Geelong, the Cats, were the champions last year and everyone thought they will take home the trophy again this year. But it was the HAWKS who won the game, the new champions!!! The score was Hawks-115, Cats-89. Cheer on, Hawks! Well done!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Hawks vs Cats
It was a big day yesterday for Australians, especially Melbournians. It was the Australian Football League AFL grand finals - the showdown between Geelong and Hawthorn!!! A group of us made it to the Federation Square to catch the game on the big screen with thousands of fans. Thank god it was such a beautiful and warm day.
MBS ranks 26th
Economist Intelligence Unit Which MBA? rankings are out and MBS ranks no.1 in Australia and no.26 in the world! Hip hip hurray!!! We celebrated in the staff lounge with lots of champagne!!! The schools from back home in Singapore ranks no.81 for Nanyang MBA and no.89 for NUS MBA. Hehehe. =) Feels great to be here!
Busiest day of the month
Last Thursday, my alarm clock went at 7am, and I woke up to get myself in class by 8.30am. Accounting for Managers class started at 8.45am and David Trende (Accounting lecturer) fully utilised my brains until 12pm. Then I had a quick lunch at the cafeteria with a few classmates, I brought myself lunch from home, it was pitta bread, salad & tuna with dressing. Then I rushed back to CUB theatre for career sessions. It started with MBS Alumni Guest Panel at 1pm, we had alumni from AT Kearney (Consulting firm), GE Healthcare, and Kraft (FMCG). They gave very good insights to their jobs and responsibilities, as well as how is their day-to-day life like in their respective firms and industries. Such career sessions in MBS always set my mind thinking, what do I want to do after my MBA, what am I good at, what do I love to do, how should I go about getting where I want to, and so on.
Then we had Internship presentations by senior students, there was one who worked in a consulting firm, one who volunteered to give back to KIVA in Mexico, two who had a business consulting project with eye research center and one who worked as an analyst with Pacific Brands. All stories were interesting and exciting, these students truly enjoyed their internships. This too set me thinking about my next steps in my career. The career session ended at 4pm with Leo (career consultant at MBS) giving us a presentation on MBA Career paths and what we will be doing to prepare for our careers from now till Dec 2008.
At 4pm, some of the classmates went to play footy at Uni square in front of school, while I joined the ladies in school for a short meeting of Women & Management club at the Student Lounge. The agenda was to prepare for the Networking Lunch event to be held in a few weeks' time. We discussed on the food, the seatings, the list of guests, and so on. I had a quick dinner cum snack at 5.30pm.
Then at 6pm, I attended the event "Clean Technology Business Opportunities". Clean energy is very popular these days, just like dot com companies in the 90s. But I believe clean energy will not suffer the fates of dot com companies, the world is leading to self destruction and clean energy is extremely improtant. The companies that presented were CO2CRC (CO2 storage), Synergetic (environmental engineering), azuratec (integrated water systems), hydrexia (H2 storage). Each story was inspiring and interesting. These are the entreprenuers who strived on based on their beliefs. The event ended at 9pm with the closings from Venture Capital companies; CleanTech Ventures and Starfish Ventures. This brought us to the financal part of ventures. Aaron Fyke, partner of Starfish Ventures, is a MIT Sloan MBA alumni. He talked about the risks involved and returns associated with venture capitalism.
At 9pm, a friend gave me a lift to the Backpackers pub on Elizabeth St. I was meeting a few of my classmates there for pub quizz! It was time to let my hair down and relax. I had a few glasses of beer and we did relatively well in the quizz by coming in second. Yeah! I left the pub around 11.30pm and headed straight home to bed. There was early morning class the next day at 8.45am. It was the most tiring day of the month but every second was worth it. =p
Then we had Internship presentations by senior students, there was one who worked in a consulting firm, one who volunteered to give back to KIVA in Mexico, two who had a business consulting project with eye research center and one who worked as an analyst with Pacific Brands. All stories were interesting and exciting, these students truly enjoyed their internships. This too set me thinking about my next steps in my career. The career session ended at 4pm with Leo (career consultant at MBS) giving us a presentation on MBA Career paths and what we will be doing to prepare for our careers from now till Dec 2008.
At 4pm, some of the classmates went to play footy at Uni square in front of school, while I joined the ladies in school for a short meeting of Women & Management club at the Student Lounge. The agenda was to prepare for the Networking Lunch event to be held in a few weeks' time. We discussed on the food, the seatings, the list of guests, and so on. I had a quick dinner cum snack at 5.30pm.
