THE ALPHA MAGAZINE Delta Sigma Pi | Spring 2015 TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS
ISSUE NO. 6 | SPRING 2015
THE ALPHA MAGAZINE DELTA SIGMA PI | ALPHA CHAPTER
Lifestyle
4
Features
7
Propelling Your Career
16
College Years
18
3 Mobile Applications To Organize Your Life War of the Smartphones Closing Shop on a Whim
Featured Concentration: Information Systems The Crossroads of Computer Science and Business Spending the Summer at VMware Life at Twitter Nielsen: How Big Data Drives Business
Case in Point Acing the Interview DSP ALPHA THE ALPHA MAGAZINE
Good Eats! - Restaurant Week Highights 180 Degrees Consulting Study Abroad Diaries
DSPALPHA
Editors in Chief: The Alpha Magazine Team: Sabrina Chow Lawrence Ho Lauren Tai Cover Photo - Josh Liyanage
Saloni Choudhary
Timothy Fung
3
MOBILE APPLICATIONS TO HELP ORGANIZE YOUR LIFE By Lawrence Ho
Google Calendar
The first step to effective time management is to create a helpful calendar. It becomes more and more important to have a comprehensive calendar when you start having have obligations other than classes that happen at the same time. Google Calendar is a great calendar app that syncs between your phone and laptop so that you always know your schedule and can update it whenever and wherever (Google Calendar announced its iOS app in March 2015). Some features include adding events directly from emails to calendars, setting up reminders, making multiple calendars, and sharing calendars with others for collaboration. With a full view of your week, you can easily plan meetings, get-togethers and even recreational activities around your schedule – no need to check-in with that imaginary secretary anymore.
Evernote
If you are the type of person who comes up with great ideas but forgets them immediately after, Evernote could be a great tool to use. The basic version of Evernote allows users to sync notes, to-do lists and reminders across multiple devices. The premium version also has cool features like scanning business cards, creating presentations and recording meetings. Evernote can help you keep track of ideas you had, notes you took on presentations, or to-dos for the day. Taking notes and making to-do lists are important habits to develop because the human memory is limited. Make sure you record and save everything so you don’t lose that next billion-dollar idea.
30/30
30/30 is a perfect app for anyone who has trouble managing how much time is spent on each activity. For those who get distracted 10 minutes after starting an assignment and those who work 5 hours straight without a single break, 30/30 allows users to set up a list of activities, including breaks, and set timers for all of them. The default is 30 minutes but you can adjust the times depending on the activity. When there seems to be too much on your plate, it helps to break down your to-dos and assign a time limit for each. Eventually, you should have a better sense of how long each activity takes so you can better plan your future schedules. 30/30 not only gives you a tangible goal to work towards and remove distractions, but it also reminds you that taking a break every hour or so is good for your health.
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Lifestyle
WAR OF THE SMARTPHONES NEW SMARTPHONES GO HEAD TO HEAD WITH THE IPHONE By Lauren Tai With the Mobile World Conference (MWC) 2015 having taken place in March, the mobile industry, is prepared to face intense competition as large exhibitors including Samsung, Sony, HTC, Microsoft, Google, as well as a few emerging competitors all have new mobile products ready to roll out. Apple’s position as a leader in the US market share for smartphones is about to be challenged by these new devices that are stealing the show:
LG 3: This phone stands out for its high-quality HTC One M8: Building off the best features from display. Its QHD screen on the 5.5 inch screen means four times the resolution and pixels of competing phones. The phone also features a removable battery to give users a longer battery life. Its high-capacity power source allow users to have a backup battery to pop in whenever needed.
LG 3
HTC One M8
Nexus 6: This is the newest smartphone from Goo-
gle and Motorola. Features include a 6-inch Quad HD display fitting for enhanced movie, video, gaming e-book and web-browsing experiences. The phone also boasts a 13-megapixel camera with image stabilization HDR. It also pushes its extensive battery life with the ability to provide up to 24 hours per charge, and 6 additional hours after 15 minutes of charging with the Motorola Turbo Charger.
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its first model, the M8 features a high-speed Duo camera and Boomsound speaker upgrade. The phone now boasts its new lighter-weight and curved edge design for better form. In addition, the phone features a microSD slot for expandable memory, making it stand out from competitors.
