The little ones are returning to school, and so are you. You see your MBA in the horizon and can imagine what it is going to do for your career. If only you knew how to get through your chosen MBA program without allowing things to fall apart at home. That is the biggest challenge for a parent going back to school: balancing the children and potentially a spouse with the demands of work and now education.
Take a deep breath and realize that many other parents have made it through part time MBA programs without complete chaos in their family lives and without losing their full time jobs. distance learning degrees That means you could do it as well! The following five tips will help you along.
1. Make your family feel as if they are a part of the decision to go back to school.
You may have already made up your mind to go back to school, but it isn’t too late to make the family feel like they are a part of this decision-making process. Sit them down individually or as a group and ask what they think about the idea. Tell them your worries and fears and assure them that you love them and will still be around, but this is important to you. If they know you are depending on their support, they are more likely to give it to you.
2. Focus on organization at the office, at school, and at home.
The better organized you are in all aspects of life, the easier it will be to get through your part time MBA program. As a parent, you probably know that packing lunches and laying out clothing the night before saves time in the morning so no one is late. You will need a lot of this foresight when organizing your life so you don’t waste time while in school. Your home may already be optimized for efficiency, but how organized are you at work? Could you possibly organize your work better to make time for studying during the day?
3. Be prepared for the modern world of education.
Your part time MBA program may not be an online program, but there are going to be many differences from when you were last in school. Technology is being used in the classroom more today than ever before. You may want to brush up on your Powerpoint skills and enable texting on your cell phone. Be prepared to turn papers in through email, rather than printed copy. The changes are easy to adjust to, but they are shocking for some at first.
4. Don’t skip orientation.
Don’t assume you know it all and ditch the orientation for your program. You will learn some things that can help you organize life during your studies easier. This information may also make you a better student.
5. Get realistic about your time commitments from the start.
The worst thing parents experience is starting the program full of excitement and high hopes, only to discover that things are more complicated than they thought. Get real about the amount of time you can dedicate to study and whether you can make it to classes on time. When you are honest about the obstacles, you can come up with creative solutions ahead of time. This makes getting through your program much easier.You would like to earn your MBA, but you aren’t quite sure it is the right time in your life to go back to school. This is a big decision that will change your future, so you have to do it with foresight and honestly. As you analyze your life and your education options, consider five tell-tale signs that you are ready to step forward and chase your MBA.
#1: You realize that you cannot move up in your current career without an MBA.
When you cannot go any further in your career without a higher degree, it is definitely time to go back to school. This might open doors with your current employer, online degree or it could open doors with other employers. If you are feeling your head against the ceiling, your MBA could be the secret panel that slides to the side so you can break through.
#2: You are struggling to get a job because many of your competitors are more qualified.
If you are in the process of hunting for a job but are routinely beat out by others with their MBA or more work experience, you have to give yourself more of an edge. dba hong kong You have to make yourself more competitive. You are prevented from gaining more experience because you cannot get hired, so you have to turn your attention to the next educational step. Adding your MBA to your resume will impress more hiring managers, earn you more interviews, and increase your competitive edge against your peers.
#3: You are worried that your time unemployed will leave a big hole in your resume.
Are you unemployed? Has it been awhile since you woke up with the alarm clock and rushed off in a suit? There are millions of people unemployed right now, but most of them are not just sleeping in and taking it easy. They are going back to school so they will have more credentials when job opportunities start opening up. They are making opportunities for themselves, since nothing is just falling into their lap. Rather than having a time gap on your resume, you can fill it in with your MBA. This shows you were actively moving forward during your time of unemployment.
#4: You don’t feel accomplished enough with your current career and credentials.
You may be making good money and your life may seem picture perfect to others, yet you don’t feel accomplished. You don’t think you have done all you can do just yet. There has to be more out there for you. Going back for your MBA could be the next step toward satisfying your own ambitious drive. Who knows what doors could be opened up just by securing this degree.
#5. Your boss has hinted that you have a shot at a big promotion coming up in the future.
If you think you are a frontrunner for a big promotion, it is time to go back to school and earn your MBA. This shows that you are proactive about your career and are pushing yourself to the next level. It gives you a sense of ambition and drive that will impress those considering you for promotions. Don’t just rest on the assets you have working for you right now. Add to it so they have even more reason to consider you!