How I Diversified Myself with the LSM

A lot of you may have heard about Bentley’s awesome Liberal Studies Major (LSM) that lets you tie your business background with the liberal arts, but let me tell you how it helped me diversify myself in the corporate world!

My LSM is Quantitative Perspectives (focus in mathematics), and I tied that to my major in Corporate Finance & Accounting. As a junior, I completed all my math courses for the Quantitative Perspectives and they ranged from “Linear Models for Business Decision Making” to “Calculus 3.”

So how did this help me land the summer internship that led to a full time offer at PwC?

In the spring of my junior year, I applied for an internship with PwC in their Risk Assurance department. A couple weeks later, I received a call about first round interviews on campus! In the first round interview, I had questions pertaining to my coursework, leadership experience, and much more. Then, a few weeks after I received another call about second round interviews at their Boston Office. The second round interviews consisted of a presentation and lunch provided by PwC and three separate interviews with a manager, director, and partner in Risk Assurance. In all my interviews, I had been asked to further explain the LSM which they had noticed was written on my resume. What was most surprising was my interview with the partner! During the allotted time, we discussed the LSM and how the courses have helped me link the business component to math. Fascinated specifically with my course “Linear Models for Business Decision Making”, at the end of the interview, she said I should consider a specific field within the Risk Assurance service line that dealt with situations I had practiced in my LSM class. Surprisingly enough, a couple hours after leaving the second round interview I received a phone call that I had been offered an internship with PwC!

This is only one example where a company saw how the LSM diversified my knowledge in business and made my experience unique at Bentley. So, one piece of advice – consider adding a Liberal Studies Major to help you diversify yourself!

For more information on LSMs click here! 

Bentley Lingo – Your Verbal Survival Guide (Part 2)

Decided to work backwards? Be sure to check out Part 1 of the Bentley Verbal Survival Guide too!

Smith stairs – Consider this the double black diamond of stairs. You will be out of breath and sweaty when you summit, regardless of temperature (so budget time before class to stop sweating and wipe your face). Good news is that if you take these more than once a day you can skip leg day at the gym.

Seasons – As our main dining hall on campus, students get very accustomed to walking to the student center to come here to eat. Other than the ice cream, the omelets come out on top as my favorite food at Seasons, but the staff is still the best part of the experience.

Club Mein Bowl – You’d think that late night Chinese food couldn’t get better, but when you have weekend warriors dancing their heads off at 1 AM as you eat it, it does. Mein Bowl, which serves up some mean crab rangoons and sesame chicken, transforms into a dance party with loud music and good food on weekend nights, and is always worth a stop, if only to people watch.

The JAR – Short for John A. Ryan, it’s the name of our Division 1 Mens Ice Hockey team’s home rink. While some like to poke fun at the JAR for its rather homely appearance, no one can knock the environment of a packed home game, with our home team cheering section up in the “Falcon’s Nest” making sure our opponents know they’ve got competition.

Bentley’s Div. I Men’s Ice Hockey team takes on Sacred Heart at the JAR, with the Falcon’s nest full of supporters

Flex/Blizzard – Flex is Bentley’s beloved falcon mascot, and Blizzard is his lesser known yet somehow related sidekick (my research suggests younger brother). While Flex can be seen at most athletic events and other campus wide celebrations, it seems like Blizzard is more of a diva and only shows up when he wants to.

Spring Day – Nelly, T-Pain, Kellie Pickler, and Gloriana are all artists who have come to campus in April to play a concert for our annual Spring Day. But the concert is certainly not the only highlight. There is food EVERYWHERE, plenty of different carnival games and activities, and a bunch of other shenanigans going on around campus. It’s typically the last day before students start putting their nose to the grindstone for finals, so it’s always a blast.

Flex and Blizzard with some friends on Spring Day

The Campus Loop – A campus shuttle that runs regularly (in a loop around campus) and in accordance with class times, so as to give students the option of riding to class rather than walking. Especially handy on days with inclement weather or when sleep deprivation is setting in, the shuttle is as reliable as it gets.

