A funny conversation with my GM

So last night I stayed back late to finish off a project - I had tons of materials to read through before I could form my own analysis & develop my proposal and the deadline was end of this week! Whilst discussing the matter with one of my colleagues, my GM came to join our discussion. Except, she wasn't really interested to talk about work. Instead, she point-blank asked me about my future plan. This was how it went last night...

GM:   So, your boss told me about your MBA plan – are you going to resign?

Me:    Erm, I don't want to resign but the HR dept asked me to resign!

GM:   Oh, them...

Me:    Yes, them. But if you allow, I would like to apply for my 12-month unpaid leave entitlement. 

GM:   Yea, ok. That can work but do I need to keep you in your position? Can I hire someone else to fill in your position while you're gone?

Me:    Oh, I don't know. You can do whatever you want with my position, it's your decision - according to the HR people, ha ha ha.. but if possible, I don't want to cut tie with this company lah, although I'm committed to my post-MBA career goals, a lot (of things) can happen between now and then... 

GM:   So, where are you going to? Bile you nak pergi ni (when are you leaving, again)?

Me:    Oh, about that - I haven't even gotten a firm offer yet! That's why I don't want to say anything yet... but I applied to Kellogg, Stanford, Wharton, and HBS.

GM:   Eh, can you please go to Stanford so that my friends and I can go visit you? It's so nice in California, then we all can go lepak at your place. Chicago and Philly are too cold...

Me:    Erm... yea sure, let me call Stanford...>.> 

If only it was totally up to me to decide where to go for my MBA...

Dear Stanford GSB Admission,

Can you make my boss' wish come true?

28 February 2013, 50 Raffles Place, Singapore

There goes my New Year resolution of blogging at least one new post a month…

Whew, January flew by just like that and now we’re already in mid-February! Work has been absolutely crazy – I remembered a comment made by my GM; I thought New Year ni everybody would start a bit slow, but you guys are moving on gear 4 already! Chill la, it’s only January.

I must say, although most of my bosses and colleagues knew that come Fall 2013, I’ll most probably be gone from the company, they are not letting me go without a bang. It seems that I still keep getting big projects & major assignments and my fear of being slowly phased out from work once I made my BS journey known to people at my workplace was totally misplaced.

Now, although I’m grateful that I still get to dirty my hand with some real challenging projects, the downside of it is that I’m stretched too thin for anything else! I’m leading a business expansion strategy for one of our business units and working on a major organisational review of 1,000+ employee in a business unit. On top of that, I have my normal share of market intelligence research, company profiling, management papers, communication strategy etc. If nothing else, I hope that these experiences would be good inputs in my BS classes!

So, after a gruelling January, a few buddies of mine decided to drive down to Singapore for a fun weekend. Instead of gambling at Marina Bay Sands’ casino, we opted for Night Safari and Universal Studios… talk about leading high-stake lifestyle! Anyway, as I was going through my emails one last time before driving down to Singapore (no work during vacation), a single email caught my eye – You’re Invited To Join The Team-Based Discussion by The Wharton School.

OMG!

Omgomgomgomgomgomgomg…

That was my actual reaction! Hahaha, I was pleasantly surprised that Friday morning when I clicked open that email and immediately booked my interview slot on 28^th February 2013 at BCG Singapore. So, yes folks – Wharton has been so kind as to extend me an invitation to their team-based discussion!!!

I think I’ve said this so many times in this blog that I felt so connected to Wharton – its essay questions, its data form, its courses, its majors, its leadership programmes, its venture treks (did I mention they go to Antarctica on a crazy but totally awesome leadership exercise?!!). Even the communication between the adcom office and the applicants sounded so genuine (unlike HBS, ehem…). Needless to say, I was over the moon with the invitation as part of me always has this nagging feeling that I may not have the stats/profile/stories for top US BS!

So, at the end of this month, I’ll be sharing my thoughts and experience about Wharton’s TBD. But I will only reflect on my experience and will not be sharing any sensitive information as to respect Wharton’s instruction to keep as much of the process confidential as possible, as to not to spoil the experience for future invitees J

And did I mention that Wharton is also throwing a reception to the invitees in Singapore? It’s a chance to connect with alumni and listen to their experience whilst in Wharton. Though I have a sneaking feeling that this whole reception could also be a test of some sort… haha, so better be on my best behaviour all day long!

The Wharton School – I can’t wait to see you!