Core Memories
Jake Strzelecki `02
Issue date: 2/13/01 Section: Features
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As I reeled from the sticker shock of purchasing books for the spring semester, I took a moment to reminisce about my introduction to the MBA educational experience: The Core. Shock is perhaps a mild descriptor of the feeling I had at swapping my comfortable abode for sub-standard housing, exchanging my pay stubs for loan checks, and trading performance reviews for course examinations. Although some of the details may be a blur, thanks to the Royal Palms and the Chapter House, many other moments will last forever in my memory.
Moments like hearing the words "Then you get the postcard from Bolivia" from our dear own Prof. "Jerry Seinfeld" Libby. Or, "Do you see cash?" Most of us looked in our wallets and responded, "No!"
How about "So, intuitively we know..." from Prof. Waldman. Then there's my personal favorite, "C'mon! So what, give me more!" from Prof. Sally. These words still ring in my ears today.
Other moments are equally vivid. Like when Megan McWeeney '02 took out Prof. Michaely at the Frozen Assets vs. faculty hockey game. With his son watching! That must have been a tough one to explain to the youngster. Another classic moment was day one of the second half core. Cold calling?! Multiple cases and presentations?! Don't come to class more than 3 minutes late?! Read the Wall Street Journal every day?! Are you kidding?! Hand me another cup of coffee quick!
I overcame this initial panic and learned a great deal in the second half. I learned that poultry and contact lenses do not mix. I learned that if you are going to stand behind a really, really bad idea like a washable business suit from Levi's, then whatever you do, don't have it captured on film for future generations of business students to snicker at. And I learned that Prof. McClain has a secret passion to be a singer.
Statistics also gave us insight into another passion when Robert Reeves '02 was surprised with a "Yes, I'll marry you" (in PowerPoint no less) from his fiancée, Jen. Prof Angela Lee also confided a secret passion to a few of the Week in Silicon Valley participants in the Pittsburgh airport. It appears she didn't actually need her microphone to teach marketing, but rather was preparing for a future karaoke career. Hmm...
So all in all, it was an excellent ending to an intense year. To be sure, there were a few moments when I doubted my decision to come back to school. However, these soon passed as I dreamed of new paths in life, future opportunities, and maybe, just maybe, my name on that new expansion to Sage Hall. I just hope they get the spelling right.
Moments like hearing the words "Then you get the postcard from Bolivia" from our dear own Prof. "Jerry Seinfeld" Libby. Or, "Do you see cash?" Most of us looked in our wallets and responded, "No!"
How about "So, intuitively we know..." from Prof. Waldman. Then there's my personal favorite, "C'mon! So what, give me more!" from Prof. Sally. These words still ring in my ears today.
Other moments are equally vivid. Like when Megan McWeeney '02 took out Prof. Michaely at the Frozen Assets vs. faculty hockey game. With his son watching! That must have been a tough one to explain to the youngster. Another classic moment was day one of the second half core. Cold calling?! Multiple cases and presentations?! Don't come to class more than 3 minutes late?! Read the Wall Street Journal every day?! Are you kidding?! Hand me another cup of coffee quick!
I overcame this initial panic and learned a great deal in the second half. I learned that poultry and contact lenses do not mix. I learned that if you are going to stand behind a really, really bad idea like a washable business suit from Levi's, then whatever you do, don't have it captured on film for future generations of business students to snicker at. And I learned that Prof. McClain has a secret passion to be a singer.
Statistics also gave us insight into another passion when Robert Reeves '02 was surprised with a "Yes, I'll marry you" (in PowerPoint no less) from his fiancée, Jen. Prof Angela Lee also confided a secret passion to a few of the Week in Silicon Valley participants in the Pittsburgh airport. It appears she didn't actually need her microphone to teach marketing, but rather was preparing for a future karaoke career. Hmm...
So all in all, it was an excellent ending to an intense year. To be sure, there were a few moments when I doubted my decision to come back to school. However, these soon passed as I dreamed of new paths in life, future opportunities, and maybe, just maybe, my name on that new expansion to Sage Hall. I just hope they get the spelling right.