Harvard Shuttle – Our Harvard shuttle is a coach bus that transports students from campus to Harvard Square in Cambridge, where they can connect with a line of the subway system that leads into Boston. It’s a free and easy way to get yourself into the city, and students regularly take advantage of that opportunity.

“I can’t even.” *gasping for air* – 95% of Bentley students at the halfway point of the Smith stairs
“I know who’s coming for Spring Day!” – 100% of Bentley students who in fact do not know who is coming for Spring Day

Bentley Lingo – Your Verbal Survival Guide (Part 1)

Freshman year is an exciting time in your life. You’re making new friends from all over the country and world, you’re exploring classes that are interesting to you, and you’re making the most of all this new-found free time you have. But, it can be a little overwhelming too. You’re most likely living away from home for the first time. You’re beginning to understand the value of time management. You do your own laundry and get your own mail. And on top of it all, you’re struggling to understand the linguistic idiosyncrasies (how do you like them big college words?) of the upperclassmen around you. How can the hockey team have enough room to play in a jar? And how can a place be referred to by a direction…North seems like a pretty general way of describing a location!

I can empathize with those feelings, and as I found out when I made this list, there are still some Bentley terms that I either didn’t know or didn’t understand…..and I’m graduating in May. So I’m here to help you get the jump on Bentley lingo, through this two part mini survival guide.

Discresh – At the beginning of the semester, it feels like an endless supply of funds (linked with your meal swipes) you can spend at any of the places to eat on campus other than Seasons (see Part 2). But without proper planning you end up spending all of it in a month and lean heavily on your friend who somehow ends up with $200 left in discretionary funds at the end of the semester. Get on their good side early because the funds don’t roll over and we wouldn’t want to be wasteful right?

Lower, Upper – Referring to the two different “halves” of campus, “lower” features our athletic complex, as well as dormitory buildings, while “upper” holds more residence halls, our academic buildings, and our student center. Students are fiercely divided on which locale is a better spot to live, but both have their upside.

The library and academic buildings on upper campus

GB – Short for General Business, it’s the core business curriculum that all undergraduate business majors will take. It starts with GB 110 (Ethics and Law), 112, and 212 (Finance and Accounting), moves on to GB 213 (Business Statistics), 214 (Marketing and Operations), and 215 (Management), passes through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, continues to GB 310 (Business Processes and Systems) on to GB 320 (Integrated Business Project) and finally culminates in GB 410 (Strategic Management). But since you can’t escape the GBs just embrace the GBs.

Night bomb – This just seems like its immediately ingrained in your vocabulary once you’re at Bentley, but a night bomb is a class that meets once a week at night for a longer period of time. It’s a great way to condense your schedule, but freshman cannot take them until their second semester. I think normal people call them night classes? I don’t know. But remember your snacks and coffee.

North – A relative unknown for those who have not lived there, North Campus is an unconnected section of residential buildings that is appropriately located due north of the main campus. I can confirm rumors that some of the dorm rooms on North have bathtubs, so that’s something to keep in mind.

CoNo, CoSo – While some residence buildings are known by nicknames, none are used more frequently than the Copleys. In fact, some students may be confused if you refer to CoNo or CoSo as Copley North or Copley South. They are mirroring buildings on the lower section of campus home to mainly sophomores and juniors, and after four years I still haven’t exactly figured out which one is which.

G-space – Campus features two greenspaces: the upper g-space and the lower g-space (also known as the lower G) . Both are aptly named for the halves I described above, and feature different scenes depending on the weather. In the fall and spring, you’ll find sunbathers, football tossers, and Kan-Jam players, while the winter welcomes skiiers, snowboarders, and plenty of snowmen.

Lower campus in the fall, with the lower g-space off to the right and CoNo and CoSo to the left

“What even is North Campus?” – Anyone who hasn’t lived on North Campus

Thoughts While Abroad…

Studying abroad is an experience everyone should try to do throughout your four years in college. I knew that even before coming to Greece. But now that I am actually 3 weeks into my study abroad program, everyday is a constant confirmation that I have made the right choice of leaving my wonderful Bentley home for a semester.

