Oppy Knocks
Issue date: 4/12/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
So I finally got a job for the summer. Its right in the field I want to be in and it's a good working environment. But it does have drawbacks. Specifically, I will be working in area code 646. Where is area code 646 you ask? Beyond the swamps of Jersey? Up in the boonies (i.e. upstate New York)? A long train ride on the Island? Nope, I will be working smack dab in the middle of midtown Manhattan.
"But I thought Manhattan is the 212 area code" you say. Well, this is not the first time I have to deal with this whole area code confusion. You see, I live in Manhattan as well. But not at a 212 number. You can reach me at home on my 917 area code. No, it is not a cell phone, as most other 917 numbers are reserved for, it's a straight up landline. This leads to confusion sometimes. People wonder why I never pick up my celly or why my wireless gets such good reception when in fact I am on a regular old phone the whole time.
I can't blame people for being confused. It seems to be human nature to believe that it's possible for one label (or one area code) to represent an entire population, even if it is one as large as the island of Manhattan.
This may be true of an MBA program as well. B40, B65, B70... sound familiar? Odds are you came to Stern to focus on one of these numbers. You are a finance person. Or a marketing person. Or EMT. Well, if you think you can define your education on such a limited scope, then you are not really educating yourself. Its quite possible that any course offered at Stern can be applicable to what you want to do post graduation. It would be easier to understand a company's financial position if you could understand its income statement. What drives profitability? Things like brand equity and entering new market segments. How do you know what market segments to enter? Collect and analyze statistical data. You get where I am going with this.
The bottom line is that you came for your MBA to differentiate yourself and make yourself more competitive in the job market (and to get wasted on Thursday nights). What could me more differentiated than a finance jock with a marketing specialization? A media manager specialist with a firm understanding of Accounting? A statistics whiz who also understands the complexities of Management and Organizations? Keep that in mind when you register for courses for next semester (unless you will be graduating this Spring, in which case, it is too late to be redeemed).
"But I thought Manhattan is the 212 area code" you say. Well, this is not the first time I have to deal with this whole area code confusion. You see, I live in Manhattan as well. But not at a 212 number. You can reach me at home on my 917 area code. No, it is not a cell phone, as most other 917 numbers are reserved for, it's a straight up landline. This leads to confusion sometimes. People wonder why I never pick up my celly or why my wireless gets such good reception when in fact I am on a regular old phone the whole time.
I can't blame people for being confused. It seems to be human nature to believe that it's possible for one label (or one area code) to represent an entire population, even if it is one as large as the island of Manhattan.
This may be true of an MBA program as well. B40, B65, B70... sound familiar? Odds are you came to Stern to focus on one of these numbers. You are a finance person. Or a marketing person. Or EMT. Well, if you think you can define your education on such a limited scope, then you are not really educating yourself. Its quite possible that any course offered at Stern can be applicable to what you want to do post graduation. It would be easier to understand a company's financial position if you could understand its income statement. What drives profitability? Things like brand equity and entering new market segments. How do you know what market segments to enter? Collect and analyze statistical data. You get where I am going with this.
The bottom line is that you came for your MBA to differentiate yourself and make yourself more competitive in the job market (and to get wasted on Thursday nights). What could me more differentiated than a finance jock with a marketing specialization? A media manager specialist with a firm understanding of Accounting? A statistics whiz who also understands the complexities of Management and Organizations? Keep that in mind when you register for courses for next semester (unless you will be graduating this Spring, in which case, it is too late to be redeemed).