Nexus 6
OnePlus one
OnePlus one:
This phone is fast, large and inexpensive. The phone markets its high-powered operational capacity derived from its advanced processor which allows it to sustain 4G LTE connectivity, gaming experiences and 3D interfaces. Competitive features include its 13-megapixel camera engineered with LED flash, high-tech sensor and 6 physical lenses for detailed photos. The phone also features a 5-megapixel front facing camera with an extra 80 degree viewing angle to capture more area Yet, the phone is only available for purchase online. Lifestyle
CLOSING SHOP ON A By Janice Leung Whim is a mobile app that encourages users to meet up with friends on the spur of a moment: between classes, after work, or anytime that is convenient for both parties. NYU Seniors Jack Vaughan and Rohan Pathak with Wheaton alumni Jason Chapman and Chris Anderson have been working to bring Whim to the NYU community. They experienced a lot of initial success and expansion into large clubs, sororities, and fraternities on campus. However, in April 2015, after much discussion and deliberation, the team made the difficult decision to put Whim to an end. It was definitely a wonderful two years working on the product, but the team agrees that it is time for them to move on. Although there was lot of initial excitement about Whim and its potential to change the way organizations and communities socialise on campus, the team was never able to garner a strong user-base. People would download the app, but engagement would quickly fall out. Despite their efforts to tweak and improve Whim over the past few months, the creators faced two major obstacles they descrived as the network effect and the stars align issue.
The Whim Team: Jason Chapman, Chris Anderson, Jack Vaughan, & Rohan Pathak (left to right)
1) Use your resources! NYU has an incredible amount to offer to student startups. We put our best foot forward by seeking advice from the Berkley Center. Without the connections we made, the help from our amazing advisors, and the help offered to us by the NYU entrepreneurial community, we would have never gotten this far.
2) When forming a team, you need to consider both The network effect issue is when the value of the service the fit and skills required to build your startup. Our is dependent on the number of users using it. Because team grew out of friendships, which meant we worked Whim connects individuals in real time, it is essential well together, but did not have diversified skills. We for enough users to be consistently active on the app. were very business minded, but lacked sufficient development skills. For success you need both. The stars align issue is that there are multiple factors that need to be achieved for value to be delivered to 3) Focus. We have always had other commitments Whim users. Ensuring this all occurs simultaneously is besides Whim, whether it was school, internships, difficult, and value cannot be delivered unless all factors or pursuing other careers. We are no longer 100% in are achieved. the game, and that is something we have realized we cannot continue with. The team spent a lot of time on the drawing board trying to find solutions to these problems, but ultimately A Note from the Founders: “Our experience over the past found themselves restrained by a lack of resources. two years has been incredible. We would like to thank all Even though Whim as a business will never come to of our supporters, advisors, mentors, friends, & family. fruition, they have learned a great deal these past two You believed in us, and we would not have been able to years. These are some of the more profound lessons that get this far without your support. We would also like to specifically thank NYU seniors Michael von Waldner & they would like to share: Mekyas Moges for starting this endeavour with us.�
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Lifestyle
FEATURED CONCENTRATION:
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
By Jackson Sheng
THE NEXT BIG THING
Information Systems attempts to answer one central question: Why do some organizations get value from their information technology investments while others do not? This concentration offered at Stern teaches students to understand the relationship between information technology and changes in markets and businesses. Strong skills in management and information systems are extremely valuable when transitioning from an entry-level position to higher-level ones. Typically, Information Systems students are interested in supporting the technology requirements, infrastructure, and strategy of different business areas. While this concentration has not attracted as much attention as others, it is definitely the one to watch out for and invest in now. The professors who teach these courses are the best in the field and nearly all awardwinning and respected researchers.
Professor Prasanna Tambe, Undergraduate Program Advisor for the Information Systems Major
Information Systems is also great for students interested in computer science. However, that does NOT mean learning how to program. The concentration looks more towards concepts and understanding how information technology is applied in our lives. Still, if you wanted to learn how to program with your Information Systems concentration, you can also petition with the program advisor for a computer science class to count as one of your three electives to satisfy the concentration requirement.
Recommended Courses:
Course Name: Social Media & Digital Marketing Analytics Taught By: Professor Anindya Ghose
This class offers students the theory to understanding how digital marketing works with practical and technical approaches to analyze data. Professor Ghose is well-known for the research he conducts globally.