Then at 6pm, I attended the event "Clean Technology Business Opportunities". Clean energy is very popular these days, just like dot com companies in the 90s. But I believe clean energy will not suffer the fates of dot com companies, the world is leading to self destruction and clean energy is extremely improtant. The companies that presented were CO2CRC (CO2 storage), Synergetic (environmental engineering), azuratec (integrated water systems), hydrexia (H2 storage). Each story was inspiring and interesting. These are the entreprenuers who strived on based on their beliefs. The event ended at 9pm with the closings from Venture Capital companies; CleanTech Ventures and Starfish Ventures. This brought us to the financal part of ventures. Aaron Fyke, partner of Starfish Ventures, is a MIT Sloan MBA alumni. He talked about the risks involved and returns associated with venture capitalism.
At 9pm, a friend gave me a lift to the Backpackers pub on Elizabeth St. I was meeting a few of my classmates there for pub quizz! It was time to let my hair down and relax. I had a few glasses of beer and we did relatively well in the quizz by coming in second. Yeah! I left the pub around 11.30pm and headed straight home to bed. There was early morning class the next day at 8.45am. It was the most tiring day of the month but every second was worth it. =p
Data & Decision
As I missed my first week of lectures, I attended the D&D review class with Pete. He is such a good teacher, mentor and senior. He explained everything in detail and to your understanding. Pete goes at a much slower speed than Daniel Oron (D&D lecturer), so that all students can catch up with the class and the concepts in Data & Decision.
I am so glad we have review classes, if not I wonder how can I ever catch up! =) Thanks, Pete!
I am so glad we have review classes, if not I wonder how can I ever catch up! =) Thanks, Pete!
MBS vs AGSM
Just like the "fight" between Sydney and Melbourne on which is the more livable city, MBS & AGSM are both "fighting" for the prestige of the no.1 MBA school in Australia. Some turn to rankings to compare, some use their own experiences, while some get references from friends and colleagues. As I am in MBS, of course I believe my school is the better MBA school. But last Saturday proved my point right.
We had the traditional MBS vs AGSM cup where the two schools compete in debate and sports, namely, volleyball, soccer and frisbee. It was great fun to meet and play with the AGSM counterparts, I was mainly involved in cheering for MBS. We lost both the debate and the sports but we had much fun. I feel the reason for our loss was because we emphasized on having a great time and forming friendships with AGSM students, we were not competitive whatsoever. However, our AGSM friends were very competitive. For example, we were leading in volleyball, and AGSM suddenly changed players to put in their best big boys, while we kept our small asian girls who were having fun in the game. Our soccer team boys were on student exchange at other business schools this term and we had anyone and everyone who wanted to play in the games.
Though we lost the cup, we won the unofficial drinking competition! Woo Hoo! This shows that in MBS, we work hard and we play hard! =) I am glad I had the chance to meet AGSM, it just double confirmed I made the right choice! If all things are equal, it is the people in MBS that made my MBA choice right. The classmates, the seniors, the staff, the school, MBS is just way better!
We had the traditional MBS vs AGSM cup where the two schools compete in debate and sports, namely, volleyball, soccer and frisbee. It was great fun to meet and play with the AGSM counterparts, I was mainly involved in cheering for MBS. We lost both the debate and the sports but we had much fun. I feel the reason for our loss was because we emphasized on having a great time and forming friendships with AGSM students, we were not competitive whatsoever. However, our AGSM friends were very competitive. For example, we were leading in volleyball, and AGSM suddenly changed players to put in their best big boys, while we kept our small asian girls who were having fun in the game. Our soccer team boys were on student exchange at other business schools this term and we had anyone and everyone who wanted to play in the games.
Though we lost the cup, we won the unofficial drinking competition! Woo Hoo! This shows that in MBS, we work hard and we play hard! =) I am glad I had the chance to meet AGSM, it just double confirmed I made the right choice! If all things are equal, it is the people in MBS that made my MBA choice right. The classmates, the seniors, the staff, the school, MBS is just way better!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
World of Management
We had our World of Management exam today, I have not written so much for a while since my University days. There were 3 questions to answer in total and I wrote about 2 pages for each question, with single spacing. As usual, we had the Westpac and Bank of Melbourne case as our first queastion. Then came the Personal Development, Learning, Group/Team Development and Functional perspectives. I chose to do Personal & Team development questions.
Although some of us grumble a little about how tiring it was to go through WOM for 2 weeks intensive after orientation and how painful it is to hand in the learning log and to study for WOM exam, I believe the module is beneficial to us. At least everyone is on the same page when we talk about WOM theories, frameworks, models and lists. You can ask anyone in my class about Belbin's team roles, Fayol's managerial roles, the seven 'S' framework, and so on. "Hey, you are a company worker!" and everyone of us know exactly what that means. =)
Coming from so many different countries, cultures and backgrounds, I believe WOM language binds us together and everyone has the same basis to understand each other. Theories such as team development are extremely useful for our syndicate groups. At least now everyone know what is expected of them in group works. Though we might not be able to apply all theories successfully, understanding them and being able to talk or laugh about them with my classmates is enough to bond us to our syndicates.