Bentley taught me a lot of things before going abroad but I have also learned so much just the little time I have been here. I wish what I have learned so far was more tangible to put into words but all I can say is:

Every abroad experience enlightens you as a person to the different things the world has to offer. I have met so many amazing people with such different cultures, backgrounds, values and experiences. You really do get so comfortable in your everyday life that you sometimes forget that there is a whole world out there with breathtaking lessons just waiting to be learned.

Knowing what I know now and what Bentley has to offer to prepare you, here are three tips:

1. It’s never too early to start researching where you want to go BUT also be flexible. Ever since Freshman year I had a vision that I was going to go to Santiago, Chile for my study abroad experience. But after researching a lot and seeing that their academic year was a lot different, the dates didn’t really match up well for me. It’s always important to have an open mind about the programs. We are lucky to go to a school where there are SO many programs offered everywhere around the world – so don’t limit yourself to just one!

2. Research the Study abroad program very well (including the school):

Even though you are probably excited about traveling and seeing a lot of different places you have to remember that there’s a “study” in “study abroad”.

Look into: The courses they offer, how big the campus is, what are the dining options, extracurricular activities, the academic set up of classes, and so on. Every last detail counts!

3. Talk to other people who have gone abroad and hear about their experiences! Obviously you probably won’t have the exact same experience as them, but most of the time people who have experienced it can give you a better look at certain details about a program. I had a lot of friends that had gone to Greece prior to me arriving and they gave me some amazing tips on where to go and how to handle certain differences. Plus people LOVE talking about their abroad experience!  Take advantage of that.

I hope some of these tips helped a little!  I also wanted to share a few pictures of Greece to get you excited about your abroad experience, whether it’s in 4 years or next year!

5 Clubs and Organizations You Want to Join at Bentley

I need to add a disclaimer that this top 5 is from personal experience, and is simply meant to give you a snapshot of the different ways you can get involved around campus. For a full list of organizations that you can get involved with at Bentley, click here.

1) Class Cabinet – I was fortunate enough to hold the position of Vice President of the class of 2015 for both my freshman and sophomore years before having to vacate the position because I was studying abroad my junior year. The time I spent on the cabinet was meaningful for many reasons, but I most valued how many of my classmates I met, through campaigning for office and through different events we put on. If you want to meet a bunch of people and have an awesome time while you’re at it, think about class cabinet.

2) Bentley Ski and Snowboard Club – Bentley SSC holds a special place in my heart because I just returned from the club’s weekend trip to Stratton (Vermont), where the conditions were epic and the people were even better. Bentley SSC welcomes any and all of any skill level, as long as they’re looking to have a great time. They do day trips to mountains in the area at group discounts and with transportation provided. With the winter we’ve had, they even built a jump and a rail out on the Greenspace in the middle of campus for everyone’s enjoyment. I would suggest checking out their Instagram, which is phenomenal (personal bias definitely at play).

3) Student Athletic Advisory Committee – As a student-athlete here at Bentley, I have a vested interest in boosting school spirit and participation at athletic events. No organization does so better than SAAC, which runs promotions at different sporting events to drive up attendance and get people excited about how their peers are doing on the field, court, track, ice, course, etc. SAAC emphasizes the importance that athletics has on a college campus, and encourages athletes to go support their peers in the same way we hope they would support us. It gives students a voice in the athletics department and I value that they value our opinions.

4) La Societa Italiana di Bentley – While I can’t claim to be an active member of SIDB, I have been fortunate enough to attend some of their events, and they NEVER disappoint. It’s tough to go wrong with Italian culture, but they offer events like Make Your Own Pizza Night, an annual wine tasting (21+ of course), and a variety of other programs, including an Italian bingo night with some great prizes. As my post-abroad depression is apparently permanent, it’s nice to have a little reminder of Italy here on campus. The bonus is that you don’t have to be Italian to join the club, you just have to really like their food. And that means that everyone is welcome.

5) Campus Activities Board – Again, while I was never an active member of CAB, I certainly benefited from the incredible amount of programs they put on throughout my four years at Bentley. Most notable is Spring Day, an annual concert that brings some headline acts to campus and is filled with activities throughout the day, from bounce houses to athletic events, to human bowling (PSA: don’t try snapchatting yourself human bowling). We’ve had Nelly, T-Pain, Timeflies, Kellie Pickler, and Gloriana, and this year’s concert is sure to be awesome too (the bonus for members of CAB is that they get to meet the artists). In addition to Spring Day, CAB hosts events like a Bentley Amazing Race, Bentley Bingo, and a semi-annual Comedy Show, which are all accompanied by some good laughs and insane prizes (like the kid who took home a DRONE from Bentley Bingo).

