Friday, September 26, 2008

You mean, besides rule the world?....

Reader Helen (hey Helen! *wave*) asks:
What was your undergrad major and how did you end up working on your MBA? What brought you to this point? And what do you want to do with it once you're finished?
First things first - I started my freshman year of college with absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Somewhere around the last semester of my sophomore year, I took a microeconomics class with a cute professor with a knack for making economics sound fun. And thus, a major in business was born. I sat down with a student adviser, and we discussed at length what I like to do to try to find my niche in the business world. We decided on marketing, but because I never felt cut out to be an underling, I upped it one more notch to marketing management. I graduate on time and *ahem* with honors with a Bachelors of Business Administration with a focus in Marketing Management. I came close to having two different minors, but never completed them, in economics and sociology.

My MBA just seemed like the next logical step. There was a point where I thought it would be nice to be able to travel after graduation, but then I remembered I would have to pay back school loans if I didn't return to school, thereby essentially killing any dreams I had of traveling. Plus, I knew if I didn't go ahead and pursue my MBA, I wouldn't return to school. I would get caught up doing things with my life, and I would never go back. So I just sucked it up, took out more loans, and went.

What brought me to this point can be told with one word - mom. My mother is a definite go-getter, a strong woman, with a lot of independent values. My mother worked very hard as a single mother to raise me and my brother, working multiple jobs (including being an on-call O.R. nurse) to keep us in private school. The day I graduated from college, I thanked her for always being there and supporting me. I know I'm lucky because not all parents do that and take a vested interest in their kid's education. I think she was more excited than I was the day I was accepted to grad school. And while I know it will benefit me when I'm done, getting my MBA has been the most boring and taxing thing I have ever done. It's exhausting, and I can see now why people don't pursue it. But when I graduate (again), I will be the first person in my family to ever receive a Master's Degree.

What do I plan to do when I'm finished? Make billions in marketing consulting, retire at age 35, and live the rest of my life on a beach somewhere. That would be nice anyway... I guess I would be happy if the cop decided he finally wanted to get hitched, if I would find a job that I really enjoy, and if that job would just so happen to pay me an amount that would keep us comfortable. I'm not sure what that job is yet, but I'll let you know when I figure it out.

Note to Self: Two and a half semesters to go....

7 comments:

Helen said...

That's too bad that it's a boring master's program.

If my program was boring I don't think I'd be able to finish it!

Anonymous said...

Your getting so close!

So even though you don't necesariy know what job you'll have... is there a particular field you prefer?

Nanny Goats In Panties said...

You are very mature to have thanked your mom so early in life. Most kids are ingrates until they are at least 35! I started an MBA and you're right...BOORRRRING!!!! I'd love to start over and get a different degree but I don't have 4 years of spare time to do it. Oh well. But that hasn't stopped me from completely changing careers this coming November. I'm leaving the IT industry and I'm going to try writing for awhile.

I wish you the best as you slog through to your graduation date. You'll get there.

Anonymous said...

Hi MJ,

When I started college the same problem confronted me as well. Really, I read the college manual several times, and nowhere could I find mention of "mad scientist." Still, I suppose a limited curriculum is what one should expect from a State School. If, however, someone would have warned me about this I would have applied myself more in high school, lured by the goal of getting into a better university that offerer courses in world domination and global conquest.

the Grit

Maki said...

MJ: I've not finished my school yet. I stopped going because I was dumb enough to think school was not for me. Was I wrong or what? I miss school now and I am thinking about going back next summer. Good luck with you getting MBA. You're such an intelligent woman - It'll be soon you make millions!

MJ said...

Helen - I think they're all kind of boring. You learn stuff, but I think the real challenge of getting your MBA is (1) being able to afford it and (2) not dying of boredom.

KPD - I really like Marketing and Advertising a lot. I've actually been thinking a lot lately about taking some extra classes in design to boost my resume.

NGIP - :D If I hadn't thanked my mom, she would have killed me by now lol. I think it's worth it to stick it out and finish an MBA. It really does have a lot of applications. You should try writing! I think you'd be great at it!

Grit - Don't feel too down on yourself. I had good grades in highschool, and I still couldn't find a school that would let you major in doomsday planning with a minor in maniacal laughter. I even had extra-curriculars, and the best I got was an offer from an ivy league Catholic school (?).

Maki - I really do think that school is not for everyone. You could always try getting a degree online if you already have a crazy schedule. If you do decide to go back to school, good luck!

DES said...

Good for you!! I never attended college and went straight into the military (never too advantage of the school other than required). Nowdays the schooling is the ticket...glad you thanked your Mom ;) *wise move!*

Hope you find that career...the one that interests you. I think that half the battle in career moves.