Professor Elam

Saturday Sept 17, 2011

From Here to Eternity won multiple Academy Awards in 1953. IThe story centers on the lives of soldiers at an Army Base on Hawaii before the Pearl Harbor attack. The Captain has a private played by Montgomery Clift transferred to this Base. Clift has shown great promise as a Boxer and the Captain wants to win the Pacific Army Boxing Championship. Burt Lancaster plays the Sergeant. Clift informs the Captain that he has quite boxing and has no interest i it again. The look on the Captain's face tells the audience all we need to know-you are going to box for this Base and you are going to win, period. 

Outside the Sergeant asks Clift how long have you been in the Army, oh about five years comes the reply.

'Well, when are you going to get smart about it, asks Lancaster?

His point of course is that the easy way ahead is to read the tea leaves and prepare for your best outcome. 

Specifically you should be using your courses to prepar you for whatever your goals are after college. 

One young lady approached me with several constructive questions. She has picked out the company she wants to work for and was studying their financial reports. Great idea!  In fact, let's carry that to the logic al conclusion. How about writing an analysis of the company complete with stock price charts, management analysis, market strategy, growth, etc?  Then update the report each quarter until you graduate?  when you walk into the interview you will have your portfolio, a complete profile of the company. This will set you apart from all the others interviewing as an informed prepared candidate.

Want to start your own company, fine!  Start analyzing the industry, the stand outs and start writing. You will need to establish yourself as an expert.

One fellow did just that when I was in my MBA program.

Preparation pays, Get Smart.