Applying for Seth Godin's MBA? Now THAT'S a Corker!
Ranked #32,331 in Business & Work, #450,310 overall
What is a "Corker?"
Corker: (kor'ker) n.slang - a remarkable or excellent thing or person
E.g. "That story was such a corker."
"This internship with Seth Godin is such a corker."
"Allow me to introduce you to Matt Corker."
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I am a Corker. I didn't get to choose my last name, but I do get to choose how I live up to it. It's no easy task, that's for sure, but where's the fun in easy?
Seth Godin's alternative MBA 6 month internship for a select group in NYC is also a corker. Hands on training with one of the most celebrated marketers/entrepreneurs doesn't come along every day. It would also involve me leaving my team at work and moving off to New York on short notice. No easy task, but where's the fun in easy?
Corkers are rare. They are filled with passion and a sense of purpose. They delight in the creative and the power of possibilities. And, most importantly, they are here to leave the world a better place than when they first arrived.
Dear Seth,
I am your corker.
E.g. "That story was such a corker."
"This internship with Seth Godin is such a corker."
"Allow me to introduce you to Matt Corker."
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I am a Corker. I didn't get to choose my last name, but I do get to choose how I live up to it. It's no easy task, that's for sure, but where's the fun in easy?
Seth Godin's alternative MBA 6 month internship for a select group in NYC is also a corker. Hands on training with one of the most celebrated marketers/entrepreneurs doesn't come along every day. It would also involve me leaving my team at work and moving off to New York on short notice. No easy task, but where's the fun in easy?
Corkers are rare. They are filled with passion and a sense of purpose. They delight in the creative and the power of possibilities. And, most importantly, they are here to leave the world a better place than when they first arrived.
Dear Seth,
I am your corker.
Unfortunately Not
(this time)
Unfortunately I was not selected as one of the 10 people who will be joining Seth in January 2009. However, the process of creating this lens re-invigorated my love for what I do and what I have not done yet. I plan to keep this lens up for people to read, but no new content will be added.
I encourage you to read on (and click around) to find out what this "corker" is all about.
I encourage you to read on (and click around) to find out what this "corker" is all about.
My Personal Mandate: Be Bold!
It's a simple mandate that I live my life by: be bold!Ask the questions that need to be asked.
Dream bigger than you previously thought possible.
Do the things that people say can't be done.
But above all, stand up for the people you believe in. Being bold requires you to put your ego aside to help others find the courage they have inside to make their dreams a reality.
Be it this internship, the person you're head over heels for, or that policy change - you need to step up and be bold in order to get any of them. This is your chance - right now - so take it!
Below is me "walking the talk" if you will. In order to be considered for Seth's internship, each applicant is asked to create a Squidoo lens with answers to the questions below. Feel free to take a gander, leave a comment, or encourage someone else to apply (maybe that someone is you!).
Application Questions
- Unfortunately Not
- What do I do now?
- Why do I do it?
- What am I hoping to learn?
- After I learn it, what am I going to do with it?
- Tell Seth a true story about making a change in the world
- Have I overcome a Dip?
- What astonishing thing did I do before I did what I do now.
- Make a wish.
- What else should Seth know about me?
What do I do now?
I create the connections that help people succeed.I frequently do this in my personal life, but also get paid to do it as the Alumni Relations Manager, Students & Young Alumni at the University of British Columbia. In this role, I make it easy and desirable for current students to connect with our alumni network. I also steward relationships with our recent grads (under 35 yrs old) in order to connect them with each other and the university (be that with a program/event or the President himself). With the majority of our alumni residing in Vancouver, Toronto, Hong Kong and London (UK), I have learned that this network I help steer is a powerful global force.
Besides connecting great people with each other (or programs and resources), I also connect great ideas with fresh minds (and vis versa). Be that by delivering award-winning presentations, creating interactive marketing and promotions campaigns (events like this one really needed it after being dead for 10 years), or by providing new resources so others' big dreams could become a reality.
