The Head is Back to Normal :(

So here we are. One year after, ready to share the words of experience from a mind so much wiser...NOT! My head has actually gotten smaller!!! I suppose the good news is that the threat of physically toppling over due to excessive weight is no longer present. But it is quite sad that, just when I had finally gotten used to my growing head and figured out how to dress to its best advantage, I have to go back to 'human sizing':(

No doubt this is all due to my slow re-entry into the real world, where it would be strange to have an oversized head. It's just that I am not so sure I am ready to give up the side effects of a Cambridge MBA. I suffered, I adapted, I survived! I should have scars -- or an oversized head-- to show for it, darn it! Instead I'm just me again... that was a whole lot of cash to invest for a return of 'just me'!!!

As you, readers, all know, this head size phenomenon has perplexed me for a long time. Frankly though, the biggest mystery remains this sudden abrupt ending, since my move away, and it has lead me to wonder if any of it ever actually happened? Here is the deal: one goes to a place like Cambridge inevitably feeling a little (or very) insecure. Nevertheless the MBA year makes you believe, slowly, that maybe you do belong. You can do the work, you pass (most) classes, you go out and make great friends, you beat Oxford in sports and you wear a gown (I LUV MY GOWN). After a while you begin to think that it might just be possible that you actually belong amongst the footsteps of Newton, Burns, Darwin, Plath, Ali G and Nick Hornby -- all people, by the way, with enormous heads (I mean actual physical sizes).

But what if I have been deluding myself and, every time I looked in the mirror at my growing head, what I was actually seeing was a reflection of Newton, Burns, Darwin, Plath, Ali G and Nick Hornby(in that order chronologically)? What if all I was hoping for was a bit of greatness to rub off and be sprinkled onto my average sized 'shoulder melon'? What if the 'me' that went to Cambridge is the same 'me' that left it???

Now there is a totally ridiculous idea! If nothing else, the 'me' that left has definitely added a few inches around the waist from all the grad hall dinners... where only fabulous brilliant people are invited to dine ;P

Welcome and best of luck to the MBA class of 2009!
AJ

The Head is Back to Normal :(

85 Broads Recap

Better late than never... Some additional tidbits from our excellent 85 Broads Cambridge launch on May 23rd!

Over 100 women attended the event, a wonderfully diverse group from Judge Business School, other Cambridge departments, the professional Cambridge community, London, and even the United States! (Okay, that was my mom. But still.) We started the day with an ice breaker in the Judge lobby, and then went into the keynote address that was done by the incredible Janet Hanson.

Janet is the founder of 85 Broads, a very successful businesswoman, entrepreneur, and mother of two. Janet actually flew herself to London and put herself up at a hotel here in Cambridge so that she could attend our launch, which she later called "one of the best 85 Broads events ever." Hot.


85 Broads Founder Janet Hanson delivers her keynot address. Photo courtesy of Veneta Nikolova.

Janet's keynote address was funny, candid, touching, and motivational. My key takeaways from her speech were the following:

"If you need something, create it."

"A computer screen doesn't know if you're a woman." Technology has leveled the playing field and we must learn to take maximum advantage of it.

"Have fun." Simple and critical.

"Take an investment approach to life." Invest in yourself so life is a little less random. "Go long whatever is important to you." Word!

We then had a fantastic panel featuring four women tackling the topic, "Is the current financial crisis an opportunity or does it create further challenges?" Unsurprisingly, the women focused on the positive aspects of the recession. Perhaps Margaret Heffernan said it best when she said, "An awful lot of crap is being weeded out of the system."


Our panel on the recession's silver lining. Photo courtesy of Veneta Nikolova.

In the afternoon, we had open surgery sessions. I attended a session on entrepreneurship that Margaret hosted. She is hilarious and brilliant and wise.

Our final two group sessions were a McKinsey exercise about women leaders and - last but not least - the amazing Professor Srikumar Rao.


This guy rules

Professor Rao was incredibly inspiring. It's no wonder his book is a best-seller! Professor Rao is all about altering one's worldview in order to be happier - because when you accept the world just as it is, you will feel happy. The more you want stuff, the less happy you are. Simple enough, and pretty darn major when you really think about it.

Feeling fabulously inspired, a group of us attended the launch dinner, held in a special hall at Queens' College. There we ate, drank, and listened to the merry - okay, actually rather dramatic - tales of Christina Dodwell. To learn more about her, check out her website for the Dodwell Trust.

I am so proud of the efforts of the JBS women who made this event happen. In particular, thanks again to Veneta Nikolova of our MFin programme. Veneta did major groundwork to make this chapter a reality. Her passion has been inspiring for all of us. And endless thanks as well to Jennifer Hersch from the MBA Office. We know that Jennifer will do an excellent job keeping the chapter going. Her enthusiasm is contagious and we look forward to a bright future for 85 Broads Cambridge!

Cheers,

Jen

85 Broads Recap

OXBRIDGE VICTORY! *Updated Movie Link!*

Here is Simon's final film showing highlights from our OxBridge victory. Enjoy!

Thank you, Simon, for putting together such a FANTASTIC, masterfully edited video!!

OXBRIDGE VICTORY! *Updated Movie Link!*

85 Broads Cambridge Rocks!

We had the most amazing chapter launch yesterday... more details soon but HUGE THANKS to the following fabulous women:

Jennifer Hersch!
Jen took on the immense task of setting up this chapter and finding the most fantastic speakers to innaugurate 85 Broads Cambridge. This never would have happened wtihout Jen's support, and we know she will keep the chapter thriving in years to come.

