From freshman to senior in just nine months! In a two-year MBA program, it's that quick from awkward newcomer trying to figure out which side the debits go on, to running the school and hanging out at the malt shop with your buddies in your letterman's jacket.

In almost every facet, from academics to career to your relationship with the school, the fall of your second year is radically different from your first autumn as an MBA student. At Marshall, the first-year path was paved for us by the program itself. Books? Already purchased. Classes? Scheduled. Club events? Just sign up.

SAMPLER MENU.  The second year at Marshall is about ownership. You take ownership of your class selection. You make decisions that will guide your career. You reshape the Marshall experience for future classes. Ownership certainly has its privileges, but one of them does not appear to be the much rumored and personally anticipated opportunity to relax in the second year.

One area where you can catch your breath in the second year is academics. I have yet to figure out whether this is because you can choose the classes you want, you select your teammates for group projects, or the Marshall mandated curve has been nicely pushed up a couple of tenths in the second year. In order not to upset my first-year teammates or give prospective employers the impression that my second-year GPA is inflated in any sort of way, let's assume it's the first reason.

I decided on the sampler menu for my first semester. I took one finance class, one marketing class, one strategy class, one entertainment class, and one education class. To the untrained eye it may look as if I am unfocused. As it seems I came across many of these untrained eyes during my fall interviews, let me see if I can't show that my vision (corrected as my picture above indicates) is indeed sharp.

MORE THAN ACADEMIC.  From the moment I stepped on campus, I wanted to strengthen my strategic-planning skills. Taking three complementary courses in corporate financial policy, marketing strategy, and strategic valuation helped me move closer to this goal. A company's direction is often set at the intersection of these three disciplines. As I wish to be the one setting that direction, I need a strong foundation in all three.

The main course on my fall semester menu was an independent study with a professor in the education school. I dove into a subject that I am passionate about -- a field in which I hope to some day make a significant contribution. I worked one-on-one with Professor Guilbert Hentschke to explore the growth of the for-profit education industry and how it is affecting public education. It was a rare opportunity, and one that I am thankful Marshall afforded me.

Finally, the entertainment class. Well, even the sampler menu comes with dessert. It was a weekly treat to discuss the intricacies of film finance and marketing with a former President of Columbia/Tri Star, Fred Bernstein

When not dining on the smorgasbord of classes, I was filling my plate with interviews and extracurricular leadership.

ROAD SCHOLAR.  The job search takes on a whole new level of seriousness in your second year. Suddenly, this is not some internship you are going to take just to try something new; it is the first job of the rest of your life. You remember that the purpose of taking two years out of your life to go back to school is not (only) to dress up in 80's outfits, try not to stand out in Cabo on spring break, and take golf lessons. Rather, it's to chase that dream job.

This goal has meant a lot of frequent-flyer miles and unfortunate, multiple in-flight viewings of I Robot, in my case. Within a month, I flew to Chicago, Boston, New York, and San Francisco to set up interviews, to conduct informational interviews, to wow audiences in some case interviews, and to send people running for the exits in other case interviews. I definitely soared in some moments and encountered a bit of turbulence in others.

The results of this search, which left no deep-dish pizza, cream pie, bagel, sourdough, or Will Smith vehicle unturned? Well, results are still pending. I'm sorry, dear reader, you are going to have to wait a column or two to find out where my journey continues. Something tells me that discussing in a national forum the specific triumphs and tribulations of interviews that I've had or may have will not endear me to potential employers. When the time is right though, you and I will chat.

MAKE MINE A DOUBLE.  While a large part of the second year is taking ownership of your life and your career, it's also about taking ownership of the school and the Marshall tradition. With only a one-year student memory, the possibilities for change are limitless, and the pressure to carry forward (and improve) the work of those before you is intense. I am happy to report that my class did not drop the baton passed to us from the Class of 2004. Everything that I took for granted as a first year -- club events, weekly mixers, tailgates for 1,200 people, and career nights -- are now being run by classmates.

This fall, I certainly played my part in this Marshall circle of life. Whether it was directing first-year student orientation, helping to lead a delegation to the national Net Impact Conference, or coming up with material for our new semimonthly Marshall newspaper, I shaped my Marshall experience and the experience of others.

From freshman to senior in just nine months. Now it is less than five months until I graduate and become an alumnus. Through academic, career, and leadership opportunities given to me by Marshall, I have begun to shape what my life will look like post-Friday, May 13. However, for now, I'm going down to the malt shop to meet Richie, Malph, and Patsy (or more accurately to meet Bill, Thad, Ethan, Yanagato, Steve, Harrison, and Stephanie for Halo) and enjoy the last few months of my last time as a senior.