San Fran City Trek: Students Tour Silicon Valley

Follow Weatherhead's Career Management Office (CMO) on Twitter @weatherheadcmo.

Career Management Office hosted a San Francisco Trek during spring break, March 15-16. The students visited Paypal, Samsung, Layer, Google and Plug and Play. Weatherhead alum Arnindam Jha hosted students at PayPal, alum Jamie Wheeler hosted students at Layer and alum Alicia Sanchez hosted at Google. CMO is thankful for the relationships of our alumni and employers who gave their time to show students what it is like to work in Silicon Valley. Some of our students who participated in the trek share their experiences and thoughts on the trip below.

Ashwin Mendhi, MBA Candidate
I recently returned from an exciting San Francisco Trek organized by the Career Management Office at Weatherhead School of Management. As part of the trek we visited various small and large companies and got an opportunity to interact with alumni, explore career opportunities and experience the unique Silicon Valley culture.

Day 1 started with a visit to PayPal headquarters in San Jose. We were hosted by Weatherhead alum Arindam Jha who, along with one of his team members, took us through a day in their life at PayPal. They also talked about their career progressions and what mattered along the way. We then visited the Innovation Center where we looked at different PayPal products and services and how these products and services work together to create maximum value for PayPal.

Our next stop was Samsung Research America (SRA) in Mountain View where we learned about the kind of research SRA is doing in different technologies and industries, especially healthcare. We also discussed some ways in which Samsung is fostering innovation within the company and how they are currently creating opportunities for employees to innovate.

Next, we headed to downtown San Francisco to visit a startup called Layer. The conversation started off with how Layer is enriching the interaction between businesses and customers using Artificial Intelligence. Alum Jamie Wheeler, our host, (and his wife, also Jaime Wheeler) went to school in Cleveland and now live in SF. They had a very interesting story to share about the journey they took and the cultural differences they experienced in these two cities. Layer, for me, had the perfect Silicon Valley vibe that I had heard so much about. They had a small rustic office (which used to be a creamery) that looked friendly and casual with couches and string lights with employees chatting and working in groups. We met Remi, Jamie’s dog, who looked a little confused while we were in our discussions. By the time we were done at Layer, it was time for an Alumni Reception and Networking event. Apartment List, a startup by Weatherhead alum John Kobs, hosted the event that was attended by more than 20 alumni from the region. It was a great experience and we all made many valuable connections. We ended the day on a high while exploring the streets of downtown SF.

Day 2 started with a visit to Google’s San Francisco office. First up, some of us who had arrived a little early headed to the cafeteria, led by our host alum Alicia Sanchez. There were delicious looking breakfast items all over the place. We got ourselves some coffee and headed to a meeting room. We discussed Google’s culture, their interview process and Alicia’s work and journey within Google.
Our next stop was at Plug and Play Tech Center—a startup accelerator in Sunnyvale. At Plug and Play we got an opportunity to witness a pitch competition where startups where pitching to raise money from Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists. We also toured the facility and saw all the facilities/resources that startups have access to and rooms and desks that they can rent to function as their office space. Our visit ended with a group picture in front of one of the many walls painted with the names of startups that have called Plug and Play their home.

This trek to San Francisco will definitely be one of the highlights of my time at Weatherhead. This was my first ever trip to the Bay Area and I met some amazing people, visited successful companies that are redefining their respective industries and experienced the distinctive workplace culture in Silicon Valley. I have new-found motivation to someday work in the Bay Area and the trek made me realize that it’s not a far-fetched dream.

Luiz Vieira, MBA Candidate
The San Francisco trek was a great experience for the different perspectives I've learned.
I really enjoyed visiting all the companies, but two stood out for me: Layer and Google.

At Layer I was surprised by Jamie Wheeler's dynamic professional approach and how he is always looking for ways to innovate and add a lot of value to it. His trajectory of persistence and capacity to drive his future and to create things very fast taught me a lot.

Google was a brief but fruitful visit. Alicia seemed very transparent and her work was something I never expected. I was amazed by her vision and to learn what Google is doing to create new tools for the platform.

San Francisco is probably my favorite place in the U.S.; I have yet to find another place like it. The business opportunities there are tremendous, especially when it comes to innovation. I truly believe that this Trek should be repeated every year, and I hope that more students will continue to participate in this amazing experience.

