A Day in the Life of a Harvard Business School Student

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Of all the study programmes in the world, Harvard Business School has got to be one of the most famous - its Socratic teaching style, the stunning red brick campus and the long list of successful alumni. Each year, there are a thousand or so post-grads who have studied at top schools, worked at top banks, consultancies and tech firms, who study at HBS to meet like-minded people and to learn to run hugely successful companies 📈 🏦
I wanted to find out what it is really like studying at HBS - what do you study, what are classes like and how much time is there to found your own business while you're at the school? So, I flew to Boston and followed my good friend Jay around for a day in his life in his second year studying at Harvard Business School. He runs a successful company (Opifex) and has been balancing his CFO role in that company with school for the last year and a half 🤯
So, let's find out what it's really like to be a student at HBS 😊
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About Me
I'm a lawyer, part-time KZbinr, son, brother, startup founder, fiancé, black coffee drinker and plant dad. I graduated from Cambridge University (where I studied French and Spanish), topped my law school class and now work for a corporate law firm in London as a trainee solicitor (which takes up a lot of my time)!
Around that, I'm a big fan of discovering new ways of thinking, of balancing work with life, and of performing to the very best of my ability. Ohh, and being happy. And I try to share all that on this KZbin channel 😀
Fun fact: I believe we massively overplay the role of “natural talent” 😮 AND… I also believe that TOGETHER, WE ARE ALL CAPABLE OF POSITIVITY, PRODUCTIVITY AND SUCCESS.
📸 Instagram - / liam.porritt
🌍 My little kingdom - liamporritt.com
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Disclaimer:
Information, views and opinions depicted in this video are my own. Information visible on screens or in documents does not relate to my work as a lawyer for clients.

[@sulimlitaev1059]

Only 2 minutes in - and of course he wakes up at f*ckin 5:30 am...

[@GbolahanOmotayo]

😂😂

[@shaneoballs]

In a Harvard pyjamas to change into Harvard gym gear and then Harvard day wear. Was he afraid he’d forget?

[@sulimlitaev1059]

@@shaneoballs maybe the others around him might so he is setting those visual ankers you know 😂

[@shaneoballs]

@@sulimlitaev1059 its important no one forgets. Really the only value to that course, certainly learn fuck all

[@Jollygood-br5pd]

At least he didn’t write three pages in his journal…

[@taylordaniels4646]

I have so much respect for this young man...running a multi-million dollar business while in one of the most demanding universities in the world. How does anyone have that much energy waking up at 6am, doing a workout, working on your business, then running a full day of classes and still be able to stand and smile LOL

[@norman6499]

Caucasian school environment is quite relaxing thou

[@bizzille5989]

Some want 6 figure salaries and comfortable/easy lives. Some want hundreds of millions of dollars, to move markets, and change lives.

[@taylordaniels4646]

@@bizzille5989 it's incredible...I personally prefer an easy happy life lol

[@irisce2799]

good health and a strong body and digestive system to support all the impact and stress are the foundation. after that, discipline, drive, and purpose. But the body must be healthy to withstand it. Most of that is down to genetics for the health component.

[@taylordaniels4646]

@@irisce2799 very well put, such wise words...I will keep those words close to heart and work towards a healthier stronger body

[@theoppenheimerprojects2867]

From someone who barely graduated high school and found his rhythm later in life, I realized that graduating Harvard is one thing, but the will and drive started for the majority of the students at a very young age. Graduating from Harvard is a great achievement, but it’s the drive that is instilled in the students that will always separate them from the rest. Great video.

[@prythal6221]

exactly, it’s not easy to be a young kid and set yourself up for the future at this good of a rate.

[@rakotomalalalouisaaudrey3394]

Hey, I love these type of videos. They're very inspiring, could you do more of these ? Thanks.

[@stevegalanis2895]

Thanks Liam. Great insight. Love your work!

[@Mr529cp]

One of the very few people that are actually out grinding and getting real results. All you see on social media anymore is nothing but fake entrepreneurs, con artists, and other cringy influencers. Thank you for this!

[@jacob9673]

Nope, his family paid his way in. Look up Vaughn construction. He’s another nepo baby who’s faking “the grind.”

[@hunterkautzer5831]

⁠@@jacob9673Damn that is crazy I looked it up it is literally his family’s business. He probably doesn’t even really do that much because he will probably never get fired.

