First Day of School, Some Pictures:

NESCAC Speed Networking Event

Career Speed-Networking Event For Boston NESCAC Alumni
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
6-8:30 p.m.

Courtyard Boston Downtown/Tremont
275 Tremont Street
(in the Washington Ballroom)

Cost: $37, The admission fee includes appetizers and beverages.

Registration is limited and is expected to sell out very fast!
If you are interested in attending, we advise you to register today!

At this unusual networking event, you will meet at least 12 other NESCAC alums for 6 minutes each, on a predetermined schedule. What makes this event truly unique is that the networking is based on your stated preferences -- you'll indicate the professions of others whom you want to meet. Each attendee will receive a personalized schedule at the door.

Please note the event organizer will limit the number of registrants from any one profession or any one NESCAC school to ensure a diverse attendance and experience.

Pre-register by e-mailing the required information in the form below, to event organizer Craig Turet at psn2008@yahoo.com. Payment instructions will be e-mailed to you thereafter. Please note that your place will be formally reserved only after payment is received.

If you have any questions, please contact Craig Turet directly at (215) 241-8821.

You may also contact Leigh Graham '82 in the Bates College Office of Alumni and Parent Programs at (207) 786-8255 or lgraham@bates.edu with your feedback on the event itself.

September 24th Event

Check out the article on Daniel Berman in the Boston Globe

The Boston Bates Business Network cordially invites you to a reception and panel presentation

The Race for News, Technology, Globalization,
and the Role of Newspapers in the Internet Age

Thursday, September 24, 2009
The Lenox Hotel
61 Exeter Street at Boylston
Reception at 6 p.m.
Presentation at 7 p.m.

Panelists:
Daniel Berman '08
Global headline-making graduate student
who found Iran election irregularities

Brian McGrory '84
Metro Editor, The Boston Globe

Hors d'oeuvres and cash bar
$20 per person, $10 for alumni in classes of 2005-2009

Kindly register by September 21 by visiting: community.bates.edu/bbbnsept09

or by calling Ashley Jewell at 207-786-6487

Business Social

Gearing up for the LARC event in October, where the focus will be on social networking in business.

Great article...

Business Social
Portfolio.com

Boston Globe 100 "The Best of Massachusetts 2009"

Check out this article on boston.com. It highlight's the top ranked businesses in MA. Topping the list is Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc, which is led by CEO and Bates graduate Michael W. Bonney.

Links to Networking Conferences in Boston

Check out this link for some networking events in Boston. This free website offers information about conferences and networking events in cities. Boston is one of the cities that they have put together a list for. Worth a look for some ideas!

Marks Guide - Boston: Networking Events in the Boston Area

The Fine Art of Managing Through a Recession, Wed. April 29th

Check out pictures from last nights event...

Robin Reynolds Starr

Name: Robin Reynolds Starr

Bates Class Year: 1985

Major: Art History & Physics

Current Occupation: Director of Paintings Dept.

Current Company: Skinner, Inc.

Graduate Degrees (if any)MA in Art History from Williams College

Where did you first move after you graduated? Why did you choose to live there?

I moved back to Massachusetts to go to graduate school.

What was your first job after graduation? Why did you choose to do it?

Cataloging here at Skinner – when you’re an art history major and you actually find a job in the field you take it!

What was your natural job progression from there? Did you choose to stay at your company? Move cities? Go to graduate school?

I loved it here, so I stayed, and now I’m running the department.

What words of advice would you have for younger Bates alumni going through a lot of similar choices today?

It’s a tough time, but if you’re in an arts-related field and you don’t have much experience, get it through volunteering (if you can afford to) or internships.

What is your favorite part about your job today? Do you imagine yourself continuing in this capacity?

I love the variety, and my job is to look at art – that’s a good job…yes, I’ll stay here for a while longer.

What words of advice would you have for people struggling in the recent economic downturn (career advice, job search advice, fiscal advice, general life advice)?

Hang in there, and be as diverse and creative as you can in making new contacts who can help you.

The BBBN on Art in a Recession is 1 Week Away!

Join us for the final BBBN event of the season on April 29th titled "The Fine Art of Managing through a Recession: Perspectives from the Art Industry"

The BBBN Presents its final event of the 2008-2009 season with a look at how this recession is impacting the art world, featuring:

Trevor Fairbrother
Writer & Freelance Curator

Barbara Krakow
Owner, Barbara Krakow Gallery

Robin Starr ’85
Director Pro Tem, American & European Paintings & Prints,
Skinner Auction House

Moderated by:
Bruce Barry ’93
Ceramics Artist & Instructor,
Decordova Museum and Sculpture Park

To register, please go to:
http://community.bates.edu/bbbnfineart/

In addition:

Music for the reception will be provided by
George MacDonald, Bates College Class of 2010, Guitarist

This event includes access to the Shepard Fairey exhibit
“Supply and Demand.”

The event is being held at the Institute for Contemporary Art Boston
100 Northern Ave
Boston, MA

Starts at 6 PM.

