MBA: How to engage with second years?

In this post I will talk about how to engage a second year student.

Looks like I have stirred a hornet's nest with my last post on "Arguments for the Indian women's reservation bill (Part 1)". Some of my very good friends were speaking with me in upset tones. Naturally, I became upset too. However, I am glad that they felt comfortable enough with me to tell me in my face that I might be wrong. I sincerely thank them for their feedback. Henceforth, I will try to put my point across in a better manner. In a way, I am glad that I made that post because I could see how varied the reactions could be, and emerged wiser.

How to interact with second years?

I will now take a break from that emotional topic, and return to sharing my experiences with the incoming students. My previous post in the series, "A second year is your best friend (Part 1)", talked about why second years are so important for your recruiting. Perhaps, I will make a post about why second years are very important for other things. Right now, I wish to share some tips on how to interact with the second years.

Let me first tell you about the state of mind of the second years as they walk into the Winter Garden. Let me focus on those who went down the traditional path. They either have an offer, or they don't have an offer. If they have an offer, they may recruit in order to upgrade, or change. If they don't have an offer, they will most likely recruit. Therefore, the spectrum of time they spend in recruiting is from none to a lot. Moreover, the emotional stress they are under will also vary from none to a lot. Also, those who are leaders of the student groups will be starting up on the activities of their groups. This further increases time crunch for some. Therefore, if you want to start on a positive note with a second year, try to be sensitive to her stress levels.

Another dynamics plays out – that of ego and emotions. Someone who received a sought after offer may be in stratosphere! While, someone who did not receive an offer may be really upset. In either case, there are special emotional mechanics involved. You, have to be careful in how you manage that. It is a bad idea to belittle the achievement of someone, and it is a worse idea to ask about offer from someone who doesn't have one. You need to do a little bit of research to make sure you don't embarrass yourself and other people.

However, don't be depressed! There is a powerful positive undercurrent which will make your life easier. Second years are bursting to help you! They have very positive memories of the help they received from the previous outgoing class. They are taking up leadership roles, and are eager to discharge their duties. They want to talk about their experiences. In some cases they want to even brag about them. They are happy to see a new class hit the street, and are eager to welcome them. Some will help because they are genuinely interested in helping, and others will do it because they want to feel important. In a nutshell, there exists a fountain of help, ready to drench you with – even if you don't need it.

However, there are some first years who manage to miss such a big bus. Sometimes, they fail to reach out to the second years critical for their success in time. As they procrastinate, hesitate or ignore those second years, other first years rush in and become the favorites of those who should have made you their favorite. Go to various events. Walk up to second years in the winter garden, the student lounge, and Kovler café. Don't hesitate to extend your hand – again and again – and introduce yourself. Don't start asking serious questions immediately. Get them to like you. Go have drinks with them, bump into them again and again, and address them cheerfully. Few like serious people. Fewer like scowling people.

When you email them, or ask them for help, don't be even remotely demanding. Especially, in traditional favorites such as consulting and investment banking, first years would be raining on the second years. All that is required for you to lose out is just one remark or sloppy email which annoys them. It doesn't matter to a second year if they help 50 people or 49. Don't be that missing one! When you make an appointment, don't miss it. If you expect to miss it, warn the person as soon as possible on phone. If you still miss it, apologize – preferably in person.

Remember, you are not done with a second year ever. When they are on campus, they will help you find your internship. After they graduate, they will come back as recruiters. Never ever ignore a second year, even after you think you are done using her. If you are shy – it is a problem. Some people like to be greeted. If you don't greet them, they will take offense. Moreover, second years talk. If someone hates you, many will know about that. Maybe it will damage you, maybe it will not. Why run the risk?

There are a number of other things I can say about second year-first year interaction. However, I'd like to wrap up by saying that consider second years as your clients. Those whom you really need should be your platinum clients. You need to sell yourself to them, and then maintain your relationship. If you have never handled clients in your life – I am not sure how I'd advise you! However, I must add that I have seen some classmates – especially who were individual contributors prior to Booth – struggle with public interaction. I know of specific cases who managed to create social disasters for themselves. Unfortunately at Booth, there is a thin line between social and professional disasters.

I dedicate this post to a little fellow Boothie and one of the nicest people I know. She is my role model when it comes to creating positive bonds with people.

More on Booth life coming up! Stay tuned! Please send me your reactions and requests at ibn-e-sina@[Chicago booth edu]!