Author: mbairishechoes

How an ND MBA student ended up in a boxing ring

By: Zak Pedersen

“Do one thing every day that scares you.”

-Eleanor Roosevelt

Perhaps I’ve taken this advice too literally, but it adequately sums up my aberrant decision to participate this winter in the 87th Annual Bengal Mission Bouts Boxing Tournament at the University of Notre Dame, while balancing a full-time class workload in the Notre Dame MBA program.

Our revered Professor of Management, Mike Crant, has said that avoiding conflict is a natural human inclination. The sentiment is intuitive: Stepping into a boxing ring is an intimidating experience – just ask 16 year-old Mike Tyson who had cold feet the night of his first professional bout.

Why, then, would a guy who is here trying to enrich his brain take part in such a paradoxical activity like boxing? I’ll tell you.  Continue reading “How an ND MBA student ended up in a boxing ring”

Five media outlets to read to succeed in business school

By: Nitesh Srivastava

As if you didn’t get enough to read from your classes. (Photo courtesy Nitesh Srivastava)

In the Notre Dame MBA program, students have the option to subscribe at a discount to The Wall Street Journal. Here are five other media outlets that people interested in business may find helpful in their academic and professional development:

1. Poets and Quants – For prospective MBA students, this one-stop shop for business school news, insights, and rankings is a vital tool for determining what program is the right fit for them. For current MBA students, it is a good resource for keeping tabs on the competition.

2. Bloomberg News – Originally, Bloomberg News was a financial news service intended for Bloomberg Terminal users. Today, it covers a broader range of topics for a more general audience. In 2009, Bloomberg News purchased the magazine Businessweek, which has since been rebranded Bloomberg Businessweek.  Continue reading “Five media outlets to read to succeed in business school”

Pursuing the common good in Haiti

By: Sylvia Banda

(Editor’s Note: The Round 3 admissions deadline is coming up! In honor of the occasion, enjoy this bonus post from MBA IRISH ECHOES, and be sure to check back over the next few days for more content.)

A beautiful mountainside view during a visit with a community organization in Fondwa, Haiti. (Photo courtesy Sylvia Banda)

What is the common good? While business school may seem like an experience built for honing in on quantitative and financial skills, my experience has continually challenged me to think broader in scope. In fact, as part of my time in the Notre Dame MBA program, I enrolled in a multidisciplinary course offered by the University’s Center for Social Concerns. The course, The Common Good Initiative (CGI), explored ways in which individuals pursue the common good, particularly in challenging situations.

Through the course, I had the chance to travel to Haiti with seven other graduate students from programs in sociology, biology, theology, and law. Haiti being the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere means it is a frequently discussed “failed nation state” case study. While it is oftentimes cited for its struggles, my experience in Haiti illustrated the apparent and inspiring examples of people pursuing the common good. The common good is a phrase used in Catholic Social Teaching to encompass the conditions of social life which enable human flourishing. Our group interacted with Notre Dame’s Haiti Program and a number of organizations seeking to enhance life in areas from Global Health to Education.  Continue reading “Pursuing the common good in Haiti”

Why choose the ND MBA?

By: Jayson Boswell

(Editor’s Note: The Round 3 admissions deadline is coming up! In honor of the occasion, enjoy this bonus post from MBA IRISH ECHOES, and be sure to check back over the next few days for more content.)

A group of Notre Dame MBAs take in an Irish basketball game at Purcell Pavilion. (Photo courtesy Jayson Boswell)

So which MBA program is the perfect fit for you? You’ve memorized program rankings and websites, but you’re looking for an X factor. Consider the following four reasons why the Notre Dame MBA program could be at the top of your list:

1. The student experience: The Notre Dame MBA program has small class sizes, so students’ experiences are very personalized. Before you know it, Thirsty Thursday transitions from a networking opportunity to recapping a week with old friends. The Notre Dame community is also very welcoming and great at making MBAs feel more like Notre Dame students than detached grad students.  Continue reading “Why choose the ND MBA?”

The best weekend bars near Notre Dame

By: Hannah Fronczak

(Editor’s Note: The Round 3 admissions deadline is coming up! In honor of the occasion, enjoy this bonus post from MBA IRISH ECHOES, and be sure to check back over the next few days for more content.)

Class of 2017 students on a night out. (Photo courtesy Dara Chesnutt)

There is nothing MBA students appreciate more than their weekends. After seemingly endless group meetings, exams, and presentations, it’s a welcome respite. From a brief and very scientific poll conducted in class, I’ve determined the most popular activities are sleeping, deep sleeping, and socializing with our fellow classmates at the local watering holes. I’ve already discussed our favorite restaurants and our weekday choices when it comes to bars, and sure, those are important, but this is the list where it’s REALLY important so take notes.  Continue reading “The best weekend bars near Notre Dame”