fashion Show – (2/09) Partnered with the Charity Well Suited to raise awareness and collect used Professional clothing for the women in need. Banana Republic sponsored our event by donating clothes for our models.

NAWMBA SEW Event (Susan G Komen) – (3/09) The interim executive director/ board member for Susan G Komen was our featured guest along with Christine Romer (a 1st year MBA student who was a breast cancer survivor). This panel brought awareness as well as educate NAWMBA members on ways to start a non-profit organization.

NAWMBA Luncheon with Executives – (3/09) Our BIGGEST event of the year! We had a total of 10 female executive speakers from different companies. A rare opportunity for students to interact and spend quality time with successful women in an intimate, informal lunch setting.

NAWMBA Luncheon

The 3rd Annual National Association of Womens MBA Professional Luncheon was a huge success! We had female executives from AT&T, Saks Fifth Avenue, Coca-Cola, Fox, Sony, Coffee Bean, Farmer's Insurance. (just to name a few) We had over 60 students attend at the West LA campus. This year, the Dean of Pepperdine was in attendance, as well the vice chancellor! It was a great chance for female working professionals to network with MBA students in an informal, intimate environment. Topics in regards to glass ceiling, healthy work life balance and women in executive positions were among the topics this year. I am so pleased as the president of NAWMBA to have thrown this success

ful luncheon. I of could not have done this without my 2 VP's, Candace Weber and Linda Lee! 

SEW Week~

This week at B-school, it was Social Enterprise Week! The aim of SEW is to communicate the values of social and environmental responsibility as well as sound ethical practices in business through a week of events hosted by GSBM's clubs and student leaders. 

So for NAWMBA, we had a representative from the Susan G. Komen foundation come in and talk to us. It was a rare opportunity to learn about the non-profit organization. And for those of us students who are interested in starting a non-profit, she gave us several tips on how to turn your passion into reality! And in partnering with the Susan G. Komen representative, we also had a 1st year student who is a breast cancer survivor share her heartwarming story. It was an eye opening panel of discussions this week. 

And because NAWMBA is so passionate about the Susan G. Komen foundation, we are also supporting the Race for the Cure in Pasadena on Sunday, March 17th! For those of you interested in volunteering, please register at:  

https://www.kintera.org/faf/volunteerRegNew/participantGen.aspievent=285857&lis=1&kntae285857=CEACA1B8A14C4E03B15A95E7825DBA7C 

Session B

Tomorrow is the first day of Session B for me. I will be signed up for 5 classes this session. (Business Law, Corporate Strategy, Leadership & Ethics, Human Resources Strategy in Organizational Development and Social Entrepreneurship) I have such a full class load that I wonder when I will have time to job  hunt, take on NAWMBA responsibilities, all the while juggling a social calendar. But I am more than excited as ever for my classes to begin because all 5 classes are topics of interest for me. They are elective courses that I have carefully chosen. All 5 courses will broaden my perspective in my human resources career. And as I begin my last 7 weeks of business school, I want to make every second count and matter as I am still in amazement that I will be graduating in exactly 7 weeks...

So I go back to my business law readings. This week is all on contract writing and agreements of 3rd parties. Yes, it all sounds dry but it is so fascinating how much it correlates to the business industry, that it amazes me this course is not a full year course!