Only worry about what's in your control...

So lovely readers, I've been MIA for a bit.

I've been deep in a pit of work, writing, anxiety, insanity, worry...you know, all the good stuff.

This week I have my interview with Chicago Booth.  Excited isn't the right word, I'm excited nervous.  I'm an interview nerd.  From the moment I met Don Baker, I became obsessed with the interview hacks he taught me.  Also, in college I served as interview host for UMTV's Sports Desk for a year.

I constantly constructed my questions with the interviewee in mind, so now I do it in reverse.  I try to think of every possible question, follow up, spontaneous moment...I do an entire dress rehearsal in my mind.

One day I will sit down with my notes and share my interview techniques.  I like to pat myself on the back (occasionally), that I got a standing ovation for my onstage question in the final round at Miss DC USA.  Talking to people, extemporaneous speaking, all that jazz, it's in my wheelhouse.  Also, I like b school interviews because they are one of the rare chances you truly get to connect with someone, and truly sell yourself.  There's a ton of research that goes in to the process, but I'll share that throughout the week, because one post wouldn't do it justice.

I wanted to use this post to share the most important thing Don Baker ever taught me,

"only worry about what is in your control." 

I can only give the interview everything I have, I can not control how it is received, interpreted, or whether it sways the adcomm.

I look forward to continuing to share this world wind journey with all of you, and please feel free to leave comments on future posts you want to see...like what to wear to an interview (pageant or grad school), makeup, hair, workouts, playlists...whatever.  I'm here to bring you all the content you want to see.

XOXO,
MacKenzie

Somewhere between Eeyore and Tigger

Recently I was talking to a friend of mine.  We met while we were Riordan fellows, and we've been on this MBA journey together.
He asked how the application process was going.  I'm 7 apps submitted, and 2 more to go over the next week...yes I am applying to 9 schools.
One of the schools is Harvard Business School.  HBS is the most prestigious brand in the bschool game (I won't even venture in to going on about rankings, perception, etc.).  HBS sent out around 800 interview invites on October 8th, and the remaining 150 invites and dismissal emails go out on the 15th.  I didn't get an email on the 8th...
The waiting game for business school is nerve wrecking.  When my buddy asked me about how I was doing recently, my answer...I'm somewhere between Eeyore and Tigger. I swing between wildly hopeful, optimistic, and excited, to anxious, discouraged, and pessimistic.  Every time I hit submit on an app it's exhilarating and thrilling, only to be followed by sheer panic 15 minutes later...I get submitters remorse.
I'm sure I'm not the only person applying to business school feeling these emotions, but I feel like no one admits it.  So I'm willing to say it...applying to business school is wonderful and terrifying, but I know ultimately it's worth the risk.  So I will keep pushing forward with persistence and strength, and I know ultimately I will end up where I belong.

Next week I head to Hanover, NH for my Tuck interview, so I will be sure to chronicle that trip.

XOXO,
MacKenzie

Don't Step On My Blue Suede Shoes

I'm in the final stages of my MBA journey, and I've put aside a little time recently to talk with women and men in positions I admire, as well as beginning to pursue Pre-MBA internships.

Rather than bore you with all that jazz, I thought would share an outfit I wore recently to an interview.

It's been a while since I did a style post...

Zara's Top, Elizabeth and James Pants, Coach Purse, J. Crew Jewelry and Shoes...and my ever present Nike+ FuelBand.

My meeting was a midday meeting at a coffee shop.  I wanted to not be to formal, but I also wanted to be a little overdressed so the person I was meeting with would know I was taking this moment seriously.  You'd be amazed at how much is projected through clothing...I could write an entire post about the outfits I've worn to recruitment events and fairs, and the feedback I've heard from adcomm members about what they feel my brand is based on what I've worn (Post idea!).

Also the person I was meeting with was creative, so I wanted to use some sort of creative touches to reflect that about myself.

These are all items I've had in my closet for a while but there are links to similar pieces below:
Black Peplum Top
Black Pants
Blue Suede Pumps
Tan Purse
Bib Necklace

I wanted something that utilized my more slimming basics, but had fun in the accessories.  Sometimes you aren't feeling as fit and fabulous and you need an outfit that distracts from the negative self talk and allows you to focus on your inner diva.

One thing I will point out that I should have included were sunglasses, as evident by my squinting.

Hope you all enjoy this post, and let me know if there are any other topics Miss USA or MBA inspired that you'd like to see.

Until next time...
XOXO,
MacKenzie

The F-Word

As I embark in to the business/financial world I find the issue of appearance and what's "appropriate" coming up with my peers and mentors...I remember my Riordan GMAT teacher says, "everyone dresses like they're going to a funeral for recruiting events."

I find it interesting that in order for a woman to be taken seriously she must dismiss their personal style in favor of being taken seriously.