[@solarfnr4776]

@@jacob9673he used the money he raised from his business to take the classes dude

[@abhilasdas2838]

But Jay doesn't own a Buggati, unlike top G

[@amahleangel7601]

​@@jacob9673let's be happy for people bud. No need for jealousy. "He's family paid his way in" who gives a shit.

[@gavinbelson2804]

Thank you so much for sharing!! One of the most interesting and best video i have seen. Keep up the great work!

[@svijayrao]

This is really good and well thought out video. Keep making more of these day in the life videos of other students/professionals.

[@OwaisKumar-se8dm]

sviJAYrao

[@youjunggweon]

This is hugely insightful and motivational. Thanks Liam for the video.

[@amyazaire1114]

Awesome content! Congratulations to Jay!📂📋🖊

[@benz.]

What a fantastic insight. Thanks to you both for making this possible and kudos to Jay, as what he has accomplished is incredible! 😂

[@marie-louiseb]

I love the fact that his wearing his ring. Thank you for the video!!

[@dorismazone2782]

Your videos are always informative & inspiring! 🇺🇸

[@CREATE-oo8xg]

Great video, well directed, very cinematic and the pace is on point. 👏🏾

[@deshungrant31]

Love the video bro! Just love how beautiful some ppl life is at such a young age some already have their life map out amazing! All I know is hoods and corners.. but love from Atlanta ga (dirty south)❤

[@elevate4844]

You make great videos 🎉 It has helped me a lot. Thanks 😂

[@callmejunior247]

It bothers me when someone is born on third base, yet acts like they hit a triple. I wonder how much overlap exists between the construction assets Opifex rents out, and the assets owned by Vaughn Construction, Jay's grandfather's company where he got his start while studying at Texas A&M University... the same University that has the "Vaughn Construction Endowment Scholarship," the state-of-the-art "Vaughn Construction Student Collaboration Area," and Kyle Field, which was renovated $1.3 million UNDER BUDGET by, wouldn't you guess it, Vaughn Construction Company. I'm sure Harvard didn't take that outsized history of alumni involvement into account during the admissions process. It's insane to me that this video expects the viewer to believe that Jay is actually still acting CFO of a company that secured $65mm in financing while attending B-School full-time. He likely hops on a couple conference calls a week while a dedicated long-time employee of the family business actually takes care of the CFO duties without a proper title. For those of you that couldn't see through the charade, a big tip-off is when they feature some derivation of getting up early and working out. I know what a wannabe influencer looks like when I see one. In all fairness, Jay may be a decent human being who is just capitalizing on all the advantages life granted him at birth... but that probability decreases when you find out he voluntarily goes by Jay Vaughn the THIRD.

[@ConstructiveCriticismAdvisory]

in short, Jay is privileged and because of his family, he became successful (running a corp and attending HBS)

[@shaco2731]

@@ConstructiveCriticismAdvisory Privilege is earned, not given to his family. It is a trait of person just like courage, strength or mental fortitude is. It simply shows that he will be given more opportunities cause his parents are more hard-working and smarter than yours... It is a fair play, so I don't see why you would even put it to light. Nobody is starting from zero, and those that do, can only be angry at their parents. That's how the world works. Why would a child of alcoholic and child of a businessmen have the same starting point? Alcoholic didn't do anything his whole life, and his child somehow deserves same things that businessmen worked his ass off for?

[@CrazeeDee002]

But he could have equally turned out to be a F3NTANYL addict on skidrow just like kids that come from wealthy families. But her chose to work on himself and pass this down to other generations. So i don't get your point.

[@shaco2731]

@@CrazeeDee002 exactly. Every broke-turned-successful is acting like he had a choice. Brokies don't turn to drugs cause they don't have cash for it. Wealthy choose to stay away even though they could. It's like with women. Easy for an ugly one to say she is a virgin. She is a virgin whether she wants or not, cause it's not up to her. But beautiful woman is always flirted with on a daily basis...

[@dan225yo]

Great point but nah don’t mention that lol

[@JayGMac]

This is amazing! I truly am grateful for you making this video. Im going into my junior year of college (As of now able to keep my 4.0 gpa) Currently 19yrs of age and Im planning on taking the GMAT this year and also plan to apply for the 2+2 program HBS offers my senior year! Ironically visited the campus last weekend! Once again truly grateful for this video you have made! This is a lot of valuable information that isnt easily given on the internet! Although its a tough battle between HBS and Wharton as my top choice due to them varying by quantitative analysis vs practical problem-solving and decision-making skills, I do love the Case Method Harvard uses. Cant tell how much I appreciate you for this! P.S ironically my name too is Jay haha. Also I saw that 2 weeks ago the behind of Baker Library wasnt under construction but was last weekend.

