Beginning at the End

Our Otago MBA management team, students and guests gathered at the Customs House, a restaurant on the harbour, last night to celebrate the end of a  momentous day.  Our students presented their Live Cases (i.e., in-class client engagements) earlier in the day, marking the end of a sixteen-week consulting project and completion of the nine-month, on-campus component of our programme. Many will leave us in the days to follow, some for an international exchange, while others will take up their capstone 540 mentored consulting engagements.  Future endeavors aside, this was an evening for celebration.

We forged friendships through triumph and trial in our time together; laughed and drank together; and shared lasting jokes at one another's expense.  All in good fun among friends: the word carried so much meaning on this evening. Mere acquaintances months ago, we (the management team) knew our students as  individuals; we knew their families and we knew their career ambitions.  Our conversations turned to next steps in their career paths (e.g., a possible stint at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand); the need to remain coachable, a most treasured lecturer; and the palpable camaraderie among this MBA class.  They have chosen to graduate together at this same time next year, as an opportunity to renew their friendships.  We felt proud of these friends for how much they had grown in confidence, professionalism and character.  It was both a wonderful and melancholy evening with the realization in mind that our time together was ending.  "No worries," we said, "you'll always be part of our Otago MBA family," but it was difficult to see them go.

I dedicate this first post to the MBA 37 class: you left a lasting mark on us!