A new stage in my life...

I completed my move to New York City this week, and, luckily, I gave myself a few days to settle down. I am mildly amused that this is my first apartment to myself in 4 years, but with the consulting lifestyle, I do not expect to be here much.

Tomorrow, I begin the next phase of my journey as I report to Accenture for work at 8:30am. I am excited, even if it means that you will not see as much of me on social networks for a few years.

If you need to find me, I will still be out there.

New York City

Well friends, after an interesting journey since business school, I am winding things down here in San Francisco. My start date for Accenture has been moved up to November 16th. That means in 3 short weeks I will pack back into my car, road trip to Arizona, pack up my stuff there, and fly out to New York City.

So ... 10 years circling the east coast, hundreds of visits, several collected months on Amtrak - Alex Fleming is coming to New York.

I am very excited.

District 9

Every once in a while, the medium of science fiction hits the perfect balance between truth and fantasy, between reality and possibility, to create a truly unique and powerful commentary on the world we inhabit.

‘District 9’ is such a story. It is without question one of the most important science fiction films of the decade, precisely because it takes the viewer on a journey to grapple with some of the most important political, social, and economic questions that face humanity today.

The protagonist is disturbing to us in the beginning for his ignorance and weakness, but during the course of the film we are taken face to face with: forced resettlements, persecution and control of oppressed populations, international aid organizations and legal standards, refugee management, private security contractors in government roles, poverty, crime, weapons trafficking, industry exploitation of weapons development, genetic experimenting and manipulation on unwilling subjects, euthanasia, population control, identity and loyalty, and war profiteering.

Even though these issues are discussed in the realm of a fictional idea (aliens), the truly disturbing part of this movie is that every single thing that happens in this movie is something that is happening to humans in some part of this world – RIGHT NOW.

Many people chose to be happy in their ignorance, and a few people ask difficult questions about how these issues should be managed – but not enough.

Hopefully, in addition to being entertained, audiences will see this for what it is – an important piece of social commentary, in which science fiction holds up a mirror to humanity.

You might not like what you see.

Starting a Journey on the Open Road...

My life has been defined by the moments that I went out on the open road ... starting a journey for an unknown destination. These are key, contemplative, moments in my life. I will tell you about them, because they have punctuated a lot of times that helped me get through.

Car: 1972 Scout II
Time: 16th birthday

The first time I ever left my house to drive alone. I was going from my parents house to a night school class at ASU, but I never felt more alive.

Car: 1973 International Travelall
Time: After high school graduation

My roommate Kris and I left Wallingford, CT to drive to Ohio, New Orleans and then Colorado. It was our post-HS road trip, and it felt like we owned the world. Nothing could touch us and everything was possible.

Car: 1992 Ford Bronco
Time: Junior year in college

My Dad and I left Phoenix on a dark morning to drive my car to Philadelphia. The first time I would take a car with me (and get lots of parking tickets trying to park in Philly). It was a feeling of ownership that I have rarely hard (even when I bought a house).

Car: 1992 Ford Bronco
Time: 1 week after college graduation and being commissioned in the Navy.

I left Philadelphia at 5am on the way to a wedding in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and then to South Carolina for Nuclear Power School. My first trip as a wage-earning adult and the beginning of my time in the Navy.

Car: 1992 Ford Bronco
Time: Leaving Washington DC in the Fall of 2002

I left DC at 6am on the way to Norfolk, VA to report to my submarine, the USS San Francisco.

Car: 1992 Ford Bronco
Time: Arrival in Guam

I left the vehicle depot in Guam after picking up my car and drove through the typhoon ravaged island, with power poles lying everywhere. I went to Tumon and watched the sunset on a quiet night over Nikko Palace.

Car: 1999 Nissan Sentra (the Bronco was totaled after it slipped off the road in a tropical storm)
Time: Back in the USA

I picked up the car in Los Angeles with my mother and then we drop up towards Seattle (almost getting in a car accident in the first 30 minutes). It was just when we arrived on the mainland.

Car: 1999 Nissan Sentra
Time: leaving the Navy

I had all my possessions packed in the Sentra until it was loaded to the axles. I left the personnel processing station and drove out of Seattle without stopping to change out of my uniform. I put 200 miles between me and the submarine before I changed. I was almost as excited as the first time I drove away from home. That trip took me all the way across the country to DC, where I sold the car.

