The UT MBA: Time Passes Quickly
CMM December 2nd, 2007
It has been a while since I posted anything personal, and quite a bit has transpired. I think it would be good for me to share a few things.
Job Search–Check
I’ve taken a job in the Knoxville area that I am very excited about. I don’t really know what the exact end-game scenario includes, but I know it gives me a chance to learn, grow my network, and gain some really great experience. I had to get past a couple of stumbling points about being an MBA, but my head and heart both agree that this is the best decision. Ironically, there seems to be so much lining up that supports my stay in East TN. I’ve developed a solid network of professional and personal contacts in the area. I found a great apartment that is conveniently located between Oak Ridge, Maryville and Downtown Knoxville. Best yet, there is a church within a stones throw of my apartment complex. Lastly, I’ve found opportunities to get involved and make a difference with some community groups. Too many things were lined up for me to ignore this opportunity. Sometimes I guess you make a decision to the best of your ability and put it in God’s hands.
It is kind of intimidating knowing that this move securely places me for an indefinite period in a job and in a certain place. A part of me always has a little wanderlust… I think this particularly job is dynamic enough to keep me satiated. We shall see.
TOMBA Holiday Banquet–Check
With the assistance of the TN MBA Office and Eastman Chemical Company, the TN Organization of MBAs had a very nice graduation party at the L&N Station in downtown Knoxville. We had a little under 150 people in attendance, and it was great to catch up with some folks I haven’t seen with our different class schedules. Of course, some folks were rude to the emcee (yours truly) and speaker (Brad Lich, VP of Global marketing Eastman Chemical), talking while we were at the podium. Over all, the short message from the speaker was great. He talked about personal branding and the role of leadership. Also, we had The Dirty Guv’nahs who rocked with their unique blend of Southern Rock and jam music. If anyone is free on December 14th, they have a CD release party at Preservation Pub in downtown Knoxville.
With my tenure as president of TOMBA coming to an end, I can’t say thank you enough to the officers and members that helped make this year a great success. Particularly, I want to thank the vice president for being a rock star. I would have been half the officer without her. Secondly, I want to thank our faculty adviser for giving 10x more than any volunteer is required. She has been a voice of reason, celebration, and encouragement.
SEC Championship Game–Check
To be honest, I never expected the Volunteers to make it as far as they did. Fortunately for us, the SEC has stayed true to its reputation as the most competitive and dynamic conference in college football. With a strong second half of the season and a few upsets for the competition, the Volunteers faced the LSU Tigers yeterday at the Georgia Dome. I had an opportunity to attend and take my Dad, so we enjoyed the football game and some quality father-son time. The defense was spectacular for both teams. The Volunteer defense held the LSU top-tier offense to one touchdown and two field goals, not counting the interception touchdown. Likewise, the LSU defense shut down the Volunteer offense. Overall, I was proud of both teams and glad that the I had a chance to see the Vols play in the SEC championship during my last year of graduate school.
Time Passes Quickly
That about wraps things up. I’ve got one final, a business plan competition, and my graduate capstone left for my MBA. In two weeks I’ll walk across a stage and receive the full blessing of the university as a graduate degree recipient. Work is getting much more interesting, and I’ve got close up a few loops before taking a mini-vacation for the holidays and getting relocated to my new apartments. Personally, I’ve got Christmas shopping and moving as well as a welcome house guest (hi, girl). It seems like only yesterday I was scrambling to find an apartment in Knoxville, and now I’m setting down as a permanent resident. Time passes quickly.
