It is Smeal’s belief that future business leaders cannot be groomed just within classrooms and hence the MBA administration actively encourages student organizations to visit different companies to meet with industry leaders and learn from their experience. As someone who had been to couple of such visits, I thought I would pen down one such experience to encourage more students to participate in such events. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: January 2012
Happy Chinese New Year!
Time has passed so fast. This will be my 2nd Lunar New Year, called Tet in Vietnamese, in the States. Last year I felt very lonely during the Tet holidays, as all of my family members and close friends were in Vietnam. But after just one year things are now much better than what I expected. My 1st and 2nd year friends, and all the staff have become so close to me that my days at school are full of joy and laughter. I learn a lot from my very smart friends in class and in my teams, but also share happiness and sadness with them. Many times, hearing their laughter can help me relieve my sadness or anxiety a lot. I am really thankful to all of them.
This year’s Tet holidays are coming in a very different way to me. I feel happy when I am at home, at school, on the streets, or in a grocery store. I realize that my loneliness had gone away long ago. Now I am really looking forward to enjoying the Chinese New Year dinner for MBA students next week. As always, it will certainly be a party of friendship, sharing, traditional foods, and of course fun. Thank you Smeal and Happy New Year!
Smeal MBA Student Spotlight – Alexander Piazza
Name: Alexander Piazza
Concentration(s): Marketing and Strategic Leadership
Internship: DuPont – Marketing Leadership Development Program
Future Plans: To pursue a position in Brand Management or Marketing Communications
Why did you choose Smeal: The small, close-knit community and because I bleed Blue and White!
What has been your favorite Smeal MBA memory thus far: Having a traditional Chinese dinner with my classmates in Shanghai during Global Immersion
Smeal MBA Student Spotlight – Rachel Jones
Name: Rachel Jones
Concentration(s): Strategic Leadership & Marketing
Internship: HR Intern at Spring Creek Rehabilitation Center, Harrisburg PA
Future Plans: Pursuing a career in HR, focusing on talent management/acquisition
Why did you choose Smeal: Smeal provides all the resources of a large university through Penn State but the small classes make this a very tight knit, family-like community.
What has been your favorite Smeal MBA memory thus far: My first Diwali celebration. It was amazing to see all the dances, hear the songs, eat the food and learn more about my classmates from India.
Smeal MBA Alumni Spotlight – Rama Murugan
Name: Rama Murugan
Job Title/ Employer: Senior Consultant / Ernst & Young
MBA concentrations: Supply chain, strategy and finance
Why Smeal: small intimate community, approachable professors, good supply chain school, alumni network.
Favorite Smeal memory: it has to be Diwali 2009. it was wonderful to organize the event with others and it was a blast! Tiring, yet so much fun 😀
Advice for current MBAs: 1. Listen hard to “your calling”; know what career path is best for you 2. It is never too late to start networking; it is vital from here on. 3. It is ok to raise your hand and ask for help; make the best of the wonderful resources at Smeal. 4. Enjoy your days at Smeal: every party, every event and every tailgate/ game.
I Love State College
By Xiaobo Cao, MBA Class of 2012
I’ve already been to several places in the US, but I must say State College is my favorite city, if it is really a city. In this small town I can really find some peace, and relax. State College is quite, clean and beautiful. Fall is my favorite season here, when we can see all the trees in different colors all over the place, without too many people or cars to ruin the scene. Every time I drive down the small winding road of West Aaron, with the beautiful view and my favorite music, I feel the color of life. Continue reading
Smeal MBA Student Spotlight – Biko Taylor
Name: Biko Taylor
Concentration(s): Supply Chain Mgmt, Entreprenuership, and Strategic Leadership
Internship: Global Supply Chain: Hess Oil Incorporated
Future Plans: Business Development and Supply Chain Strategy at Raytheon Corporation
Why did you choose Smeal: Fit, fit, fit…I chose Smeal because it felt like home and the admissions staff has absolutely no parallel. The Penn State family is the most passionate alumni family in the world. I know I’m in good hands and I will have the opportunity to stay involved long after my days here are done.
What has been your favorite Smeal MBA memory thus far: My surprise birthday party organized by Sofia and attended by basically my entire class.— at Smeal College of Business MBA.
Smeal MBA Alumni Spotlight – Ann Mallison
Name: Ann Mallison
Job Title/Company: Sr. Admissions Adviser at the Penn State Smeal MBA Program. I also manage our Social Media Marketing and presence.
Class of 2001
Why did you choose Smeal: I chose Smeal because of the community and the rankings.
What is your favorite Smeal Memory: My favorite memory is of the Blue/White Tailgate my first year. It was immediately following Exec Panel presentations and it was fun to relax with classmates, friends and alumni.
Advice for current MBAs: Start your job search early and make sure you have fun along the way!— at Smeal College of Business MBA.
My special friends!
It has been just one week since the winter break started. Unbelievable! I am now accustomed to seeing MBA friends around all week long, and I miss them. Talking with them is always something very special to me as it helps us share our happiness, difficulties and experiences. Many times, sad stories also help us understand and get closer to one another. My friends are so wonderful that I can always laugh out loud even when I am sitting alone in my GA room and hear their jokes from the hallway:). Their smiles are simply everywhere, in the classrooms, the kitchen, the commons, GA rooms, team-meeting rooms, and even the elevator. That’s why, even when I am having so much fun with my family and busy all day with many activities, I still miss them a lot:(.
Three more weeks to the new semester seems to be a long time to wait, but I know our eagerness to meet one another again will be much greater after a long break. I look forward to hearing interesting stories about their Christmas holidays. One more semester will be too short for us to share what we want to share. I believe it will be one of the most memorable periods in our student life. Thank you my friends. You all make Smeal so special to me!!!
End of semester 1
By Binh (Janice) Nguyen, MBA Class of 2013
Seasons come and go. I’ve witnessed the beauty of University Park campus in the autumn, as well as enjoyed my first snow in State College. When I came here, my first impression was: “Oh my, this school is so beautiful!” I love everything I see: the old brick and stone constructions, the oak tree path to the business building, the cozy and comfortable MBA common area, the u-shaped classroom, and all things around me. Continue reading