Lauren Nelson, MBA Candidate
The San Francisco trek was everything that I expected it to be. I got to explore the city, meet alumni in the area, and get the inside scoop on major Silicon Valley companies. Going on the trek really made networking with people on the West Coast a lot more approachable!

How to wear a cap and gown!

Graduates, may we have your attention please! Now that you have mastered the quantitative skills required to manage finances and developed the emotional intelligence to lead people and organizations, there is one more difficult, yet important task for you to learn: How to put on a graduation cap and gown! Don't worry, Weatherhead is here to help!

Before you step inside your graduation regalia on commencement day, take two minutes to watch our video on how to wear a cap and gown.

Dear Lauren: Advice to Incoming Students

Lauren Nelson is a candidate in Weatherhead's MBA program.

My advice to incoming Weatherhead students? Set your post-graduation goals early, and seek opportunities outside the classroom to differentiate yourself from day 1 of b-school. Here are a few ways I did that and what I learned along the way. 

Before coming to CWRU I knew that I wanted to become a business designer. For those who aren’t familiar with that term – it means solving complex “hairy” problems using a human-centered approach, combining customer empathy, business strategy and design thinking. Often it starts with ethnographic research and problem definition, followed by an iterative series of prototypes and experiments tested and co-created with actual users in the field, and finally a human centered solution is solidified. I knew it to be my vocation. Knowing that made it easy to find opportunities to grow in this respect. Some of my classmates knew what industry they wanted to work in, for example: one peer wanted to work in something Organizational Behavior related, another wanted Investment Banking, and yet another wanted to work in advanced marketing analytics. While you may not know every detail about what you want to do, at least have a type of work or industry in mind so that you can more easily evaluate all of the many opportunities that are going to come your way, and choose to get involved in what will give you great stories and skills that you can discuss in your interviews. 

I spent most of first semester of year one looking forward to the MBA core Design class that I knew would come in the Spring for my cohort. A lot of my free time was spent pursuing creative interests on my own, but there weren’t many opportunities to engage in design-related project work or events outside of class. So, shortly after the first days of Design class I, and another student, approached our Design professor, Professor Yoo, to ask for more opportunities. We didn’t let the dearth of opportunities stop us, we made our own! We got a design challenge from our professor to work on as an extracurricular project, which gave us both some great talking points that helped us both get our business design-focused internships in the summer. 

Shortly after the meeting I mentioned above, we made plans to start our own Weatherhead Design Club. This year that club has come to fruition and it’s one of the things I’m most proud of from my time at Weatherhead. We’ve come up with some repeatable templates for events that engage students with outside speakers, skill-building, and ongoing project work for those who desire it. I’m not telling everyone to start a club, but at least get involved in one and make it your own. If I could change something, I would probably have gotten more involved in event planning for different clubs in my first year. Just because you’re not a club leader your first year, doesn’t mean you can’t plan! In fact, club leaders would probably be grateful for someone to step up and help with event coordination, especially when they’re often working, going to school and leading a club. 

You can also flex your leadership muscles with GBSA and deepen your content knowledge by becoming a TA. These are things you should start setting up for during the beginning of the first year – want to TA for a specific professor? Do extra great work for them and attend office hours whenever possible! Want to represent your classmates in GBSA? Apply for a class representative role, and find innovative ways to collect student voices so that you can do your role meaningfully. For me, being the VP of Academic Affairs in GBSA was a great way to get an understanding of the inner-workings of higher ed institutions, and to advocate for my peers. TAing for the first year’s Design class was incredibly valuable and gave me the opportunity to use skills from my past life in teaching in a new context that I am more passionate about. 

Don’t underestimate the power of extracurriculars to get you to the next level and help you meet your goals. The experiences I described above helped me land a job in my vocation and you can too! It’s the things outside of class that strengthen our network and form the connections that will last far into the future. So go get involved!

A photo from our first Design Club event back in the fall.

Excited for next year’s leaders to repeat this event, and make it even bigger and better!

Meet the 2018-2019 GBSA

The following blog post is brought to you by Gursewak Singh, 1^st year MBA student and Graduate Assistant for Weatherhead's Office of Student Experience (STEX). STEX is here to assist students with finding opportunities for experiences outside of the classroom that will complement the holistic learning environment of Weatherhead. Learn more.

