victorino

[tencreambasedsoups]

I used to have old friends in Richmond who visited the restaurant to see me every now and then. That stopped a while ago. Now I have friends in Williamsburg who drive up an hour to do the same thing.

I like this more.

[tencreambasedsoups]

Fall 2014

So I’ve talked several times about how magnificent this semester has been. Like, otherworldly fantastic. It blows every other semester I’ve had out of the water and into the ozone layer. I’m going to try to write a sprawling post that covers most everything, instead of using bullet form. Let’s see how this goes.

Alright, so to start, I didn’t even want to go back to college; I really liked where I was back home. Sure, the PFG internship was pretty depressing, but it brought in seriously good money, and Pho 1 Grill was doing well. My social life was fine as well. But I moved in eventually, and the first night I was here, I didn’t even go out; I just stayed in and watched Game of Thrones. I had no expectations or plans.

The next day, the first nice thing clicked into place. It was my first day at work, and while I didn’t do anything particularly noteworthy, it set the tone for my job the entire semester. I genuinely like everyone in the undergraduate business office, and they all care - unlike those at PFG. Serious change. I’ve done a fair amount for this job, and my responsibilities are growing. The #TribeBBAGivesThanks campaign I spearheaded resulted in nearly a 40% increase in likes on our Facebook page! 

[I now realized there’s no rhyme or reason. I can’t really do this as a timeline because it’d be too complicated and/or incorrect, so this is pure improvisation. Also, my job is not the best thing that’s happened; it just came first.]

So ultimate. Ultimate frisbee. I came in knowing I’d take it up as an extracurricular, but I could never have guessed how much I would love the sport now. I can’t believe that I missed this opportunity last year, and it’s sad to think I only have 1.5 semesters left with this great group of people. I’ve learned so much about ultimate, and it was sublime to put my physical abilities on the line for a team again. And I can flick consistently now! The next semester of Seahorse Ultimate cannot come soon enough.

Speaking of “sports” though, the best decision I’d made in a long, long time was quitting Quidditch. I must have been seriously lonely last year (which, uh, is kinda true), but I did not mix well at all with those same people this semester. And I felt so, so stupid playing that game. It wasn’t that spectators snickered - I personally felt like an idiot. I’d been losing motivation for a while, so when I finally pulled the plug in early November, I couldn’t have been happier.

But let’s talk about the little things.

Things like a fast computer (courtesy of a new SSD and extra RAM), bigger bed (full size!), a full fridge, more sweaters, metal collar stays, $400 of W&M flex dollars, and a California flag. I realize those are all material possessions, but you can’t tell me money doesn’t buy happiness. $200 worth of computer upgrades got me some ridiculous peace of mind. A penny well spent. After all, life’s about the little things, and I’ve got those in spades.

Speaking of little, err, micro things, it hasn’t all been peachy keen. I’ve lost a lot of my interest in economics. I’ve only been in two econ classes the past two semesters, and they haven’t sparked any sort of passion. They’re boring to me. I’m going to keep the major, but it may be a struggle to finish. To get some more bad things out of the way, I want to mention how quickly I’m spending money. It’s crazy. And I’ve been eating and drinking far too unhealthily, so my health is definitely a concern. And the pair of pants I wear the most tore a couple weeks ago.

Enough with negatives though. Let’s focus on driving. And sports. No, driving first. Eh, sports.

Alright. The Wizards are killing it! And the Eagles, while dysfunctional at times, still sport a great record! And the Orioles nearly made the World Series! I know it’s not the best idea to have my moods correlate with sports team results, but I’m so content with all those performances right now!

And now for driving. And cars.

Well, I brought my car to campus. The 2008 Acura TSX. And it’s gotten a lot of compliments! I’m genuinely so happy every time someone comments on how well the car is kept. And while some people dislike being the guy with a car (because people will use you), I really like that. I enjoy giving friends rides to various places. The company is nice, and I feel like driving has brought me closer to people I wouldn’t have known quite as well otherwise. And that’s not to mention the bevy of food options available to me now that I can consistently venture off-campus.