I'm a creative connector on a mission with my favourite question being "how can I help?"
Click here to read others' comments on the work I do.
Why do I do it?
I delight in making the impossible possible.It's really that simple. I love being able to inspire, instill courage in, and physically help those around me in making their dreams a reality.
Doing this also involves some aspect of being innovative, changing things, or being the first to start something - all those are HUGE motivators for me!
Looking to achieve a big lofty goal? Want to create a new tradition? Interested in changing the status quo? Me too!
What am I hoping to learn?
I want to learn how to persuade the most close-minded of people.Sustainable developments. Integrating new technologies into workplaces or classrooms. Entrepreneurial ventures. Medications for inhabitants of third world countries. Many of these great things don't get the traction they deserve because the ideas aren't presented in the right way (or to the right people).
In my pursuit to make a change in this world, I know that I will encounter a lot of people that are quick to say "that's not possible" or "there is no need for that."
I want to be able to change those comments into "that makes sense to me" and "those next steps are what we need to do."
Sharing the world of possibilities with others involves opening up their eyes to it.
After I learn it, what am I going to do with it?
I want to build on past successes and create new ones.In my current role, we are doing some really transformational work in our field. We have also strengthened some meaningful relationships that will help move the university (and its community) forward. We are making an elephant dance! I want to build upon this with the new skills and perspectives I gain from this internship.
I also want to help out a friend of mine, Matt Brown. He was diagnosed with achromatopsia at a young age and is now on a quest to complete Ironman Canada with limited vision. Along the way he also wants to raise money for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and give those without sight (specifically kids) a vision for a brighter future.
I also want to go in to business with my sister. Doing what, we don't know. But it will be something fabulous - that you can guarantee!
And if I can inspire a couple people to follow their dreams along the way, I will be a happy man.
Tell Seth a true story about making a change in the world
I am a huge fan of random acts of kindness.
On Dec 2nd, 2006, when final exams, lousy weather, and intense stress levels were far too depressing - I sought out to brighten people's day.
Armed with homemade "Free Hugs" signs, I gathered the troops from my floor (I was a Residence Advisor for UBC at the time and I had a reputation with my residents of always having some new crazy idea up my sleeve). We headed downtown with the simple purpose of giving out free hugs - no hidden agendas, no alternative motives, just hugs. And that's all we got, hugs - lots of hugs!
Well, that's a lie. We got more than I thought we would.
We got smiles. We got laughs.
We got featured on the 9 o'clock local news.
We got a "thanks for the hug. I needed that" from a girl who, we later discovered, was also on the 9 o'clock news as her boyfriend was caught in the middle of a gang fight the night before.
What I loved the most though was the fact that we created more interest in giving out free hugs - largely with the help of the YouTube video I made (see below). I later went on to give out free hugs a second time in Vancouver, and then rallied my friends to join me in Toronto and New York City to spread the love even further.
This resulted in articles written about us in the Ubyssey, UBC Reports, UBC Alumni Affairs' e-newsletter The Grad Gazette, the Torontoist, Dalhousie's Gazette, UofOttawa's The Fulcrum, and Grant Macewan's Intercamp .
Facebook's updates were soon after riddled with photos and videos of my adventures - some uploaded from me, but many uploaded by those we hugged along the way.
All this being said, I know that I didn't start this movement. I do know, however, that during each hug I gave out, I helped change that person's world. See for yourself:
On Dec 2nd, 2006, when final exams, lousy weather, and intense stress levels were far too depressing - I sought out to brighten people's day.
Armed with homemade "Free Hugs" signs, I gathered the troops from my floor (I was a Residence Advisor for UBC at the time and I had a reputation with my residents of always having some new crazy idea up my sleeve). We headed downtown with the simple purpose of giving out free hugs - no hidden agendas, no alternative motives, just hugs. And that's all we got, hugs - lots of hugs!
