Congratulations, your application to Kauffman Fellows Program was successfully submitted.

Just submitted the application and received that lovely message. Now I have to wait a few months :) If I hear anything, I will let you all know.

Hope you're enjoying your Wednesday.

Burning the candle at both ends

Today I spent most of the day working on my Kauffman Fellowship application. It's due tommorrow. Two of the three recommendations are submitted, and my essay is almost ready to go (as ready as it can get given the deadline is tommorrow). I wish I had more time to spend on it (like my business school essays which I slaved over for months) but the way this semester is going (5 classes, 2 internships), I am just trying to make it to the finish line in one piece :)

Actually tonight I saw a blog written by a guy who applied for the fellowship last year. Unfortunately, he wasn't selected, but he provides alot of good information. He also blogs about his job as a product manager at Google, which is equally interesting. Anyways, I'd recommend you start here and then poke around his blog as you like.

The companies that we'll be visiting on the Technology Business Group Silicon Valley trip was just announced, and I have to say that the organizers appear to have done a GREAT job at lining up some kickass companies. Companies include:

Facebook
Intel
Yahoo
eBay
VMware (nice)
Cisco
Storm Ventures
DFJ Frontier
Technology Crossover Ventures
Intel Capital
Innovacom

As much as I am bummed that I am now not going on the Southeast Asia trip, I think this is a great networking opportunity that can't be missed. At least for someone like me :)

Rainy Day in Tokyo

It's raining today in Tokyo. That fact, plus the fact that the World Series is on is keeping me inside. I can even get the commentary in English. I think I might pop over to Ginza later for lunch since I haven't seen that area, but right now I am kind of goofing off with email, blogging, etc. Tonight we're going to hit some bars in Roppongi and then off to the airport tommorrow.

This morning I woke up early and did a call with the prof I'm TA'ing for. Myself and the other TA's are going to be grading final exams. Thankfully, there are three TA's and the prof, so we're able to split up the work of grading 200 exams :) I have a 12 hour plane flight ahead of me so that should be a good time to make headway.

As I write this, I am looking at the clock on my computer and see that it is 10PM Eastern. This means that Happy Hour is going on and there are a bunch of crazed MBA students running around Uris in Halloween costumes. Nice...

I'm flying back to the states on Saturday and have yet another friend turning 30 and having his party that night. Next week I am going to be spending alot of time getting my Kauffman Fellowship application in (it's due on Wednesday) and just getting caught up from the vacation. Thursday I'll probably be working at the VC firm and Friday I'll be with one of the startups I'm working with. This semester is flying and I'm so overworked, I'm not neccessarily upset about that. However, next semester I am going to be able to carry a really light load, so I'm paying now to be more relaxed later (if you don't count that I'll be conducting my job search at that time ;)

Google interview

I was notified I got invited to interview w/Google for a product management position. This is one of only two companies that I've dropped resumes for via on campus recruiting, so I'm going to bat at least .500 :) My interview will be two back-to-back 45 minute interviews on campus, and then I guess if they like me I get to visit them onsite (I'm guessing in NY but who knows).

Went to the Tsujiki Fish Market this morning at about 6am and watched the end of the daily fish auction. I have never seen more fish (especially tuna) in my entire life. It was very hustle bustle at the market, lots of guys pulling carts and driving around little trucks. After walking around we went to Daiwa for some sushi. I have never had fresher sushi in my life - yummy.

Today I'm thinking I'll head over to the Tokyo dome and hit the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame. The Red Sox are playing Game 1 of the World Series right now but I feel like I should probably enjoy the city since I'm only here for a few more days.

2009 J-term class to remain as 3 clusters!

Hello from Japan. This just came in from Kabir Ahuja, J-term president:

Dear J - Term,

It is my pleasure to share with you the news that there will be 3 clusters for the 2009 J-Term class. Although originally one cluster was slated to be dropped due to congestion of physical and teaching facilities, the administration has decided to keep the J-Term the same size. This decision was made in partnership with the student government.

One of the main drivers behind the decision to keep 3 clusters was the experience we have had at Columbia Business School so far; our class size allowed us to network across a large base while still being a close-knit group. We were also able to hold significant recruiting and social events due in part to having critical mass in terms of number of people.

Feel free to share this news. An official announcement and article will be included in the next issue of the Bottom Line.

For all with interviews, best of luck!

Thank you,

Kabir

Makin' Moves

If I land in VC after school, kick me if I start to act like this guy...