[@allayar7]

Why is it ironically though?) You're killing it bro, great GPA! what college are you studying at?)

[@yannickb.1152]

Awesome insights! Thanks for sharing!

[@himanshi-gx3vo]

I promise myself after completing my bachelor's I'll definitely become a mba student at Harvard 🤍✨

[@jeffreyschnitman2484]

I stayed one weekend with my friend at Cornell U. Good element of ppl , uplifting environment.

[@malachidixson4065]

This video gave me and probably many business major students across the world a lot of inspiration and motivation . Thank you Liam for your amazing resources :)

[@liam.porritt]

Thanks so much Malachi 🙌

[@HhGg-xp5ih]

​@@liam.porrittCan I ask do us universities ask all degree I studied or just one degree? In my first ug degree due to medical issue I just had 3.1gpa but in other ug and masters degree I had 4 gpa

[@ericmedina4142]

I agree

[@gayalaknatha]

I'm quite inspired of the energy you have during the day. Also, most surprising thing how do you have 7-8 hour sleep after doing all these things. Really appreciate you guys'.

[@LookingAway359]

The 7-8 hours of sleep is what provides the energy.

[@OwaisKumar-se8dm]

he said "a solid 8-9 hours"

[@abhaypawriya1931]

thanks liam . appreciate your work😃

[@littlelilacbunny]

Wow! Thanks for giving us a glimpse into the life. HBS is my dream school, hope to get in for class of 2026

[@AutumnMochi95]

Amazing insight! Some people say it's impossible to be doing school, work and maintaining a healthy life, but it's just that some unimportant things need to be filtered. Definitely motivated me to be more productive throughout the day!

[@jacob9673]

The CFO position was handed to him by his family. Look up Vaughn construction, this is a nepo baby.

[@farhadnejjad9947]

@@jacob9673 why are you so invested into commenting on every post that he is a nepo baby? Have you nothing better to do? Self-reflect and ask yourself where you are in life, and try to do something better than just hate on someone who doesn't even acknowledge your existence

[@joseanp9061]

This is video is so motivating!! Great!! ✌

[@evandersonmatheusdefreitas8778]

This video is amazing! Please do a Part 2

[@chiyungwong3774]

Your skills as a corporate lawyer are wasted Liam, you’re a natural filmmaker for sure! Thanks for this video.

[@ChewieTomatoes1]

Nah. We need GOOD lawyers not more content creators in the world.

[@alleeyyousuf1373]

Bro woke up at first alarm. Magnificent.

[@SirPeteWindsor]

Great video, mate. U rock!

[@thedriver3052]

This was so inspirational

[@Wonder.Winnie]

wow very cool and love the editing style

[@commongirl3504]

I really appreciated this. Wish he had his own channel too, I would subscribe 👍

[@user-uy3be6dd1p]

Damn I respect you bro you’re amazing

[@user-ft4ee8gt7p]

Your videos are always informative &

[@jonderbyshire]

This was excellent

[@makas01217]

great video!

[@sayuricharbel228]

Amazing video!!

[@mehmedkhan.6198]

I'm strongly interested in business and i pray and hope that i may oneday get an MBA from HBS and live a responsible life...Ameen.

[@stevenponte6655]

great video and those HBS courses sound interesting. I am really intrigued as to why someone running such a successful business would do a course to teach you how to run a successful business??

[@Excalibur_LP]

New subscriber. Great channel. You must be close to fully qualifying soon?

[@Pvlogs22]

Great insight

[@theladder06]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

[@mushfiqurrahman1107]

Such an authentic experience. Although in a way, seeing this all fold out in such realistic details kinda tones down the hype for Harvard in my mind. And with all the hard work involved, I think I am better of in a less prestigious but more comfortable institution. (Not suggesting to anyone, merely self-reflecting)

[@michaeldimarcus3848]

harvard is more about connections I would say

[@jacob9673]

Not authentic at all- look up his family. This “success” is hardly earned. Start by looking into Vaughn construction. This is a nepo baby, not a entrepreneur.

[@demebox3607]

@@jacob9673you do realize that the majority of successful business owners are what you call “nepo babies” including Trump. Point to a random successful company and chances are the leader of that company had parents with resources. Complete self starters are far and few in between. Why are you acting like it’s a surprise this guy started off of his parents success?