Car: 1989 BMW 325i
Time: after business school

On a clear morning, I left Phoenix AZ with a back seat full of books an clothes on my way to San Francisco. I was taking a risk, going to a new city. My life is in closets (a storage unit in Philly, a closet in Colorado, a closet in my parents' house in Phoenix, a closet in my friend's house in SF, and I live in the closet of a room in Japantown.)

I am in flux. I have no home. But I have my wits and my knowledge, and I know that the future holds bright things.

I am full of optimism.

Interesting and Significant Changes in Wharton Essays...

Hey all,

So, here are the new Wharton essay questions for the upcoming year. Very interesting stuff. I am going to take a few days to digest and comment, but I like them a lot.

2009-2010 Questions – First-Time Applicants

Essay 1 – (750-1000 words)

As a leader in global business, Wharton is committed to sustaining “a truly global presence through its engagement in the world”. What goals are you committed to and why? How do you envision the Wharton MBA contributing to the attainment of those goals?

Essay 2 – (750-1000 words)

Tell us about a time when you had to adapt by accepting/understanding the perspective of people different from yourself.

Essay 3 – (500 words)

Describe a failure that you have experienced. What role did you play, and what did you learn about yourself?

Essay 4 – (500 words) Choose one of the following:

a. Give us a specific example of a time when you solved a complex problem.

b. Tell us about something significant that you have done to improve yourself, in either your professional and/or personal endeavors.

Essay 5 (Optional) – (250 words)
If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application).

Post-MBA Chill Time

So, the great part about having an MBA from Wharton is that you always have a long list of couches to crash on in NYC :)

I spent the last few days meeting with friends, cris-crossing all over my new home, and generally catching up. It was a crazy few weeks packing the whole apartment, putting everything into storage, shipping things out west, and saying goodbye over and over again. Oddly, it reminded me of Pre-Term, where we would say hi to new people daily for a month, in reverse.

I am having a great time building my list of activities for the next 7 months. The more I think about it, having a long vacation is just awesome. I am going to be working on my business, alumni panels, travel, friends, reunion planning, non-profit training, and I have a BOX of books that I am going to read.

I have also started a new presence as an online adviser for people applying to MBA. If you would like to ask questions, please email me at:
acfconsultingservices@gmail.com

Last week, the people from HBS came up with a great idea of an MBA Oath. It is a rough and non-binding set of behavioral standards for MBA graduates. There is some debate about its ... usefulness, but I think that it is a vital step to vocalize the 'right way' to be a professional manager. There will always be bad apples, but I think this will serve well as a conversation point in the future.

You can find information here.

Off to a wedding in Seattle this weekend. Tis the season...

ACF Consulting Services - Introduction

Readers,

As promised, here is further information about my MBA Admissions Consulting activities. Please feel free to share this with anyone who is interested.

ACF Consulting Services - MBA Admissions Consulting (http://www.alexcfleming.com/ACFConsultingFINALwebsite.pdf)

ACF Consulting, a private, independent consultancy, serves candidates preparing for the admissions process at top US MBA programs during the 2009-2010 season. The primary consultant and owner is Alex C. Fleming MBA/MA from The Wharton School and Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

- I will provide, for a select group of clients, comprehensive strategic advising, resume revision, content and essay development, editing of application materials, counseling on application process management, mock interviews, and other specialty services.

I have several key value propositions and differentiators:

1) Highly Relevant and Recent Experience – I received my MBA in 2009, and I served for the last 3 years as a primary student contact, official blogger, mentor, and leader of admissions volunteers at Wharton. This culminated with service as a Graduate Admissions Committee Assistant for the 2008-2009 season, during which time I evaluated MBA applications and conducted admissions interviews.

2) 100% Personalized Service – I conduct 100% of the advising, interviews, editing, counseling, and communications for the firm. There is neither assignment ambiguity nor questions about the background of your counselor. What you see is what you get.

3) Competitive Pricing – My base hourly rate is 30% below that of popular MBA admissions consulting firms, while at the same time providing personalized service and the highest standards of quality.

4) Diversity of Experience and Unique Perspective – I was a non-traditional candidate for business school, and I have successfully transitioned to management consulting. I have a breadth of work experience in the military, engineering management, diplomacy, and strategy consulting. My writing-intensive MA program and unique background allows me to provide distinctive insight and value to my clients.

Schedule your FREE initial phone conference now!
Contact: acfconsultingservices@gmail.com

http://www.alexcfleming.com/ACFConsultingFINALwebsite.pdf