Pursuing_a_Mba

Pursuing a MBA Lenora R. Stoner University of Phoenix August 18, 2010 Pursuing a MBA In today’s world, education is becoming more of an issue than ever. Life experience is dwarfed by the number of and level of degrees an individual possesses. The experience a person has after a twenty year military career does not convince a civilian employer of the ex-military member’s qualities and capabilities. This has led me to begin my pursuit of a Master’s Degree with the University of Phoenix. First of all, University of Phoenix is highly recognized with industry professionals throughout the United States. My online Bachelor’s Degree majoring in Business Administration I started while stationed overseas was with an accredited institution but one not many had heard about. I needed to ensure my Graduate degree was with a school civilian employers had knowledge of and possibly had hired other Phoenix students. There are some people in today’s world who believe an education is not as important as I feel it is. A large majority of people I come in contact with on a daily basis are blue collar workers. Many may have been with a same company for ten to fifteen years at this point. The question which always arises is “Why should they go to school and spend money on something they do not need'” My feeling on this matter is if they would go to college what damage would it cause. I have had people tell me “Good for you, an education is very important” but yet they continue to work the same job dejected and dissatisfied. If someone does not like the position they are in they are the only ones who can change their outcome. My husband and I have seen how much of a difference an education can make in people. We have changed our views, perceptions, and attitudes over the course of our time in academia. We are more concerned about what the world has to offer. We are not relying on our military career solely as a way to employment. We finally understood, after 35 years of life, how important an education really was. This is the information we will pass on to our children, our family and friends, and colleagues. My family is very proud of my accomplishments over the last twenty plus years of my adult life and I am more proud of myself now than ever before. I made a decision, with my family, to complete my Master’s to better myself and make our lives better. This decision we made has led to my husband beginning his MBA with University of Phoenix next month. As I stated earlier, we both understand now how important a great education is and how much opportunity it will provide. The reason I picked a Masters in Business Administration degree is because I like people and I enjoy dealing with the public. After recently taking the Jungian 16-type Personality test I have affirmed my choice of being around the public. The Jungian 16-type Personality test asked me questions which I answered and the test relayed to me my personality type of ENFJ; “You’re charismatic, compassionate and highly persuasive. The test suggested possible careers as a TV producer, fundraiser, drama teacher, or health adviser.” Although I have never thought of these jobs as something I would like to do for a profession the test outcome was very accurate. I will attain a position where I can help people gain what they need to become successful. I am very empathetic and will do what it takes to ensure someone is taken care of in a timely manner. Sometimes my need to help people become more successful results in negative connotations because most people think I am being too bossy and I need to mind my own business. I am known by my current colleagues as the one who is a stickler for the rules and has no problem reminding them of their infractions. My Type-A personality definitely shines through most days. I believe this is why I enjoyed the military life so much. Everything was familiar, I did not have a hard time following rules, I liked to direct others in what and how to do and I always did more with less. I have recently applied for a new position at my current employment. There are some people who have wished me good luck and there are some who do not say two words to me now. I believe most of my colleagues like to see me charismatic but not highly persuasive because I have been in the position for only six months and I am an outsider. However, when some of the regular customers come in and tell me how good it is to see me smile or they’re glad to come into a place of business where the employees are happy makes me very proud to be in the position I am. My ultimate goal in life is to help people and help them anyway I can. Whether it is with information, empathy, or guidance, I am willing to provide my time to them to give the extra little push they may need to make a decision. I thoroughly enjoy watching people grow and take chances. To be in a position where I could enable people to become happier in their lives and businesses would thoroughly make me happy. I sincerely look forward to working harder than ever before to make this degree work in my favor. I am committed to completing my goal and will ensure I learn every aspect I can about the civilian business world. References Nutt, D. M. (1989). Personality Inventory. In Organizational Behavior: Experiences and Cases. St Paul.