Well, that's a lie. We got more than I thought we would.
We got smiles. We got laughs.
We got featured on the 9 o'clock local news.
We got a "thanks for the hug. I needed that" from a girl who, we later discovered, was also on the 9 o'clock news as her boyfriend was caught in the middle of a gang fight the night before.
What I loved the most though was the fact that we created more interest in giving out free hugs - largely with the help of the YouTube video I made (see below). I later went on to give out free hugs a second time in Vancouver, and then rallied my friends to join me in Toronto and New York City to spread the love even further.
This resulted in articles written about us in the Ubyssey, UBC Reports, UBC Alumni Affairs' e-newsletter The Grad Gazette, the Torontoist, Dalhousie's Gazette, UofOttawa's The Fulcrum, and Grant Macewan's Intercamp .
Facebook's updates were soon after riddled with photos and videos of my adventures - some uploaded from me, but many uploaded by those we hugged along the way.
All this being said, I know that I didn't start this movement. I do know, however, that during each hug I gave out, I helped change that person's world. See for yourself:
powered by Youtube
Have I overcome a Dip?
Definition of a Dip: when a fun and exciting project (or job, hobby, company, etc) gets harder and less fun, until it hits a low point and becomes really hard and not much fun at all.
The goal: get accepted to two reputable international schools on exchanges and do them both in a span of 4 months.
The roadblocks: poor grades and little to no money to fund them.
Just as I set my sights on a new goal in my academic career, I get a great e-mail from UBC's exchange office. I had applied to the Copenhagen Business School and Pontificia Universidad de Chile as I wanted to improve my Spanish, but also learn about European business culture and practices.
"Your application has not been processed because you do not meet the academic standards for the program you applied for."
That failed course and skipped classes had finally come back to haunt me. University went from being the best time in my life to one of the worst - all with the click of a button. This was my first low point.
Background info: I was denied going on exchange in my third year, but needed to study abroad in order to meet the requirements for my International Business degree. This meant I had one more year to improve my grades so I would be accepted in my fourth year and graduate with my declared degree choice. Also worth mentioning is the fact that my GPA (even with the improved grades) would not be high enough to qualify for any of the available scholarships, so financing these endeavours would be an issue.
In order to generate the money I needed, I became a Residence Advisor, coached a Learn To Row program, signed up for a number of psych studies that were looking for "participants," and took every oddball, one-off event staff role I could find. People said I should have just focus on funding one exchange as that would have been easier, but that wasn't the goal.
To improve my grades I re-organized my time using a great wall-sized schedule to include review sessions and more exam prep. After midterm reviews, I was reaching my monetary goal, but I didn't see my grades improve at all. This is when life got worse.
In order to dedicate more time to my academics I made the decision to quit the UBC Rowing team. Training and competing with this team was one of the highlights of my UBC years thus far. I woke up every morning excited to hit the water with Olympic hopefuls (and now gold medalists). I would be giving that all up for what? More textbook time? This was not an easy or fun decision to make.
After giving up something I loved so much (rowing) to do something I didn't care for (exam prep), I finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. My grades improved, my monetary goal was reached, and the exchanges seemed to effortlessly organize themselves.
And now, after studying and exploring both South America and Europe, I am actually interested in getting in to grad school ... or maybe this internship will fill that desire for me!
The goal: get accepted to two reputable international schools on exchanges and do them both in a span of 4 months.
The roadblocks: poor grades and little to no money to fund them.
Just as I set my sights on a new goal in my academic career, I get a great e-mail from UBC's exchange office. I had applied to the Copenhagen Business School and Pontificia Universidad de Chile as I wanted to improve my Spanish, but also learn about European business culture and practices.
"Your application has not been processed because you do not meet the academic standards for the program you applied for."
That failed course and skipped classes had finally come back to haunt me. University went from being the best time in my life to one of the worst - all with the click of a button. This was my first low point.
