Hello again. Looks like you and I will be having a regular date here on this site, as I share updates and insights into our program at the Cox School of Business. During the next few weeks, I hope to give you a peek at life inside the classroom as well as out. This time, I want to tell you a bit about my classmates.
While I sit in the library, looking around at everyone walking by with their books and case packets in hand, I think about this group of people that has surrounded me since the start of school in August. Both academically and professionally, they challenge me daily. The academic bar is set extremely high; I know everyone here is as smart — if not way smarter — than I am, so it pushes me to get to the next level.
That said, the Cox community is very close-knit, and we definitely spend a lot of time together.
I must give major kudos to our admissions team here, because they did a great job of selecting the people in each class — not just the first-year class, of which I am a part, but also the second year. Both are extremely diverse, filled with people from around the world (China, India, Switzerland and Brazil, just to name a few) with various personal and professional backgrounds — from finance, fashion (that’s me) and marketing to soldiers who served our country.
Each of us brings something unique to the table, and Cox welcomes all backgrounds and career experiences. I can also tell you with 100 percent certainty that getting your MBA levels the playing field, regardless of where you came from.
I mentioned that in my first post, but I really believe it. As you know, I came from the fashion industry, but I am planning to concentrate in finance and move into private banking. Fashion and finance are very different worlds, but having these two years to brush up on my finance skills affords me the opportunity to make this industry change.
My classmates and I keep each other on our toes, and honestly, there is no other way to say it: They are amazing. I really do mean that. The difference between undergrad and grad school is that we all chose to come back to further our educations, so that helps bonds us very quickly. I have been back in school now only for eight months, but feel like I have known these people for 10-plus years.
I have made best friends (and contacts) for life, and this includes the second-year class as well. We all have become great friends, and they have faithfully supported the first years. We will forever be grateful for their mentorship and guidance.
Together we bear student loans, late-night study sessions (and weekly happy hours), projects and exams, but after graduation, I know it will all be worth it. There is no other group of people I would rather have standing by my side on graduation day than these fine people at Cox whom I have the pleasure of calling my classmates.
I feel honored and thankful to be surrounded by such great people. With that, I am signing off. See you soon.
P.S. Please enjoy some pictures of my classmates and me in Cabo San Lucas a few weeks ago on spring break. Yes, it feels amazing to be celebrating spring break again, that’s for sure. We will take it.
Cox MBA students study together and play together.
