Category: Tony Downs

I’d Rather be Driven

You run into one brick wall and you’re labelled for life. Such has been my experience driving in Ireland. Let’s get one thing clear: the whole steering wheel on the right, driving on the left thing still freaks me out. It’s seems unnatural and (yes I’ll say it) a little unwholesome too. Caution – Puritanical, American judgement at work.

So for the time being I’m content getting lifts from other people and letting them worry about the driving. It’s probably for the best though. One time in high school I got lost on the way home and ended up twenty miles from my house. Oops.

When it comes to my career however, I’m not so keen to let others do the driving. That’s part of my reason for doing this programme in the first place. I didn’t want to feel like a casual, passive observer of my own life anymore. Instead of floating along and muddling through I wanted an active role in where my career was heading.

I started asking myself if the path I was on was really where I belonged. Just asking the question feels a bit daunting. Should I be questioning myself? Isn’t it safer to stay where you are? For me the answer was yes to both. It’s the next set of questions that led me to where I am now. The questions and answers are different for everyone. My answers told me it was time to make a change in an active way because I wasn’t satisfied with my complacency.

There is still much work to be done. I don’t have a clear route yet in my career journey but I have the map* out and I’m trying to plot a course. Google Maps does not exist for this trip. I have to do it the old fashioned way. Surely there will be unexpected detours along the way but I’m driving myself and enjoying the ride.

*For anyone younger than 25 reading this: a map used to be a depiction of the world on paper. Paper was a material made from trees that was used for writing or drawing. And writing was a method of communication pre-dating typing and texting.


Anthony Downs

Full-time MBA 2014

USA

Haaaaaave you met Emma Jordan*?


The author and Emma Jordan on a recent class trip to Galway. Don’t be fooled, Emma Jordan doesn’t get cold; cold gets Emma Jordan.



I didn’t wake up last Wednesday thinking I’d be taking on a leadership role within the full-time MBA class. But the programme is full of unexpected twists that you have to be prepared to handle as they come your way. That’s an important lesson for anyone thinking about doing an MBA or just living in general, I suppose. Flexibility is a beneficial skill and when opportunities present themselves it’s sometimes best not to over analyse the situation. Just go with the flow.

Each semester the student body is responsible for choosing two class reps to liaise with the students, faculty, and administration. The requirements for class rep stipulate that one male and one female student, one of whom is Irish, the other international, must be selected for the positions.

This brings me to Emma Jordan.

Haaaaaave you met Emma Jordan?

If not, you might want to sort that out ASAP. That lady is going places. Not only is Emma Jordan a CrossFit™ enthusiast, physio turned MBA student, she is also a recently appointed class rep for the second semester of our fulltime MBA. There are big shoes to fill after the retirement of our semester one reps, Ken Barry and Kim Jones, but I have no doubt Emma Jordan will represent our class well. It should also be noted this blog post is in no way intended to curry favour with my colleague. That would be futile. Emma Jordan would see that coming from 100 miles away.

Doing some basic calculations at this point leaves us with one Irish woman rep and a vacancy. This post is long enough so yada, yada, yada, I’m a new class rep too.

The two of us are representing our colleagues for the current term. The coming months will undoubtedly have unforeseen challenges but I believe the fulltime MBAs are in capable hands. Overall this position will add to the total learning experience that is the MBA and build additional skills for the future. I look forward to the new responsibilities and serving my class. As well as learning a thing or two about being empowered, assertive, and self-assured from my counterpart.

Key takeaways from this blog post:

  • Be flexible. If necessary work on stretching.
  • Take chances. By serving others you help yourself to grow.
  • Don’t buy green bananas. You don’t know what the future holds when you get up each morning.
  • Porridge with cinnamon and a cut-up, ripe banana is a tasty winter breakfast.
  • That post-porridge hot flash is an added bonus when walking to college.

    • *Out of deference, the author only refers to Emma Jordan as Emma Jordan. Anything else would be disrespectful.


    Anthony Downs

    Full-time MBA 2014

    USA


    Reflecting through Limericks

    As a conclusion to the first semester of the MBA, please enjoy this trio of limericks.


    Reflections on Semester One

    Time flies by so quickly. It’s hard to believe.

    Seven modules are done, and now some reprieve.

    After many hours of study

    With a group or a buddy

    Seems like yesterday we first met with Niamh.


    New Colleagues and Friends

    There once was a guy from the States

    In Ireland he made some great mates

    At the start of the year

    Had a loneliness fear

    But now he gives thanks to the Fates.