Background info: I was denied going on exchange in my third year, but needed to study abroad in order to meet the requirements for my International Business degree. This meant I had one more year to improve my grades so I would be accepted in my fourth year and graduate with my declared degree choice. Also worth mentioning is the fact that my GPA (even with the improved grades) would not be high enough to qualify for any of the available scholarships, so financing these endeavours would be an issue.
In order to generate the money I needed, I became a Residence Advisor, coached a Learn To Row program, signed up for a number of psych studies that were looking for "participants," and took every oddball, one-off event staff role I could find. People said I should have just focus on funding one exchange as that would have been easier, but that wasn't the goal.
To improve my grades I re-organized my time using a great wall-sized schedule to include review sessions and more exam prep. After midterm reviews, I was reaching my monetary goal, but I didn't see my grades improve at all. This is when life got worse.
In order to dedicate more time to my academics I made the decision to quit the UBC Rowing team. Training and competing with this team was one of the highlights of my UBC years thus far. I woke up every morning excited to hit the water with Olympic hopefuls (and now gold medalists). I would be giving that all up for what? More textbook time? This was not an easy or fun decision to make.
After giving up something I loved so much (rowing) to do something I didn't care for (exam prep), I finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. My grades improved, my monetary goal was reached, and the exchanges seemed to effortlessly organize themselves.
And now, after studying and exploring both South America and Europe, I am actually interested in getting in to grad school ... or maybe this internship will fill that desire for me!
What astonishing thing did I do before I did what I do now.
I ran a marathon without training for it.I got up that morning and said "I'm gonna run a marathon today." And so I did.
Since then, I have studied abroad in a foreign language, taught young men how to dance in front of many screaming fans at Mr. Vanier 2007 and Mr. Vanier 2008, and raised over $23,000 in one night for Run For One Planet. Nothing has required so much determination, positive thinking, and just pure perseverance as that marathon though.
Part of me wanted that t-shirt I would get if I crossed that finish line. The other part of me wanted to prove a point, to both myself and those around me, that I could do anything I put my mind to.
5 hours of pain later - the point was made.
Make a wish.
I wish to travel with Jason Mraz on part of his international tour.Tasting past the tip of my tongue, dreaming of Rand McNalley, and givin' out high fives.
This may not be the typical "change the world wish," but I don't think you should ever underestimate the power of good music.
What else should Seth know about me?
Friends - this is where your help is needed. Below is a list of things that may be of interest to Seth, but I need you to vote on the one you think is the best. Or, even better, add your own fun fact!
Won the Carl Cooper Award for creating a lasting legacy within the community of Place Vanier
2 points
Taught 10 dance-allergic boys to bust a move
Does anyone remember Mr. Vaniers? I saw Corker do more...2 points
Some Valuable Links
Check out the links below for more information about me and the projects and people I proudly support.
- My Website
- Find out the full story on me, my inspirations, and so much more.
- My Blog
- Where great people and great ideas are celebrated.
- Matt on Facebook
- Wanna be my friend?
- Matt on LinkedIn
- Read more about my work experiences and what other people have to say about me.
- Matt on Twitter
- Tweet. Tweet.
- NJ Thompson's application for Seth
- NJ, one of the most loving women I know, is also applying for this internship. She is simply phenomenal and her application shows it!
- My Sister's Blog
- Good Morning, Fabulous! Stephanie Corker Irwin will brighten your day and remind you that the best time to start doing fabulous things is today!
- BC Hydro Contest Video
- My sister and I entered into a video contest on a new technology that could save electricity (and our planet). We find out if we won on Jan 15th.
- Run For One Planet
- A cause and a couple I am very connected to. Keep up the great work guys!
What can you add that I can't?
Your opinion, your thoughts, your personal views on this lens/internship, your support. All are welcome and greatly appreciated. Thanks to everyone for the encouragement already!
