Discussion: View Thread

Dear Management Education and Development Discussion
Group members,

I joined this group few weeks ago, and have been following
your postings and comments. The info about this group was
given to me by a professor who is also an active participant
of the discussions. I decided to directly post my request to
the whole group. I need a career advice. Please help if you
can.

I would really appreciate any help: a company name, a
contact, an e-mail address. Maybe you know who needs
somebody with my background?

I have a work authorization that is valid for a year, after
that I would need to apply for a work visa. That can be
done as long the company is interested and I would agree
to pay the lawyer expenses.

I would like first to tell you about my background. I am
an MBA student with a double concentration in Finance
and International Business at Texas Tech University. I will
graduate in May and would like to find a job in the US or
Europe. I received a BBA in Marketing from Texas Tech
University in 1997. I am very interested in management
consulting, corporate restructuring and other financial and
management services (investment banking, venture capital,
international operations, etc), but quite flexible about other
fields too. Some of you may think that I am a bit too spread
out, but I do indeed like several fields and my education has
led me toward them as well.

Throughout my intensive education at the Business School
I have obtained valuable knowledge in management
principles, analytical, and problem-solving skills that I
believe can be utilized effectively in many companies with
a progressive outlook. I was educated in the US, Russia
and Finland and paid myself for about 85% of college
expenses while staying debt free. I have participated in a
program at the Helsinki School of Economics and Business
Administration that is one of the top Business Schools in Europe.
I believe that my skills and experience have prepared me for a
position in consulting or financial services.

On the practical side, I have acquired some experience and
an understanding of both private and public sectors,
domestic as well as international markets. I owned a small
aquarium business in Russia through which I faced every
day challenges of business environment. I also worked as
sales representative for RCI, a UK owned firm and had an
internship with a construction subcontractor to a South
Korean company. In addition to that I have obtained an
Excellent experience in a number of US organizations.

I would be very interested in joining a company that
encourages its employees to grow and develop. You can
or e-mail me directly at z9d65@ttacs.ttu.edu. Also, feel
free to visit my web site (link follows)
http://chimera.acs.ttu.edu/~apekarsk/
Thank you for reading this message. I would appreciate
your assistance and would be glad to send my resume to
anybody who is interested.

Cybercordially,

Alexander E. Pekarsky

Dear Mr. Pate,

Thank you for your response. I understand your concerns. Let me address the
issues you mentioned.

I did start my job search several years ago with the career and placement
center in my Univesity, talked to dozens of people and explored virtually all
avenues here. I am not going for an easy ride. I am not directly asking for a
job eather, but more for an advice or strategy of doing a job search in my
situation, and for potential organizations that may be dealing with the issues
I am interested in.

I understand that some of the members of this discussion group are working with
consulting issues. My question is in part addressed to them. Sorry if my
message does not perfectly match your criteria of the discussion topics.

Alex

Alexander,

While I can appreciate the desperateness of your situation, as well as
those of other students with similar problems, I believe the use of this
list for the explicit purpose of soliciting potential job contacts is
inappropriate. I certainly would not want my students, even those with
unique and interesting backgrounds such as yours, to use this list for that
purpose. The place to begin in your job search is with your own
university, the faculty and placement office there, not with this list.
You did not say if you asked the advice of the professor you mentioned
prior to sending your note to this list, but if a student of mine
approached me about writing to this list for such purpose I would have
strongly advised him or her against it. I'm sure that not everyone will
agree with me, and that's fine. But I just couldn't sit back and say
nothing when I object to this kind of use of the list. I am sending this
note to everyone on the list in the event anyone wishes to offer a
dissenting opinioin. I wish you the very best in your job search.

