Archive for June, 2011

Summer Reading Picks

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

Summer reading isn’t just for kids! Whether or not your job and family slow down (or speed up!) for the summer, warm weather and inviting sunshine will surely beckon at some point for you to sit down and relax. Why not do so with a good book? Business Week recently published an article on suggested reading for business school students to keep their brains in “business” over the summer months while many are away from campus doing internships. Check out their suggestions at www.businessweek.com. In addition, I’ll share a couple of my own picks for summer reading. 1)Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner—No worries, this is not reading for your typical economist. I had the wonderful opportunity to hear Steven Levitt speak at the GMAC Annual Industry Conference in San Diego last year. He has a wonderful sense of humor and the book itself is an absolute page turner. 2)The Imagineering Field Guide Series—If you are a Walt Disney fan, these books give the inside look at how Imagineers view and create the Disney theme parks. They give insight into the attention to detail and care that those on the business and creative sides of Disney take to make the guest experience a phenomenal one (and, in turn, keep them coming back again and again to spend more money!). These are also a good reminder of how thinking outside the box can really benefit you in the workplace. 3)How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else by Michael Gates Gill—A compelling true life story about a business man who “had it all”, “lost it all”, and learned to carry on by taking a job opportunity at a local Starbuck’s. (Not only is the story a good read, you learn a lot about how Starbuck’s runs, which I found exceptionally interesting). 4)Five Point Someone: What Not to Do at IIT by Chetan Bhagat (a novel)—I haven’t read this one yet, but it was recommended to me by a student from India. Various reviews note that the author is quite humorous, and the book gives much insight into Indian culture and education. This one is near the top of my “next” list.
Happy Reading!
–Stacey Dorang Peeler

Tags: admissions, business school, Disney, MBA, reading, Smeal, Starbuck's
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