[@farhan007]

​@@demebox3607he isn't surprised about that. He's surprised how many KZbin comments assume he isn't a nepo baby. I have to assume that are bots... Probably paid for by the dude making the video himself. I

[@Jacovo]

@@demebox3607There’s a difference between being “helped” and being literally handed things. Most successful business owners aren’t just handed things like this, that’s definitely not the norm.

[@sardonicsolicitor1370]

Great video Liam. The production quality was brilliant. Very interesting insight into HBS. Jay is a very young and interesting guy. Clearly very dedicated and hard-working. It is difficult in a short video, but Jay did not come across as very likeable. It is probably unfair but he seemed like a bit of an overly serious business-bro douche. Maybe it was all the scowls when looking at his laptop and over-reliance on HBS merch for his wardrobe 🤣

[@kingstonstreet3726]

I just watched this same class on hbs KZbin then your channel pop up,interesting

[@Blackhansdom]

that's such an amazing day

[@EmmanuellaAsare-yr1jt]

Very inspiring ❤

[@ainashanemartinez1676]

more of this pls

[@PZJBimha]

Nice sharing. Very insightful.

[@huaweihonor7714]

Thanx for sharing

[@wisnudivayana2344]

Pretty healthy and realistic work hour. He remember to sleep 8 hours a day, amazing!

[@shawnwang601]

Great video as always Liam! You mentioned that many of the students at HBS started their careers at top banks, consultancies, or tech businesses. Are there also students with law backgrounds? Specifically, students who studied LLB for their undergraduate degree? Curious because I am almost finished with my law degree and contemplating possible future developments.

[@liam.porritt]

Hey! Good question, and one I was also (obviously) interested in myself 😝 I actually don’t think it is that common. Generally, because law is such a specialised field, lawyers tend to stick to being lawyers after law school. I think the fact in the US, you have to do post-grad law also means that then doing a business school post-grad would mean you’d done about 10 years of higher education! I don’t think it’s impossible, but not that common 😊

[@shawnwang601]

@@liam.porritt Good point🙂. And I suppose the legal experience one gets from working at a law firm is sorta the equivalent of business school for more senior/partner positions or even exit opportunities later down the track.

[@yn-111]

Law students typically attend to HLS for their LLM degree. I don't think it's common to attend HBS.

[@davidc4408]

Law is boring. MBA and finance is more fun

[@hamidrezakazerooni7176]

Great video but I’ll take it with a grain of salt. A question that this video didn’t respond to is how he started a multi-million company? How has he built that company?

[@Yt-kd9nl]

Can you explain about the integrated ms mba biotechnology program

[@UNKNOWN-1589]

Harvard Business School , what a place.

[@MdPorag-ek4yh]

Watching this in the bed. Very inspiring video. I will sleep after watching this video. Because I have to see a dream about HBS

[@SebConte202]

2:37 alright bro we get it, you're badass, no need to smolder and shit lmao

[@iTechieGenz1]

Can you make next video on MIT Sloan Business School?

[@oscartorres8862]

Super interesting!

[@timvantuinen7180]

watching this at my CC business program 😂 a CC guy can day dream righjt!? LFG

[@jackryan8719]

I'd like to see those famous secret clubs.

[@rickmatsokotere2251]

Watching this as I start a day in the life of an IT guy

[@shipulbansal5925]

This was an amazing video, for sure. And I was amazed to see how Jay managed to work nonstop from 5:30am until 7pm and didn't even take a break. Would you make a video on how one can achieve that level of productivity and manage their day without feeling overwhelmed or burned out?

[@MikeSmith-rd9fi]

drugs

[@mrinmoytudu8150]

​@@MikeSmith-rd9fi which kind

[@elger6884]

It's probably easy once you came from a rich family. Imagine never worrying about your situation/enviroment and your first job being top-tier paid, you would also have a lot of energy to spend because all the hard ladders have already been climbed for you.

[@TheGreekGodOfWallStreet]

Diet, exercise, minimal distractions, solid time management and a full nights rest every night are just a few factors that do wonders. Additionally having things within walking distance increases efficiency drastically. His gym is probably in his building, everything he needs from HBS is on campus, and he works off his computer. This is one of the reasons it makes sense to live on campus, imagine all the time and energy he would save if he got rid of that commute. I noticed the effect of all this when I was in uni especially when I didn’t have roommates. People are distracting and without them you own every second of your free time.

[@jalon3334]

@@elger6884We all have the same 24 hours.

[@kmui6022]

sounds so fancy. my programme was structured very similar

[@shivashisharora367]

Inspiring...