    Ode to Kerrygold*

    My friends oft hear when I start to mutter,

    “I just really need some of that butter.”

    After days good or bad

    What can perk up a lad?

    The thought gets my heart going aflutter.


    With a colour so gold and yellow

    My taste buds can’t help but say, “Hello”

    I haul out the tub

    Give bread a quick rub

    And presto, I’m one happy fellow.


    I have travelled thousands of miles

    To the emeraldest of  isles

    And the best thing I’ve found,

    I could eat by the pound

    Is Kerrygold. It’s always worthwhile.


    Anthony Downs

    FT MBA 2014

    *The author has no affiliation with Kerrygold. He’s just an enthusiastic consumer.

    The road less travelled – giving rugby a shot.

    “Please tell me you are not playing rugby but only helping out with the equipment department!” – Timothy Downs

    The above quote comes courtesy of my brother in response to telling him I signed up for the UCD Smurfit Rugby Football Club. A little background info for the readers: I’m 5’8” and weigh 145 lbs soaking wet (that’s 65 kg for you Continentals). I’ve never been much of an athlete either. And sure, trying rugby for the first time is a bit out of my comfort zone but that’s kind of the point. It’s kind of the point of doing this whole UCD Smurfit MBA thing too.

    I could have followed an easy path and continued working at my old job. But I didn’t want to keep living my life on autopilot. Everyday was basically the same: routine, static.  At times to spur growth you need make a drastic change to the status quo. And if I can jolt myself out of my comfortable routine I suppose I should keep that theme going throughout the rest of the year.

    So, I’ll give rugby a shot. Sure, I may get knocked down and banged up on the pitch but that’s okay. Now is the time to try new things. If it doesn’t work out at least I can say I tried. So long as I finish my UCD Smurfit MBA with the same number of teeth that I started with, I’ll mark it up as a successful year.

    Tony Downs,

    FTMBA 2014.

    Come Dine With Me!

    I love eating.

    Two bowls of ice cream for lunch…sign me up.

    A crispy layer of fat on a pork roast for dinner…table for one please.

    An entire box of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese just because…don’t mind if I do.

    But there is more to it than spurts of gluttony. It’s not just food but the whole experience of eating a meal that I love. For me, the emotional component to eating is a powerful thing.

    So when you add good company and conversation to the mix I’m the happiest boy in town. And that is what happened the other night at the Cathal Brugha Barracks in Rathmines. Thanks to our classmate, Captain Ken Barry, the Fulltime UCD Smurfit MBAs and I had the privilege of dining in the Officers’ Mess on the army base.


    UCD Smurfit FT MBA 2014 Cathal Brugha Barracks SEM1


    Don’t get me wrong here, the gravied lamb shank with buttery mashed potatoes was delicious but what really filled me up was the chance to relax and chat with my classmates over a good meal outside of school.

    We’ve been on our UCD Smurfit MBA journey for over a month now and everyone needed a chance to refuel. It’s easy to lose sight of what really matters during this experience. When you get too wrapped up in assignments you can forget that when the modules are done the real leftovers you take with you are the people and friendships you find along the way.

    The friendships are side dishes that come with your MBA entrée. You didn’t order them when you came in but your meal wouldn’t be complete without them.



    Tony Downs & Kim Cathal Brugha Barracks SEM1








    Tony Downs,

    FT MBA 2014.

    No Wonder Dubliners Walk So Fast

    I would like to use this blog post to set the record straight about a common misconception about the Irish.  Despite what you may have heard, read, or seen; the Emerald Isle’s beverage of choice is in fact coffee.  As a new MBA student you are told that you’ll be drinking lots of coffee to get through the year.  What they neglect to mention is that they try to get you hooked on it from the start.

    The UCD Smurfit MBA Foundation Week started early last Monday morning with all the new students, both full-time and part-time, gathered in the Main Hall mingling and making small talk.  Everyone was exchanging names and nationalities and work histories over cups of coffee, generously provided by the university.

    There were speakers and info sessions and team building activities throughout the week.  And the whole time coffee was never more than two hours away.  The unspoken question on everyone’s mind was, “How long until the next break?”  Not because everybody needed a fix (although for some that’s exactly why) but the coffee break became something more.  It was chance to speak with your classmates and bond with new people over something familiar.  Despite our diverse backgrounds it was the simple, shared experience that brought us together.

    Perhaps that is the Irish way: coming together for a chat and getting to know each other.  The coffee is just an excuse to get together.

    The foundation has been laid.  The relationships are growing.  And the coffee is still flowing.


    Tony Downs,

    FT MBA 2014.