Veneta Nikolova!
Veneta is in our MFin programme, and it was her idea to start this chapter. Thank you, Veneta, for your vision and enthusiasm.

Alex and Debbie!
The amazing MBA office ladies did a fantastic job helping Jen with programme logistics and kept yesterday running smoothly. Which is a challenge when you have over 100 women on hand and limited restroom facilities. Thank you, ladies, for your hard work.

We are so proud to be a part of this chapter. Our launch yesterday was unforgettable and a highlight of our year and our Women in Leadership initiative.

More details to come! Many thanks, all!

Jen and Alex

85 Broads Cambridge Rocks!

Cambridge Launches 85 Broads Chapter!

Very exciting news! Judge Business School will soon be home to the newest chapter of 85 Broads, an organisation that exists to "invite the most talented, trailblazing women to leverage each other’s massive intellectual capital to accomplish everything they ever wanted to do in life – together."

In celebration of the Cambridge chapter launch, Judge Business School is hosting an amazing event this Saturday:

"Women Making Career Choices, Taking Risks and Defining Success - On Their Own Terms"
A day to connect, be inspired and transformed
Date: Saturday 23 May 2009
Time: 09:30-18:00 (formal Cambridge College dinner at 19:30)
Venue: Judge Business School, University of Cambridge

This special event will launch the Cambridge chapter of 85 Broads, a global network of more than 19,000 trailblazing, visionary women who aspire to use their talent and leadership savvy to affect professional, educational, economic, and cultural change for all women globally.

Programme
The one-day event includes:

- Keynote speaker Janet Hanson, Founder of 85 Broads and a leading entrepreneur with distinguished Wall Street background

- Distinguished panel discussion with leading women from diverse backgrounds

- Open surgeries with panellists for small group discussion and Q&A

- Personal development session with renowned "happiness guru" Professor Srikumar Rao

- Presentation of Women and Leadership research findings

- Networking opportunities

- 85 Broads Cambridge Chapter information session and opportunity to join the Chapter

Speakers will include Christina Dodwell, Margaret Heffernan, and Alison Maitland.

Here's to a great launch!

Cambridge Launches 85 Broads Chapter!

MBAT... an MBA highlight!

The Cambridge MBA class is pleased to report that MBAT 2009 was a great success!

What is MBAT, you ask? MBAT is an annual sports tournament hosted by HEC, the Parisian business school. While the logistics left something to be desired (hello, waiting on the curb for 90 minutes for a bus to the campus... not to mention the fish jello for lunch), the weekend was a definite highlight of our big crazy MBA year.

Cambridge placed 7th overall out of 14 participating schools – a major accomplishment considering the small size of our contingent (66 students, versus 212 from Another Big Business School in London). We fielded a total of 18 sports, from rugby to salsa to tug of war, and earned 4 bronze and 8 silver medals. Previous Cambridge teams have not earned more than 3 medals at MBAT, so we are thrilled with this year’s outcome. Check it out!

Cambridge – MBAT 2009 Medals
Bronze:
Salsa
Rowing (men)
Table Tennis
Babyfoot
Silver:
Pétanque
Mountain Biking
Golf
100m (men)
100m (women)
400m (men)
4x200m
Tug of War

Here are some photos...


Our bronze medalist salsa team - a great way to kick off the weekend!


Our bronze medalist men's rowers! Great job, guys!


Our silver medalist Tug of War team! Go Team Tug!


Cambridge sideline support... we were by far the most spirited school!

Many thanks to all the Cambridge MBAT participants. Whether you captained a team, played one sport or a variety of sports, or cheered from the sidelines, your efforts paid off and we had a lot of fun along the way. This was a weekend none of us will soon forget, and it would not have been the success it was without the enthusiasm of the Cambridge MBA class.

Now... on to Oxbridge!

MBAT... an MBA highlight!

Punting and Pimms... Welcome to Easter Term!

Spring has sprung here in Cambridge. Flowers are popping (and allergic noses are running), coats are tucked away in closets, and the sun rises by 6:00am and does not set until almost 9:00pm.

Easter term will doubtless be our best and most enjoyable course term of the MBA. We'll have two core courses done by this afternoon and a slew of exciting electives ahead. Not to mention formal halls, pub crawls, and May Balls! (Which, curiously, take place in June.)

For me personally, I have decided that this term will be about two things. And no, those two things are not grades and jobs. What are the keys to my Easter term? Why, they are the two P's: punting and Pimm's.

Some of you may not be familiar with the fine art of punting. I just learned how to do it myself last week, having been taught by the master - our classmate Eoin.



See how Eoin brims with confidence as he pushes our punt along? Except...



Yeah, it doesn't work so well when you get the pole stuck in the silt. Fortunately Eoin and John were able to paddle us back and we were on our way again soon.

When we ran into these guys...



Out for a stag do no doubt. We were envious of their hats.

Punting is awesome, people. If you haven't done it, get out there! Here's why:

1. It's an incredible way to see Cambridge's most beautiful and historic colleges from a new perspective.

2. It's lazy and a great workout at the same time. My abs are still sore from punting last week! (Which may say more about my abs than the workout, but still. It's a good one, I promise.)

3. It makes for great classmate bonding.

4. It's quintessentially Cambridge.

5. It's a perfect excuse to drink Pimm's at lunchtime. Or in the evening. Or, heck, in the morning too!

Ah, Pimm's. My second "P" of Easter term.



Pimm's is the best thing to ever come out of England, as far as I'm concerned. Especially now that Prince William is losing his hair.

Pimm's and punting are a perfect pair. And much more fun than looking for a job in a recession.

Cheers,

Jen

Punting and Pimms... Welcome to Easter Term!