This past summer I read a number of interesting books, but one book in particular really stands out. This book is entitled "The Progress Paradox: How Life Gets Better While People Feel Worse", by New Republic senior editor Gregg Easterbrook. Easterbrook shows that by any measure of affluence; be it health care, leisure, or technology, the average American enjoys a quality of life beyond anyone's wildest dreams even a few decades ago. The "paradox" is that in spite of all this affluence, the percentage of Americans who characterize themselves as "happy" hasn't changed during the past 50 years, and the percentage of those who describe themselves as "very happy" is down and continues to decline. If you don't get around to reading this book, at least check out Chuck Colson's brief essays which elaborate upon Easterbook's finidngs: Essay 1 (published August 24, 2004), and Essay 2 (published August 26, 2004).
Dear class,
On September 30, 2004, from 12:00-5:00 pm, Baylor Career Services will present their Fall 2004 Career Fair at the Ferrell Center. If you are interested in finding out more about the firms which will be recruiting at this job fair, go to https://baylor-cfm.symplicity.com/events/students.php?cf=fall2004.
Dear class,
Here are some reminders about Thursday's class:
1. Read LTCM - Long-Term Capital Management Debacle, The Demonization of Derivatives, and The New Religion of Risk Management.
2. Prior to class, you need to submit a completed version of the student information form. Send this form to studinfo@rmi.baylor.edu as an email attachment. If you prefer, you may also submit a "hard copy" version of the form at the beginning of Thursday's class. This will be "graded" as a problem set, and I will not accept any late submissions, where "late" is defined as past 11:00 a.m.
3. Be sure to avail yourselves of the lecture notes for Thursday's class, which will provide an important context for the "Trillion Dollar Bet" video which we will be viewing in class that day. I also recommend that you peruse the Trillion Dollar Bet website.
Dear class,
The Hankamer School of Business will be hosting its annual Business Ethics Forum the week of November 1-5, 2004. I highly recommend that you try to take in some if not all of these public presentations:
1. Wednesday, November 3, 2004, 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch and Plenary Session I, featuring Dr. Gary Weaver, University of Delaware.
2. Wednesday, November 3, 2004, 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Dr. Pepper Float reception and Plenary Session II, featuring Dr. Edward Petry, Executive Director of the Corporate Ethics Officer Association.
3. Friday, November 5, 2004, 1:30-3 p.m. Panel Discussion on Integrity of Financial Reporting.
I am attaching a copy of an email that I received on Thursday, August 19 from The Hartford (NYSE: HIG), which is one of the largest investment and insurance companies in the United States. I highly recommend The Hartford; they pay well and provide good opportunities for on-the-job training and advancement. They are very happy with the Baylor students they have hired in the past, and they are apparently very interested in hiring more.
Michele Marcinik, who serves as a staffing consultant for the Hartford, has told me that she plans to conduct on-campus interviews at Robinson Tower on Friday, October 8. I have posted a one page job ad which explains more about the position for which she will be recruiting. If you are interested in applying for an interview slot with The Hartford, you can do this online via Monstertrak.
If you have any further questions about this position, please contact Michele Marcinik (email: Michele.Marcinik@thehartford.com; phone: 210.732.9292 extension 4208).
August 19, 2004 Email from Ms. Marcinik:
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Dear Dr. Garven:
As you know, we have been very successful in recruiting top Baylor graduates. Last semester, we hired Jillian Jaynes, Justin Price and John Crawford. We would not have been able to do this without your support. Once again, we are looking for top talent to fill our Underwriter Trainee class which is scheduled to start in early 2005. I have attached a copy of the job ad for your review. Please feel free to pass this along.
Thank you so much for the long time support and committment!
Regards,
Michele Marcinik, PHR
Staffing Consultant
Western Division Field Staffing
210.732.9292 extension 4208