Hello Students,

Please take some time to learn the names and faces of your fellow students who will be representing you next year on the Graduate Business Student Association (GBSA). GBSA plays an important role in our continued growth and success as a school. Not only do these students organize great events, such as the Weatherheadless Ball, Casino Night and Multicultural Festivals, they also facilitate the active community of student leaders who brought you a host of wonderful club events this year.

Moreover, GBSA provides a link between the students and the faculty and administration at the school. They create a collaborative, working relationship that helps shape programming and day-to-day life here in Peter B. Lewis and beyond. 

These individuals will be reaching out to you between now and the start of next year to get a better understanding of your needs as a student body. I also encourage you to reach out to them with your suggestions and ideas.

Graduate Business Student Association (2018-2019)

President: Chris Blanchard, MBA Candidate

Prior to coming to Weatherhead for his MBA, Chris worked as a member of the Houston Electrical  League board of directors where he learned to effectively resolve challenges and lead discussions with working professionals in many different roles. Chris also has 5 years of technical field sales experience on a global scale.

Vice President: Harsh Ranjan, MBA Candidate 

Harsh is a first year MBA student. Prior to Weatherhead, Harsh led multiple design teams as a head architect, and recently created and led a joint venture between an American and Indian design firm  focusing on idea creation and portfolio diversification.

VP Academic: Adriana Benavides Trevino, MBA Candidate

Adriana is also a current first year MBA student. During her tenure as Lead Math Teacher at Montessori High School Cleveland, Adriana worked collaboratively with students in planning future curriculum items.

VP Marketing: Lauren Tancer, MBA Candidate

Before coming to Weatherhead, Lauren worked as President of Miami University Student Foundation where she developed rich experience in Event Planning, Marketing and honoring university traditions such as Miami University Homecoming, Family Weekend, Greek Week, Senior Week and a variety of other events throughout the year.

VP Finance: Suyash Gayawal, MSFI Candidate

Suyash is a current Master of Finance Student. Suyash has several years of industry experience in design, development, and supply chain management at a pre-revenue company (Echogen Power Systems) as well as a fortune 500 company (Cummins Inc.).

VP Operations: Shu Liu, MSFI Candidate

Prior to Weatherhead, Shu developed her leadership experience as an academic leader of the Model United Nation organization at her undergraduate institution. Shu also enjoys working with Youth Volunteer organizations.

VP Social and Cultural: Kuiran (T.K) Song, MSFI Candidate

Kurian is a current Master of Finance student. His experiences as an active member of the CWRU undergraduate community and as the president of the student council in high school have given him the skills necessary to build strong connections between student voices and university staffs.

Program Representatives

MSFI: Bohao Bi 

Bohao will be the Master in Finance rep in GBSA. He has experience working as Vice President of Liaison International Elite Program, MetLife Hong Kong Branch and as a leader in his undergraduate Student Union.

MBA: Nathan Sundheimer

Nate will be an additional representative of the MBA program in GBSA. During his undergrad in Neurobiology, he held a number of leadership positions including President of the College of Wooster Neuroscience Club and President of College of Wooster Club Soccer Global.  

ORSC: Jiaxin Hong

Jiaxin Hong, first year MS-ORSC student, has a background in Communication and Transport Engineering. He was the Financial Department Head of Student Union, Shanghai Maritime University and Recreation & Sports Secretary, and a member of the SMU Class Committee.

MACC: Bei Wang

Bei Wang will serve as the MACC program rep in GBSA. Bei has a background in International Business and was an active member of her student council in undergrad.

Student Report: I just got back from Greece, and what a trip!

Teng Yang is a candidate in Weatherhead's MBA program.

What a trip! I just got back from a 10-day trip to Greece last Monday night, for the International Institutes Class taught by professor Michael Goldberg. I participated in the class last semester in Strasbourg, France, and enjoyed it so much I decided to do it again.

Greek people were very friendly and welcoming. I was surprised that the people we met were so cheerful given the economic hardship the country is going though. The stereotype of ‘lazy Greek” is simply not true. The people we meet were hard working and entrepreneurial. Tourism, agriculture and shipping are some of the primary economic drivers in Greece.

