New students show up at the Marriott School a week before the regular MBA orientation, load up in vans with 20 or 30 other total strangers, and drive for 8 hours (okay, we take a lunch break) until we get to a campground in the middle of nature. 1st and 2nd year students, faculty, and alumni/recruiters spend 3 days together rafting down the Clark Fork river with team building activities, mafia games, student mentoring, and alumni presentations throughout.
Last year we had alumni from Dell, Procter & Gamble, and several consulting companies that presented and taught us about their experiences in the OB field, the kind of work that they are involved in, and the specific companies they work for. I know that I started in the track wondering what I had gotten myself into, but the 2nd years and alumni were able to provide invaluable advice and perspective on the major, the program, the job search, and the industry. Starting the MBA program with the orientation trip to Montana was such an amazing experience- I felt connected to something larger than myself and a greater appreciation for the opportunity to be a part of a great legacy.
We started the trip as a group of uncertain strangers but in only 5 days were transformed into a tight group of friends who were much better prepared to start the program the following week. The orientation rafting trip is just one example of the relationship building, student and alumni mentoring, experiential learning opportunities I've encountered as a student in the BYU MBA program.
I'd better add some pictures -- last year there was a pretty big forest fire right around where we were rafting so the hills were smoking all along the river. Nature is beautiful!
Smoky mountainside shot
A water-eating rafting shot
Say cheese!
Pat is flying high...ending up with his knee right in my kidney. Ouch!
Everybody throws the oars up for the final run. Good times were had by all!
No comments:
Post a Comment