As I approach the beginning of the final course before my dissertation in my MBA programme, nerves have kicked in and I am trying not to freak out. The tension is always there, but it’s a lot more stressful when you have deadlines staring you in the face. As the end of the degree looms, I thought that I should tell you why I decided to pursue an MBA.
Why I Decided to Pursue an MBA
I decided to study for an MBA because I had several personal goals that I set my sights on. I believed that this type of degree would give me the knowledge and skills that I needed to move forward in my life. At the forefront of my mind were:
- Present and future career goals
- I wanted a healthy salary increase (making more money)
- My self-esteem needed a boost
Career Goals
I have several career goals which mostly center around me having my own business. I’d like to have my own consulting firm which conducts research on behalf on organisations and institutions. I’ve noticed however, that most of the jobs that ask for consultants, require that MBA or other Masters degree qualifications. I’d also like to create project proposals for not-for-profit organisations which present innovations that can improve the living and working conditions of the underprivileged.
Salary Increase
After pursuing an undergraduate degree, I hoped that I would have started with a pretty decent salary. Those hopes soon faded away and I was hit with the reality that with so many other people in Barbados with undergrad degrees, I was not special. I’m hoping that this MBA can take me to another level financially. I do realise that it probably means that I will be working a bit harder. But as long as I’m doing something that I like, I should be contented.
Self-Esteem Booster
I’m not a fan of studying. I did not enjoy my undergraduate experience, but I think that was mostly due to my poor choice of courses and mandatory degree courses. However, for several years I thought that I was not smart enough and I was actually scared to take the Masters step. Then in 2010, something hit me and I decided that I should do it. I put the wheels in motion and after a few rocks in the road, I started and now I’m finishing up.
Pursuing this MBA has made me more responsible and I had to learn how to manage my time. Because it is a distance learning programme, I have to be disciplined and create my own study schedules. Tutor and peer support is also important too, because it helps you to bounce ideas and information back and forth.
I will admit that studying is not for everyone and a higher level degree is not necessary for every field. Professional certifications, are extremely popular and are sometimes rated on the same level as Masters degrees. My advice is to understand and be very clear on your career goals and know what the specifics are for your field.