Wednesday, October 28, 2015
It has been forever!
Well - I do believe it has been forever since I last posted! But that's because life had been crazy all this while.
Let me go back a bit in time and touch upon my Summer experience.
Summer at RBC was one of the biggest eye-opening experiences for me so far. When I started, I pre-assumed that working at the biggest bank in Canada, would be extremely smooth - the processes would be fluent, the architecture would be top-notch and the teams would be very-well organized. To the contrary, I have to admit - that while RBC is one of the most stable banks, it still does have a highly entrepreneurial culture. Things are not as rosy as you would imagine - and I do believe it is a good thing. In these crucial times of increased disruptive innovation, harboring such a culture will prove advantageous eventually.
It provides you with all the opportunities to bring new ideas to the table, and deal with the resistance, quite maturely. If I learnt anything at all, it was how to get steps closer to turning into a successful influencer, while capitalizing on the opportunities to deliver.
And on a side note, I moved a bit closer to the finance world, something that I had never imagined myself doing, ever! All in all - a valuable experience nonetheless.
First one and a half months post Summer were intense. I started working part-time at RBC (continued with my summer role), pursued 5 full blown courses at school for my 2nd year MBA and was deeply involved in the club activities of South Asian Business Association. Amidst all of that, was the hunger to secure a well-suited full-time recruitment opportunity. It has been almost two weeks since I accepted my offer, and the feeling has finally sunk in - I do not have to have to worry about my immediate future anymore!
It is often said that it is almost impossible to pull off a triple jump post MBA - change in geography, function, and industry. To be very honest, I never paid attention to this triple jump convention. I had always known that I would aim for a role that I will be the most comfortable with. In the end, at least as far as I can foresee, I do believe I have successfully launched myself into such a role. And co-incidentally enough - it turned out to be a triple jump.
When I moved to Toronto (a by default change of geography), I saw myself pursuing the strategy function, and believed that the industry agnostic consulting world, (owing to my past extremely positive and thrilling consulting experience with Deloitte) would be the most appropriate path for me. I soon realized that while consulting was a great path to take on, not all consulting was equal to strategy, and nor was all of vice versa true.
Bottom line is - believe in yourself. It will lead you to one of the right paths for certain. I had the options of multiple parallel paths that I could pursue. And in the end, I do believe that I am excited about my future with RBC as a CBLP associate! A new world awaits - and right now, I am the farthest from visualizing what my future looks like. I paused at a forked path in my life, and chose to tread a path unknown. :)
Let me go back a bit in time and touch upon my Summer experience.
Summer at RBC was one of the biggest eye-opening experiences for me so far. When I started, I pre-assumed that working at the biggest bank in Canada, would be extremely smooth - the processes would be fluent, the architecture would be top-notch and the teams would be very-well organized. To the contrary, I have to admit - that while RBC is one of the most stable banks, it still does have a highly entrepreneurial culture. Things are not as rosy as you would imagine - and I do believe it is a good thing. In these crucial times of increased disruptive innovation, harboring such a culture will prove advantageous eventually.
It provides you with all the opportunities to bring new ideas to the table, and deal with the resistance, quite maturely. If I learnt anything at all, it was how to get steps closer to turning into a successful influencer, while capitalizing on the opportunities to deliver.
And on a side note, I moved a bit closer to the finance world, something that I had never imagined myself doing, ever! All in all - a valuable experience nonetheless.
First one and a half months post Summer were intense. I started working part-time at RBC (continued with my summer role), pursued 5 full blown courses at school for my 2nd year MBA and was deeply involved in the club activities of South Asian Business Association. Amidst all of that, was the hunger to secure a well-suited full-time recruitment opportunity. It has been almost two weeks since I accepted my offer, and the feeling has finally sunk in - I do not have to have to worry about my immediate future anymore!
It is often said that it is almost impossible to pull off a triple jump post MBA - change in geography, function, and industry. To be very honest, I never paid attention to this triple jump convention. I had always known that I would aim for a role that I will be the most comfortable with. In the end, at least as far as I can foresee, I do believe I have successfully launched myself into such a role. And co-incidentally enough - it turned out to be a triple jump.
When I moved to Toronto (a by default change of geography), I saw myself pursuing the strategy function, and believed that the industry agnostic consulting world, (owing to my past extremely positive and thrilling consulting experience with Deloitte) would be the most appropriate path for me. I soon realized that while consulting was a great path to take on, not all consulting was equal to strategy, and nor was all of vice versa true.
Bottom line is - believe in yourself. It will lead you to one of the right paths for certain. I had the options of multiple parallel paths that I could pursue. And in the end, I do believe that I am excited about my future with RBC as a CBLP associate! A new world awaits - and right now, I am the farthest from visualizing what my future looks like. I paused at a forked path in my life, and chose to tread a path unknown. :)
Thursday, May 14, 2015
On a side note - this is not that big a challenge anymore!!
Internship time plus Intensive Courses post first year!
Been super long I've got to admit! But things have been so crazy lately.
Let me bridge the gap so far. Capstone term - it was good and went by like a flash. Best part of that term was the Capstone course - Model based decision making in Practice. This course was like a good culmination of everything that we learnt in our first year. Unique part of the course was that we were trying to solve live problems for Canadian biggies such as Four Seasons and P&G and some real complicated challenges from First Service Residential and Cancer Care Ontario. We then get an opportunity to present our strategies to the firms if we make it to the first shortlist! That said, I definitely look forward to our upcoming presentation with P&G.
Officially first term is over!! And it was certainly a roller-coaster ride. Crazy busy with crazy learning. I do believe that I can apply what I've learnt to solve real-world problems much more efficiently than before.
