A Year in Review

This year, a few of us at the Johnson School are creating something called The Johnson Book. Essentially it's a coffee table book that captures all the things that have gone on here over the past year in pictures and words. Here is an excerpt of one of the sections that will be included. It's called "A Year in Review."

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At the Johnson School many wonderful things take place each year. There are challenges yes, that is part of business school. The great thing is that through the ups and downs, each of us emerges stronger and more refined than before. This year of 2008-2009, has been no different. Let us take a look at how it unfolded and the memories we created.

It began with first years cutting their teeth at orientation. They met their fellow classmates and learned about what the next two years would bring. Orientation was capped off with JOE, a Johnson School tradition that unites the incoming class just before they enter the toughest few months of school..."The Core." Then the second years arrived, holding their heads a bit higher than the year before and aiming to do their best to lead the school through what was sure to be an eventful 10 months.

The first few weeks of school it seemed like everyone was back to their old tricks. Heads were buried in books and calendars in order to perform academically, fulfill commitments, and get jobs. We again, did our best to navigate through a system of learning and individual development. As time moved on though, the celebrations began!

Diverse interests were brought to life through events like Diwali and Asia Night. Friends congregated in Collegetown post-exams and champagne toasts were heard abound after job and internship offers. At some point, most of us engaged in at least one activity we never thought would be SO MUCH FUN! Activities like the Pumpkin Carving Contest, Beirut tournament, Flip Cup tournament, Mustache Contest, and the Bowling World Series. All of these events showcased b-school competitiveness and re-captured youth, at its best.

Time marched on...

Students flew all around the world immersing themselves in different cultures. Club elections were held and first years began to take reign of Johnson School leadership. Treks were taken, guest speakers arrived, presentations were given, and triumphs and setbacks were experienced.

This year also marked major world events. We were part of a historical election and witnessed our economic security stumble along side of a shocking Wall Street shake-down. It was a struggle to wrap our heads around the changing times, but through the year, still kept up with comforting traditions. We cheered for Big Red and their Ivy League Conference victory, placed bets on the NCAA tournament, and watched the beautiful springtime reawaken at the Masters in Augusta.

The departure of the second year students marks the end of an era for some and the mid-point for others. It is with great pride we take this journey and looking back we know it is the good things we will remember. It is the people we met and the time that we spent together. For when it's all said and done, it is each of these little memories...each one of us...that make one great, big, wonderful year - every single time.

CBJ: The Johnson School's Very Own Small Business

Hi everyone!

Recently I submitted an article to be published in the Cornell Business Journal (CBJ). CBJ is the only independently run organization at our school and is essentially a student run small business. It is one of the great things you can get involved with during your tenure at the Johnson School and provides a way to pose interesting questions and issues while reaching a considerable amount of people. Its audience includes current students and alumni - via physical and on-line distribution.

I wanted to share my article with you...hope you enjoy!

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New York City: Passe? Or a Classic that Never Goes out of Style?

For years people from all over the world have clamored to get to the Big Apple. It represented possibility, freedom, and an exciting life...a successful life. It was home to the best of the best. Whether in finance, fashion, or art, those at the top of their game definitely played on the little east coast island. Now New York City faces many competitors as young professionals look to other cities in hopes of catching the next big wave - and this has left many people asking, "Has New York City lost its luster?"

Take Seth Johnson, a Washington DC business man and a total shoo-in to become a New Yorker, but decided on Dubai instead. He now commands a high salary and hand picks jobs from Saudi Arabian investors with deep pockets. Then there's Pavan Krishnamurthy, a child psychologist currently finishing his residency in San Francisco. He always dreamt of living in NYC but has set his sights on Berlin, claiming it is the new New York City and that the old one is dead. Sean Davenport, an independently wealthy entrepreneur who could live anywhere in the world, well he chose Jacksonville, FL commenting, "Who wants to be in NY now? I mean, it's such a downer." Yes, perhaps these people would have chosen alternate cities anyway, but the fact is these stories are becoming much more common, than 'I dream of NYC' stories.

Emphasizing this shift is obviously the current economic situation. New York City's unemployment rate in December totaled 7.4 percent and is predicted to rise until it hits 10.5 percent, a previous peak occurring in the 1970s. Budget officials also assume that the city will lose 294,000 jobs from mid 2008-2010, including 46,000 from the financial services industry. Tourism is down five percent, many small businesses have closed their doors, and retailers find themselves in constant sale mode. A global issue for sure, but New York City is just one of those places where you absolutely cannot live, unless you have a paying job (a high paying job is best) or fortunate circumstances. It practically costs $50 every time you step out your front door and, in contrast, other cities offer appealing lifestyles for a fraction of the cost.With this said, New York is infamous for being resilient, bouncing back, taking care of others when they're down on their luck, and for lighting up the mood the way only NYC can. For instance, many venues in the city promote Wall Street specials offering drinks at half the price when the Dow closes down 100 points or more. Then there's the Pink Slip Party where those who've found themselves without a job are provided a forum to meet and greet potential employers. A recession dining guide has been made and friends who have kept their jobs continue to lend a helpful hand to those that haven't. But is it enough?