As a “thank-you” and celebration of our final 2008-2009
Boston Bates Business Network event,
we will be giving away 5 year-long memberships to the ICA.

Graduating With a Major in Go-Getting

This article from the WSJ was submitted by Mike Charland and is really informative for those looking for a job as the graduate. Some ideas to think about as you are looking for a job.

Rachel R. Clayton

Name: Rachel R. Clayton

Bates Class Year: 1990

Major: English

Current Occupation: Executive Chef

Current Company: Myopia Hunt Club

Star of Rockin the Kitchen

Rachel will be speaking at the Food and Business Event this Thursday at the Intercontinental Hotel.

Where did you first move after you graduated? Why did you choose to live there?

I moved out to Colorado Springs, CO to train with the USA Team Handball Team. I trained with the squad for two years.

What was your first job after graduation? Why did you choose to do it?

When I moved back to Boston I started working with my brother-in-law helping out in his kitchen. He was the executive chef at another North Shore country club. I needed a job. I had no idea I would enjoy cooking so much, but it came naturally and I liked the fast paced nature of the profession.

What was your natural job progression from there? Did you choose to stay at your company? Move cities? Go to graduate school?

I was not sure where I was going to end up. I pursued applying to graduate school for physical therapy. I got into a school down south and was hesitant to move. My first choice was in Boston. I also was playing in a very successful original rock band and I was not ready to leave the area for school. I remained working for my brother in law waiting for things to “open” up in my life, not realizing that I was honing my skills at my future career.

What inspired you to make your next transition?

I decided that cooking was going to be my future when I was offered my current job at Myopia. It was time for me to get serious about my goals and focus my energies on really mastering my trade. The decision to accept the position forced me to make a deeper commitment to my future as an Executive Chef.

What words of advice would you have for younger Bates alumni going through a lot of similar choices today?

The food industry is an exciting business. It is vitally important that you come into with a solid education. Since it is a trade profession I find that the most successful people are the ones who are intelligent and have management skills. To excel in this profession you want to be the one in charge. Developing your skills can be done by going to culinary school or simply learning to ropes in a kitchen under a good teacher.

What is your favorite part about your job today? Do you imagine yourself continuing in this capacity?

I love the teaching aspect of my profession. I run an educational kitchen that takes in many inexperienced chefs and get them ready to move onto bigger kitchens. I also enjoy the fact that everyday is different. I have the freedom to create whatever I want and see immediate results. It is very satisfying. I also love the energy and the physicality of cheffing.

What words of advice would you have for people struggling in the recent economic downturn (career advice, job search advice, fiscal advice, general life advice)?

Kitchens are always hiring. The beauty about the culinary arts is that people will always have to eat. Stay true to your goals.

What is something interesting that you have read recently that you would like to share?

Cooking can open many doors because people love to eat! I recently have been working on a cooking show that combines my musical background and my cooking skills. The show is called “Rockin the Kitchen” This is a fun example of what you can create if you have a solid educational background and good skills in your profession. The combination of ideas involving food are endless!

Mike Charland

Name: Mike Charland 1993

Major: Economics/Mathematics Double Major

Current Occupation: Investment Management

Current Company: Wilkins Investment Counsel, Inc.

Babson College MBA

Where did you first move after you graduated? Why did you choose to live there?

Upon graduation I had student loans to repay and no job so I moved back home to the Boston area to regroup.

What was your first job after graduation? Why did you choose to do it?
My first job was working as a trading assistant in the municipal bond department at Eaton Vance in Boston where we managed municipal bond mutual funds. I always knew I wanted to work in the investment management industry. This job offered me the opportunity to sit on the trading desk working directly for a mutual fund manager who managed several funds. I was fortunate to have had such an opportunity early on as I literally had a front row seat to experience all aspects of the investment management business.

What was your natural job progression from there? Did you choose to stay at your company? Move cities? Go to graduate school?
I spent four years at Eaton Vance working under two different portfolio managers. When it came time to find the next challenge, I used my networking skills and business connections to move to my present firm, Wilkins Investment Counsel, also in Boston. I have now been at Wilkins for over eleven years. Over that time, I ran the firm’s bond trading desk, transitioned into equity analysis, was named Director of Research and portfolio manager and eventually became a partner in the firm. Along the way, I also achieved the CFA designation (an important designation in this industry) and earned an MBA from Babson College.

What inspired you to make your next transition?
I was excited to move to a much smaller firm where I could have a greater impact on the organization. Wilkins has eight employees vs. Eaton Vance which had several hundred at the time I left. The ability to “wear many hats” at a small firm appealed to me.

What words of advice would you have for younger Bates alumni going through a lot of similar choices today?
Whatever job you have, do it to the best of your ability. Every day that you come to work, you are shaping or reinforcing the impression that others have of you. Be honest with yourself and find a job or career that matches well with your unique skills and abilities. Life really is too short to be stuck in a position that doesn’t suit you. Continue to build your network of professional and personal contacts as this will prove invaluable throughout your career. This is particularly true in the present challenging economic environment. Strongly consider furthering your education as appropriate given your desired career path. Identify an individual or individuals in your chosen field and unofficially adopt them as mentors, learning all you can from them.

