Ask and you might possibly receive

Deal with it: Opportunity cost: need for a financial focus at Bowdoin

The notion of “finance” at Bowdoin is a polarizing subject. Many see it as the antithesis of what a liberal arts education stands for and as a soulless construct that produces nothing, yet takes much. Others, however, exhibit great desire (perhaps quietly out of fear of derision) and ultimately intern and work within the financial realm. Consulting firms such as Deloitte and Cambridge, investment banks such as Cowen, and a host of hedge funds regularly recruit Bowdoin students. There is no question that a future in finance is an aspiration shared by many at this school. The Career Planning Center sees this interest and in turn does its best to attract relevant companies and personalities. They have even been accused of placing too much emphasis on finance.
But even with this obvious enthusiasm for the field, there is little support on the academic front. No doubt Bowdoin has a strong economics department. The absence, however, of a full-time professor who focuses on finance or accounting, basic business concepts and, frankly, Excel, is quite mysterious. The College currently does not have a tenured position or even a tenure track for an academic who wishes to become a professor of finance. For this reason, it is difficult to attract high caliber applicants like other departments. This is not an attack against potential future Bowdoin finance professors, but a reality the school faces today.
Returning to the aims of a liberal arts education, I agree that extreme specialization in a discipline such as accounting is contrary to the critical thinking Bowdoin is trying to instill in its students. We are not a business school, just as we are not an engineering, trade or “sports development” institution, nor should we try to be any of these. At some point, however, specificity in more routine, dull or “low IQ” skills, like Excel modeling, should be taught to those whose futures require it. Two weekends a year of Training the Street courses is simply insufficient.

Deal with it: One cup, two cup, three cup, four: dependencies are not inherently vices

Ever since coming to Bowdoin, I have steadily increased my coffee intake. At first it was fairly innocuous—two cups or so in the morning. But who can say no to 19 opportunities a week to consume remarkably average Seacoast joe? After a constant progression over the last two years, well, let’s just say I consider coffee my main source of hydration.
For the record, I do not think this is sustainable, smart or healthy in the slightest. It is not even about the caffeine anymore. I rely on the very act of drinking coffee to feel normal. I admit to having a legitimate addiction to the substance, and I entirely accept this personal vice.
It is no secret that we all have dependencies, some more serious and severe than others. While the more obvious ones range from social media to chemicals to exercise, there are also more subtle attachments out there. It is possible to be reliant on another person for their companionship, or even the vicarious use of their enviable social standing. Some people need the approval of crowds or the wider public in order to feel whole.

Deal with it

Ask and you might possibly receive

This piece represents the opinion of the author:

Will Powers

Columnist

February 7, 2014

This past winter break I flew back from a relaxing vacation on the West Coast and made a routine connection in the fine city of Cleveland, Ohio. Unfortunately, the situation quickly degraded into the typical travel clusterfuck with the onset of a major snow storm, soon to be exacerbated by the ensuing Arctic chill.

Airport monitors gradually moved from “on time” to “delayed” to “cancelled.” Hundreds of frustrated passengers formed spontaneous lines just waiting to argue with the helpless gate agents (“there’s not that much ice on the runway, come on, I need to get to ATL”). Children screamed and cried; people abandoned the last shreds of human decency, You know, the average airport nightmare. Despite all this, however, I managed to come away having learned the value of asking.

It is amazing how much the world opens up when you make your desires or intentions known to others. In Cleveland, my experience was made much easier by actively seeking out those in positions of authority or knowledge. Instead of blindly stumbling around the mountains of suitcases piled up in the terminal or waiting in a useless line, I asked a baggage handler to search the black hole that was the backroom luggage storage. Thirty seconds later, he emerged with my blue duffle. Later that night at around 3 a.m., after having looked at all sorts of ridiculous transportation alternatives (think a $600, 14-hour train ride leaving at 2:15 a.m.), I finally called and asked a rental car service if they would provide a vehicle to someone under the minimum age of 25. To my surprise, the company said yes and several hours later I embarked on an impromptu solo road trip home (the car had an iPod connector so, rest assured, Waka and 2 Chainz got plenty of playtime).

The point of this story, of which I am overly proud, is that proactivity in asking things of others can be a serious time saver and generally make life more manageable. If there is something you are unsure of or that you believe another can do to help you, do not hesitate to politely ask. There is no sense in wasting an inordinate amount of time being miserable because you were too timid to make your concerns publicly known.

This is not, however, a license to act ignorant, entitled or generally spoiled. If there is a problem you can resolve yourself without too much trouble, do it. Similarly, if the request would impose a major burden on another, it is probably best to refrain from asking. Personal judgment is crucial in the gray area. Always be realistic, as much as it might be beneficial. You would not expect a professor to provide detailed feedback on all three of your rough drafts, much like you would not expect the Chili’s waitress to individually calculate the checks between 12 of your friends because one guy had two Sunrise margaritas.

So what are some situations in which asking is acceptable and worthwhile? Usually anytime you are a paying customer there is a degree of obligation on the staff’s part to heed your request. Examples might include restaurants (always push for the best table possible—away from the kitchen and bathroom), higher-end transportation (airlines, boats, chartered cars, etc.), hotels (concierges can be an incredible asset) and certain retail instances where bargaining is commonplace. Also, as touched on before, when you are unsure of something or need clarification and the solution does not require a substantial commitment, go ahead and ask.

Remember, however, that the response you receive is a product of how, who, and what you ask, as well as the context. In regards to the last point: you get what you pay for. Transcontinental first class on Emirates is probably more inclined to refill your ginger ale than a Fly4less duct-tape-holding-engine-number-3-onto-the-wing shuttle from Flagstaff to Reno.

Do not be tentative in interacting with and asking of others. You most often will find that those who are in a position to assist you will be happy to help you, now that they know that you want something and what it is.

Give it a try: ask for that free upgrade—you might just get lucky.

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