Ah, one black detail: $50 in parking tickets so far.

I haven’t even talked about school and academics yet. I learned so much this semester, and I don’t think I could ever top the lineup of professors I had. Professors Luchs, Stauffer, and Long is a murderers’ row of quality business teachers, and the other two I had weren’t too shabby either. Sustainability-Inspired Design was the single most unique class I’ve ever taken and a confirmation of the efficacy of my marketing major. And both Organizational Behavior and Legal Environment of Business, while they sound dull, were ridiculously relevant and applicable to real life. Professor Long was so enthusiastic every class, and Professor Stauffer was kind to a fault.

Along those same lines though, I had four group projects this semester. Four is a lot. One of them is ongoing, but the other three actually turned out very well. My group in Marketing Strategy was noteworthy because of the conscientiousness of the team; I’ve never been part of such a competent group of people. Everyone was on task and knew what needed to be done. We weren’t really friends, but we could seriously finish a project together. It’s a good feeling to work with capable individuals. 

Haven’t even mentioned Alpha Kappa Psi either. If there’s one organization that’s allowed me to find friends and enjoy my time at college, it’s AKPsi. I’ve met the best people there, and I’m proud to call myself a brother. I became more involved than ever, and it’s exciting to see the fraternity grow and evolve as our leadership gains traction. I’m going to be a part of Exec Board for the next year, and it’s an exciting place to be. I’m very thankful for the friendships AKPsi’s brought into my life.

Random thing I forgot: My skin allergies were really awful for a while, but they’ve been nearly nonexistent for a month or so now. It’s been wonderful. Screw that allergist who said I shouldn’t even go outside. I play ultimate, and I’m perfectly fine. I love the outdoors. Screw. The. Allergist.

Sure, the career search has been daunting; I haven’t nearly progressed enough on that front. It’s kind of scary. But I’ve started connecting with various people, and I hope that goes somewhere. I have faith.

And of course, it’s been amazing to have one person in my life again, even for a short period of time. Again, the timing couldn’t be worse, but it’s given me a lot of confidence. I know I might be overreacting, but for a while, I honestly wasn’t sure of what to make of my personal life. I never told anyone about that. It’s good to finally have something. She is awesome.

Overall, these past few months have just been about embracing myself and doing the things I actually enjoy. That’s why I play ultimate, why I quit Quidditch, why I work in the undergraduate office. It’s been about embracing my natural weirdness and spending time with the right people. I’m obviously really liking where I am in my life, and while there are stressors out there, everything is overwhelming positive.

What a semester.

[tencreambasedsoups]

Throwback.

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Guy: How was your semester?

Me: Great! Best semester so far. Would not change a thing.

Guy: Really? You wouldn’t change anything?

That was a year ago. I met with a director at a local marketing firm for an informational interview, and that was one of the exchanges we had. I think about it to this day because of how belittling and presumptuous it was (to me).

You see, I really did an amazing semester. For better or worse, my fall 2014 semester is still my best one. It set a really high bar! Not only did I grow into my extracurriculars and start to hold my own in business school; I also became much, much closer with a few good friends and achieved quite a bit of personal (and professional) growth. Too much to write down. It was the first full semester wherein I really loved college.

So, no, I wouldn’t have changed anything. 

That guy said he’d “look for me” when I submitted my application. I went through the trouble of asking for two separate letters of recommendation for his company too. The rest of the interview went well; things were looking fine.

I never heard back. Not a single email or call.

[tencreambasedsoups]

Occasionally I get into a situation wherein I dispense life advice to people. I’m not terribly qualified for that, but I am more qualified than many people, I guess. I’ve condensed my life philosophy into three statements:

Don’t be evil.

Do what you like.

Don’t overthink it.

