WMC Second Years Offer Advice on "Surviving Your First Year"
Kendra Armer '01
Issue date: 10/5/00 Section: Features
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The Women's Management Council (WMC) hosted a panel for new students on September 11 on "Surviving Your First Year." Second year WMC members Alison Clark, Yacobah Debrah, Nadine Magac, Eliza Moore, Laura Nogelo, Deb Weitsman, and Susie Welgos shared their wisdom and experience on surviving the first year of business school. They each spoke about the various challenges they faced in their first year-balancing school and family life, working in teams, prioritizing all the activities, and coming from a non-quantitative background. What was clear from each speaker was the importance of using each other as resources and ensuring that you are clear about your priorities.
First year WMC member Maria Scaltro appreciated the advice and the chance to get to know some second years. "It was great to hear that whatever your focus, you can make it through the program," she said. "The best thing, however, was the chance to get to know the second years. We first years need to take every chance to do so. And the members of the WMC are reaching out to us enthusiastically and geniunely. It's helping to make this a smaller, friendlier place."
WMC president Michelle Lilly had these practical tips to share with attendees:
* Plan getaways for Fall and Spring breaks-you'll need them. Somewhere tropical is always nice (but will be more needed in March). Council Travel in Collegetown offers great bargains for students.
* Always check your email first thing in the morning-or before going to class. You'd be amazed at what can happen overnight.
* Get a good organizer (paper or electronic) and never go anywhere without it.
* Participate in class.
* Network. When you meet someone at a presentation, get their business card and follow up. Even a short email or phone call will stick in their minds, and may help you get on a closed list.
* Use your business cards to mark your belongings:
1. Tape them inside books and binders/organizers
2. Tape one on the back of you calculator
3. Always have your backpack marked with your name
These items will have a much better chance of finding their way back to you.
* Take advantage of all the resources and activities at the University. There are cheap movies, great lectures, classes outside the Johnson School, and much more-steps away from Sage Hall.
* Plan events on the weekends to make yourself get out and have some fun.
After the panelists spoke, the women broke into smaller "focus" groups to talk in detail with a second year about a particular issue:
* Time Management-balancing life and school.
* What you bring to the table if you're from a non-corporate background
* Living in Ithaca
First year WMC member Maria Scaltro appreciated the advice and the chance to get to know some second years. "It was great to hear that whatever your focus, you can make it through the program," she said. "The best thing, however, was the chance to get to know the second years. We first years need to take every chance to do so. And the members of the WMC are reaching out to us enthusiastically and geniunely. It's helping to make this a smaller, friendlier place."
WMC president Michelle Lilly had these practical tips to share with attendees:
* Plan getaways for Fall and Spring breaks-you'll need them. Somewhere tropical is always nice (but will be more needed in March). Council Travel in Collegetown offers great bargains for students.
* Always check your email first thing in the morning-or before going to class. You'd be amazed at what can happen overnight.
* Get a good organizer (paper or electronic) and never go anywhere without it.
* Participate in class.
* Network. When you meet someone at a presentation, get their business card and follow up. Even a short email or phone call will stick in their minds, and may help you get on a closed list.
* Use your business cards to mark your belongings:
1. Tape them inside books and binders/organizers
2. Tape one on the back of you calculator
3. Always have your backpack marked with your name
These items will have a much better chance of finding their way back to you.
* Take advantage of all the resources and activities at the University. There are cheap movies, great lectures, classes outside the Johnson School, and much more-steps away from Sage Hall.
* Plan events on the weekends to make yourself get out and have some fun.
After the panelists spoke, the women broke into smaller "focus" groups to talk in detail with a second year about a particular issue:
* Time Management-balancing life and school.
* What you bring to the table if you're from a non-corporate background
* Living in Ithaca