And to top it all - I'm already in the second week of my internship at RBC. It is a pleasure to learn about the environment within Canada's top bank! Lots of learning in just a week. Things are certainly complex - for a non-finance background person like me, but I feel much more comfortable working with an awesome team that I'm a part of right now. Having said that, it is important to understand the financial sector, if you do plan to work in Canada - be it as a Management Consultant or as a Technology strategist.
I still feel I've not been able to enjoy my internship time a 100% as multi-tasking with an intensive course in the evenings. Pricing was an area that always interested me - and while the course is good, going to work during the day and coming back to attend class is strenuous! Waiting to be done with the exam tomorrow. And eagerly looking forward to the long weekend ahead!
P.S. TV series have become the prime source of entertainment after long days - not that they weren't earlier - but they just seem much much more refreshing than before! And sleeping is the need of the hour - as opposed to owning the night hours without a hint of hesitation towards being the night owl!
Class of 2017 will have a good time! I'm certain now. :)
Let me bridge the gap so far. Capstone term - it was good and went by like a flash. Best part of that term was the Capstone course - Model based decision making in Practice. This course was like a good culmination of everything that we learnt in our first year. Unique part of the course was that we were trying to solve live problems for Canadian biggies such as Four Seasons and P&G and some real complicated challenges from First Service Residential and Cancer Care Ontario. We then get an opportunity to present our strategies to the firms if we make it to the first shortlist! That said, I definitely look forward to our upcoming presentation with P&G.
Officially first term is over!! And it was certainly a roller-coaster ride. Crazy busy with crazy learning. I do believe that I can apply what I've learnt to solve real-world problems much more efficiently than before.
And to top it all - I'm already in the second week of my internship at RBC. It is a pleasure to learn about the environment within Canada's top bank! Lots of learning in just a week. Things are certainly complex - for a non-finance background person like me, but I feel much more comfortable working with an awesome team that I'm a part of right now. Having said that, it is important to understand the financial sector, if you do plan to work in Canada - be it as a Management Consultant or as a Technology strategist.
I still feel I've not been able to enjoy my internship time a 100% as multi-tasking with an intensive course in the evenings. Pricing was an area that always interested me - and while the course is good, going to work during the day and coming back to attend class is strenuous! Waiting to be done with the exam tomorrow. And eagerly looking forward to the long weekend ahead!
P.S. TV series have become the prime source of entertainment after long days - not that they weren't earlier - but they just seem much much more refreshing than before! And sleeping is the need of the hour - as opposed to owning the night hours without a hint of hesitation towards being the night owl!
Class of 2017 will have a good time! I'm certain now. :)
Sunday, February 1, 2015
The much delayed post!
Crazy time of internships is here!
This is it. The first time when you get to make or break your career. From tackling 3 interviews in a day to idle brain time - this Term 2 has it all. Course load is fairly balanced, given how much we stress over getting those internships! A breather for sure after the hectic Term 1.
While some of us have already secured their summer jobs, the process of interviews has just begun. This month has been the month for Finance and Consulting focused students. First round of interviews are on, some have had the second rounds. It seems like end of February would paint a decent picture for these functions.
That said, I cannot stress enough how important prioritizing your goals at Rotman is. Once you do that, you know exactly what you need to focus on. While some students don't really need to care about grades per se, Consulting and Finance roles siphon most students based on that and of course the profiles and cover letters and resumes. But if you do have the grades, you need to focus less on creating a stellar resume or cover letter, because a good grade and a good GMAT gets you the spotlight at least for the first shortlist. Whether you do well after that, of course depends upon how good you are at behavioral (and case interviews - for Consulting profiles).
I wish all our classmates a good luck for this entire grueling process! The phase of good news has only just begun! :)
This is it. The first time when you get to make or break your career. From tackling 3 interviews in a day to idle brain time - this Term 2 has it all. Course load is fairly balanced, given how much we stress over getting those internships! A breather for sure after the hectic Term 1.
While some of us have already secured their summer jobs, the process of interviews has just begun. This month has been the month for Finance and Consulting focused students. First round of interviews are on, some have had the second rounds. It seems like end of February would paint a decent picture for these functions.
That said, I cannot stress enough how important prioritizing your goals at Rotman is. Once you do that, you know exactly what you need to focus on. While some students don't really need to care about grades per se, Consulting and Finance roles siphon most students based on that and of course the profiles and cover letters and resumes. But if you do have the grades, you need to focus less on creating a stellar resume or cover letter, because a good grade and a good GMAT gets you the spotlight at least for the first shortlist. Whether you do well after that, of course depends upon how good you are at behavioral (and case interviews - for Consulting profiles).
I wish all our classmates a good luck for this entire grueling process! The phase of good news has only just begun! :)
Friday, January 2, 2015
Thursday, January 1, 2015
HaPPy NeW Year 2015!!
With the advent of a new year, comes in new hope!
This New Year I wish that everyone gets what they want and deserve. Without getting much more philosophical - and I can see to what length I can blabber philosophy right now - here's wishing All Rotman alumni, current students and incoming students a very happy and grand new year!
P.S. A new year wish to all the Professors and Lecturers, Career Center, PSO, Graduate House and everyone else who's involved in making our Rotman experience a wonderful one so so far away from home!
BE SAFE.
Best wishes,
Dranzer
This New Year I wish that everyone gets what they want and deserve. Without getting much more philosophical - and I can see to what length I can blabber philosophy right now - here's wishing All Rotman alumni, current students and incoming students a very happy and grand new year!
P.S. A new year wish to all the Professors and Lecturers, Career Center, PSO, Graduate House and everyone else who's involved in making our Rotman experience a wonderful one so so far away from home!
BE SAFE.
Best wishes,
Dranzer
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)