Heather Densmore: A Fond Farewell

As I sit here in June writing my final journal, many of my B-school friends have either dispersed to exotic summer travel destinations or are currently driving across the country to begin the next phase of their lives. It feels strange to be here in Austin without all of them at my fingertips. It's humbling to reflect on how much these people, none of whom I knew a mere 24 months ago, have changed my life. How remarkable to be so greatly moved by a group of people in such a short period of time.

Graeme Martin was the first person to whom I said goodbye, and reality hit hard at that moment. After the graduation ceremony, we were walking across campus and talking very casually about his upcoming job in Houston. Suddenly he turned and hugged me and said goodbye. I was stunned. This wasn't a "See you after spring break" hug or a "Have a great Christmas break" hug. This was a "See you when I see you" hug.

A wave of sadness swept over me when I realized that I would never again hear his funny British humor in class or attend his annual holiday party. Reality felt even heavier when I thought about all the other friends I would have this same exchange with over the next several days.

THE PERFECT JOB.  It was no secret to me that the end of this two-year journey would be so bittersweet. Fortunately I was prepared for this and tried to consciously enjoy every minute of it along the way. If I don't count the minutes spent doing accounting homework and studying for final exams, I was quite successful.

I was especially successful at enjoying myself once I landed the perfect job! As you may recall from my last journal, I spent my spring break doing the Great Networking Trek of 2006. This involved going to Dallas and meeting with as many real estate professionals as possible. I was on a mission to find the perfect job (see BusinessWeek.com, 2/06, "Heather Densmore: Tick Tock, Tick Tock").

I knew ahead of time that most of the people with whom I would meet did not have a job available. I was simply requesting informal meetings with them to get their perspectives on the industry and to figure out exactly what I wanted to do and where I wanted to do it. The only thing I knew at the beginning of this adventure was that I would not settle for a job that did not excite me.

THIS IS THE PLACE.  Though I did not have a job offer from the perfect company when I returned to school after spring break, I was very happy to have identified the perfect job, and the perfect company, for me. Half the battle was won right there. But the other half was just beginning. I had to convince them that I was just as perfect for them.

The company was Stream Realty Partners, a full service real estate agency, investment and development firm. There were two things at Stream that impressed me greatly. First, the entrepreneurial atmosphere and opportunities were endless.

In my very first journal back in August of 2004, I wrote passionately about how my mission in going to business school was to leave the corporate consulting world and find the perfect entrepreneurial opportunity (see BusinessWeek.com, 8/04, "Heather Densmore: Who I Am and Why B-School Is for Me").

STRONG BONDS.  I had no doubt that Stream would fill that need. Second, I could tell immediately that the people who represented Stream were extremely professional, motivated, bright, outgoing, and honest. Once I saw that their firm's values were smart, honest, nice, and passionate, I was sold. I had to work there! After a lengthy interview process involving four trips to Dallas and 15 one-on-one meetings, I am thrilled to report that I will be working as a senior associate at Stream Realty Partners in Dallas beginning in August.

The McCombs Class of 2006 is truly remarkable, and that's after accounting for my own personal bias! The results of this year's Leave a Legacy campaign illustrate just how bonded this class became. As I mentioned in my last journal, I co-chaired the annual student fundraising campaign with my friend Dale, and we had hoped to raise $100,000 from our peers.

We far underestimated the expected contributions of our classmates. The Class of 2006 broke the records for the most money ever raised and the highest average contribution, with an overall pledge of over $129,000. This money will be used to create an endowed MBA scholarship fund, the Class of 2006 David Lee Chen Memorial Graduate Fellowship. This scholarship will forever honor and commemorate the McCombs Class of 2006 as well as our friend and classmate David Lee Chen, who tragically passed away earlier this year.

	Red McCombs of the McCombs School of Business helped us kick off our 2006 Leave a Legacy Campaign Disorientation Week.

The week leading up to graduation is called Disorientation. At this point finals are done, jobs are determined, and it's time to kick back, relax, and celebrate our two years of hard work. Some of the week's scheduled activities included rafting on the Guadalupe River, Cohort Olympics, dinner at the famous Salt Lick BBQ, and MBA Prom.

Of course there were numerous unscheduled activities that week as well. Several of the ladies got together and rented a pontoon boat on Lake Travis one sunny afternoon. We left the beer at home and in its place brought Ling's famous gourmet snacks and Wendy's refreshing sangria. I can't think of a more perfect way to celebrate the end of an incredible two years in Austin.

	Jody, Ling, and Sarah enjoying the sun on a pontoon boat on Lake Travis

While the ladies were lounging on the pontoon boat, soaking up the rays and reminiscing about the good old days, the guys were drafting a final guys' night out. This involved an expensive steak dinner, plenty of red wine and scotch, and of course cigars. Though the guys' night looks like fun (minus the scotch and cigars), I think the girls won hands down.

