A Day in the Life of a Harvard Business School (HBS) Student

Overview

• Speaker: Jay, HBS student and founder of OPFX
• Purpose: Understand how Jay balances HBS and being a CFO
• Activities: Early morning, classes, campus life, business meetings

Morning Routine

• Workout: Upper body exercise early in the morning
• Morning Prep: Essential for balancing classes and work

Getting into HBS

• 3-Step Process:
  1. Test: GMAT or GRE
  2. Application: Personal statement (essay - 2 pages)
  3. Interview: 30-minute to 1-hour, selective acceptance

HBS Program Structure

• Duration: 21 months
• First Year:
  • Fall Semester: Accounting, Finance, Leadership, Marketing, Operations Management
  • Spring Semester: Business, Government, International Economy, Strategy, Ethics, Finance 2, Entrepreneurial Management
  • Structure: Same 90-person section for all classes
  • Summer Break: Internship mandatory (variety of options)
• Second Year:
  • Elective Curriculum: 10 courses total (5 each semester)
  • Focus: Deeper specialization in chosen areas (Real Estate, Finance, Sustainability, etc.)
  • Flexible Schedule: Tailored class schedules to student interests

Daily Academic Routine

• Class Hours: 5-6 hours per day in the first year
• Study Work: 2-3 case readings per night (~25 pages each)
• Class Preparation: Significant reading and preparation for discussions

Campus Life

• Aldridge Hall: First-year classes
• Hawes Hall: Second-year classes
• Housing: Mostly on-campus, some exceptions

Class Experience

• Becoming a General Manager: Real-life business cases, Socratic method
  • Topics: Company culture, ethical decision-making
• Negotiation: Practical and theoretical classes
  • Activity: Negotiation scenarios, historical figures, techniques
• Advanced Negotiation: Study of negotiation practices, e.g., Henry Kissinger’s strategies

Afternoon Business Meetings

• Sales Meeting: Interaction with sales team, revenue discussion, fleet planning
• Staff Meeting: Coordination between sales and operations teams
  • Goal: Ensure collaboration and avoid departmental silos

Evening Routine

• Class Preparation: 1.5 hours reviewing next day's cases
• Relaxation: Dinner with wife, early bedtime (8-9 hours of sleep)

Insights

• Balance: Managing rigorous academics and a growing business
• Campus and Community: Supportive environment for diverse career goals
• Customizable Learning: Flexibility in the second year to pursue specific interests