Time for more soul searching...
The past weekend has been a thought-provoking one for me. To start with, my relationship with a long-time friend seems to have changed since we have become colleagues. The possibility of our friendship getting sour did cross my mind for a few seconds when I was considering working with him, but I was too confident to prevent it from happening. The change caught me off guard though as we only worked together for 1.5 months. Maybe it is a sign for me to work hard on my people skill or, find something else. Meanwhile, on the Dutch queen's day party last Friday night, I accidentally bumped into an acquaintance who offered me a job about a year ago. That opportunity fell through in the end but the network remains. Delighted to see me, J.D. invited me for a drink after the boring party. We first went to an Irish bar for a drink but ran away from it ten minutes later as we practically had to shout in order to hear each other. So we retreated to the bistro next door while I gladly shared my plans about an MBA, how I think it'll increase my international mobility and where I plan to go from there in terms of personal and professional lives. We got to the bar at about 10:30 pm and closed it at 1:30 am.
You probably think that I had a blast. Well, the drinking part was alright but the conversation with J.D. last Friday night was the single most depressing one I've ever had. Despite my enthusiasm and excitement, J.D. simply felt that an MBA is a waste of my time given my capability. He argued that if I were determined enough to put together EURO 30,000 ~ 50,000 for an MBA in the US or Europe, I would be better off to stay in Asia, spot a hole in the current business environment and start my own business. While J.D. could argue whatever he wants, what bothered me the most was my own response - for a few moments that night, I wasn't so sure about my plans anymore. And that blankness told me that I still have some serious thinking to do.
By the way, I would be appreciative if any reader can share with me his or her own experience of increased international mobility post MBA. By that I mean whether the MBA has enabled you to start a career in a different part of the world as you choose to. Until next time...
Jen @ humid and warm Taipei.
posted by Jenn @ 10:39 AM
10 Comments:
Tough one. I believe there are no real 'right' or 'wrong' paths in life if you choose between good options. But only you can make that decision. Wishing you a lot of wisdom!
PS happy belated queen's day!
It depends on what you can make now. You probably know this but a lot of people get MBAs because they hit career ceilings--all the investment banker analysts that do their two years and don't make it to third year, same with consultants, same with people in many other two to three year entry level stints--all that the MBA does for you is give you the credibility to come back and get in at one higher level. So MBA school in one sense is school for failures--those that couldn't just move up and had to go back to school in order to make it to the next rung (which isn't all that high after you come out).
If you're good, you possibly don't need MBA. The benefits are 1) it's fun 2) it'll give you a bit more of a reputation to get your foot in the door 3) you meet a lot of people. I would recommend reading more success and failure stories of what people really did coming out of school and try to think if the school actually was what helped.
I am going through the same issues these days as I might have a job opportunity that I thought I only would have after the MBA. However this would mean staying put where I am (I do like where I live despite the limited opportunities).
Its'an extremely confusing situation.I feel I already made a lot of connections jsut going through the MBA process.
Good luck!
Thanks Suzy. I think the Queen's Day in NL is more fun. I certainly would love to celebrate it in Holland than in Taiwan as the atmospheres are very different.
I myself ask the same questions as you right now. I am stuck in a career I don't really like, and even when I try to get work in my field, but in another industry (software development in marketing, for example), I get turned away due to lack of business knowledge.
Is an MBA worth 30,000 to 50,000 euros? I think that depends completely on the student. You get a chance to study again, as well as meet a lot of new people. You also get to go to a new place, have new experiences, and probably change your viewpoint on life in general. That alone might be worth spending the money.
It might or might not help you get a job, but I guess the experience might be worth it alone.
Thanks all for your invaluable advices and analysis. I have regained my faith and am still in the race of MBA application. Will get to the crucial part of the game soon, i.e. the dreadful GMAT.
Good luck! I think you are making the right choice. With an MBA not only will you make valuable contacts as others said, but you will always have fallback careers like teaching, if you find you don't like business, or going on for PHD if you find that you enjoy the life of the mind when you are a little older. Plus, there is no substitute for knowing more about the world.
Michael
Michael,
"The life of the mind", sounds really appealing to me. I remember the joke that you said that day about the intensity of life on this island, that Taiwan sucks people in. But seriously, a lot of times I feel this intensity tires me out. Really don't mind following the life style of Henry David Thoreau for a year or two...
Working with friends can indeed be tough! The worst project I ever did was one with a woman I liked very much privately but I got to know the bad sites once I worked with her. People can be completely different in work settings.
Have you decided yet which bschool you're attending?
Hi Angel,
Indeed! I neglected the possibility that people can be completely different at work prior to making the decision to switch my career. Now I have to pull myself out from the mess but it doesn't seem that easy...
I have been reviewing schools lately and found Cranfield is actually not a bad choice, considering its location close to London. Apart from solving the dilemma of working with a friend (somehow I don't feel the friendship is there anymore), I am planning to sign up to Princeton Review and tackle the GMAT once and for all.
Am keeping my figers crossed cos I really need some luck lately...
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