The 5 Months that Passed!!!

A Big Hello all,

With just 2 more months left for the completion of my MBA (now that I have decided to complete in 17 months), I might as well gather enough time to post at least now regularly!

The past 5 months have been exhilarating in their own space, - with about 1.5 months in Chennai, and again the classes starting back in July here. I am going to give a quick overview of these 5 months that went by, and the 2 months that are remaining. For me, these 2 final months are going to be the most crucial, where I think I can seemingly apply as much as possible practically things learnt thus far!

May 2009: We, as part of the Student Council were supposed to go to Philippines (Manila), but thanks to the swine flu, all outbound official travels from NUS were barred. Hence, preponed my ticket to Chennai by a week and reached there by the 10th of May. Awesome time back home - particularly after the nerve cracking semester 2 - very tough one that was.
Spent a cool 10 days in Kanchipuram (the yearly Bramhotsavam), the rest in Chennai (attending concerts, having molaga (chilli) bajji at Chennai Marina beach, preparing the plan for the next semester for the Student Council, and of course, having lots and lots of plain dosai and oothappam! Absolutely, that's life for me. Chennai the heaven on earth!

June 2009: Spent the month visiting people, and spent a good time with my grannies. Overall in the past 3 years, (since the time I had been to the UK), I had spent only 12 days with them collectively. So, this summer I decided I will be with them as long as they can tolerate me. Later, couple of more visits with friends and of course a shame that I couldn't meet Vinayakaram, but poor boy, he too was 'busy'. :)

July 2009: much to my Mother's sadness I had to bid her bye for the last and final semester at the NUS Business School. My Dad was in fact eagerly enquiring if there was ANY chance of me completing my final semester through a distant-learning mode from Chennai. :) Of course, he he he it was surprising to hear that from Dad too! And at that moment at the Airport, I solidified the decision that CHENNAI IS WHERE BELONG, RIGHT AFTER MY MBA!

Had a special course term: Had taken "Legal Issues in Business" and "Services Marketing". Man, the second was a thorough rupture of iron saw into my small intellect! The subject is good, but should have been taught as a mathematical modelling format - should have been more on the business front. What to do - some professors do have a long way to go to see what the students really want! "Legal Issues" was fantastic! I was in fact very good at it - need to probably thank my dad for that legal bent of mind. And sure, I think I would have been been a successful advocate, had I listened to my Dad's words after my 12th!!!

August 2009: The new batch of students are in. I was the MC for the 2 day orientation programme and conducted the programme on behalf of the Council too.
The last and final semester started: with the following electives.
Finance: Options & Futures: http://www.bschool.nus.edu.sg/staff_profile/cv.asp?ID=2358
Finance: Fund Management: http://www.fba.nus.edu.sg/Programs/GEARS/Timetable/AY06_07/aaron%20bio.pdf
Strategy: Negotiations and Conflict Management
Strategy: Asian Religion Impact on Business (on MBA exchange programme with ESSEC Business School, Singapore).

Prof. Aaron Low is a hedge fund manager based out of California. An NUS Engineering alumnus, completed his PhD from UCLA. For his passion for teaching, the prof. flies in every week from California to Singapore! :AN AWESOME, FANTASTICALLY GIFTED PERSON! A simple and humble human being above all!

Prof. Cherian is from MIT and Cornell, and had managed just about USD67 Billion as Asset Manager at Credit Suisse's derivatives division. An expert teacher, and a perfect commentator.

Both these professors rock the floor because they are the best blend of industry and academia - in a 50-50 footing!

September 2009: On with the Council work as well as usual. Studies coming along quite fine. Absolutely drained down on time due to the multitude of activities. Attended a few luncheon parties organised by the MBA Office along with the Deanery, and now-a-days giving speeches after the Dean in almost every function. Working closely with the Global Alumni Network Office as well! And now have joined as the co-lead for Cerebration 2010 - the annual flagship business case competition organised by NUS MBA. Currently in the fund raising hunt for the same!
Unique experience, in total!

October and November: Are going to keep me pretty busy - for sure. October end, I need to organise the election for the next Council team from the junior batch - and then I will be relieved from November end. But lots to do before I step down - and so far we seem to have done a good show, at least that's what our deputy dean believes! Let's see how well we can transition.

The biggest event of all (on a personal front) is the career search! I have come up with a 'Career Algorithm' based on my own experiences , opinions and thoughts, and will publish that soon. The next step for career is to be in India - in the Banking & Financial Services Domain of any technology consulting firm. If you guys know someone already, please let me know :) Should get my resume dusted and ready soon! :)

Would be eager to hear from you folks as well. And I shall ensure that I am updating this space regularly at least from now. I think the last 2 months moments have to be captured pretty clearly!

Any comments, reviews, please feel free to add!

More to come!
Cheers.