My mom always taught me that feminism isn't a linear scope, that the point of feminism is to give a woman the right to choose whatever she wants in life.  I think far to often feminists, judge other women in the scope of what we are comfortable with.  A feminist can be Dita Von Teese, Beyonce, Gloria Steinem, Jane Goodall, and Hilary Clinton.  Feminists walk across pageant stages, sit in the pages of magazines, work on construction sites, or can be stay at home moms.  Like in that movie "Mona Lisa Smiles," when Julia Stiles' character decides not to go to graduate school and instead wants to get married and have a family (hopefully I got the plot line right).  But she explains to Julia Roberts' character that she is a feminist, and that means she has the right to choose whatever life path she wants, there is no right or wrong choice.

I came across two amazing articles a while back about White Privilege, Feminism, and Beyonce (I'm a woman of color and the issue of diverse feminist voices is another hot bed issue that rumbles around in my thoughts from time to time...and finding a way to incorporate Beyonce in to a current event post is a win all around) and recently an article in Elle Magazine called, "Why Can't a Smart Woman Love Fashion," piqued my interest.

I hope you take a moment to read both of these articles, and I would love to hear your thoughts on them.

XOXO,
MacKenzie

Update: I was reminded after I published this that today is International Women's' Day...what a fitting post to mark the occasion! 

You Spin Me Right Round Baby Right Round

Yet another article about my pole dancing workouts...I will eventually post my comment about the workouts, but for now I'll let you guys enjoy the latest (haha).

XOXO,
MacKenzie

Miss D.C.'s New Talent: Pole-Dancing

Miss D.C. Tweeting About her Pole-Dancing Classes

By TENEILLE GIBSON

Updated 9:31 AM EDT, Wed, Jun 9, 2010

BUZZ UP!

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If it’s starting to get too hot in the District, blame it on Miss D.C. 2010, otherwise known as MacKenzie Green.

The Washington Examiner reports that the D.C. native is taking up pole- and lap-dancing classes. And it's no secret -- Green has apparently beentweeting about her lessons:

I was interviewed en route to class lat night about my new pole dancing workouts lol... ppl peally do fear a confident and smart woman smh.

Oh, we’re not scared! But Yeas & Nays does point out how Miss USA 2010Rima Fakih received heat for her pole pictures that were released last month.

Green explained to the column that since she's a grown woman, pole lessons should not hurt her role model status. "I have promoted... respecting body," Green told Yeas & Nays. "I would rather be dancing in a room on a pole to myself than feeling desperate to have to do it for some man to get attention."

'Pole-ing' is not easy. Green joked in her tweet, "3 hours on deck @PoleFitnessMiam... someone have the icy/hot ready at the other end of class lol."
 

First Published: Jun 9, 2010 7:31 AM ED

Welcome to Miami!

I wanted to share with you all the NBC Miami article that was done about me.  I got to talk about school, breaking through the glass ceiling, and veganism...just to name a few topics we touched on :-)  I even threw up "the U" in public on a website that people saw (don't tell my friends of any University of Miami student athletes haha)!

...and if you want to go to the site, click here.

Hope you like it.

XOXO,

MacKenzie

Miami Senior Trying to Put the "U" in Miss USA

World peace? Sure, but there's one Miss USA hopeful who cares about Randy Shannon's contract extension.

By JANIE CAMPBELL

Updated 4:24 PM EDT, Sun, May 16, 2010

BUZZ UP!

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Technically, she's Miss District of Columbia USA and left the state of Florida to an Orlando Magic dancer.

But University of Miami student MacKenzie Green is still a 305'er these days, so we're totally claiming her as she competes in the Miss USA pageant tonight on -- oh, look at us! -- NBC.

The 21-year-old beauty has to be one of the most accomplished Hurricanes around. She's earned a double major in sports administration and broadcast journalism, all while holding down Miss DC USA and UM Alumni Ambassador duties, running UMTV,  working as the station's sports anchor, and a whole glut of volunteer work.

Kinda tops our beer pong title and "D means diploma" mantra.

Even in Las Vegas, it's all about The U for...

Donald Trump On Racy Miss USA Photos: "They're Artsy"

We caught up with Green between rehearsals in Las Vegas, and might just be the only media outlet willing to forego that whole world peace question to get a pageant contestant's thoughts on Randy Shannon. 

We're in Vegas, which isn't all that bad. How's the Miss USA experience been for you so far?
It's been pretty incredible. This is basically my second pageant ever; my first was when I won my state title. It's an incredible feeling to see and watch things that I used to watch as a little girl and dream about.

You're an aspiring sports reporter from The U. So even while busy at Miss USA, you've no doubt heard the news about Randy Shannon's contract extension. All in favor?
I'm for Coach Shannon coming back. I think he adds a level of discipline and maturity to the team that was kind of lacking for a little bit. With such a young team, you need a father figure, because so many of those players don't have a father figure or don't have a strong male around. He's somebody who can really encourage them and that I hope that they look up to, that they're willing to respect and keep moving forward.