Course Name: Networks, Crowds and Markets Taught By: Professor Arun Sundararajan
This is another information systems class with a renowned professor whose research has been profiled by Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Financial times and the Wall Street Journal. Additionally, Professor Sundararajan brings in great speakers who are directly involved in the material he covers, bringing practicality to the concepts taught in class.
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Features
THE CROSSROADS OF
COMPUTER SCIENCE & BUSINESS Caroline Lai is currently a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences studying Economics and Computer Science. She is deeply interested in the tech industry and has worked at two startups, FLIPr.tv and Zerve, thus far. When she is not thinking about tech, she is dancing on one of NYU’s many dance teams or relaxing and watching the newest Game of Thrones episode. By: Timothy Fung
What influenced you to pursue computer science in the future?
Growing up surrounded by tech in the Silicon Valley has definitely impacted my decision to go into the tech industry. I love seeing how new technologies are constantly being created, and experiencing that in such close proximity has made me appreciate the field. I love that these new technologies are not limited by the age; I have seen many of my peers and even those younger than I am develop new technologies.
Can you tell us what FLIPr.tv and Zerve do?
FLIPr.tv is a Silicon Valley based company that has designed a platform to merge the gap between online video content and television. The company believes that creating apps and developing software to bring the two together is the next step in video content. It is developing an app to curate online video content for online video content creators, personal users, and practically anyone who wants to come up with video content through mediums such as Youtube and Vimeo. From this app, this content is projected onto a television via Google Chromecast and consumers can use their iPhones, Android phones, or iPads as controllers to navigate through these videos. Zerve is a startup based both in San Francisco and New York that answers the question “What do you want to do today?” It provides listings of things to do in the area during one’s free time and gives local businesses an opportunity to
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advertise their fun activities to people in the area.
What kind of work did you do at these startups?
Last summer, I worked at FLIPr.tv, where I loved how the small environment allowed me to make huge contributions in defining the future of the company. During the first week, I learned about a niche market concerning online video content and marketed FLIPr’s product to potential clients. Collaborating with the CEO and CTO, I also conducted extensive market research and presented my findings for product improvements for application layout and design. I not only learned how to work in the dynamic environment of a startup, but also developed high-level communication skills. I recently started my internship at Zerve, where I quickly learned about the company’s inner workings through its passionate coworkers and caring environment. I can see myself working at a tech startup in the future because I love how the innovative and passionate environment fosters the spread of technological advancement. I would love to actively contribute to the growth and development of such a company. Furthermore, the extensive environment allows me to gain experience and knowledge in various fields simultaneously.
Features
SPENDING THE SUMMMER AT:
VMWARE
Sanjna Verma is currently a sophomore at NYU College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Economics and Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics and Photography. Last summer she had the opportunity to work at VMware as a cloud research and development intern. VMware is a software company based in Palo Alto, California and is a leader in virtualizing infrastructure, allowing IT to provide services from any device at any time and location. By: Stacy Chen
What interested you to apply for this job?
I was always confused by banking because I felt that in order to be a financial expert or financial intermediary of some sort, I would have to be an expert in the industry. My industry of choice has always switched between fashion and tech, so I figured that I should learn about one industry that I have a vague interest in. I began with tech because I had an entrepreneurial idea last year and wanted to pursue it. While working on that idea, I really liked what I was learning so I looked at all the tech firms in the world and applied to many of them in order to get a better understanding of the tech industry.
What qualified you for this job?
I’m not sure what qualified me for this job, but I taught myself coding and that initiative really meant a lot to VMware. I read all I could about trends in the tech world and the fact that I was able to understand financial impacts was a really good stepping stone for me to hold decent conversations with my interviewers. While the interviews were also mildly technical (testing what I knew about Python and Java programming), they asked for my novice opinion on computing and engineering. So I’d have to say that showing initiative probably got me the role!
Java programming, attend a personal concert with Sara Bareilles, enjoy movie nights with producers, and meet international students in an environment I didn’t even know existed. Everyone in tech is very helpful and always willing to teach because the chance that you know something that someone else doesn’t and that same someone probably knows something that you don’t is tremendously high.
What are the most valuable thing you took away from this experience? Despite the fact that I learned a lot of hard skills during my time at VMware, I’d say the most valuable thing I took away from the whole experience was actually a lesson. I learned that no matter how busy they may seem, people are surprisingly very willing to take time out of their day to help you out. All you have to do is ask.
What were your favorite parts of working at VMware?
