Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Gracias

Special time to enjoy family and friends and celebrate love, good health, happiness, spirituality, and inner peace. Extra gratitude to have all of this in my life!

Happy Thanksgiving!

K

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

A voice of reason

I have been reconsidering the focus of my MBA program. I was recently sitting in an Intro to Human Resources (my current focus) class when I thought that I may be doing the wrong thing. The lecture topics are not interesting to me. I am not excited about going to this class (other than meeting with my groupmates). I just do not feel challenged. Am I limiting myself by concentrating to an industry that consists of a small community? Am I focusing in one very specific area? YES and YES.

Earlier this week, I met with a student advisor (who I have met with before) about my aforementioned thoughts. A clear direction was not defined during this meeting. I had a ton of questions and I was given standardized, vague answers for each. Uhhh…really? Is this part of the “all inclusive service” for which I am taking out a shit ton of loans? I was pretty disappointed and unsatisfied afterwards. Then I met with a professor about an assignment.

This meeting turned into the best MBA coaching session ever. The Prof laid it out for me and strongly advised I change my major. He emphasized my potential, high marketability, and value to a company because I will be able to manage on many different levels, giving me more opportunity.

I unexpectedly voiced my fears to the Prof. I have no substantial experience in the areas of finance and marketing and that it is going to take a lot of hard work. He helped me realize that’s the beauty of going back to school. I am in control of learning what I want. He also reinforced that I have to work hard to get what I want, which goes for anything in life.

I needed the definitive push from someone knowledgeable to realize my thoughts are on the right track. Sometimes it takes a “voice of reason” to solidify an instinct.

K

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Not so bad after all!

A guy I know of had a job where he went on business trips overseas. During those trips, he occasionally scheduled in a round of golf. One place he has golfed at includes a three star golf course in DR Congo, Africa. At that golf course (name I do not recall), there is a guy whose job is to collect golf balls in the alligator infested lakes. I was told he was paid one Congolese franc (CDF) per ball he collects. YIKES. As of today, $1 CDF equals $0.002986 USD. Not even 1 cent USD. And why am I complaining about my job?

Talk about perspective! I do not like my current job, but at least my ass isn’t wading in dangerous waters to collect worthless golf balls shanked by bad golfers. And even though I do not like my job, here are some truths…

1. I have met some really cool people!
2. I am not going to be at this job forever.
3. It’s only a means to an end.
4. I know how NOT to treat employees, i.e., I am learning a lot about ineffective management styles.
5. My mindless job allows me to reserve energy and brain power for my coursework. Now I have the good grades I strive for.

This list of positives is longer, but I have to stop here and study before I wake up at the crack of dawn for work…

K