[@AmitSingh-ty5hw]

When I was a child I wanted to do my higher studies in universities like Harvard, MIT, Columbia...but after knowing the reality that we cannot afford that saddened me.

[@aarambhaadhikari5178]

Can always get good financial aid and scholarships

[@Justus.Schmid]

ur flat looks amazing, may i ask how much you pay for it? Or the approximate price:)

[@anthonygarciamanyoma9604]

bro me gusto la meleta ejecutivo donde la venden ?

[@klarapopilkova5791]

I really cannot understand how can people do anything productive on PC without a mouse. The time needed for an action would be cut to half and yet its those busy people who never use it and only use mac touchpad. And yes, I know that mac touchpad is a crazy lil thing, but still, a mouse is faster.

[@gainde1137]

How many times a week you go to the office vs home nowadays?

[@artsybt6015]

bro is like a main character in a romance novel.

[@jacob9673]

His family bought him his positions. Look up “Vaughn construction” and where his money comes from.

[@Lizzzy0225]

what camera do you use?

[@kristinecarreon1411]

I'm taking my AAT i am learning about the economic environment and business communication. I'm a history and politics graduate and I love my degrees but like I also love economics and business. It's soo interesting. I did languages, Classics and Englist Lit in a levels and never thought I'd enjoy business. If I took it it would've been soo hard to choose between classics and business / economics as degrees. I still read liek socrates and alll now but I would've really love business as a degree mannn

[@davidc4408]

AAT are very low exams for school leavers. You do ACA if big 4 firm

[@naluyimafemmy6566]

Respect.

[@CharlesWarrenOnline]

He should have enrolled into the Harvard OPM program. He would be around other business owners from around the world.

[@Prometheus--]

good morning y'all

[@KasaBlanca007]

I like this guy.

[@juanecarem8213]

Great video brother!! What’s the Age of this young man?

[@oldsoul4699]

as a 34 year old sometimes I wish I would have done my life differently early on...to any younger person out there dont be lazy or be distracted by games, and media go make something of yourself!

[@aminamin8910]

Can i ask you please ? It is a good idea to do an MBA at 31 years old ?

[@oldsoul4699]

@aminamin8910 as long as it doesn't bury you in debt. No better way to learn about buisness than starting one

[@alkamasonubb6614]

i will study pakka!!

[@user-mi9cw9bw6x]

Harvard is my wihe and my dream to study business class.

[@ConstructiveCriticismAdvisory]

is canteen free at HBS?

[@welcomeparadise4433]

I will never be that smart get into Harvard but that’s life.

[@ChewieTomatoes1]

Where’s the MBA class on “how to treat your workers like people and not as numbers”? 😂

[@tigred7213]

Things didn't go so well in South Africa now did they?

[@vityavertu526]

2 years of struggle for the rest of the life to be confident and successful

[@CK12225]

Is the programme for Harvard business school mba programme or another major?

[@eix4t_y]

Uk this is my big dream just if I have a good English language 😢😢i am so worry about it 😞😞

[@faryalalam7730]

If don't mind me asking, how much is tuition fees at Harvard University.

[@jihanraiyan3303]

$70k

[@faryalalam7730]

@@jihanraiyan3303 sorry is it per semester or like how many years

[@i_izzzzzz24]

@@faryalalam7730per year for 4 years

[@alkamasonubb6614]

i want this brainnn right nowww 😂🤣🤣

[@PEACEKEEPER-mm3js]

Hope he is a "Founder Business" Don't just employee..!! GOOD LUCK

[@Sonyfun5044]

good video

[@z123462075]

very cool

[@JuanaRamirez-yc2gk]

Cuál es el maletín que lleva en el minuto 9:12?

[@user-dz6rh6og9k]

Wow!!you're superman!!

[@pouetpouetdaddy5]

the real first step is having a really rich daddy...I mean, he is a student but he got a big new condo in Boston, gym included, expensive espresso machine, the brand new kitchen furniture. Does he take metro and bus to Harvard? Of course not. Expensive car. I don't doubt he works hard but economic family condition helps a lot to make a better job when the average struggle is not there

[@MariadeLourdesAniesSanch-ze7hf]

I don't know I think my friends

[@dan225yo]

When is the step his dad gives him the money & connections to start his “business” & entrance into Harvard?

[@my.greatness]

I have a question to people who are in university Why does everyone studies with a laptop and writing on it always? I mean don't you guys have notes? Or does you guys always write essays? It is a question that I really want to know