Politically, the modern Hellenic Republic (Greece) was formed in 1830 as a result of a revolutionary war with the Ottoman empire. Before its independence, Greece was occupied by numerous other empires, which left a rich mix of cultural heritage. One thing in particular that is reflected in today’s Athens is that the city is built on top of ancient ruins. Modern department stores have glass floors peering into archaeological excavations of ancient Athens. You can go down some unmarked stair well and come across the remains of ancient fortifications. Strolling through Athens’ city center, you’ll find roman bath houses, Athenian markets and Ottoman churches. And there is the always present Acropolis, which is lit up brilliantly by spot lights.

During our stay in Athens, we visited local businesses, both well established and new startups, and learned about their challenges and difficulties. We also visited companies and attended lectures. As part of a consulting project, we were paired with a local startup company trying to grow its business. The consulting project was a unique opportunity to experience Greece’s economic environment first hand. Overall the trip was educational and eye opening. 

CMO Hosts CLE Healthcare Trek

Follow Weatherhead's Career Management Office (CMO) on Twitter @weatherheadcmo.

Career Management Office recently hosted a Healthcare Trek on February 9. The day began with breakfast and networking at the Cleveland Clinic including a presentation from Distance Health. Then students went to University Hospitals for conversation with UH CFO Michael Szubski and lunch and discussion with the Department of Operational Effectiveness. The day ended at MetroHealth speaking with Julie Jacono, director of strategy & business development, and a networking reception with Weatherhead alumni. It was a very productive day with a wide variety of topics including:

• Values-based healthcare
• Role of big data in healthcare, and how data is being used to drive improvements and clinical outcomes
• Policy and government in healthcare
• Strategies to cut costs and save money within the healthcare industry
• Innovation within healthcare
• Interoperability 
• Process improvement 

Harsh Ranjan, MBA ’19 Candidate, gave his thoughts on the trek:

Provide an overview of your day/experience:

Being an international student, I had very little knowledge about the American Healthcare system, but by the end of the day, I had a newfound respect for the industry and professionals. It is amazing to get an insight of how they are striving to come up with innovative ways to serve people in need while adhering to the stringent laws and policies governing the industry, which can often be a hindrance when trying out something new.

What was the highlight of the healthcare trek for you?

It was interesting to know how all of the three hospitals we visited were in a fierce competition with one another, highlighting the highly competitive nature of this industry. Additionally, we were exposed to how each one of them is developing unique solutions to differentiate themselves by targeting various population segments and providing customized services appealing to their respective market audience.

How did the trek impact your career interests/goals?

Our MBA courses at Weatherhead have taught us various strategies/concepts along with the use of analytical tools which can be useful for each of the three hospitals we visited. The trek has made me confident that I can contribute to this industry and has definitely highlighted the healthcare industry as an interesting career option. 

Why should a student consider participating in a trek?

The healthcare system is one of the biggest industries in the country. This trek taps into Weatherhead's close proximity to three major institutions to give you the inside scoop and the opportunity to connect with the upper echelons of the industry, which can lead to future career/internship opportunities. Even if you don't have an interest in healthcare, I would recommend participating since it will enlighten you with hidden facts and figures that will change your perspective of the healthcare industry for sure!

Student thoughts on the International Alumni Panel

Follow Weatherhead's Career Management Office (CMO) on Twitter @weatherheadcmo.

Weatherhead's Career Management Office hosted the annual International Alumni Panel and Luncheon on February 3, 2018. This event features alumni who share their past experiences and how they landed positions in the United States. We had an outstanding response with 25 alumni coming back to campus to share their stories. This event has proven to be an effective way to get first-hand knowledge on the career search as an international student.  

International Alumni Panel & Luncheon is always hosted at the beginning of the Spring semester. We highly recommend that you attend next year and every future opportunity that involves alumni. Remember to frequently check CareerLink to see what Workshops and Information Sessions will be happening next.

