Can kindness be a liability?

Earlier today I was reading a blog post over at the Harvard Business Review that asked the question: do nice guys finish last?  This is a question that I've thought about on and off ever since my decision to pursue a career in the business world (fun fact- I used to do a bit of freelance design and very seriously considered pursuing my MFA in illustration/fine art), and I still feel conflicted about the answer.

The author's answer?  Yep.  Nice guys do in fact finish last, a trend displayed by a study showing that men perceived as having more (or larger) "nice" attributes have yearly salaries averaging $10,000 less than their not so agreeable counterparts.  Interestingly enoough, the same didn't hold true among women displaying more "nice" characteristics.

So why is it that nice guys finish last but nice girls compete well (compared to their respective counterparts)?

My Journey Back to School: 2 Weeks In

Things have been going a mile a minute and while I have a bit of free time (read: I'm forcing myself to take a break from the 100+ pages of marketing reading I have to do before I get started on accounting homework) I took some time to email a general update on school and my life to people who I've worked with, am close too, and generally think are great.

So- if you're interested in what the life of a first year MBA student looks like at the beginning - with all the insanity of class, recruitment worries, social interaction, school-involvement, and the inside scoop on NYU Stern then read on, my friends!

I'll admit that I was nervous about some of the potential students and faculty I would come across- many of you know that I'm more than a little passionate about social issues and will choose doing the "right" thing over what's best for my own pocket (be it through career choices, the way I vote, etc.).  That said, B-school isn't really known for its promotion of contributing to the greater good of our world over the greater good of shareholder's equity.  Most of this anxiety was thankfully allayed during NYU Stern Launch 2011 - Stern's completely revamped orientation program, premiered just for the class of 2013..

You Must Be True To Your Heart..

Mulan, 98 Degrees & Stevie Wonder had it right- you've gotta be true to YOUR heart!  Also: Festivals are awesome.

I don’t know about you, but I thought that peer pressure (and the need to be like the cool kids) was just an adolescent phase.  When I left high school I knew that surely college would be different- I wouldn’t feel like I had to dress or look or act a certain way, I could be completely Brittany and not apologize for it.  Well, things didn’t go the way I thought they might.

In fact, the peer pressure cycle has continued itself through nearly every major stage of my life- first in recruiting post college, next in searching for a new job after a reduction in force caused me to lose my first job...  now peer pressure seems to be rearing its ugly head again as I start school- and I haven’t even had my first class yet!  Between huge career fairs, receptions, and recruiters striking up conversation at any and every moment, there are tons of events dedicated entirely to recruitment (translation: having to be ON all the time- hello awkward networking).

This is all great, but with unlimited recruitment opportunities, and tons of unsolicited invitations to interview- how can you say no?  And beyond that- do you have the right to say no?

And we've got it!

I know it's been a while since I've updated, but I just wanted to let you know that, after all the hard work, kindness of others (and a little worrying on my end), I've made my goal and will be enrolling in the next few days!

This past weekend was Admit weekend at my new school and let me tell you- I am so. Excited.

Once I give official notice I'll share more details re: where I'm going, what I'll focus on and my plans leading up to it, but for now suffice it to say thank you to everyone who was able to help and for those who sent well wishes- it is all greatly appreciated, more than you know!

So about being a full-time student..

As each day passes stress finds its way into my psyche, washing over me and passing like a continuous ebb and flow of anxiety. Make no mistake- I'm SUPER excited about the fact that I'm going to school. Crazy excited. Ridiculously excited- but that doesn't mean there aren't a few things about my new life that I keep thinking on.

My life is going to change dramatically when I become a full-time student. Below are a few of the changes that give me the most cause to worry..

• Attire. Ok, I'm by no means a slob nor do I dress inappropriately, but many of the events that most Business Schools prompt you to attend are "business attire," "business formal" or some other two-word translation of uncomfortable. In all my time previously spent in Corporate America, I never worked for a company who required me to don a lady's pantsuit on the regular. Boy do I hate blazers/jackets/arm prisons..
• Social balance. One thing that I love about b-school is the constant exposure to network expanding opportunities. The most valuable capital at any organization is people, not just those that you employ/interact with, but the people and organizations you connect with to make your goals happen. It's no secret that the social schedule of a b-school student is a bit hectic- and sometimes I worry if I'll be able to successfully balance my b-school friends and responsibilities with my college friends and the life I've already established here in the city.
• Schedule. This feeds off that social balance note- basically I'll be busy. Really really busy. I really just hope that I don't get buried under the work and responsibilities to the point where I don't appreciate each moment, you know? I really hate when hecticness makes time seem to zoom by.

All that said, there obviously tons of great things to look forward to as I get ready to go to school, like:

• Health & Fitness. I'll be in school. Which means free gym membership. Hold me to what I say, but even if that gym is inconveniently located for where I live, I'm going to make a point to take advantage of the facilities (something that I didn't do when I was at Harvard and literally lived across from the mak).
• Awareness. I've always found that school makes me more socially and politically aware, or even just on the surface level more in-the-know about news and current events. I know, I know- I should be up on this now, but sometimes work gets in the way!
• Diversity. I am super excited to get into the classroom with professionals from different industries, walks of life and levels of experience. It will definitely be challenging to get on the same page with some people, and inevitably differences lead to (generally minor) conflict, but it will be great to have my perspective widened by being exposed to lots of different people.

Now if I only had a sure solution for this housing conundrum..