The coolest part was getting to meet very influential people in the tech world. I got to meet the father of
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Features
LIFE AT TWITTER
DSP ALUMNUS FRANK ZHU TELLS US WHY HE JOINED TWITTER’S WORKFORCE
By Davy Vikner People tend to see Stern as very finance-heavy school. What made you want to get involved in marketing/ad-ops? I was interested in the business of advertising because at its root, advertising is just trying to sell someone something. But I also think marketing has evolved in so many ways from just trying to sell someone something. Being a part of that evolution has been the most exciting part for me, because marketing goes hand in hand with technology What are some skills that you consider to be extremely valuable in marketing? Communication, creativity, and attention to detail come to mind. However, I think you’ll find for most industries, being good with people and being good with numbers are the two most important skills to have.
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What are some recent trends emerging in the industry? Consolidation. And I mean that in many aspects. Smaller firms tend to be bought out by larger firms, and while that’s true across many industries the pace at which agencies are being acquired and absorbed into larger agencies is quite fast. And that’s really because of technology. Nowadays, I think clients want to simplify the environment and not go to different shops to get different types of advertising. So what the clients wants, the agencies get, but maybe they’re not equipped to handle everything in house and so agencies acquire smaller agencies that specialize in different things. But this isn’t just restricted to agencies. Technology firms are probably gobbling up companies at an even faster pace.
their phones. Twitter is all about enabling the user. I really believe that Twitter has a great and positive impact on the world and so working for an organization like this wasn’t a hard choice. Plus the tech perks are super awesome.
What made Twitter such an attractive option for you compared to other tech companies? Twitter is not a giant like Google and might have less social appeal than Facebook, but its focus on real-time content with concise messaging makes it extremely valuable and is what makes it stand out. We recently launched Periscope, which is a live-stream app that lets users broadcast content they take on
You got the opportunity to go out to San Francisco for an orientation. What was that like? How was the headquarters? San Fran was great. I think the city itself is really cool, I’ve only been there twice but both times the weather has been amazing. The office is really cool as well; everything is open, no cubicles, game rooms, a vending machine for apple accessories (for work purposes), 2 full cafeterias, a rooftop lounge, smoothie bars,
Most people see Twitter as a simple social media website. How does marketing come into play on a platform that limits you to 140 characters? I would argue that Twitter is definitely more mobile focused than on desktop/website focused. And as a mobile-focused platform it’s actually better to have that 140 character limit. Generally speaking in terms of advertising, the shorter the messaging is, the greater the chance that the messaging will actually stick.
Features
fro-yo stations and endless coffee, alcohol, and snacks. Tech honestly pampers you in ways that no other industry will. So I consider myself pretty lucky to be a part of it. What’s a typical day at the office for you? So some background on what I actually do, I don’t work on the Twitter platform running campaigns. That is a self-service platform where advertisers can manage their own campaigns with assistance from Twitter account managers. My team focuses on off-network reengagement campaigns. So our clients would be companies with mobile apps that want to retarget users to do things on their apps (buy something or interact with it). They send us the ad they want to place and we setup the campaign using our own platform to buy ad inventory across the mobile app exchanges. It’s a fully managed service so we’re more like an agency than Twitter. I usually get in at around 9:30 or 10, grab some breakfast and coffee from the common area and plop down at my desk. I manage an active list of campaigns so account managers will give cases (we use Salesforce) to launch new campaigns or optimize existing campaigns. Most of the day is doing that, with meetings mixed
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in between to hash out campaign details and performance goals.
“The best advice I can give is to definitely develop an idea of how you want your career path to grow. While you can’t predict the future, you can help shape it by preparing.”
What has been the best part about working at Twitter so far? The cool atmosphere. Everyone is incredibly smart so I am definitely learning a lot from them, but no one acts like they’re better than you. It’s a good working environment where everyone is collaborative rather than competitive and the free food and drinks help as well. The growth has also been tremendous; we are actually in the middle of a hiring frenzy right now because we forecast a lot of business coming down the pipe in the near future. Knowing what you do now, if you could go back and change anything, would you and what would it be? And what advice would you give any young Sternies looking to explore marketing? Retrospectively looking back at my own life seems a little pointless. You can’t change the past and you can’t predict the future. That being said, the best advice I can give is to definitely develop an idea of how you want your career path to grow. While you can’t predict the future, you can help shape it by preparing. Follow trends, know how to speak to them, and develop your own ideas and inputs of where they might lead.