WSOM graduate students shared their thoughts on the event:

1.  Describe the best insight(s) you received from alumni?

      “I attended the alumni panel and met with the ORSC alumni such as Gloria, ShaSha and Lu Liu. The best insights I received from them include networking and being communicative with people around. As international students, we tend to stay in our comfort zone only hanging out with friends that we know. They told me that it is not just enough to find opportunities for a career or advance in careers and receiving recommendations on LinkedIn helps. As a Business Analytics student, I also asked for some analytics advice from Robert Chen from MTD. He said SQL and R are very powerful and widely used tools that we all should be proficient in. As I will be starting my internship at the Cleveland Clinic Business Intelligence department, I was advised by Amy Chen, MBA, from the Cleveland Clinic, that I should also look at my future goals before considering a H1B sponsorship from a company or organization. Especially, we should make sure that we fit in with the company's culture or if there is a possibility to grow within the organization.”  Su Latt, MSM-Business Analytics Candidate 2018

“I learned things such as… the right way to reach to alumni, how to handle behavioral interviews, follow-up email matters, and that it’s important to understand/know the company/profile you are applying for.” Mohan Kantamaneni, MBA Candidate 2018

“The best insight I received was to always remain in a positive attitude during the job search.” Yifei Xu, MSM-Finance Candidate 2019

2. What was your favorite part of the event?

“My favorite part was the ORSC Alumni Panel, where all the alumni seem to agree on all core skills such as great interpersonal communication, being a team player, presentation skills, networking, analytics skills and problem solving.” Su Latt, MSM-Business Analytics Candidate 2018

“My favorite part was the panel session with alumni from different fields sharing insights.” Mohan Kantamaneni, MBA Candidate 2018

“I really enjoyed having the ability to talk to alumni face-to-face.” Yifei Xu, MSM-Finance Candidate 2019

3. Would you recommend the event to other students?

“I would definitely recommend this event to other students—not only international but also domestic students. These alumni gave us great points on the success not only in searching for a job but also in the workplace and possible promotion opportunities. Especially if we know we are interested in a particular company, it is a great opportunity to network with someone who went through the same process that we will be going through. It's always refreshing to hear from someone from the company or organization that you are interested in because they know the company internally.” Su Latt, MSM-Business Analytics Candidate 2018

“Yes, definitely!” Mohan Kantamaneni, MBA Candidate 2018

“I recommend this event greatly.” Yifei Xu, MSM-Finance Chain Candidate 2019

Student Report: 100 Days Until Graduation

Stephanie Hagen is a candidate in Weatherhead's MBA program.

It’s hard to believe there are now less than 100 days left until graduation! (Not that anyone is keeping track, but the Cleveland Marathon’s website has a convenient countdown.) As a full-time MBA student, it can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of classes, homework, and applying for jobs (or, for those more fortunate among us, working at said jobs) and forget to appreciate our time at Weatherhead.

One of the highlights from my MBA experience has been the opportunity to work at the Fowler Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit. The Fowler Center is based on the idea that by creating value for society and the environment, businesses can create even more value for customers and shareholders—“doing good” can (and should) be part of a company’s core mission, not just an afterthought.

This is such a refreshing idea. When I was first applying to business schools, I had just left Washington, DC, and my prior dreams of changing the world through public service. A part of me wondered if I was selling out, giving up any ambition of making a positive impact on a larger scale. 

However, as I started to explore Weatherhead and the Fowler Center, I realized that business could also be a powerful force for good in the world.

As a Fowler Family Fellow, I’ve had the opportunity to work part-time with the Fowler Center. In helping with research and event planning for various projects, I’ve come to appreciate even more the importance of business in shaping the future. Here are two examples:

AIM2Flourish: AIM2Flourish is a global initiative that highlights businesses around the world that AIM2Flourish.com. This is a pretty cool experience! Last year, I interviewed the owner of Storehouse Tea, a local organic tea company that focuses on hiring refugees. Not only is the company fully committed to social and environmental responsibility, but it also offers amazing loose-leaf teas. 

are helping to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As part of our core course in Sustainability, first-year MBAs at Weatherhead interview a business leader and write about their innovations in stories that are published on

Other Cleveland-based companies highlighted range from BrownFlynn, a sustainability consulting firm, and EPOCH Pi, an investment firm focused on conscious capitalism, to Sherwin Williams, which recently introduced an antibacterial paint, and Great Lakes Brewing Company, a craft beer company focused on the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. Right now, the Fowler Center is working on the logistics for the 2018 Flourish Prizes and a local Cleveland celebration in the spring…stay tuned!