The name of the game is to get yourself involved, especially considering that you’ll have a lot more free time in college than you did in high school. Wherever your passions lie, there’s almost certainly an organization that aligns with them, and if there isn’t then you can start one.

In the spirit of trying new things and pushing your comfort level a little to get involved, here’s another quote from my main man: “When life gives you lemonade, make lemons. Life will be all like, ‘What?!?!'” – Phil Dunphy

What to Look Forward to in 2015

Student Center Renovations

As a current senior, I am one of approximately 1,000 students who have seen the student center go through major transitions over the past four years. With that said, many of us are eager to see the renovations to the Student Center come to life in 2015!

Here’s some background info on the Student Center:

The Student Center is said to be the heart of the Bentley Campus. Therefore, the renovations will truly embody the Bentley student and what a business atmosphere is like. From the exterior to interior of the building, you will notice a lot of open glass doors and walls to replicate a business feel. A lot of companies’ offices have open glass to symbolize transparency within the firm.  Aluminum metals, and vibrant colors will provide a modern look to the Student Center to represent the Bentley Student.

Aside from the design, here’s what you should look for in the Student Center:

Harry’s Pub

• Events will be held here at times
• Live games will be displayed through a projector onto a huge wall

Russo’s

• The best subs and sandwiches in town right in the heart of Bentley’s campus
• They also bake their own rolls every day!

Argo Tea

• Delicious hot tea
• Did I mention they have bubble tea too?!

Fire Pit and Patio

Bentley Bubble

• This is where students can do work and hang out late at night

Study Rooms

• No need to walk all the way up to the library for late-night group meetings!

Offices listed below will be in the Student Center

• Business Center Operation
• Student Affairs
• Residential Center
• Multicultural Center
• CISS (Center for International Students and Scholars)
• Spiritual Life

Pillars of Wall Street

I’m not sure who might be reading this, but if, by some chance, you’re planning to major in Finance, Economics-Finance, or Corporate Finance & Accounting, pay attention. Tomorrow I’m attending a Pillars of Wall Street Financial Training workshop here at Bentley. Our Economics-Finance Society (which yours truly is a part of) was able to provide its members with an opportunity to complete the workshop at a steep discount (which we college kids can really appreciate). I’ve attached the link below, so if you’re at all interested in ever completing a similar program, check it out. It should be a really awesome and fundamental experience.

http://pillarsofwallstreet.com/

Preparing to go Abroad

Hello, Hola, or should I say:

γεια σας (Hello in Greek)

I remember little freshman me dreaming of going abroad for a Semester. Now, here I am, a Junior, counting down the days until I leave for Greece (10 days to be exact). This is my time to step out of my comfort zone even more and challenge myself. People always tell me that you're never going to have another chance to travel like you do when you study abroad, and I believe them. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. My whole semester abroad will be filled with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. It hasn't really hit me that I am leaving in less than a week, even with all the packing and people asking you if you're excited. I am so blessed to be traveling to a country that most people go for honeymoons or vacations. 

You learn a lot throughout your years at Bentley and I really think that I am as prepared as I possibly could be to go abroad. Ever since I was little I had a dream (like most people) to travel the world and see different people and cultures. Now I have the opportunity to do so. And it's all thanks to Bentley. Bentley gives you endless opportunities to go abroad because they know how much of a learning experience it is. You might see colors you never knew existed, traditions you might have only seen on TV or in movies, or smells that you could have never imagined. But that's the point. You expand your knowledge of everything. Bentley knows how valuable this experience is. Please stay tuned for my constant updates while I am in Greece!!! You will get a sneak preview of life abroad! 