Larry Pate
University of Wisconsin-Madison

At 01:40 AM 2/5/99 +0000, you wrote:
>Dear Management Education and Development Discussion
>Group members,
>
>I joined this group few weeks ago, and have been following
>your postings and comments. The info about this group was
>given to me by a professor who is also an active participant
>of the discussions. I decided to directly post my request to
>the whole group. I need a career advice. Please help if you
>can.
>
>I would really appreciate any help: a company name, a
>contact, an e-mail address. Maybe you know who needs
>somebody with my background?
>
>I have a work authorization that is valid for a year, after
>that I would need to apply for a work visa. That can be
>done as long the company is interested and I would agree
>to pay the lawyer expenses.
>
>I would like first to tell you about my background. I am
>an MBA student with a double concentration in Finance
>and International Business at Texas Tech University. I will
>graduate in May and would like to find a job in the US or
>Europe. I received a BBA in Marketing from Texas Tech
>University in 1997. I am very interested in management
>consulting, corporate restructuring and other financial and
>management services (investment banking, venture capital,
>international operations, etc), but quite flexible about other
>fields too. Some of you may think that I am a bit too spread
>out, but I do indeed like several fields and my education has
>led me toward them as well.
>
>Throughout my intensive education at the Business School
>I have obtained valuable knowledge in management
>principles, analytical, and problem-solving skills that I
>believe can be utilized effectively in many companies with
>a progressive outlook. I was educated in the US, Russia
>and Finland and paid myself for about 85% of college
>expenses while staying debt free. I have participated in a
>program at the Helsinki School of Economics and Business
>Administration that is one of the top Business Schools in Europe.
>I believe that my skills and experience have prepared me for a
>position in consulting or financial services.
>
>On the practical side, I have acquired some experience and
>an understanding of both private and public sectors,
>domestic as well as international markets. I owned a small
>aquarium business in Russia through which I faced every
>day challenges of business environment. I also worked as
>sales representative for RCI, a UK owned firm and had an
>internship with a construction subcontractor to a South
>Korean company. In addition to that I have obtained an
>Excellent experience in a number of US organizations.
>
>I would be very interested in joining a company that
>encourages its employees to grow and develop. You can
>or e-mail me directly at z9d65@ttacs.ttu.edu. Also, feel
>free to visit my web site (link follows)
>http://chimera.acs.ttu.edu/~apekarsk/
>Thank you for reading this message. I would appreciate
>your assistance and would be glad to send my resume to
>anybody who is interested.
>
>Cybercordially,
>
>Alexander E. Pekarsky
>--------------------------------------------------
>

Dear Margie,

Thank you very much for your support and understanding. To tell you the
truth,
I was shocked by the responses of Mr. Miller and Mr. Pate. In my address to
group members I was seeking an advice not a subjective evaluation of my
actions.

I believe that discussion group members have a right to ask others about
things I did. The explanation that followed has served a purpose to explain
in more detail about my intentions as well as to answer Mr. Pate's
questions. Under no means I was rude or inconsistent. In fact what Mr.
Miller mentioned about me in his message is quite rude by itself.

I am a student who is going to graduate soon and enter a real world. Me as
everybody else will always have something to learn about in our lives. One
thing I am sure about is that everybody in this world should be treated with
respect and dignity regardless of age or professional experience.
Unfortunately, many people tend to think in ethnocentric way. Some of them
traveled, some even worked abroad, but without real appreciation of other
cultures and values they will consider only themselves to be superior and
the best.... It is sad, but those people most likely will not lead the world
toward the XXI century.......

Sincerely,

Alexander Pekarsky
-------------------------------------------------
Alex

Margie wrote:

> Alex,
>
> I want you to know that I do not agree with the negative responses you
> have gotten from certain people on this list. I see nothing wrong with
> what you asked and did not for one second think you were arrogant in
> your response to Mr. Pate. After all, who do they think they are?
>
> Anyway, I belong to other listservs and have found this one to have some
> rude and arrogant responses. In fact, I have been a recipient.
>
> Good luck with your ventures and, if I can help in any way, please let
> me know. I am sorry that you have gotten these responses.
>
> Margie Summerscales
> Salt Lake City, UT

Alex,

I want you to know that I do not agree with the negative responses you
have gotten from certain people on this list. I see nothing wrong with
what you asked and did not for one second think you were arrogant in
your response to Mr. Pate. After all, who do they think they are?