	The guys treated themselves to a night of steak, scotch, and cigars.

I was so busy celebrating and enjoying the many events of disorientation week that I did not mentally prepare myself for what happened at the end of it: graduation. On Friday, May 19, I arrived on campus with my cap and gown and immediately began taking pictures with my friends. The staging area for the graduation ceremony was the gymnasium, and it was filled with 300 clones in black caps and gowns.

	Posing with my good friend Sarah as we wait for the ceremony to begin.

While the administration was trying to organize us into lines, we were busy laughing and taking countless pictures. First we had to have an all-girls picture. Then there were the pictures with all the couples that had come together in the class. Then there were the pictures with members of certain study groups. Excitement filled the air and I was so focused on capturing shots of my friends in their funny-looking caps that I didn't realize that we were being put into two lines in preparation for entering and beginning the ceremony.

We were still taking pictures and talking while being marched toward the ceremony room, and I was shocked when I turned a corner and walked through a set of doors into a sea of parents and faculty standing to greet us. My first thought was, "This is a dress rehearsal, right?" Wrong. After two glorious years, the moment of truth had arrived. We were graduating.

The ceremony itself was characterized by nostalgia and anticipation. The deans of the business school spoke, as did Jack Brock, our class president, who gave a sincere talk about our class and what it means to be part of this family. Awards were then presented to certain students, and I can't describe how honored I was to receive one of four service and leadership awards voted on by the class. To me, there is no greater gift or feeling than to be recognized by a group of people who I hold in such high esteem.

I was and am truly touched by that gift and would like to sincerely thank all of my friends and classmates. Bob Lagrone, Ling Kung, and Michelle Silver received the other three awards and, once again, I feel honored to be in their company. After the award recognition, all 300 of us walked one by one across the stage to receive our diplomas, cheered on by the claps and shouts of our friends and families in the audience. It's a moment I will never forget.

	Thanks Mom and Dad for being there to celebrate this moment with me.

What Now? I have felt a wide range of emotions these past few weeks. Excitement. Anticipation. Disbelief. And now that it's all over, I feel an overwhelming sense of freedom. I don't have the constant weight of homework or exams or group projects hanging over my head. I have my weekends and evenings back. But those things never bothered me before.

In fact, I loved the group projects and the opportunities to work with such great people. So what changed? Maybe I'm just ready to move on. Two months ago I wouldn't have been ready. I guess Father MBA knew what he was doing when he created the two-year program.

However, the more likely cause of this feeling of freedom originates from the fact that I did not accept a job. That's right, I will not be starting a job when I move to Dallas. Rather, I will be starting a lifestyle, and that is the most freeing thing I could have hoped for. I am not entering a corporate world that is so often full of hierarchy and red tape. For the first time, I will be living a life where the only person limiting my success is me.

Each morning I will get up ready to learn more about the Dallas real estate market, eager to meet more people and form more relationships. I will be surrounded by some of the most professional and successful people in the industry, and I will call them my colleagues and friends. To love what you do turns a job into a lifestyle, and I truly believe that is the best gift you can give yourself.

On that note, I'd like to list the top 4 things I learned in B-school for any of you out there who are about to embark on this life-changing journey.

Take the time to research and find the perfect job for you. Request informational interviews from people from day one. Make this a top priority during both years and, in the end, do NOT settle for less.

Get involved. Lead a student organization. Participate in charity events organized by your class. The more involved you are, the more people you will meet and the more enhanced your experience will be.

Make time to be social. B-school is overwhelmingly busy, but the friends and relationships you form will add more to your life than any accounting problem ever will.

Travel! It is rare to have so many breaks and opportunities to travel after you enter the working world. Go somewhere different during every school break. Get a group of MBA friends and experience something that will stay with you forever.

Finally, a note to all of my McCombs friends, faculty, and administration. I experienced more personal change during my two years with all of you than I had during any other time in my life. Thank you for the encouragement, guidance, support, laughs, friendships, and memories. They will not soon be forgotten. I know we will all grow those friendships and create even more memories as McCombs alumni. After all, we're family.

I would also like to thank those of you who have read my journals over the past two years. I have really enjoyed sharing my experiences with you, and it has been rewarding for me to hear from some of you about your own situations. Best of luck to all of you in your next journeys.

And now, I'm off to Ecuador to spend the summer studying Spanish in Quito and enjoying the scenery of the mountains, the beaches, and of course the beautiful Galapagos Islands. Buen viaje!

Heather invites you to write her at HeatherMBA2006@yahoo.com if you have any questions or comments.