There's a history of barrier-breaking in your family. Your father is one of the Little Rock Nine, and you're the first African-American and first woman to become station manager in UMTV's 29-year history. What barrier would you like to see go down next?
I'd like to see the glass ceiling finally break;. I want a woman in the White House! I love President Obama and I'm so proud, as a minority, to see another black person standing in that place.

But I'd love to see a woman there, in particular I'd love to see a black woman there one day. It's such a hard thing in America being a woman; when you look at the class system throughout American history it was men first, then women, then minority men, then minority women. To see a black woman, a Hispanic woman, an Asian woman -- just to see any woman up there -- would be amazing.

You're a strict vegan, so let's talk food. Miami's known for its cuisine, but it must be a bit harder for you. Do you have any secret spots?
I love, love, love, love, love, love Lifefood Gourmet. It is an amazing place. It's all raw vegan, and it's right off of Calle Ocho. I love the raw vegan pizza. You never feel bad when all you're eating is nuts, grains, avocado and diced tomatoes.

It's my primo go-to place.

Miami's obviously pretty different from D.C. What do you appreciate about it after having lived here four years?
Miami has the same feeling as D.C., it feels like a small big city. It's not L.A., where you feel like you're driving 80 miles to get anywhere, it's not New York where you feel like you're crammed with people and it's loud. It's clean, and it's nice, and it's got its own flavor. It's this multicultural mix where you feel like you're in a different universe that not everybody can come in to.

I just love the Latin rhythm and the flavor. You know, I'm all D.C., but I got a little of that Miami rhythm in me.

What was the hardest thing about juggling your double major, your senior year, and your duties as Miss D.C. USA?
A lot of my teachers didn't really seem to understand what I was doing and how big of a deal it is. It wasn't until recently that it hit one of my professors that 12.5 million people watch the show, that I hadn't left to become Miss Corn Cob County -- that I was actually leaving to compete in a really huge beauty pageant. The hardest thing was just getting everybody to respect that each job was important: being a student, being a pageant girl, being a reporter. Each deserves its own time and focus.

The Miss USA Pageant will get underway live from Las Vegas tonight at 7 on NBC. You can check out the rest of the contestants at MissUSA.com.

First Published: May 16, 2010 4:18 AM EDT

Miss D.C. USA climbs up the poles | Washington Examiner

I'm all about women embracing their sexuality and taking control of their bodies...and I'll say what I said at Miss USA I don't apologize for any of it. And if someone chooses to dumb down everything I've done because of what I choose to do as a workout then that's truly disappointing.

The article the Washington Examiner did wasn't bad, but it was a little more sensationalized than it should be (haha). This is the link to the article -->Miss D.C. USA climbs up the poles | Washington Examiner. And for the record I'm not good enough to do climbs yet (lol).

XOXO,

MacKenzie

Tracye McQuirter interviewing MacKenzie Green

Not sure if I shared this interview with you all, but here it is :-)

XOXO,

MacKenzie

...he could...go...all...the way

I absolutely love my job as on air talent for UMTV. I'm also the President/Station Manager for UMTV. Its such an amazing job to have, and my climb to these positions is no less astonishing. Recently I filmed a special edition episode of UMTV: Sports Desk. It was a panel discussion titled Miami: A Sports Media Haven. The panelists included: Emmanuel Munoz, Miami Marlins Director of Broadcasting, Joe Pujala, Spanish voice of the Hurricanes and Miami Heat, Jason Jenkins Miami Dolphins Director of Media Relations, and Sarah Talalay, Sports Business Writer for the Sun Sentinel.

The topics ranged from career advice to current events in sports. But I don't want to give to much else away because I want everyone to tune in when it airs online at www.umtv.miami.edu

These are some photos that were taken before we began taping.

I'll be sure to post the link to the blog and my twitter page when the episode will air, so stay tuned. Its great to feel like I've come such a long way...and I can't wait to see how much further I go.

XOXO,

MacKenzie

Unexpected Pageant Reading List

Many have asked me advice on the interview portion. Honestly, I don't know why or how that's my strongest part, but my parents and teachers have always taught me the importance of reading.

Aside from the vocabulary development, it also gives you more information to utilize when answering questions.

Over the summer Newsweek ran an article about Fifty Books for Our Time. I've been slowly working my way through the list since it was first published. Its actually a pretty spectacular list, and I advise anyone to take a look...you'll be suprised at the topics that will peak your interest.

...I can't wait to read Winchell, because I'm a huge Josephine Baker fan, and for anyone that knows about her, you know what role he played in her fame fading.

But I advise you to take a peak and grab a book, and it may just help you with interview...or at the very least give you some fun topics to bring up in the interview room.

XOXO,

MacKenzie