Although some of us grumble a little about how tiring it was to go through WOM for 2 weeks intensive after orientation and how painful it is to hand in the learning log and to study for WOM exam, I believe the module is beneficial to us. At least everyone is on the same page when we talk about WOM theories, frameworks, models and lists. You can ask anyone in my class about Belbin's team roles, Fayol's managerial roles, the seven 'S' framework, and so on. "Hey, you are a company worker!" and everyone of us know exactly what that means. =)
Coming from so many different countries, cultures and backgrounds, I believe WOM language binds us together and everyone has the same basis to understand each other. Theories such as team development are extremely useful for our syndicate groups. At least now everyone know what is expected of them in group works. Though we might not be able to apply all theories successfully, understanding them and being able to talk or laugh about them with my classmates is enough to bond us to our syndicates.
Bad news back home
My brother had an accident and was hospitalised in Singapore, my Mum called and told me to rush home. I was so shocked, I didn't even think twice, I picked up the phone and called Singapore airlines to book a ticket home. Even though I was learning a lot in school and was ending my World of Management module, MBA can wait. So I took the flight home the next day and missed my last day of WOM.
Just the day before, we had to prepare and give 10-mins presentations in groups of six, and I came in first in my group. I was happy and was looking forward to my prize. Then suddenly, the very next day, my priorities changed and the presentation was out of my mind. I only had my brother in my mind. Will he be ok?
I was back home for 1.5 weeks, I met with the doctors, with my brother's school assistant dean and his hostel in-charge. I had to tie up the loose ends for him. He wasn't very well the first few days I reached Singapore, but he improved. By the end of the second week, I had a talk with the senior consultant doctor. She promised he will recover, but we have to be patient and give him time. She expects he will be bouncing back to normal around mid-Oct. Meanwhile, he will be in good hands of the doctor and the nurses at NUH. I was relieved to some extent.
So I had to think about myself, do I want to join this intake and finish my MBA as planned or do I want to look after my brother and miss one term. It was a tough decision, of course my brother comes first, family always comes first. But there was nothing I can do in Singapore, other than visiting my brother and bringing him food. I had a talk with my parents. My Dad has holidays from mid-Sept to mid-Oct and he will be free to take care of my brother. My Mum is a housewife and she will visit my brother with lots of food too. So I decided it was better for me to come back to Melbourne and continue my MBA. I might have missed one week of school but I am sure i can catch up the introduction lectures.
So just as quickly as I booked a flight back home, I booked a ticket back to Melbourne on 13th Sept. I am going back to study, and continue to pursue my MBA.
Just the day before, we had to prepare and give 10-mins presentations in groups of six, and I came in first in my group. I was happy and was looking forward to my prize. Then suddenly, the very next day, my priorities changed and the presentation was out of my mind. I only had my brother in my mind. Will he be ok?
I was back home for 1.5 weeks, I met with the doctors, with my brother's school assistant dean and his hostel in-charge. I had to tie up the loose ends for him. He wasn't very well the first few days I reached Singapore, but he improved. By the end of the second week, I had a talk with the senior consultant doctor. She promised he will recover, but we have to be patient and give him time. She expects he will be bouncing back to normal around mid-Oct. Meanwhile, he will be in good hands of the doctor and the nurses at NUH. I was relieved to some extent.
So I had to think about myself, do I want to join this intake and finish my MBA as planned or do I want to look after my brother and miss one term. It was a tough decision, of course my brother comes first, family always comes first. But there was nothing I can do in Singapore, other than visiting my brother and bringing him food. I had a talk with my parents. My Dad has holidays from mid-Sept to mid-Oct and he will be free to take care of my brother. My Mum is a housewife and she will visit my brother with lots of food too. So I decided it was better for me to come back to Melbourne and continue my MBA. I might have missed one week of school but I am sure i can catch up the introduction lectures.
So just as quickly as I booked a flight back home, I booked a ticket back to Melbourne on 13th Sept. I am going back to study, and continue to pursue my MBA.
School started with Orientation
Orientation started on 18th Aug and i had a real good time. We have a very international mix in my intake. The countries my classmates come from are amazing, Panama, Peru, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and many more! These people are amazing! The backgrounds and cultures are so different. This is exactly what an MBA is about, to bring people from different parts of the world together, to learn from each other and to strive in diverse workplaces after graduation. Can you make out the word below? It says "MBS"! Melbourne Business School!
We had an amazing time and I was one of the 4 students randomly picked to visit our Dean's house for dinner! It was awesome! Which other business school dean invites you to his house? I love MBS! =p
We had an amazing time and I was one of the 4 students randomly picked to visit our Dean's house for dinner! It was awesome! Which other business school dean invites you to his house? I love MBS! =p
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