I know this is a little off-topic from what I usually write about, but I was thinking about this after a conversation with a colleague. I’ve heard from many people who say, “I want to go back to school for…” and I often ask why. MANY times they don’t really have a clear-cut reason.
When I graduated in 1990 with my BS degree in nutrition, I also wanted to continue on to get my masters degree. And I always was SURE it would be in an exercise science, particularly kinesiology, which I love. However, when I graduated, my daughter was 10 years old and I felt it was time to put my focus on my child. I knew I could always go back to school later. I don’t regret my decision.
But a funny thing happened along the way to that graduate degree! Through the years, I would look into different exercise science degrees, but there was always something not quite right. I then very seriously looked into one around 2003. But two people asked me the same question on the same day: How did that help me grow my business?
I had to say it didn’t! It DID help my ego, though!
Hm… was that a good enough reason to dig deeply, make that huge commitment of time, money and dedication to a graduate degree? No.
So, I waited…
But, what also started to happen around 2003, is I started coaching other professionals on starting up their own businesses and I felt the need for more knowledge to better help them. I LOVED business coaching from the very beginning. These clients have such a desire. And the success my clients have seen is beyond extremely rewarding. Not only for them, but for me!
So, in September 2005, I returned to school and knew it was the right move. I have been excited through the entire program, and am sure that the time, money and commitment has been worth it. And I can tell how I’m better able to help my clients, too! No longer am I just speaking from things I’ve read about business, or taking from my own experience as a business owner, but I’m speaking from what I have learned from my formal education and from the discussions and debates in classes, as well as the multitudes of essays on each topic. For health professionals, we’ve learned that just reading books before that education really didn’t help us REALLY understand the topic the way we do after that formal education. I’ve learned it’s the same with this education in business.
I will graduate this March with an MBA in Entrepreneurship in just 6 weeks! I take my comp exam in 2 weeks, in fact. This will be a 4-hour essay exam to answer 3 questions about entrepreneurship. I’m almost done! This fact is just starting to dawn on me, and, as I suspected, looking back, it seems like just yesterday when I started.
So, my point is this: If you are considering going back to school, it involves a large commitment from you: Time, money and dedication. Most people I know who go after a graduate or post-graduate degree put a lot of time into the project, and sometimes dedication and interest gets lost along the way. The PROBLEM with this is then it becomes an albatross around their neck that they can’t get rid of! They generally are in too deep to quit, but it takes a lot out of them to keep going! So, you have to be clear what you want to accomplish and why you want that degree.
Meanwhile, though, here’s to going for that dream AND accomplishing it!
Margie
Time is a gift! I was given that gift by not getting an internship right out of my undergraduate degree. It wasn’t easy back then, but I eventually did a program that was a much better fit for me than if I did a standard internship. When it comes to dreaming, you need time to do that. I have had plenty of time between my degrees in addition to me staying home caring for my children. I don’t think I’ve wasted any time, it has all been well spent by focusing on what is important to me and allowing myself the time to reflect, dream and work toward it. What you shared is very wise words. And I cheer you on as you finish your degree!