My survival story- MBA Baby is here!

I felt bad that I didn't write my story continuously in the past months. Maybe my blog guests thought I disappeared or could not survive. Here I am. I was too busy with the first semester's core course schedules, career events, school activities, and my newborn. Forgive me if I didn't update you on my story, for the ones who blessed for me.

Let me quickly tell you my experience. After the orientation, I was still energetic and never missed any class and assignment. I stayed up till 1AM to 2AM almost every night to do the homework and readings. With the early class at 8:15AM, I didn't get much sleep. In the late October, my belly was huge like I had a twin. I walked like a penguin in the school and many classmates stopped me to say hi. They wondered why I was still there because it seemed to everyone that I would give birth any minute. I felt very difficult to stay awake even in the morning class. But my classmates were very encouraged and I tried to overcome all the difficulties.

While juggling among my course works and group assignments, I tried to catch up the career events and resume preparation. I attended every bank event and financial presentation. Most banking and financial job submission deadline were close to my due day. I told myself that if I did not prepare my resume, I would end up no job. I worked very hard to prepare my cover letter and resume. After more than 30 drafts, I was able to submit the job applications for the ones I like. So you can imagine how busy I was.

I was lucky that my son came on time at the weekend before Thanksgiving. I didn't plan to take any day off after Thanksgiving, and I didn't plan to defer my four final exams that was three weeks after I gave birth. It was tough and not realistic. I talked to my doctor that I wanted to be induced if my son did not come on time. My doctor told me that I could not arrange everything perfectly including the child birth. I had to be patient. Since my due day was on Saturday, I tried to do the next week assignment in advance. My water broke at 3AM. The second day Friday, I was in the hospital and my son arrived on 11:30PM on 11/16. Everything happened as I expected. God Bless me.

My labor procedure was no pain and fast. I was not sure why it was so smooth. My OB doctor was very good and gentle. At the moment my son was out in front of me, he opened his black big eyes and stared at me. What a beautiful angel! I could not say anything and I was so happy and released. I worried about his health since I was under so much stress and didn't ever get enough sleep. My son Christopher was very healthy and cute. Here is his 100 day photo.

I only missed two days classes while I was in hospital. After that it was Thanksgiving. I returned to the class 6 days after giving birth and did all four final exams three weeks later and got proficient for all the courses. I was glad that I finally survived the toughest semester with pregnancy and newborn.

Of course, hard work is paid off. I received several job offers in January and February at the beginning of this semester. Now I decided to go to GE Energy Finance Services, a private equity subsidiary of GE for the summer as an associate. As a career transfer without any finance experience, a foreigner from non-English speaking country, and a pregnant woman during the school, I was glad that I could achieve my goal of survival and career changing. I am grateful for my family and my parents who gave me great support. I appreciate Yale SOM gave me so much encouragement and support. I just want to give women students more encouragement. Nothing is impossible if you have passion and hold the discipline.