[tencreambasedsoups]

I don’t normally call myself a traveler, but it’s hard to ignore the sheer amount of places I’ve gone out of my way to visit this past year - (mostly) using my own time and money:

Los Angeles/Orange County

Orlando

New Orleans

Washington DC (x4)

Charlottesville

Philadelphia

Outer Banks

I mean, the list looks small, but I’ve never been so many places in one year. Of course there are people who travel to hundreds of places, as well as those who don’t go anywhere at all. But looking back, I’m pretty happy with what I accomplished.

[tencreambasedsoups]

Tacking on New York City and New Canaan, CT to this list.

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I’m not creative, yet I always end up being the creative for teams I work on.

I hate change, yet my marketing education has been all about innovation and forward movement.

I’m not good at reading people, yet I have a love for behavior and motivation.

This marketing thing is an interesting fit for me.

[tencreambasedsoups]

And I realized something tonight... Well, I realized it yesterday, but it crystallized tonight. And it’s a big one.

When I interviewed for human capital related internships, I could never satisfactorily answer the question “why do you want this job?” And that prevented me from landing one of those coveted positions. But I learned some facts about myself during that process, and over the course of the spring and going into this summer, I’ve learned even more. 

I harmonize. It’s one of my strengths, according to StrengthsFinder, and I can see it in my actions and words. I avoid conflict not because I’m afraid but because I prefer positivity and camaraderie. I want people to get along and work to be done cooperatively; the sum of a diverse group of minds is far greater than the parts. And that’s why I like human capital. Because I want to help companies harmonize.

It almost shocks me that it took so long to realize that, but I’m glad to know it now. What I’ve discovered this summer is that I enjoy managing people and trying to coax the most out of any given teammate. That doesn’t mean I’ll go out of my way to speak to someone; I’m not extroverted. It means that, if I think someone can offer something special, I will make every effort to help them grow and learn. 

The dynamic is interesting. I’m an extreme introvert, but I work well with others, and I strive to find the best in people. I’ll talk to those I find impressive or “untapped,” but I will not waste my time with anyone who’s incompetent or simply foolish. And that distinction sometimes boils down to snap judgments - thin slicing. Some may call that judgment, but I don’t mind. I think it’s necessary.

So harmony. That’s what I want. That’s why I want to work with people. That’s what I want to cultivate in companies. No, I don’t know how to do that really, but the desire is there. It’s been a part of my existence for a long time.

[tencreambasedsoups]

In a move very typical of me, I went out to lunch by myself on my third real day of work. First day was a team thing. Second day, I sat with the interns in the cafeteria. But I’ll always be a loner at heart.

So I go to this place called Mission BBQ. It’s relatively close by and held solid Yelp reviews. The lines were long, and the place was packed. Good signs! I step up to order, and before I leave the checkout area, my food is ready - also a positive.

However, almost immediately after I sat down, something started blaring over the speakers. People set down their food. Bodies rose from their seats. In one practiced motion, hundreds of right hands were placed over hearts. 

It was the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

So for three solid minutes, everyone stood still, staring at a flag hanging from the ceiling. People who opened the door to come inside also join in on the “fun” - and they didn’t miss a beat; the transition was seamless. On and on it went... Everyone remained perfectly still. I know that because I was the only person who looked around.

And while all this was happening... My food got cold. Everyone’s food got cold. What? Why would a restaurant do that? I really enjoyed my sandwich, but my god, if I wasn’t annoyed at the unintentional cooling process I’d subjected my meal to. I don’t know if anyone else felt the same way, but it made no sense to me. Sure, patriotism is hugely important, and it sounds pretty shallow and dumb to say food temperature takes precedence... 

But at the same time, why do I need patriotism to be a part of my lunch hour?

[tencreambasedsoups]

Marketing and Supermarkets

A few years ago, Short Pump started booming. Walmart had always been there, and there was of course Ukrop’s. Target was a newcomer, and Kroger had just come on the scene - where Hobby Lobby now resides. 