Fourth Global Forum: Every three years, the Fowler Center brings together executives, entrepreneurs, and change agents to explore how flourishing enterprise can improve performance. The most recent Global Forum happened last summer, from June 14 to June 16 at the Tinkham Veale University Center. The other Fellows and I helped with the behind-the-scenes logistics to make sure the event ran smoothly and got to listen in on the keynote presentations. One of the coolest parts involved bringing Flourish Prize winners from around the world—including students, professors, and business leaders—to Cleveland to participate. It was amazing to see how individuals from completely different industries, backgrounds, and countries shared a dedication to business as a force for good.

The Fowler Center was key to my decision to come to Weatherhead, and it has continued to shape my perspective on the role of business in society. I’m excited to look for ways to put these ideas into practice as I start my post-MBA career!

GBSA Executive Board Election: 11 Open Board Seats!

The following blog post is brought to you by George Smiltins, Director of Weatherhead's Office of Student Experience (STEX). STEX is here to assist students with finding opportunities for experiences outside of the classroom that will complement the holistic learning environment of Weatherhead. Learn more.

Hello Students! 

It is time to let your voice be heard at Weatherhead! GBSA Executive Board Election season has commenced! This is a call for full-time WSOM grad students who will be returning next year to consider running for one of the 11 open GBSA board seats.

GBSA plays an important role in our continued growth and success as a school. Not only do they organize great events, such as the Weatherheadless Ball, Casino Night and Multicultural Festivals, they also facilitate the active community of student leaders who brought you a host of wonderful events this year. Moreover, GBSA provides a link between the students and the faculty and administration at the school. They create a collaborative, working relationship that helps shape programming and day-to-day life here in Peter B. Lewis and beyond. 

There are many roles within the executive board and each specializes in an important area such as cultural events, academics and student activity finances. Or consider one of the newly created Program Representative positions designed to increase representation on the board from all WSOM classes. 

Available positions:

● President

● Executive Vice President

● Vice President of Academic Affairs

● Vice President of Marketing & Communications

● Vice President of Finance

● Vice President of Operations

● Vice President of Social & Cultural Activities

● Program Representative - MBA FT 

● Program Representative - MSFI 

● Program Representative - OR/SC 

● Program Representative - MACC

ELIGIBILITY

● Full-time WSOM graduate student

● GPA of 3.0 or higher.

● Students must be in good standing (not subject of ongoing academic or other university investigation, or found responsible for any such violation).

● Students running for President and Executive Vice President MUST have at least TWO years of work

experience and be enrolled at Weatherhead for full upcoming academic year (Expected Graduation Spring 2019 or later)

Candidate platforms are due February 8th by 11:59 p.m. If you are interested in running or have more questions, reach out to George Smiltins, gss10@case.edu and Wenlong Ma, wxm157@case.edu .

Best of luck!

Student Report: My Favorite Semester by Lauren Nelson

Lauren Nelson is a candidate in Weatherhead's MBA program.

It has finally set in that this is my last semester at Weatherhead, and a mix of emotions have surfaced! I’m excited, energized and a bit sad at the same time.This semester is by far my favorite already, and I’ll tell you why:

Reason #1: Tanzania
A big fan of studying abroad since undergrad, I have to admit that I was skeptical of what we could learn and the impact we could possibly make while traveling for only 10 days in Tanzania during our Social Entrepreneurship course led by Dan Lacks of the Case School of Engineering and Weatherhead's Michael Goldberg, expert on entrepreneurship in transitioning economies. However, boy was I pleasantly surprised! The trip began with a touristy safari where I got to see animals in their natural habitat in a way that I would never have imagined. When we proceeded to the “course” part of the trip, thanks to Goldberg’s expert networking skills we were connected with high-achieving high-energy entrepreneurs from the bustling fintech space to shared mobility to e-commerce. I can’t say enough about how interesting I found the payment revolution there--companies like MPesa are working to bring mobile payments to citizens who are “unbanked,” having huge implications for their earning potential. We got to see our professor in his element, energizing the crowd with the message that they too could be a mecca of innovation and gave paths for tapping into the entrepreneurial potential of transitioning economies. 

