Dina Keswani, Executive MBA '09
Dina Keswani, Executive MBA 09

Monday, November 26, 2007

A metric for success.

Getting to know your fellow students is a critical component of the Cornell EMBA experience. Social events throughout the year give you the opportunity to network and interact with your classmates. Good networks are very intentional, as strategic relationships are built from there. For me, spending time with classmates is a social lube. It also helps detox those academic worries, and several other lingering what-ifs.

At Palisades, the infamous 'e-bar' is a chill out zone, where we chit-chat, revive and refresh our brains that tend to get quasi fried by the end of a Saturday study and/or review session. Some hit the gym for that much needed workout, or play table tennis or basketball or if you were me -rush to the indoor pool for a quick swim. The '08s sometimes host a few Saturday night parties which are a whole lot of fun. The '09s also religiously schedule frequent wine tasting sessions on Saturday evenings, facilitating sociability to again thrive.

Now, this may come as a shock, but here in the Ivy League depths of Cornell, is an amazing football team. Last month, I had the opportunity to attend my first ever Cornell vs. Princeton football game and tailgate party. Attended the event with a lot of enthusiasm, in spite of the lousy weather. Came out to support our team, be amongst friends, and meet alumni who were also there to cheer us on. Unfortunately, it was not our night and Big Red was defeated by three points (34-31). Even though our team was not victorious, the experience was just fully worth!

Early this month we had our annual Open House for Partners Weekend, for partners of first-year students. In talking to my non single classmates, I understand that this event did add value to their EMBA experience, as it provided partners with a pretty cool insight and understanding of the overall program. This Open House for Partners serves both as their introduction to the program, and is a way for them to gain an interesting perspective on what exactly do their partners actually do during class weekends.

Getting social can be understatement. There are those broadly compelling times when you may choose to skip social opportunities for study (or that deserved sleep) and vice versa. At the same instance, rest assured, there will always be this anticipated need for some 'mandatory fun'.


Note: I understand from the admissions office that the link to this blog has been shared with prospective students recently. So if you are prospective student and like to contact me to discuss topics covered so far or even going forward, feel free me to email me dsk223@cornell.edu.

Monday, November 12, 2007

The past is but the past of a beginning.

After my deadly cup of masala chai,I feel I must accelerate my reader's insight into the program. So let's rewind back, to some of my academic highlights from the period July through September, and go where 65 Cornell '09 students have possibly gone before...

My first visit (ever) to Ithaca this July was extremely eventful and indeed most enlightening. I vividly recall the sheer excitement of going back to school coupled with the strange fear of the unknown. The biggest comfort was this distinct 'we are all-in-this-together' attitude amongst classmates. All of us were back to a school environment after a long stint with this exquisite quest for knowledge, and where 'homework' takes on a whole new meaning. In Ithaca, we spent a fair bit of time in outdoor education exercises and intensive indoor business simulation tasks. The ability to work successfully in teams and with people, with whom you have never interacted or worked with before, was an unforgettable journey. Best of all, I came away with a strong awareness of time-based competition, individual behaviors and teaming up.

In retrospect, that first week was fairly soft compared to what will inevitably follow during the next couple of months at Palisades. Statistics and MLO(Managing and Leading in Organizations) the first two courses, were simply amazing. Professor Beta Mannix classes caused me to see organization leadership and management in an entirely new light. Her impeccable knowledge and sharp professional preparedness, urges students to fully engage, stay motivated and effectively extend their contribution to the course. In Professor David Statistics course, even classmates with PhD's in Mathematics, could not escape but discover a whole new world of "Juranograms" and his 'isms' that are not 'mutually exclusive'. Professor Juran's powerful interactive teaching style coupled with his humor, made the 'pain of statistics' totally enjoyable and memorable.

Working with assigned teams on group projects is an essential characteristic of this Cornell program. I think that this methodology has a number of benefits - it's more than just dividing work into pieces to make efficient use of time; it's about leveraging each team member's individual expertise. As new areas are learnt, you become equipped to challenge those beliefs that some of the 'experts' in the group may have had. All things being equal and they never are, this makes group assignments a whole lot of 'fun'.

It's just really exhilarating to be given access to abundant knowledge and more so,when you take the time to capitalize on it. "There is something that is much more scarce, something rarer than ability. It is the ability to recognize ability." With the learning's gained so far, I am glad that I have brought new creativity in my direct contributions at work. The first part of this semester has been a humbling experience for me and continues to inspire my career goals and dreams.

The best is yet to be!