Yingna

IBC Convention

I was a staffer at the IBC convention today, which was held by HUWIB. It’s the 5th Intercollegiate Business Convention and there were even more people this year than there were last year. However, I hardly knew because I was busy doing traffic control, setting up, cleaning, etc. throughout the day. I did manage to go to the career fair, where I definitely added to the moral hazard of our society, and heard a bit of the last keynote, who was an executive vice-president of NBC universal.

I remember reading the FAQ sheet handed out to the volunteers which read, “What if I want to go to a breakout but it conflicts with the career fair that I was assigned?” The answer: Although we discourage this, we want you to enjoy the day at IBC. Go to whichever one you would like. I was like, “Oh my god! They are so nice to the volunteers!” Until I realized that was the answer that we were supposed to tell attendees who ask the question.

Highlights of the day: (1) Eating the Bolocco burritos and realizing there was no vegetarian option (2) The break in the staffing room; maybe it was that everyone was sleep-deprived, but we were so giddy and ready to laugh at anything (3) Being at the career fair and realizing my Harvard status actually meant something–I have gone to career fairs or networking sessions before sponsored by Harvard where no one cares if you come from Harvard since everyone else there was also from Harvard (4) Going to the “exclusive” networking session after the convention to get food to eat–the mini-quiches were delicious! I also found it funny when my friends were waiting for me so we could split a taxi back to Harvard. Every time I turned around, they were eating chicken on a stick. It was actually pretty funny–more funny than it actually sounds.

The day overall was not that bad though. I feel like I actually bonded with the other WIB committee girls who were staffing. In the past, I felt like I didn’t really get the chance to because I would see these girls at their events, participate in their events, and leave. Or they would come to my events, participate, and then leave.

It was also an interesting experience being on the other side of such a big convention. Even though I definitely did not feel the pressures the IBC committee must have felt, I did realize how chaotic everything must get at times when there are streams of people just rushing out and rushing towards you for answers.

Also, I met Crystal today. Second person who I met in person who I first met through the net.