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DECEMBER 2002 MBA JOURNAL: B-SCHOOL REVIEW Tangwena Nelson: Reflections on the Overall MBA Experience "There is no question that one walks away with a firmer grasp of business concepts and is generally more knowledgeable after two years in B-school. But it's the friendships you make and networks you build that are invaluable." Two years completed. It's hard to believe how quickly the time has passed. It seems like it was only a few weeks ago that I was... sitting for the GMAT exam, filling out applications, and awaiting impatiently for news from the mailman ...meeting future classmates, asking the monotonous "what's your name, where are you from, what did you do before B-school and what do you hope to do after?" questions ...awaiting closed lists and interviewing for internships. Two years later, the B-school sabbatical is over and it is time to return to the "real world", though with mixed feelings. For, as much as I enjoyed the "educational" rewards of studying long hours, I am now looking forward to the "financial" rewards. And as much as I will enjoy the thrill of executing multi-million dollar deals, I will no longer enjoy the safety net of school. Nonetheless, it is time to move on and in so doing, appreciate the two years invested in what was a very rewarding experience and for which I have no regrets. My decision to attend Cornell was based on a number of factors pointed out in my first essay, most notably reputation, fit, and the Toigo Fellowship (www.rtf.org). Having now completed two years, I can unequivocally say that these factors were indeed the best tools for me to use in the decision making process. The tight-knit environment, outstanding faculty, and network gained from both my classmates and Toigo exceeded my expectations. Of course, it was not all a bed of roses and there are things that I wish were done differently or not at all. However, the positives dramatically outweighed the negatives. In fact, the only area that I was truly disappointed in is the relatively low international enrollment rate of about 30%. But most U.S. B-schools don't do any better. In fact, Cornell's international enrollment rate is on par with the national average. Fortunately, Cornell offers the option of doing an international exchange program--something I enthusiastically took advantage of by spending my final spring semester at IESE Business School in Spain. This not only provided the opportunity to learn in a more diversified environment wherein radically opposing views are the norm, but also provided an even wider network of contacts and a more inviting weather climate. MY BUSINESS SCHOOL TAKE-AWAYS. While it would be easy to say that the most valuable thing I will take away from my two years at Cornell is a first-class education, the truth is that the experience was a lot more than the education. Rather, education represented one-third of what I found most valuable at the school. Far more important were the friendships I made and the subsequent network I was able to build. There is no question that one walks away with a firmer grasp of business concepts and is generally more knowledgeable after two years in B-school. But it's the friendships you make and networks you build that are invaluable. Things I will miss most: Waking when I feel like Dictating my own schedule Flexibility Wearing jeans High speed internet access All night parties Cafeteria food at IESE - inexpensive gourmet (e.g., steak, veal, and paella dishes) Free copies of the Wall Street Journal and Financial Times Learning new material Class debates Group dinners Good friends Things I will miss least: Cafeteria food at Cornell Vending machine food Core Classes Statistics All night study sessions On a more serious note, I believe that Cornell has positioned me well for my long-term career goal. Five years from now, I plan on running my own venture/consulting firm/fund focused on opportunities in emerging markets in Latin America and Africa. Focussing on this goal the "aha moment" I alluded to in my first Journal entry pointed to. Since then, just about everything I've done (the electives selected, semester abroad, etc.) has been geared towards achieving this goal. Cornell proved to be the right vehicle for me to take this first step, allowing me to make a smooth career switch. And while I would recommend Cornell in a heartbeat, it is important to point out that the decision on which program to attend should be more than just a name game. It should include factors such as size, location, reputation, and overall fit - especially given the two-year commitment. Additionally, what is most important for one person may not be important for another. For me, the program was the right fit. In any event, it has been a wonderful ride that has come to a close. For those just now going in, I would say congratulations and enjoy it. It will be over sooner than you think.  Get BusinessWeek directly on your desktop with our RSS feeds.  Add BusinessWeek news to your Web site with our headline feed. Click to buy an e-print or reprint of a BusinessWeek or BusinessWeek Online story or video. To subscribe online to BusinessWeek magazine, please click here. Learn more, go to the BusinessWeekOnline home page  | | DECEMBER Learn about your online education options |
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