Features
: How Big D Calvin Lin is a Delta Sigma Pi alumnus who
graduated last year. He majored in Economics at the College of Arts and Sciences and minored in Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology in Stern, Steinhardt, and Tisch. He has been working at Nielsen for the past nine months and is really enjoying his time there. He is a Client Solution Associate in the Emerging Leaders Program.
About Nielsen
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Nielsen is a leading global information and measurement company that provides clients with a comprehensive understanding of consumers and consumer behavior through extensive data collection and analytics. The company then delivers media and marketing information using industry expertise to inform clients and the public about what consumers buy and what consumers watch on a global and local basis. Nielsen studies consumers in over 100 countries in order to track their latest trends and habits. Their information, research and solutions help clients maintain and develop targeted marketing strategies and identify opportunities for profitable growth.
Features
Data Drives Business
By Sabrina Chow and Lauren Tai
In my current rotation, the International Product Marketing team, I start my day responding to some of our time zone-flipped teams in other countries. I help them become better informed about Nielsen’s products, clients, pricing, and competitors in the market. Throughout the day I help our technical team update and tweak our products for better audience measurement and then report these updates to our international markets. All in all, I’m gaining a broad perspective into Nielsen’s expansive product profile while assisting our International Nielsen teams with the same understanding.
Have you worked on any interesting projects?
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What does your day-to-day look like?
In my first rotation, I developed deliverables on TV content. These reports helped answer questions such as: “What genres can TV Network XYZ tap into to create a new show that will draw in new audiences?” “What are the shopping habits, hobbies and interests of consumers of a particular program?” “What talent is best suited for this show?” I absolutely love TV and media, so it was a fantastic opportunity to present to brands on why choosing a particular actor/actress as their celebrity endorsement will result in a high ROI. Consulting network and production companies on what their next show should be was very rewarding. I loved both projects because they let me interconnect my passion for data and television.
Features
What is your favorite thing about working for Nielsen that sets it apart from other companies?
The exposure we get to senior leaders in the company. Our program grants us meetings with a senior leader every week or two to allow us to engage their point of view on their expertise, the direction the company is heading and the industry as a whole. I’m able to find time out of their busy schedules to engage in a one-onone about career aspirations, side-projects, and just simple casual conversation. So far, the most awesome opportunity was getting to go to Nielsen’s Madison Square Garden Box with Nielsen’s CEO, Mitch Barns.
Something I find interesting is that most companies estimate they’re analyzing a mere 12% of the data they have and in 2014, the digital universe was 3.2 zettabytes (one zettabyte is roughly a billion terabyte, and one terabyte is 1000 gigabytes). In six years, the digital universe will grow to 40+ zettabytes. That’s one small step for big data and one giant leap for the future of data analytics.
What is something interesting about data analytics that people might not know?
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Features
How does Nielsen contribute to the digital era in general?
Terabytes of data are being created every second and so much of that data is unanalyzed. Right now, companies don’t have the ability to look at data across silos or different verticals. Only when they’re able to develop a syndicated system that can automate measurement and analysis, will companies be able to start cross-measurement and cover multiple verticals. I see companies striving to achieve that today by working to create a universal measurement that will oversee multiple data sets to produce the best insights and in return create the highest return on investments. In the future, data analytics will play a humongous part as we work to funnel down this complicated big data ecosystem into a simple one metric measurement.
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Nielsen is working to revamp the corporate image of traditional TV ratings measurement to become one of the key players in digital advertising. The company assists its goal to revamp itself digitally by creating a strong relationship with big tech companies such as Facebook and Twitter. Nielsen’s measurement capabilities are leading the ad industry by combining online, mobile, and TV data to create a total audience measurement. This new holistic universal measurement assists all kinds of companies in improving their advertising strategies by providing accurate unbiased 3rd party data. I personally hope people will stop recognizing Nielsen as a “TV ratings company” and start appreciating it as the “total audience measurement platform” that it aims to be.
Where do you see big data and data analytics going in the future?
Features
CASE IN POINT:
RETHINK HOW YOU APPROACH CASE COMPETITIONS WITH THESE 3 TIPS
In addition to the L’Oreal Brandstorm competition, DSP brothers have found success in many case competitions. Much of this success stems from a few factors – all of which would be helpful to any student participating in a case competition in the coming years. However, of the tips mentioned, the most important one is to enjoy your experience and use these competitions as opportunities to improve personal, academic and professional skills. The skills that you learn through these competitions are likely to prove useful for years to come.