Anyway, I belong to other listservs and have found this one to have some
rude and arrogant responses. In fact, I have been a recipient.

Good luck with your ventures and, if I can help in any way, please let
me know. I am sorry that you have gotten these responses.

Margie Summerscales
Salt Lake City, UT

Mr. Pekarsky:

No one disputes your talents, your difficult situation, or anything else
about what you're trying to do. This is not about criteria. It is
about respect and consideration for professionals with a common
interest. That interest does not include student job placement.

I am a consultant with clients that could be interested in someone with
your profile. But your response to Prof. Pate was so self-centered,
rude, and arrogant that I've decided not to refer you to them. One of
the marks of an intelligent professional is to know when to stop
talking. Unfortunately, you don't know that.

I'm sure I speak for Larry Pate and everyone else when I wish you the
best of luck. But I'm equally sincere when I ask you to kindly direct
your job-seeking efforts to an appropriate forum. This isn't it.

WDM

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Warren D. Miller, MBA, CPA-ABV, CMA *
* Beckmill Research/Lexington, Va. *
* "Research Orientation, Results Mentality" *
* 540.463.6200 (v); 540.463.6208 (f) *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Thank you, John Naman. I appreciate your comments about "N. & E.
European students." Very helpful.

As for our friend, Alex, well, if he was "shocked by the responses" from
Larry and me, he's got a lot of shocks ahead of him. In fact, he
probably ought to fasten his seatbelt 'cause he's in for a whole slew of
real-world jolts. And I'd wager that more than one "subjective
evaluation" will be among 'em!

Don't take these comments personally, Alex. Neither Larry nor I intend
them that way. All criticism is not personal. To be constructive, it
doesn't have to be. In fact, it's much better if it's not. Savvy folks
recognize the difference between what's personal and what's
constructive. They ignore the former and learn from the latter.

WDM

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Warren D. Miller, MBA, CPA-ABV, CMA *
* Beckmill Research/Lexington, Va. *
* "Research Orientation, Results Mentality" *
* 540.463.6200 (v); 540.463.6208 (f) *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I had not intended to respond further to this issue, but the tone of Alex's
comments compels me to. My earlier comments represented an expression of
concern about the appropriate use of this list. The concern was genuine and
was for the benefit of everyone on the list and was sent to everyone so that
those, like Margie, who held dissenting opinions could offer them. There
was not the slightest intent on my part to be rude or arrogant or offensive
in any way in my comments on what I took to be Alex's inappropriate use of
this list. Apparently, there was some support for that sentiment since
Warren and John offered similar opinions. Nonetheless, I apologize if
anything I said was taken to be rude or arrogant. I believe we will
inevitably disagree from time to time, and that's fine. I also believe
courtesy in all directions is important in human interaction, whether we're
talking about this list or anything else.


Larry Pate
University of Wisconsin-Madison


At 10:53 PM 2/6/99 +0000, you wrote:
>Dear Margie,
>
>Thank you very much for your support and understanding. To tell you the
>truth,
>I was shocked by the responses of Mr. Miller and Mr. Pate. In my address to
>group members I was seeking an advice not a subjective evaluation of my
>actions.
>
>I believe that discussion group members have a right to ask others about
>things I did. The explanation that followed has served a purpose to explain
>in more detail about my intentions as well as to answer Mr. Pate's
>questions. Under no means I was rude or inconsistent. In fact what Mr.
>Miller mentioned about me in his message is quite rude by itself.
>
>I am a student who is going to graduate soon and enter a real world. Me as
>everybody else will always have something to learn about in our lives. One
>thing I am sure about is that everybody in this world should be treated with
>respect and dignity regardless of age or professional experience.
>Unfortunately, many people tend to think in ethnocentric way. Some of them
>traveled, some even worked abroad, but without real appreciation of other
>cultures and values they will consider only themselves to be superior and
>the best.... It is sad, but those people most likely will not lead the world
>toward the XXI century.......
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Alexander Pekarsky
>-------------------------------------------------
>Alex
>
>Margie wrote:
>
>> Alex,
>>
>> I want you to know that I do not agree with the negative responses you
>> have gotten from certain people on this list. I see nothing wrong with
>> what you asked and did not for one second think you were arrogant in
>> your response to Mr. Pate. After all, who do they think they are?
>>
>> Anyway, I belong to other listservs and have found this one to have some
>> rude and arrogant responses. In fact, I have been a recipient.
>>
>> Good luck with your ventures and, if I can help in any way, please let
>> me know. I am sorry that you have gotten these responses.
>>
>> Margie Summerscales
>> Salt Lake City, UT
>