In the immediate sense no, probably not - but financial crisis aside and with a more long-term view, one can surmise that while other parts of the world are pulling people in different directions, New York City will always afford opportunities of all desires and draw the best of the best to attention. Just because other destinations are rising up and becoming an integral part of the world business and political scene, does not necessarily mean that those who have been there for a while have become passe. For one to succeed, the other does not have to fail. So as people continue to move abroad or seek alternative residences, those who reside in the 917, 212, and 646 will surely call up their friends in Dubai, who every once in a while, say they miss New York.

Names in article were changed to protect privacy
New York City stats cited in New York Times, February 15th, 2009
U.S. unemployment rate totaled 7.2% in December 2008

Very Important "Must Do's"

Hello again! Now back from a nice long winter break spent with friends and family, I find myself back in Ithaca for my last semester! At this critical moment, one has to ask one's self...what is it that I absolutely want to do in Ithaca before I leave this town forever. Ok, that's a bit dramatic...but before I don't live here permanently anymore.

After careful thought, I can confidently say that these are my top five must do's:

1. Go to the Pines for a burger
The Pines is practically part of the core course requirments so can't believe I've made it this long without going.

2. Go to the Creeker for a beer
It's my belief that quality time with Ithaca townies is truly a once in a life time experience and one that should not be missed.

3. Study in a library other than the Johnson School Library
There are gorgeous historical libraries on campus, and now that the undergrads have clearly invaded our precious little space at Johnson, I think it's high time we start throwing around our weight near their books.

4. Hit a golf ball on Cornell's Robert Trent Golf Course
Yes, I'll hit more than one golf ball if the temperature ever rises above 40 degrees.

5. Give Randall Sawyer a high-five
Seems only appropriate to high-five the admissions guru on your way out.

So those are my five must do's! If you're on your way into the Johnson School, make sure they're on your list of To Do's!

Holy Snow!

It's true what they say...Ithaca is cold...confirmed by the flurry of snowflakes currently falling outside my window. But for those of you who are hesitant about attending a school in a cool climate, I'm here to let you know that this little winter wonderland isn't really all that bad.

Here are some of the good things:

1. Coffee shops feel reeeeeally cozy.
This is important because you'll be doing lots of studying and will want a nice warm place to curl up with a book, a text book that is. I lived in Miami for three years and every time I set foot into Starbucks I wistfully willed the weather to drop below at least 60 degrees. For some reason, coffee isn't quite the same when you order it while wearing shorts and a bikini top. In Ithaca, you will not have coffee confusion...it will make total sense.

2. You can wear turtlenecks. Library fashion is totally IN.
Turtleneck tops not only keep you warm, but they tend to portray an academic and studious look which is sure to get you in the mood to study. While you may feel like you're always on the way to the library while wearing a turtleneck, that's a good thing in Ithaca, because you probably actually are. So stock up in all colors and WORK that library fashion.

3. You will have the chance to perfect your "cold face."
There's a certain face all people make when they're cold. Yes, ALL people. I've analyzed this for years. I've even thought about creating a "cold face" coffee table book. It's only those who consciously take note of what their face is doing, who will emerge as graceful outdoor travelers throughout the winter months. I sincerely hope you have the will to become one of these people, as a controlled "cold face" really has the power to distinguish you from your peers.

4. Cornell University seems to be made for winter.
There's something beautiful about the rolling hills, towering trees, and majestic buildings standing strong underneath a blanket of white snow. While certainly spring and fall are times to relish for all of us - the winter months in Ithaca are not without substantial wonder and sights to see.

So there are four great reasons (if you ask me) to pack up your boots and skis, and look forward to coming to a place gorgeous in all seasons.

As for me, I'm going to put on my turtleneck and go drink some coffee.

Tis the Season

One of the most beautiful experiences an individual can have living here in Ithaca, is observing the fall season roll in and the gradual turning of the leaves. It may sound a bit silly, but the foliage turns to such stunning shades of red, gold, orange, and yellow...that you literally have to stop to admire it all and take in the vibrancy. As each leaf gracefully falls to the ground, we get closer and closer to a wonderful time of the year...the holiday season. Through the winter months, nothing is better than evenings by the fire, time with family and friends, snow falling to the ground, and music in the air. Luckily, as a student, we actually get the time to enjoy all of this as we're blessed with the brilliant concept of...winter break.

