BI-COASTAL ALUM EVENTS Alums and MBA students gather to talk shop in New York and San Francisco The job market for MBAs may be more challenging than it has been in decades, but that hasn’t slowed down the amazing team, led by MBA Career Services Director Paula Klempay, that connects MBA students and alumni with recruiters and employers. After all, this is the team that bucked last year’s downward job placement trends, issued a book showcasing exceptional Mentoring Moments, and helped 100 percent of the class of 2010 land solid internships this past summer. “We never stop looking for new ways to showcase Foster’s MBA talent,” said Klempay. That’s one reason why, on November 12th, the Foster School MBA Career Services team will be hosting alumni receptions on both coasts—in New York and San Francisco. The goal of the events is for alumni to connect with each other, and also to meet students. The atmosphere at these happy hour-style functions may be relaxed, but the students are coached to bring their A-games. “There is really no room for error
in this job market,” said Bryan Tomlinson, employer relations director of MBA Career Services. “Sometimes Q & A with an alum prepared to go out on a limb for an MBA student looks like a lightning round of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” without the ability to phone a friend.” Tomlinson is up to the task of preparing students for networking. 2009 saw him take home both the Foster Award for Staff Excellence, as voted on by colleagues, and the Daniel R. Siegel Service Award for Most Influential Non-Faculty Member, as voted by the class of 2009. A 3rd generation Husky, he brings dawg-like tenacity to his work—which focuses on enhancing Foster’s recruiting relationship in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. “I’m definitely part of a strong team here,” said Tomlinson. “The admissions team does a great job getting us the best talent; we watch the students develop as they learn from top faculty; and then we
help them market themselves to great firms across the country.” n ALUMNI RECEPTIONS Thursday, November 12th 5:30PM – 8:30PM
Appetizers Provided – Cash Bar SAN FRANCISCO
E&O Trading Company 314 Sutter Street San Francisco, CA 94108 NEW YORK
The Bull & Bear Steakhouse Bar at the Waldorf Astoria 570 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10022 Connect with fellow Foster alumni and visiting students in either SF or NY! RSVP to Bryan Tomlinson: btom@uw.edu or 206-685-4720
It’s in the Cards Topps baseball cards served as the inspiration behind last year’s inaugural pack of Foster faculty trading cards, a marketing effort being replicated for the 2009-10 academic season. The trading card concept came from Foster’s marketing team after Dean Jim Jiambalvo challenged them to come up with an idea that would break through the clutter of business school marketing campaigns. Last year’s pack featured new faculty, designated as “Rookies,” and some veteran faculty, designated as “All Stars.” The faculty member’s name and photo appeared on the front, while the back of each card featured academic credentials, career highlights, and a “did you know?” fact highlighting an interest outside of academia. A very different approach from the customary letters and brochures used to promote faculty and research, the project met with success. The cards elicited numerous positive messages from business schools around the country. They also received some media attention, including an article in BizEd, the bi-monthly trade magazine produced by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Based on that success, a 2009-10 set was produced—with some twists. The new pack features ten faculty “All Star” cards and four specialty cards, including a “New Stadium” card for PACCAR Hall and a “Hall of Fame” card of former dean, Dr. Nancy Jacob. n
FALL 2009
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