I’m graduating tomorrow with a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from INSEAD.
After that, I need to make a big decision on my future. The big question is whether to do something I’m comfortable with and well-known for, or whether I should use this opportunity to take on something new. But a career change is difficult in a tough job market. I know a senior of mine is still holding out for a specific position, braving unemployment for several months. I hope to start work sooner than that, but also want to make the decision that is best for me and for whichever organisation I work for.
A lot has changed in 10 months. Externally, the world economy took a massive hit, forcing us to relook the way business should be conducted. Even while learning the basics of Finance and Accounting, I felt that being good at numbers was just the beginning – interpretations can be subject to biases and loopholes can be exploited. We learned that no two evaluations are exactly the same. I also learned it’s not all about the numbers, but about the people. You can have the best brains in the world, but if people don’t want to work with you, you won’t be number 1. And at INSEAD particularly, I saw the world getting smaller as I worked with bright people from all over the world. My eyes were opened, even wider than they already were.
Internally, I’m emerging with different thoughts than what I had when I began my first term. I felt encouraged to start new things again. My skin has grown thicker. I have a few options, but I’d rather have just one very good, clear-cut choice for everything important in life. On one hand I want to make an big impact wherever I work; on the other hand, I also don’t want to be taken for granted, and the question is how to ask for what I feel is right without appearing arrogant, because that’s not what I want to be.
Time to sleep, though my head is filled with heavy thoughts.