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BE SURE TO START EARLY MAKE USE OF YOUR RESOURCES
This past semester, DSP brothers Megna Narasimhan, Mausum Shah and Lili Meng competed in the annual L’Oreal Brandstorm Case Competition. The competition began at a campus level, progressing to the national level and eventually to an international one. L’Oreal is a beauty company based in France; thus, winners of the national competition are flown to Paris in early June to compete against other international teams in the hopes of winning the overall international championships. This year’s prompt asked students to explore the Travel Retail sector to best understand current industry trends and how L’Oreal can capture market share in this sector. The brothers’ unique solution centered around a customized spa experience won them the campus finals. The brothers will be progressing to the national competition this May when they will compete against other universities for the first place prize.
3 TIPS
DEVELOP STRONG PRESENTATION SKILLS
By Megna Narasimhan Case competitions are a uniquely quintessential part of every NYU Stern student’s academic career. Not only do these competitions allow students to build their academic skills, but they also expose students to the professional world and the inevitable challenges they may face.
Case competitions require long hours of work, dedication and a strong understanding of the material. This requires students to begin working on the competition at an early date so that students have enough time to overcome any potential challenges that arise during the experience. It is very easy to overlook certain details when crunched for time, and those mistakes can end up costing a lot in competitions like these. Many students have participated in case competitions in the past, so current competitors may benefit from asking upperclassmen about their past experiences and how to best tackle the assignment at hand. NYU also provides many academic and professional opportunities such as case walkthroughs and excel workshops. Students should leverage these resources and all academic databases to best compete and find success. Lastly, students must develop a strong presence during the final presentation. Students must be sure to speak eloquently and project their voice. Furthermore, students should stand with confidence and express their personality in a manner that will benefit the overall presentation. Presentation skills are useful in many aspects of life; however, they are specifically important to the case competition experience.
Propelling Your Career
ACING THE INTERVIEW Get a head start on OCR Interviews with these four tips By Donna Chung 1. Spend your winter break wisely.
Most of my winter break was spent studying my technical and behavioral answers for typical interview questions. The amount that you prepare honestly depends on how much knowledge you have in your field. While some of my friends were able to do discounted cash flow analyses with their eyes closed, I spent my time studying them over my break.
2. Don’t weigh your preparation too heavily on technicals.
Even if you are interviewing for a position at a bulge bracket investment bank, you would be surprised as to how important it is for their analyst class be personable. Of course, the more prepared you are the better, but make sure to focus on your behavioral answers as well. You will find everything you need to know in the Breaking Into Wall Street and Wall Street Oasis technical guides. Also try asking upperclassmen and mentors to share their experiences with you to effectively frame your answers. Remember, the best answers are personal and honest, so just be yourself !
3. Read the news.
You must keep yourself updated on current news, both finance and world related. Not only is this important for the sake of your interviews, but you should also get yourself into the habit of reading the news to be worldly and knowledgeable. There are plenty of apps that send notifications right to your screen, so you can catch up on events while waiting for the elevator or while riding the subway.
4. Give yourself a two-week cushion for practice.
After preparing your answers, it is extremely important to leave time to practice, as your answers sound different out loud than they do on paper. Get your upperclassmen, alumni, and professional contacts to mock interview you in a formal setting. Record yourself answering questions when you speak in front of a mirror. Sit with your friends and recite your answers together, and correct each other as you go. Although this is one of the most competitive times of the year, you need each other to get through it!
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Propelling Your Career
Good Eats!
Restaurant Week Highlights - Winter 2015
By Mausum Shah From February 16th to March 6th, 2015, over 300 restaurants participated in Restaurant Week. For those of you who are unaware, Restaurant Week is when gourmet and relatively expensive restaurants offer pri-fixe 3-course meals for either $25 for lunch or $39 for dinner. Considering many restaurants price a single dish for up to $25, this is an absolute steal! Participating restaurants are located all around New York and serve almost every cuisine imaginable, including African, Asian Fusion, Australian and even Southern. Restaurant Week is a time to splurge on a fancy meal or to try something new. Explore what New York restaurants have to offer when this amazing event comes around again this summer!