Shortly after that, Kroger moved locations to a newly built store. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s entered the scene. Martin’s replaced Ukrop’s. Target started selling groceries. It was an incredible bubble of fresh produce and product that had appeared in Short Pump, and as a middle/high schooler, I was shocked and confused. I openly wondered which stores would “kill” others and become the area’s go-to.

But you know what? They’re all still alive and well.

The power of marketing!

You see, it was just recently that I realized all these supermarket brands have different target markets, and their core competencies are exactly geared towards serving those constituents. Walmart will always have the low-cost buyer - the kind of person who is honestly very out of place for the area. Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods are similar, but the former attracts a significantly younger crowd, while the latter is more refined and, well, expensive. 

To elaborate further, Target is a superstore that happens to also sell food. No one goes just to purchase produce or snacks there. Martin’s is a neighborhood type market; the people who shop there were there in the Ukrop’s days. I don’t believe Martin’s has the clout to attract new consumers, because Kroger is better in virtually every way. Kroger, in many ways, is the conglomerate of all these stores; it has the lower price point of a Walmart with nearly the service of Martin’s, in addition to having higher quality (all-natural, GMO-free, etc.) offerings.

See, a younger version of me could never have guessed that. But brands and stores can co-exist, and while competition is obviously omnipresent, each has more than enough of a consumer base to thrive. It’s remarkable how that works. Marketers have analyzed the people the area that precisely. It’d be scary if it weren’t so fascinating.

And Wegman’s will be joining the party soon! That’s going to be very interesting.

[tencreambasedsoups]

I don’t normally call myself a traveler, but it’s hard to ignore the sheer amount of places I’ve gone out of my way to visit this past year - (mostly) using my own time and money:

Los Angeles/Orange County

Orlando

New Orleans

Washington DC (x4)

Charlottesville

Philadelphia

Outer Banks

I mean, the list looks small, but I’ve never been so many places in one year. Of course there are people who travel to hundreds of places, as well as those who don’t go anywhere at all. But looking back, I’m pretty happy with what I accomplished.

[tencreambasedsoups]

Restaurants/places visited in Philadelphia:

Reading Terminal Market (x2)

12th Street Cantina

DiNic’s Roast Pork

Old City Coffee

Starbucks (x6?)

Sweetgreen

Barbuzzo

Everything Fresh

Franklin Fountain (x2)

Federal Donuts

Ishkabibble’s

University of Pennsylvania

Four Seasons Juice Bar

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Franklin Institute

Zahav

Chinatown

Rittenhouse Square Park

El Vez

Marathon

Square One Coffee 

Italian Market (DiBruno Brothers)

Washington Square Park

[tencreambasedsoups]

Updates on my job hunt:

I had a second round interview with Merkle|RKG in Charlottesville for a Paid Search Intern position last Thursday, and it was a very interesting experience. I was asked one of those crazy market sizing questions (how many gas stations are there in the US, in this case), and there was a lot of critical, on-the-spot thinking involved, mostly with Excel. It was exciting, and they are definitely my number one choice right now.

The recruiter called me to ask for a list of references, so that’s definitely good news.* Whether that means they just need to vet me for red flags or compare with a few other strong candidates, I don’t know. But that means the second interview went well (which surprises me a little), and I’ve got a shot. Hopefully this comes through; Merkle|RKG is fast-growing, hyper innovative digital marketing company. It’s an awesome place to work.

*That I had a list and actually had a little trouble choosing only three references is a hugely positive sign. I didn’t have that kind of network last year, and it shows that at least some of my work in building relationships is paying off. All three people answered very swiftly when I asked if they’d provide a reference for me, and I know they can speak well to my abilities.

I also had a second round interview with Genworth Financial in Richmond. The job is also a Marketing Intern position, and I’d be very happy to receive this offer as well. I walked out of the interview thinking I’d done very well.

