Getting My MBA

I’m done! I got the pictures and the diploma, and no more classes.

And student loan payments starting next month

Overall, it has been worth it. I learned a lot, I got a better job (more responsible with more income), and I’m in a position where I can grow and start climbing the ladder again. The big challenge is to not lose what I’ve learned. Some of the stuff I’ve learned is being used: focus on process, perspective of the bottom line, presentation skills, and the overall importance of the company as a whole. Some is getting lost: finance, accounting, and some of the finer points of high-level business skills.

I’m going to adopt the wrestler’s credo: “Make a conscious effort to get better every day”.

To Mom and anyone else who might stumble across this humble little blog: yes, I’m still here, and yes, I’m still working on my MBA. I’ll graduate at the end of June 2008 if I don’t flunk anything. I’ve got a 3.94 at this point, so hopefully flunking is not real likely.

It’s just that I’m so stinking busy all the time. If I’m not working or traveling, I’m doing homework or trying to do a little bit with the kids or around the house. I was warned at the beginning of this that it would take a lot to finish, and it has. The end is in sight now, though, and I’m gonna push through and finish this thing.

One good thing has happened already as a result of my studies. I was able to land a new job with real potential with a good company. There is so much management needed that it’s almost a forgone conclusion that being there will make a difference. I’m learning and having fun and making a few extra bucks.

So, if you’re considering getting an MBA, here is my advice:

• Take the time constraints seriously. If the school is any good and if you intend to learn anything, you will be putting a lot of effort into it. I’m the kind of guy who studied about 12 hours total in 4 years of high school and ended with a 4.0. I’m putting 12-20 hours a week into my MBA.
• Take the monetary investment seriously and look into tuition reimbursement. I will get reimbursed for most of my second year but I’m still looking at over $20k in student loans. Ouch.
• Make friends in your classes, but do it wisely. After a class or two, you’ll find that the screening process doesn’t eliminate all of the blowhards who don’t want to contribute or who want to take credit for your work. There will be a core of dedicated, professional people who you can count on. Have a beer and shoot the breeze with anyone, but only trust those who deserve it.
• Learn to write well. In theory, it’s the ideas that count not the presentation. In real life, though, a great idea isn’t worth anything if nobody can understand it. It’s also worthless if you can’t generate enough enthusiasm to make something happen.
• Remember bang for the buck, aka ROI. If you can do a team project via email or with one 4-hour meeting, don’t meet 8 hours a week for 10 weeks straight. Honestly, I know one group who did this. It was total overkill and my A counts for as much as theirs.
• Remember you’re there to learn. Put in extra effort where needed to really get something out of the classes. The piece of paper is valuable, but the real value is what you learn and can apply.

How can I reconcile the last two points? Easy: put in effort to the point where you stop getting something back. That’s the bottom line: remember the bottom line.

Okay, oversimplified and obvious, but it’s what I’ve learned.

The crisis I mentioned in my previous post has been resolved and all ended well, happily.

My family may be heading into a very difficult time, but we don’t know yet. We’ll know shortly, and it’s a little nerve-wracking.

I found myself trying to pray about it. I didn’t know what to ask for. I just sat there, with the communication lines open, just not knowing what to say. Finally, the only thing I could ask for was this: just be with us, Lord. Whatever happens, we can make it through, if you’re there.

I’m either growing up or falling away — time will tell.