Until next time! 
Esperanza

 

Home Away from Home

I don’t know when exactly I started referring to Bentley as home, but I think there comes a point in almost every college student’s life when they do the same. From freshman to senior year, this campus and the people that fill it have made 8:30 AM classes bearable…and that’s saying something. As a second semester senior, I’m beginning to start thinking about what life will be like after graduation in May. It’s strange to think that I won’t be trekking up to classes on a daily basis, climbing from my room on the lowest section of campus to the top, where our academic buildings are located (while convincing myself that the cardiovascular and related health benefits are worth showing up to class out of breath and with back sweat). I’ll miss snowmen on the quads and the outdoor basketball courts turned hockey rink. I’ll miss Kan Jam, corn hole, and the accompanying sunbathers and country music. Mostly though, I’ll miss the people that have volunteered to put up with my shenanigans and abundance of character flaws by rooming with me. So as a token of my thanks and admiration, this blog will be about them and my housing experiences at Bentley.

Freshman Year – Birch 210

The year of the boys of B2. One of the three freshman dorms (and the largest with about 60% of the freshman class), Trees Dormitory is home to different halls, each fittingly named after a type of tree. I lived in Birch, more specifically on the 2nd floor, which is where B2 comes from. Incredibly, of the 23 guys I lived with on B2 during freshman year, I would consider well over half of them to still be close friends. We played intramural soccer and dodge-ball as a floor, maintained what most other people thought was a ludicrous open door policy, and had an unbeatable shower jams playlist.

Sophomore Year – Orchard South 204

Bentley runs an incentive during housing selection time, whereby attending certain events around campus, you are entered into a raffle to be the first selection in the housing lottery (the order of which is determined by credits). Fast forward to my roommate running full steam down the bleachers celebrating as his number is picked, with me in hot pursuit. That’s how I came to live in a predominantly senior dorm as a sophomore, honing my chef skills in our kitchen and enjoying the 30 second walk to the gym. My advice? Get as many of those housing lottery raffle tickets as you can.

Junior Year – Falcone West 305

Again, the beauty of living at a smaller school like Bentley is that the housing situation is phenomenal. After coming back from our fall semesters abroad, 4 of my friends and I were able to do a direct room exchange with five girls who were all going abroad in the Spring, this time in a sweet pad that featured a kitchen, private bathroom, and a spacious common room. A special thanks goes out to Residential Life for making that transition a smooth one.

Senior Year – Orchard South 401

And finally back to the building I resided in sophomore year for one last shebang. Living on the top floor, which we have aptly named the Penthouse Quadrangle (there are only 4 rooms up there), my roommates and I share a 960 square foot apartment that consists of two double rooms, a single room, a bathroom, kitchen, common room, and two massive hall closets. All in all….not too shabby.

As hard as its been for me to come to terms with this being my last semester as a Bentley Undergrad, it’s also given me the opportunity to reflect on my 3 1/2 year ride. As all things seem to go in life, you rarely appreciate how fortunate you are or how great you have it until you’re looking back. I could not possibly repay my roommates (though I do probably owe them money) for how much they have enriched my Bentley experience. I can only hope that everyone else is as lucky as I was to have made the friends I did along the way.

“I could only find really mushy or female oriented friendship/roommate quotes so I quoted myself.” – Andrew Johnston

P.S. Click here for a virtual tour of Bentley, and to see photos and panoramas around campus

A Lil’ Snow Never Hurt Anybody

Being from Vermont, I’m pretty used to blizzards, snowstorms, Nor-easters, or whatever you’d like to call them; a couple feet here and there- no big deal. Unfazed, Vermonters hop in their Subaru’s equipped with studded snow tires and go about their business as usual. Waltham, and maybe all of Massachusetts, is a little bit different – thirty inches of snow and every school from Plymouth to Pittsfield is closed, streets in the burrows of Boston are traveled by ski, snowboard, or sled rather than vehicles, and every isle in Star Market, Shaw’s, Stop & Shop, you name it, are wiped clean by worried foragers. Don’t get me wrong, I would have been caught on Tuesday skiing down Darling Street in Mission Hill, raiding the Hot Pocket shelf at the 7-11, and trudging through knee-deep snow to cross the train tracks. And yes, in case you’re wondering, it was an absolute blast… for about a day and a half. And now, the aftermath.