What is your favorite part about your job today?
Making personal connections with our clients as we help them achieve their long term financial goals while enjoying lasting relationships with them is very rewarding. I also enjoy being involved in every step of the research and portfolio management process. Finally, I take pride in my role in helping manage and grow the firm itself. Being a business owner is both a responsibility and a privilege.

What words of advice would you have for people struggling in the recent economic downturn (career advice, job search advice, fiscal advice, general life advice)?
Network, Network, Network! The Bates network is an easy place to start as there are so many groups and events in which to participate (Bates Business Networks, sports team related events, Office of Career Services events, book clubs, National Day of Service events... the list is endless).

What is something interesting that you have read recently that you would like to share?
I still enjoy reading Ayn Rand (The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged). I also like to escape in fast paced detective/thriller novels from authors such as David Baldacci, Robert Ludlum, Dan Brown, and Stuart Woods. Erik Larson’s books The Devil in White City and Thunderstruck are entertaining real life thrillers appropriately set in historical context.

There are still industries hiring students-Boston Globe

I ran across this article in the Boston Globe today talking about how it will take a little longer for students to find jobs and that on-campus recruiting is not bringing students jobs like it used to. It mentions 5 industries that will probably be making some hires and might be worth looking into.

Here is the link.

The Bates College Boston Finance Roadshow

The second annual Bates College Boston Finance Roadshow is approaching! The event will offer select Bates College Sophomores and Juniors some insight into careers in the world of finance and will be hosted on February 19th and 20th. As part of the event, we will be hosting a networking reception at RBC Capital in Boston for Bates alumni and parents in finance and students interested in getting into the field on the evening of February 19th. Space is limited for the reception, so interested participants will be asked to sign up in advance on a first come first serve basis. More information will be coming about how to register for the reception. The event was very successful in its inaugural year with 5 of the presenters returning again for its second run. In addition, there were many success stories which came from this event including students getting interviews and internships with some of the hosts and others who were at the networking reception. It is a great opportunity to meet some very talented students. Also, check out the presentation here that describes the event in more detail.

Bates Finance Roadshow

View more presentations or upload your own.

Alumni Profile - Bruce Stangle

Name: Bruce Stangle

Bates Class Year: 1970

Major: English

Current Occupation: Economic consultant

Current Company: Analysis Group, Inc.

www.analysisgroup.com

Graduate Degrees (if any): M.S. in Management, MIT; PhD in Applied Economics, MIT

Where did you first move after you graduated? Why did you choose to live there?

I moved to Boston because there seemed to be more job opportunities there and many of my Bates friends were also moving there. I rented an apartment in Brookline with three other guys from Bates

What was your first job after graduation? Why did you choose to do it?

I thought that I wanted to go into hospital administration so I got a job as an orderly in a medical facility. The next job was as a research assistant at Lahey Clinic making $100 per week.

What was your natural job progression from there? Did you choose to stay at your company? Move cities? Go to graduate school?

After two years at Lahey Clinic where my boss was a professor at MIT, he encouraged me to apply to graduate business school. I applied to the MBA program at MIT. I loved the learning environment at MIT, found that Bates prepared me well to succeed in grad school and decided to stay and pursue a PhD.

What inspired you to make your next transition?

Working as a research assistant was fun and I learned a lot but the job did not seem to lead anywhere. I knew that I’d need more training if I wanted to move up in an organization.

What words of advice would you have for younger Bates alumni going through a lot of similar choices today?

Bates provides a first rate education and prepares one well for the many twists and turns that you will experience in a career. For most Bates people I would expect that you’d want to work for two or three years after college and pick up some good skills and simultaneously figure out what sorts of things at work do you really enjoy doing. The next step for most (but not all) is to go to graduate school whether it be business, law, medical, etc. Getting a graduate degree opens more doors and enables you to pursue better jobs. A graduate degree reduces the risks that one faces in today’s labor market.

What is your favorite part about your job today?

The two most rewarding parts of my job are first, being able to keep learning new things while solving client problems, and second, having the opportunity to work with very talented and intelligent people.

What words of advice would you have for people struggling in the recent economic downturn (career advice, job search advice, fiscal advice, general life advice)?

In addition to providing a first rate education, Bates also seems to build life long friendships. Your Bates network of friends and colleagues is a gift that keeps on giving. You can rely on that network throughout all stages of your career. Go to Bates events (e.g., networking events, on campus, social networks, OCS, sports, etc.) stay in touch. Bates people will always help each other.

What is something interesting that you have read recently that you would like to share?

At work, I do a lot of reading of business and economics materials. Not much of that is truly inspirational. For enjoyment I like to read fiction, mostly detective stories. A little known writer is Henning Mankell who writes about a Swedish detective. Perhaps the best novel I read this past year was Lush Life by Richard Price.