Although my career after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) was going fine, I felt stuck in my career and life development. I felt like a plant whose roots had outgrown its original pot; in order to grow and thrive, I needed a new pot and/or new ground. I needed more space and a change of scenery in order to reach my full potential.
During my undergraduate studies, I had talked with several professors and business professionals and had thought about pursuing additional educational opportunities. I learned more about an MBA degree, a business PhD degree, and other opportunities in other fields. Sticking with business seemed the way to go, so I spent a year studying on and off for the GMAT as I continued to research MBA and PhD/DBA programs. The hard work paid off as my GMAT score gave me the opportunity to return to school full-time. I chose the MBA route as it seemed to be a strong credential to add to my strong work ethic and full-time working experience. I had already experienced a merger/acquisition at one company while experiencing extreme growth and then downsizing at another company. At the time, an MBA was seen as a "golden ticket" for someone like me who worked really hard and wanted to advance in my career and my life. This ticket could help provide me with a higher paying job, a better life, and a chance to start my own family.
However, I failed to foresee that the U.S. economy would unravel just a few months later. The "golden ticket" evaporated as I read and heard about a few lucky high-ranking business officials at major corporations riding "golden parachutes" out of bad business financial situations. Meanwhile, companies full of people lost their jobs and their retirement funding. So much for starting to save for my retirement at age 22. I went from being a model young professional to a random gambler playing Texas Hold'em in the business world, all-in on my MBA degree.
While I worked hard on my academic studies, graduate assistantship, internship, leadership roles, and other development opportunities, I also spent much time networking and seeking full-time employment for after graduation. I looked at job boards, submitted applications and resumes, and interviewed. I also made a somewhat tough decision, sticking it out to get a specialization in Organizational Change with my MBA degree instead of pushing for graduation with half of my MBA cohort at the 14-month mark.
Yet, the job search was very humbling and my work ethic, accomplishments, and experiences were not enough. Along with my peers, I found myself looking for a job in the worst job market in at least 2-3 decades. My options were limited--work on 100% commission in a sales role or take a hefty pay cut and step backwards by returning to entry-level status.
Hearing this side of the story can be sad. I had such high hopes but instead found myself drowning with millions of other Americans and other world citizens.
Still, I know that my time pursuing an MBA was worth it. I learned numerous career and life lessons. I met numerous business contacts and friends. I experienced opportunities and challenges that I had never faced before.
The ensuing years have included having to move on from opportunity to opportunity as some potentially promising opportunities--much like my "golden ticket" MBA degree--have arisen and then vanished in a tough business climate. Still, the experiences that I have had--including gains in knowledge, skills, abilities, networking contacts, wisdom, ideas, achievements, and inspirations--continue to build up to a better career and a better life than I had 6 1/2 years ago.
The MBA experience has ended up being a business venture for me. I went into business for myself. I learned some invaluable lessons while not always making a profit. Things did not work out as planned, but I cannot dwell on that. I have met people I never knew I would meet, traveled to places I never knew I would get to see, and experienced difficulties and successes that I never knew I could encounter and accomplish. While I came and saw, I did not conquer. However, I improve day by day, year by year, and I can see a bright future ahead for me.