This year the Johnson School kicked off the holiday season with a big Halloween bash at a Sage Social. The festivities rolled on as people bobbed for apples, carved out pumpkins, and snacked on caramel covered apples. Later on that evening, some friends and I gathered together at a neighbor's house and in an impromptu turn of events, found ourselves dressed in full costume and headed to a hotel school Halloween party. While at first the six of us didn't really know anyone at the party, by the end of the night we were dancing with "old" friends and making promises to do it again the future.

The change of pace was appreciated by us all, and at the end of the day, is what is so great about going to the Johnson School. At Cornell, the cross pollination of academic institutions is relatively easy to achieve. If you put in just a little effort, it's a natural development for an academic connection to transform into a social connection, and ultimately lead to the strong foundation of a new relationship - be it professional or personal. So whether you're interested in hospitality and tourism, engineering, law, or whatever...being a student at the Johnson School means you're only steps away from opening doors to a whole new world of professional opportunities...or simply to making a new friend.

Tis the season for enjoying new friends, cherishing time with old ones, and making the effort to open doors of unforseen possibilities.

Funny Little World

Well at this point, I've kind of lost count of which week we're on here at business school. I do know that the wind is a tad bit cooler, a few tests and deliverables have been turned in, and thus it seems we're well under way here in Ithaca. It's actually quite crazy to think that we're halfway through the first quarter with fall break, literally right around the corner.

That's what's so interesting about business school is that fact that two or three weeks really feel like about a half a year. This isn't because time is passing slowly, on the contrary I believe...rather it's because the amount of experiences packed into a day are off the charts, especially when compared to that of real people out in the real world. You literally go to approximately four hours of class, probably present something in one of those classes, eat a couple times, converse with about 50 friends/colleagues, meet about 50 new ones, work out (hopefully), do homework, attend a corporate briefing, maybe even interview for a job, change back and forth from casual to formal attire, meet with a faculty member to discuss something vitally important regarding your future, set up more meetings, do something you wouldn't ordinarily do, have an emotional high AND an emotional low, and then start on more work or more socializing in the evening. Literally, this all fits in about 12 hours each day and mostly happens in one building, Sage Hall.

So with that in mind, one can start to understand how a couple of weeks in business school are equal to about six months in real people time. It's a funny little world we live in, but an exciting one at that.

A Simple Thought Piece

It's the end of week two as a second year student at the Johnson School. Judging that it's noon on Thursday and I'm on a bus to New York City typing a blog entry, the passing of time is clearly different than it was exactly one year ago today. So what is different? Let's first review the obvious; I'm not inundated with the core. A privilege very much appreciated and though in a way I miss the camaraderie of "getting through it together" I'll take my morning workouts and time to shower any day. Second, I've completed a summer internship, where to my delight, much of last year's material came into play in an extremely helpful way. Imagine that. Now I listen to my professors with endless gratitude, not just with the intent to make my way through the material and to graduation. Third, I no longer need to learn the lay of the land, but rather know where I like to have an evening cocktail, check my email, and who I should talk to about odds and ends at school.

What is not so obvious is the touch of pensiveness that's mysteriously entered into my way of being, combined with an awareness that these are likely the last few months of a relatively carefree existence. Maybe it's the desire to be carefree that makes me so pensive. Or perhaps, it comes from realizing that work is work and those who want to change the world, whether just their own or everyone else's, are going to put in long, hard hours for many years to come. I think though it comes neither from school, freedom of time, nor the prospect of a life long career, but rather the understanding that as much as we try, as much as we are careful to do the right thing, destinies are fragile and cannot truly be hand-picked in spite of our well tuned efforts.

Case and point is what is happening on Wall Street today. Two storied firms, who for all intensive purposes, fully intended to continue on for years to come. But after a weekend, these companies and those working within them are facing a very different type of Monday than they were just one week ago. As a student of business, this is a rather surreal event to watch from the sidelines. The disruption is worrisome, unwanted, and presumably a tough circumstance to navigate through. With that said, and even at the beginning of this commercial catastrophe, it seems to be understood that eventually the dust will clear and those involved will emerge relatively unharmed and perhaps in an even more prosperous situation - albeit a new destiny not previously planned upon, but somehow prepared for.

Bethany grew up all over the country but calls New Mexico, where she spent most of her childhood years, home. Prior to business school, Bethany worked as an Account Executive in both advertising and design firms, helping to build brands for companies such as Celebrity Cruises, Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, and The Campbell Soup Company. She also has extensive experience in new business development, working in this function for The National Foreign Trade Council and Arnold Worldwide. This summer, Bethany interned at General Electric in the corporate marketing department for the Innovation and Strategic Connections group. While she loved her internship, she's so excited to be back in Ithaca and sharing the great experiences we have here with all of you!