In contrast, we also got to experience the remote island of Tumbatu just a few kilometers from Zanzibar, for a solar panel installation in the village of Junguwe led by chemical engineering professor Dan Lacks. It was the first time I met anyone who didn’t know who Obama was or what the United States meant. And yet, I was able to teach some Tumbatu children tic-tac-toe and “the line game” and have a bunch of fun. The experience taught me how truly everyone has capacity to be an entrepreneur, and that entrepreneurship is a vehicle for change. 


We got to bond with the mother of the home where we installed solar panels in Tumbatu.


My teammates along with the founders of the e-commerce startup who we'll be consulting for this semester.

Reason #2: Academics! (Nerdy, I know...)
I am also OBSESSED with my classes this semester. After two weeks so many of my questions have been answered in both my Entrepreneurial Finance and my Negotiations courses. Questions like: What the heck is Series A? What is venture capital? How do you value a startup? How do I negotiate my salary (super important for the next reason)? 

Reason #3: I have a job!
This week I accepted a position as a User Centered Designer for post-graduation at Goodyear in their Global Innovation Group. Now I get to eat, sleep, breathe the future of mobility. How cool is that?! OK, maybe it’s just me… 

Reason #4: My own STARTUP! 
Spring semester of second year is awesome because everyone is required to be a part of a startup. This is particularly exciting because I get to put everything I’ve learned in semester 1 of AMES, and in Economics of Technical Entrepreneurship and Innovation that I took last semester with Scott Shane. I can’t tell you too much, because, well, it’s just a baby startup right now but I will get back to you with more information in the coming weeks and months as it matures! You might just want to be our first customer… 

All in all, this semester is really different because I can finally see the future, and why I worked so hard to get to this point. The relationships that I’ve developed with classmates, Design Club members and Design For America Project Team members will be everlasting. I’m so excited to see the fruits of the growing momentum of Design at Weatherhead and hope to stay engaged as an alumna. We’re not there yet, though! There are still over three months to go. I will savor every last moment.

Spring semester career plan checklist

Follow Weatherhead's Career Management Office (CMO) on Twitter @weatherheadcmo.

The Career Management Office welcomes you back to campus! We hope you had a wonderful holiday break. With the New Year comes a re-focus on your career search. The first objective is to start expanding your network and actively applying for positions. We have outlined a checklist to be sure you are on track to reach your career goals. We look forward to connecting with you this semester!

January

1.      Update resume with new class projects or internship information

2.      Schedule a CMO meeting to practice your storyline, pitch and individual career strategy

3.      Review your LinkedIn profile and make updates

4.      Outreach to two networking contacts a week; schedule two informational interviews

5.      Check CareerLink weekly for job postings and employer events

February

1.      Outreach to three networking contacts a week; schedule three informational interviews

2.      Schedule a CMO meeting for mock interviews; Practice your pitch with five people

3.      Identify your top employers and conduct informational interviews; seek and apply for positions

4.     CWRU/WSOM events: CWRU career fair (Monday, Feb. 12, 2018); WSOM Casino Night (Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018)

5.      Check CareerLink weekly for job postings and employer events

March

1.      Outreach to five networking contacts a week; schedule four informational interviews; follow up with connections

2.      Schedule a meeting with CMO to review email communication, mock interviews and career strategy

3.      Meet with two professors about your career goals and ask for advice

4.      Identify and attend two networking events

5.      Check CareerLink weekly for job postings and employer events

April

1.      Outreach to six networking contacts a week; schedule informational interviews; follow up with connections

2.      Schedule a meeting with CMO to review email communication, mock interviews and career strategy

3.      Check CareerLink weekly for job postings and employer events

Mark your calendars for the following workshops in Spring 2018!

Express Advising: 

Monday’s from 4:30 – 5:40; Tuesdays from 11:00 – 12:00 and Wednesdays from 2:30 – 3:30

Some Important CMO Events: Please continue to check CareerLink for updated events.

January

CMO Open House: Wednesday, January 31, 2018   

February

International Alumni Panel: Saturday, February 3, 2018

OPT Workshop: Friday, February 16, 2018

March

CPT Workshop: Friday, March 23, 2018

April

Peer Mock Interviews: Thursday, April 12, 2018