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conortopley
Dec 17, 2008 @ 3:52 am | delete
- FREE TASTE TEST
Is Matt better than your current staff?
I hope you take this opportunity to find out.
Mr. Godin,
Matt's energy coupled with his focus is a killer combination that allows him to take initiative on new ideas and have the tenacity required to get the job done. I have worked with Matt for 2 of the past 4 years that I have known him. Matt stands out as someone who really knows what he wants from every situation and is set on achieving. Whether it is making a team out of 100 volunteers or making complete strangers feel like family, Matt is able to stretch himself to deliver what is needed in all situations.
Matt is living proof that success, happiness and ultimately, fulfillment is a choice you make. Matt has made the choice to achieve each element in all aspects of his life. Matt will surely be a key component to the success of this program and I hope you give him the chance he deserves.
Regards,
- Conor
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Vicki
Dec 15, 2008 @ 11:44 pm | delete
- Being a terrific role model for the next generation of awesome? Obviously! Gaining the respect of everybody from classmates to managers to total strangers? No doubt. Becoming a mentor to peers that are recognized and proven leaders? Slightly trickier scene. When people mention leaders past and present, I know that there's somebody that they NEED to meet.
He's got great questions and genius answers, and I can't count the lessons I've learned from him. All of the other blurbs/testaments here hint that I'm not the only one... next?
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Livia Danila
Dec 14, 2008 @ 5:10 am | delete
- Making a decision that maximizes the benefit for the most number of people is, in my opinion, a great basis for making some very important decisions. Matt Corker fills this criteria and then some.
Why, you might ask? Matt has the undeniable quality that makes him a lightening rod for energy, ideas and sharing. Everything he takes on in life he does with amazing energy, passion and commitment, and the best thing about it is that these qualities in him are extremely contagious. It is on many occasions in the almost 5 years that I have known him that he has inspired me to take on new challenges, to make positive changes and to believe in myself. Around Matt, one can't help but feel optimistic and empowered about the future and their ability to improve it. In fact, he can make you feel downright giddy about it.
Seth, if you want to pick someone who will better the lives of the greatest number of people in the most profound way, you have, by far, the right person.
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prpetten
Dec 13, 2008 @ 4:47 pm | delete
- This process is most definitely A Corker! Nothing but the best!
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Sophia Haque
Dec 12, 2008 @ 5:10 pm | delete
- I can't even remember now how I met Matt. I just know that I would have had to be living under a rock, at the bottom of the ocean, somewhere around Antarctica to have not met him. And even then, it would only be a matter of time before this man had an impact on my life. Because that's what he does. He has a way of reaching out and impacting the lives of those around him. He's a dreamer, a doer, a go-getter and an inspiration.
Seth, he would be so amazing for this program.
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Alternative MBA Applications
Add an application, vote on your favorites...
This was taken from Nathan's awesome lens. If you've found yourself on this list and you'd rather not be, send Nathan a note and you'll be removed as soon as possible.
Now THAT'S a Corker!
Corker: a remarkable or excellent thing or person. more...7 points
NJ's Taking A Leap!
