On the first day back from spring break things ramped up quickly. A classmate of mine was in a suit for an interview. Most of us have internships but there are still some looking for jobs in industries that are beginning to hire now. Although questions about the economy abound, there seem to be ample opportunities here: companies repeatedly saying that the best way to weather the storm is to continue to hire the right people. It definitely makes me grateful to have this opportunity knowing that the MBA has value over and above bumps in the economy. There is also the Tuck alumni network full of people who are willing to advise, listen, and find opportunities. And, finally, to support those who want to do non-profit internships, there's Tuck GIVES: a student-run organisation that raises money to fund these summer internships.

The intensity of the spring semester is different. The first-year core classes are winding down, which leaves room for electives. I chose a course called Entrepreneurship in the Social Sector. After the intensity of the first year, when I felt as if I was drinking from a fire hose of new information, it's great to now be digging back into the non-profit world and realising all that I've learnt over my first year at school.

My favourite part of this term is the first-year project. Together with six other students, we're trying to figure out how to launch the board game I invented before I arrived here. I love having their expertise, time and research to create a detailed plan for my dream of launching the game. Plus, I can't imagine a better way to start a meeting than to play a board game.

I'm also starting to think about my summer consulting internship. How can I make the most of my ten weeks and what are the questions and challenges I will face? What project, industry or idea do I want to work on? I spoke to a partner at the firm about how to think about the summer. The best advice, he said, was: “Relax, be yourself. It's what's got you this far.” Simple really, but when the fire hose turns on, it's good to be reminded how to survive.

In general, I'm starting to realise how much I value what I'm doing right now and how much I'm learning. Although it's a cliché, it's true - my learning is extending above and beyond the classroom. If you asked me what I would want to be doing at age 30 I would say this: “I want to be surrounded by people who are driven and kind, be challenged by brilliant minds to think about the world in ways that I've never thought about, and be gaining the skills to better understand the kind of impact I can have in the world.”

I feel as if I'm following the melted snow in my mind, tiny little tributaries of my ideas, hopes, dreams and questions. I know that it's all leading someplace; I'm just not sure where yet, but I know I'm in the right place now.

Explore Career & Jobs

• Graduate / Management

• Senior Executive

• PA / Secretarial

• Public Sector

• Legal

• Recruiter Forum

• MBA

• Top 100 Graduate Employers

• Top 50 Women

• Best 100 Companies

• Careers in

Times Recommends

• Inspirational leadership
• How to get a new job
• The reluctant CEO