A (Not So) Short List

Because it’s been so long since I’ve written, I feel a certain sense of inertia must be overcome to successfully post a new topic. As such I’ve decided to sum up the month-plus I’ve missed by giving you a (not so) short list of the highlights. (I’ll save the stories for another time.)

1. Winter is over.
I have officially survived my second quarter here, with a little more to show for it than the last. I have a job for the summer at a reputable firm in New York. Not sure what my assignment will be as yet, but I know I’ll be working on one of their “Global Priority” brands. I asked for a project related to innovation, but the criteria being used to determine assignments could be as reductive as matching each intern to their favorite brand (when asked in my interview, my response was Tanqueray… nothing like a little cold gin and cucumber). The quarter also ended well for me academically, with a more than solid showing for my transcript.

2. It is Spring.
Tender buds are near bursting on tree limbs, a panoply of green has erupted from the soil and the birds have resumed their song. Though the conditions today (stygian skies and blustery breezes) and yesterday (same with spitting rain) have been slightly less balmy than I’ve grown to expect from April, they still present a welcome respite from snow and slush, boots and mittens, ski caps and sweaters. I wore my first short sleeves in months to school today. The city itself is also reborn. This weekend its citizens, long weary of their involuntary hibernation, flooded the streets and parks in search of sun and fun. Sidewalk cafes have reopened and the few who brave the still chill air to enjoy them do so with beatific smiles.

3. I’m a writer.
I am rediscovering my love of writing and taking it into the public sphere. Since the end of the Autumn term, I’ve been writing for ChiBus and have enjoyed the opportunity to publish under that masthead. I’m writing a regular feature on marketing and have also had the opportunity to cover some of our front-page worthy events (like an interview with Pepsico CEO Emeritus Steve Reinemund). Of all the things I’m doing with my student activities time, I find this to be the most rewarding as it allows me to flex my expressive muscles on a bi-weekly basis.

4. My classes this quarter rock!
Nearly done fulfilling my breadth requirements, I’ve elected this quarter to immerse myself in my chosen field with not one, but two marketing courses. The first, Consumer Behavior, examines the socio-psychological forces driving consumer purchase patterns. The second, Data-Driven Marketing, is a quantitative approach (linear regression analysis) to understanding the correlation between market conditions, pricing decisions and sales data. (Drool.) This? Is what I came to Chicago for. My third class is Negotiations, which is by far the most challenging. But I need it. And expect to take a lot from the experience.

5. I am enjoying my fair city.
Maybe it’s the weather or maybe it’s my schedule this quarter, but I feel like I have had more opportunities to get out and explore Chicago since we got back from Spring Break. Last night, I joined the French MBA Club at La Sardine for a French feast tres authentique. Tomorrow night I am attending an open table event at Tango Sur hosted by the newly formed GSB Epicurean Club. And I’m dancing again. I discovered a free ballet class sponsored by a U of C student organization, which I’ll try to attend every Friday, and last weekend I experienced my first (of what I hope will be many) salsa lessons with a local instructor. And as if that weren’t enough, this Sunday I’m getting my culture fix at Webster’s Wine Bar with a 2nd Story event. Bliss.

So that’s it. For now. But life these days is rife with adventure, so expect more soon!

I may also start posting my published items from ChiBus. You can call it shameless self-promotion, but this ain’t no publicity stunt. I’m just trying to keep it real (and in real-time) for the folks tuning in from afar.

Lata!