So, what is this all about?This page is about an o more...6 points
Anna Curran
If you know someone who should apply for this amaz more...6 points
Megan Elizabeth Morris
The Alternative MBA Application of the Magnificent more...4 points
Pizzamancer's application
I opened my google reader to find your post today, more...2 points
Paul Pettengill's (way too long) Alternative MBA Application
I woke up on Monday morning and checked my RSS fee more...2 points
Nathan Rodgers: Arsonist
Set the World on Fire1 point
Aidan Nulman is not going to Business School
This lens/application is starting as part of a stu more...1 point
The World of Pat Ferdinandi
It's a New Day! I've had my previous days...taking more...1 point
Susan Wants to Study with Seth
So ... I've been trying to figure out what I want more...1 point
Paul Maddock's Cat Page
I am Paul Maddock, and I am creating this page in more...1 point
My Application for Seth's Business School Extravaganza
* What do you do now?* Why do you do it?* What are more...1 point
Roxy Rocks
Half-Amish Half-Black girl inspired by Ethiopians more...1 point
http://squidoo.com/JamesDKirk
You'll find a place holder for now, so save your v more...1 point
Man on a Journey
An application from a sojourning Canadian.1 point
World Changing Me / Evelina Star
I'm making this page, World Changing Me / Evelina more...1 point
I don't want an MBA... I want real life experience with Seth Godin
Have you created your lens to apprentice under Set more...1 point
Kristin Reign's Digital Footprint
I'm making this page because I'm applying to Seth more...1 point
How I Plan to Change the World
This lens is for you, Seth, to show you who I am, more...1 point
Always a good time for change
In any situation we get to control our actions and more...1 point
You'll think I made this story up, but it's 100% true.
Two months ago...I had hit the Dip. I lost enthusi more...1 point
I am Mark Horoszowski and I will...
One in two Americans suffer from a chronic health condition. more...1 point
Michael Under the Microscope
Michael's Alternative MBA App!1 point
Don't Go To Business School! (Hang Out With Seth Godin Instead)
Answering some of the questions asked by Seth Godi more...1 point
This Isn't About Me........It's About Them
Here's why I'm applying: A 16 y.o. homeless boy wh more...1 point
Seth's Life Changing Track -- my application
From Seth's blog on December 1st:
Getting into Stanford more...1 point
Gerald Croteau's "Alternative MBA" Application
A property broker in Dubai tosses his hat in the r more...1 point
The Teacher Has Appeared!
I can't believe this is real. When I first read ab more...1 point
Jess Sloss: Seth Godin Alternative MBA application
I'm really excited. I'm excited about this life ch more...1 point
One Guru Wanted.
Change the world by changing your community. Chang more...1 point
Hopefully going to New York
This is my lens as an application to the alternati more...1 point
Imitate, Assimilate and Innovate
In Brazil, when you tell someone to hurry up, they more...1 point
The Seth Godin Project, An Application
This is an application to Seth Godin's alternative more...1 point
A creative application to Godin's Alternative MBA program
I am making this page about Alternative MBA in ord more...0 points
Teenage Marketing-Guru-Wannabe Seeks Life Changing Seth Godin Apprenticeship
I'm 17, I don't have impeccable references, but I more...0 points
I am a Great Candidate for Seth's Alternative MBA
There's a chance that change will finally breathe more...0 points
Pete Michaud is on a Mission
This lens exists to answer Seth's questions for hi more...0 points
About Ingreedia Who's Not Greedy
I want to change careers and transition into a job more...0 points
The Thomas Mahoney Alternative MBA Application
I'm making this page about Alternative MBA because more...0 points
Alternative MBA Application - Tiara Shafiq
Getting into the Alternative MBA program for me is more...0 points
To MBA or not to MBA, that is the question.
Seth put it out there - an opportunity to work, le more...0 points
Life Is Too Short To Phone It In
Seth Godin, he of the sharpness is creating an int more...0 points
Follow me to Freedom
This is yours and my chance to jump down that well more...0 points
Vote on how many applications Seth will get
Caution to the wind! Take a smart chance and reach more...0 points
Taking a leap... I'd love to spend 6 months in your office
Thank you. I have been absolutely itching to figur more...0 points
AltMBA, or: Let's Go Start Something!
Sharp, language-savvy, highly empathetic engineer more...0 points
Roger Oldham
Everyone wants an exciting life, but most people a more...0 points
Fabi's Application to Seth's Alt-MBA Program
I was delighted to hear of Seth's six month altern more...0 points
by wmcorker
wmcorker
I am a young professional that is passionate about helping people succeed.
I have lived and studied in Chile, Denmark, and Ontario, but now call Vanco...
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