I agree absolutely that the e-mail in question, however construed by the
writer, was a solicitation for a job. You apologized to him for saying so, but
you said nothing offensive to apologize for; that your sensible comments were
interpreted as offensive was, it seems to me, the greater offense. The writer's
message was an inappropriate use of this list server, as, I hasten to add, is
its use to promote books, seminars, consultantships, tests, and other products
offered for sale. This is a forum for the exchange of ideas, opinions,
theories, analyses, and help with teaching and consulting impasses. Charles (our
list master) may not agree with me entirely in this, but I think he does in part
at least; and these cautions need to be reiterated from time to time to remind
members of the list's raison d'etre.

Larry Pate wrote:

> I had not intended to respond further to this issue, but the tone of Alex's
> comments compels me to. My earlier comments represented an expression of
> concern about the appropriate use of this list. The concern was genuine and
> was for the benefit of everyone on the list and was sent to everyone so that
> those, like Margie, who held dissenting opinions could offer them. There
> was not the slightest intent on my part to be rude or arrogant or offensive
> in any way in my comments on what I took to be Alex's inappropriate use of
> this list. Apparently, there was some support for that sentiment since
> Warren and John offered similar opinions. Nonetheless, I apologize if
> anything I said was taken to be rude or arrogant. I believe we will
> inevitably disagree from time to time, and that's fine. I also believe
> courtesy in all directions is important in human interaction, whether we're
> talking about this list or anything else.
>
> Larry Pate
> University of Wisconsin-Madison
>
> At 10:53 PM 2/6/99 +0000, you wrote:
> >Dear Margie,
> >
> >Thank you very much for your support and understanding. To tell you the
> >truth,
> >I was shocked by the responses of Mr. Miller and Mr. Pate. In my address to
> >group members I was seeking an advice not a subjective evaluation of my
> >actions.
> >
> >I believe that discussion group members have a right to ask others about
> >things I did. The explanation that followed has served a purpose to explain
> >in more detail about my intentions as well as to answer Mr. Pate's
> >questions. Under no means I was rude or inconsistent. In fact what Mr.
> >Miller mentioned about me in his message is quite rude by itself.
> >
> >I am a student who is going to graduate soon and enter a real world. Me as
> >everybody else will always have something to learn about in our lives. One
> >thing I am sure about is that everybody in this world should be treated with
> >respect and dignity regardless of age or professional experience.
> >Unfortunately, many people tend to think in ethnocentric way. Some of them
> >traveled, some even worked abroad, but without real appreciation of other
> >cultures and values they will consider only themselves to be superior and
> >the best.... It is sad, but those people most likely will not lead the world
> >toward the XXI century.......
> >
> >Sincerely,
> >
> >Alexander Pekarsky
> >-------------------------------------------------
> >Alex
> >
> >Margie wrote:
> >
> >> Alex,
> >>
> >> I want you to know that I do not agree with the negative responses you
> >> have gotten from certain people on this list. I see nothing wrong with
> >> what you asked and did not for one second think you were arrogant in
> >> your response to Mr. Pate. After all, who do they think they are?
> >>
> >> Anyway, I belong to other listservs and have found this one to have some
> >> rude and arrogant responses. In fact, I have been a recipient.
> >>
> >> Good luck with your ventures and, if I can help in any way, please let
> >> me know. I am sorry that you have gotten these responses.
> >>
> >> Margie Summerscales
> >> Salt Lake City, UT
> >