Matt Barry: UBC President 2007-2008

Cramming for an internship or job interview is something many juniors and seniors find themselves doing. Earlier preparation is probably smarter, but with so many things in the pipeline (tests, papers, org meetings, interviews, homework, going to class, sleep, IM sports, etc), it often comes down to the night and early morning before. However, being in BC makes that process soooo much easier.

How? It’s because I don’t ever have to rehearse an answer to the classic questions: “Tell me about a time when you had to work in a team and influence others,” or, “Can you explain a situation where you had to deal with incomplete information,” or, “Give me an example of when you had to lead,” or even, “What do you do for fun?”

Being in BC gives me these opportunities left and right, whether I look for them or not. Being a part of one of our program committees forces you to deal with incomplete information at every step of the way. Whether the room reservation gets cancelled at the last minute, the VIP requests something unexpected, you run out of food, or if you are given 4 months to plan an event with money you don’t have yet, you have to think on your toes. The best part about that is that you are supported by 100 other amazing people the entire time.

Influence in BC can come in the form of being on Exec, as I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy for the past 2 terms, but it can also very easily be gained with a simple idea. Everything starts somewhere. Working in groups and teams gives our members the opportunities to develop themselves as leaders who can earn respect and gain influence easily through innovative ideas and hard work.

Most importantly, BC is fun. It’s SO MUCH FUN! I could be saying that because I’m in charge…but I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t enjoy it. I’d encourage you to soak in the BC culture, whether or not you sit on Council. Come to our meetings (they’re open!), attend our events, and apply for one of our three open committees this year. Next up: Parents’ Day committee.

So I guess that’s pretty much the epiphany I had this morning at 6am as I was on a plane to Dallas for a second-round interview, hastily reading the Wall Street Journal and drinking a cup of coffee to keep me awake on the 2 hours of sleep I had gotten: BC made it that much easier for me…it won me half the battle.

Odile Kane – Second Year Returning Member

Families: Those Who Have Them, And Those Who Wish They Did

‘Family’ is among the most fascinating of words. Evoking immediately a sense of utmost loyalty and devotion, the word ‘family’ has become a wild trend at UT.

Organizations of all kinds- be they social, academic, professional, or whatnot- have all clamored at ‘family’s tall, ridged gates, eagerly anticipating their entrance. I have seen many attempt the reaching of this nirvana-like place, but only one organization I know of has truly attained its full power and meaning.

The Undergraduate Business Council is quite a bit like the internet we as business students are so fond of and are rarely able to function without. That fluid, constantly adaptive system built upon a solid backbone: family. Whether or not we are Al Gore’s brainchild, we are a community of users logging in to a common interface- the organization- and using its resources. But like the world wide web, UBC is built upon a foundation- though thankfully in this case not a series of fiber-optic cables. I speak of families: the reason UBC has a firm posture when so many organizations suffer from extreme scoliosis.

Some have curvature in their backs, where the families are existent at first but have dwindled into near-oblivion by years’-end; others suffer from inverted vertebrae, where the back is sore from attempting to support too large a structure. Like with Goldilocks and her three bears, I have found that UBC’s family structure is ‘just right’.

Devotion is, to be honest, too tame a term to apply to these brave individuals who take upon themselves the role of parent. Loyalty, dedication, and stubbornness are apt, but also lacking in depth and scope. In no other land, as far and wide as one may seek, will a traveler come across parents such as these: father figures ready to guide their ‘children’ from ‘birth’ (incoming UBC members) to ‘old age’ (UBC graduating seniors); mother hens clucking tongues whilst wielding platters of baked goods; parental units often far more stable than our biological ones; siblings who form closer bonds than many ions.

In truth, this is a phenomenon I have found of most curious nature and have studied since my first semester last year on Council. However, the fruits of my research go as follows: the mystery is not to be broken; UBC’s mysteriously-wonderful family system is one built upon its own reputation. Each year, potential parents are children, and seeing the example set by their current parents, follow suit- or attempt to impress further- during their tenure as parents. This never-ending cycle results in superior parenting- and a Christmas-Every-Day effect for their subsequent children.

Regardless of its mystery, the system works wonders- Thus far, my two sets of parents have been nothing short of both miraculous and admirable in their verve. I doubt I could put forth a fourth (hah) of their effort were I to be wearing their shoes (though, preferably, not Jeff’s). And thus I say to current parents and past parents of UBC- rock on, parental units; your legacy goes not un-noticed J.