Gaonurri
Gaonnuri is a new up-and-coming Korean restaurant located on the 39th floor of a commercial building near Penn Station. With stunning views of the city as well as delicious food, this restaurant was definitely a crowd favorite. Dishes range from classic Korean barbecue to fillets of salmon to cod with a soy glaze. Typically, it costs roughly $50 per person to eat dinner here, but with the Restaurant Week deal, coming here is a must! Located at 1250 Broadway, Penthouse, 39th fl.
Taboon
Taboon is a cozy Mediterranean restaurant located in the Theater District on 10th Avenue. Its menu is absolutely perfect for all foodies, incorporating vegetarian options, pescatarian options and substantial meat portions. The fresh-made hummus and warm focaccia as an appetizer truly exhibits Taboon’s meticulousness. This spot is perfect for a date night or a cozy night in with a loved one. Located at 773 10th Ave, 52nd St.
David Burke Kitchen
The atmosphere at David Burke Kitchen is comfortable and well-lit, with a cafĂŠ-like feel. The food is a modern take on traditional classics such as an innovative candy bar for dessert. Dishes include chicken dumplings with a barbeque glaze and salmon tartare. David Burke Kitchen is a great place for friends or a lunch date. Located at 23 Grand St.
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College Years
CONSULTING AT NYU:
180 DEGREES
Nishaad Ruparel (left) and Matt Swulinski (right), co-founders of the New York University branch of 180 Degrees Consulting
By Jeanney Liu Last year, Nishaad Ruparel and Matt Swulinski took the initiative to provide college students with real-world consulting experiences. In the spring of 2014, Ruparel and Swulinski co-founded New York University’s branch of 180 Degrees Consulting: an international student-run consultancy that delivers pro bono advisory services to socially conscious enterprises and non-profits. Other educational institutions with branches include University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, and Tufts University. The first client for 180 Degrees Consulting at NYU was Think Coffee, a fair-trade and sociallyresponsible coffee chain. The consultants proposed a solution to help Think Coffee maintain its growth trajectory. Following their success, 180 Degrees signed with four non-profits for the next academic year – The Salvation Army (a charitable organization), Lifebeat (an educator of HIV/ AIDS prevention to youth through music), Trip of a Lifetime (a source of travel scholarships for underprivileged students), and Recusing Leftover Cuisine (a provider of food for the hungry).
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180 Degrees creates an unparalleled experience for aspiring consultants. “The work you do at an internship can be passed down on so many levels, where it’s sometimes hard to see where it fits in the bigger picture,” Ruparel said, “When you work at 180, you get to decide for yourself what that bigger picture looks like.” The consultants work an average of ten hours a week to devise recommendations for issues the non-profits encounter. Prior to becoming part of the team, an applicant must go through a selection process that is representative of a consulting firm. It includes an application and resume drop followed by behavioral and case study interviews. Following this, the consultants participate in a two-week training program and receive professional mentorship from Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers. The future for 180 Degrees Consulting for NYU students looks promising as the organization continues to build rapport among the non-profits. The consultancy recently decided to work with Kiva, a San Francisco-based organization that makes loans possible for underserved citizens. It hopes to extend its foundation of clients to advise a wider range of companies that are making a social impact. Additionally, it recently started an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for training future leaders of 180 Degrees Consulting. Ruparel hopes to create a sustainable organization for NYU students looking for consulting opportunities. “We’ve done some pretty cool stuff,” he said, “but I feel like the real achievement is if this is around in 5 or 10 years.”
College Years
STUDY ABROADDiaries NYU Prague By Grace Kim
After traveling to 19 different cities and 11 countries with some of my best friends, I can definitely say that I have no regrets about choosing Prague as my study away destination. To start, Prague is absolutely beautiful. When I first arrived, I was blown away by Prague’s amazing and beautiful European architecture. Since the city was relatively untouched during WWI and WWII, it has been able to maintain its long history and cultural integrity. Aside from how wonderful living in Prague is, studying abroad in the city also means studying abroad in all of Europe. Some of my most memorable experiences include relaxing on the beach in Ibiza, feeling overwhelmed by a spectacular pool party in Budapest, cheering “Prost!” with new friends at Oktoberfest, having the best coffee in Amsterdam, visiting the Christmas market in Venice, and stargazing in the Swiss Alps. Overall, I definitely recommend everyone to travel abroad in Europe. If you are looking to live in a beautiful city, drink beer that is cheaper than water, go out with your friends every Wednesday night, and travel to other amazing cities, Prague is the study abroad site for you.
