Kid’s story: Why the heck am I here?
Timeline: Sunday, right after dinner
I see: the smoke remaining from my cooking
I hear: the washing machine in the spin cycle
I smell: smoke, go figure…
I feel: confused
My little cousin asked me recently how a person gets admitted into an MBA program at a top-ranked business school.
My short answer was: “I don’t know”.
I mean, I never meant to study at Fisher. As a matter of fact, the first time I heard of Fisher was this year and an image of a pond, a kayak, and a smelly guy wearing a hat came to mind. I did mean to get an MBA degree against my wishes, but I applied elsewhere (and got admission offers, in case you’re wondering).
Whoa, slow down… against my wishes? Yes, as a matter of fact. I was fed up and done with being a student, given that I already earned a salary (one that we call “decent” in my country, but that’s actually pocket change when turned into dollars) and that can be addictive. Also, I like partying in a measure that does not allow for it to be anywhere near “cheap”, so I was like a kitten in a yarn basket.
My cousin then changed her question into why would a person want to study an MBA.
I began thinking about my experience and how during the first few weeks the faculty members made it clear that they’re convinced that everyone is there for the money (which may be true) and nothing else (which I’m sure is wrong). I started evaluating every single aspect of my short life as an MBA student: the resources, the possibility of learning from distinguished professors, the pride of having a degree from The Ohio State University, the dream of a six-figure salary in the end, the vision of a career, the possibility of making a difference in the world…
None of them make sense. There is just one aspect of my new life that keeps me from regretting my decision, and it just makes everything else go away.
It’s the people. It’s my classmates. It’s my friends. This is the invaluable asset of an MBA experience. This is what keeps me going. And I am grateful for it.
By the way, my little cousin is applying for the MBA next year.
“How does it feel to come out of nothing…” – Dark Tranquillity (yes, with two l’s)