Between these those firms, Deloitte, and Mercer, I’ve sunk quite a bit of travel time into the job search, considerably more than last year. It’s thrilling stuff but also nerve-wracking. I can’t tell how relieved I will be if I get an offer from somewhere. The peace of mind is invaluable.

I really do hope it’s with Merkle|RKG though...

[tencreambasedsoups]

Random thing I’m proud of: How my 400m trial run time decreased every single semester of high school/season of track.

[chibird]

Happy Pi Day! It seems like the most deserving of people are also the most generous.

[tencreambasedsoups]

So a few updates on my life.

I wasn’t able to secure either the Deloitte or Mercer internships. This is definitely a letdown; never have I driven so hard for something only to be turned down. I admit the rejections get the best of me sometimes; my worldview isn’t quite as rosy as it was a few months ago. However, I’m still plugging away on applications, and hopefully something lands. 

It’s all a learning experience, and when I stop to think about it, it really is remarkable that I was able to reach the final round for both companies. They’re really prestigious firms, and I’m officially on their radar now. That’s at least something. Hopefully I’ll snag an internship for this summer, but Mercer and Deloitte will both be options for full-time employment.

The snow days put a complete stoppage to ultimate basically, and we (as a team) haven’t been outside, on the field, in nearly a month. That’s a lifetime. I’m feeling the effects from my recent lack of physical activity. I’ve known for a long time that I’m not terribly motivated to work out or do cardio on my own. I need a competitive environment and teammates to push me, and the snow days killed both of those things. I’m hoping the springtime means a return to a more physical fit and active version of myself.

New Orleans was a blast. I wasn’t sold initially; it took a couple days in the city. However, when I started exploring on my own, I found an incredible place with a buzzing culture. Cafe Du Monde is otherworldly, and when my friends and I finally found some real, spice-in-your-face Cajun food, I nearly died of happiness. And the thing is, while we did a lot in a few days, we basically only covered 5% of New Orleans. There’s so much left to explore, and if given the opportunity, I’d definitely return.

Furthermore, I realized that in the past eight months, I’ve been to Southern California, Orlando, and New Orleans, along with a few trips to DC. I don’t normally travel a lot, so this has been an awesome year in that regard. I’m pretty satisfied.

Speaking of satisfaction, if you recall, I had a good thing going with a girl at college. She went abroad, and I didn’t know how the whole dynamic would play out. However, I’m happy to say we’re still getting along well, and it’s actually been pretty wonderful. I can’t wait to see her again.

The Eagles are making moves, and they make no sense. I’m frustrated, but I’ve learned not to focus too much on sports. The Wizards will always be my priority, but I sometimes go weeks without watching even their games. I love sports and always will, but there are usually more important things to focus on.

There are a few more things I could talk about, but I actually haven’t been in much of a blogging mood... Maybe next time.

[tencreambasedsoups]

Food in New Orleans:

Killer Po Boys

Jimmy J’s Cafe

Cafe Du Monde**

La Divina

Red Gravy

Kenney’s Seafood

Superior Seafood

Little Vic’s

Cafe Beignet

Gumbo Shop

Royal House

New Orleans Famous Beignets & Coffee

Acme Oyster House

Cajun Seafood

**Went to Cafe Du Monde four times.

[tencreambasedsoups]

I did not get the Deloitte job. 

It was a disappointment, to say the least, and there was a solid hour afterwards when I hated the company for making the decision it did. I did think it was a mistake to hire the girl they did, but I knew I would have done a great job. I still know that.

However, I've come around, and I now see what a great opportunity it was so make it that far in the process. How many people can say they've been booked a swanky hotel room in DC and dined while overlooking a gorgeous, frozen Potomac River? It really was an incredible experience; there were a lot of lessons to be learned that day, and I'm no longer bitter.

I know Deloitte sees something in me, and I'm going to work harder than ever to become the top candidate at this school when the fall (and full-time hiring) comes around. You can bet on it.