NYU Shanghai By Stacy Chen
When I chose to study abroad in Shanghai, I realized that it was not like any other study abroad site. I did get the chance to become more immersed in the Chinese culture, which was a very cool experience. However, the course load, especially courses related to Chinese, was not as easy as I had expected from a study abroad site. Also, the pollution was a real problem sometimes. People aptly called it the “Shanghai cough.” Still, there are clear benefits to studying abroad in Shanghai. The cheap food and transportation all across Asia are huge advantages, and I would recommend taking weekend trips to other cities in China. My favorite trip was my trip to Xi'an with some of my suitemates. We climbed Mt. Hua to see the sunrise at the very top of the mountain, which was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. We also saw the terracotta warriors, visited a local zoo, and tried out lots of different foods from the Muslim Quarter. Thus, although Shanghai was different from what I expected, I was able to make great memories with my friends and have a great time in Shanghai.
20 | Spring 2015
College Years
NYU London By Weilin Tu Ye
Studying abroad in London was an unforgettable experience and the highlight of my time at NYU. As a well-balanced amalgamation of the old and the new, London is a place with history and tradition embedded in every building and street, and home to a modern, hip, and diverse community. In such a big metropolitan city, there is no shortage of things to do, places to eat, or sights to see. Whether you want to shop at Covent Garden, catch a play at Picadilly Circus, check out Chinatown, or go to the famous national museums near Hyde Park, London has it all. The architecture ranges from Gothic to Edwardian to modern contemporary styles and the modern city is so well integrated into the ancient city, that in many cases, new construction projects are built over aged buildings to preserve the culture and the history of the old, and serve the purposes of modern lifestyles. When I left for London, I knew only a handful of people going with me. After my time there, however, I came back with some lifelong memories and a fantastic group of friends that have shared those memories with me. Many students choose not to study abroad in London because of the weather, or the cost, or the rumored academic rigor. However, I can tell you that no matter what your fear is, studying abroad in London is well worth it.
NYU Sydney By Andrew Xie
When I boarded my Sydney-bound flight I knew I was not headed for the typical European-nation-hopping experience often associated with a semester abroad. Instead, I disembarked from my aircraft, ripped the sleeves off of my shirt, and felt the 35 degree heat waves caress my skin. Despite Australia’s closest-neighboring nation being stationed a three hour flight away, I’ve had no shortage of travel adventures and eye-opening experiences. In fact I’ve visited that very neighbor (New Zealand), taken my talents up to the Gold Coast, and explored the rocky terrain of Tasmania. I’ve absorbed all of the incredible sights offered by Sydney and its surrounding cities, and have been hard pressed to encounter a dull moment. Sydney itself, though not the cheapest city to live in, has proven worth its price tag with all of its attractions and allure. It is easy to get immersed in Australian culture, and will surely be difficult to step back outside of, mates. The NYU Sydney program is steadily gaining in numbers (120 this semester as opposed to 40 last semester), as people (though not Sternies, of whom there are currently only 9) begin to catch on to this previously hidden gem of a study away site. It’s been a great semester and I’d highly recommend studying in Australia. 10/10, would Sydney again.
21 | Spring 2015
College Years
About Delta Sigma Pi Founded in 1907 at our very own New York University School of Commerce, Accounts, and Finance (now the Leonard N. Stern School of Business), Delta Sigma Pi today is one of the largest professional fraternities in the world. With over 200 collegiate chapters, 50 alumni chapters and more than 200,000 members worldwide to support the goals and ideals of the Fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi offers you an unparalleled network of professionals and career opportunities. At Delta Sigma Pi, we take the professional development of our brothers very seriously. For over 50 years, the brothers of Delta Sigma Pi and corporate partners have supported the education of fellow brothers through the Delta Sigma Pi Leadership Foundation. The Foundation hosts workshops and conferences for developing outstanding business leaders and provides funding for academic scholarships to students at colleges where there is an active Delta Sigma Pi Chapter. To find out more about our specific goals at the Alpha Chapter, or to join us, talk to one of our leaders or come to one of our events. Most of our events are open to all and so you’re welcome to join us along with your friends. Alternatively, you may email us at dspalpha@ stern.nyu.edu to find out more.