Find the Time to Get Back in School

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  cnetjake09/04/07 Report as spam
  1

  Executive MBA an option

  Great article about time and cost. I am currently an EMBA student at St. Mary's College in CA. When looking at an MBA program, the EMBA offered me the flexibility needed to continue to work full time. It is very tough to do the work/school thing, especially if you have been out of school a while. Make sure your organization supports it and knows the actual time committment you will need.

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  malik.usman@...09/04/07 Report as spam
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  EMBA

  I think going back to do EMBA only makes sense if you have been in the career for at least 10-15 years.
  
  Otherwise, I think one can just do massive reading of the text books in free time or lunch break at office.

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  cnetjake09/04/07 Report as spam
  3

  EMBA

  I think that reading text books in your free time is a tough proposition. The energy you get from being in the classroom and learnig from your peers, will make you a much better and more practical manager. A book smart manager is not always the best. But I do agree that it is a huge undertaking. Only do it if you think the ROI is well worth it for you as an individual.

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  lbs197809/04/07 Report as spam
  4

  RE: Find the Time to Get Back in School

  I know it will be different results for different people--but unless the company that you are currently working for is going to give you a big raise after the MBA I would strongly advise you to look at all of the angles, ROI in terms of your age and years left in the workforce. I finished mine following a career change and have not received any monetary reward as of yet plus I now owe about 48,000 in student loans. As a middle-aged non-traditional college student for my BS and then for my MBA it has not given me anything yet but the satisfaction that I was able to achieve this at 49 years old with a 3.50!

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  mcrey_banderlipe09/04/07 Report as spam
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  Challenges of a Working Graduate Student

  Thank you very much for your post. I hope that those who are reading the article would find enlightenment as they begin to ponder on whether to pursue graduate studies while working full time.
  
  MCREY BANDERLIPE here from the Philippines. Currently, I am a student of the Master of Science in Accountancy at De La Salle University - Manila. I have started in the program last May 2005 and I am now in the completion process towards finishing the degree.
  
  During the first two years of my study, I have encountered problems with regards to balancing my time with my work and studies, knowing that graduate studies demands intensive concentration to finish the coursework, submit several case studies and term papers, and to prepare for difficult exams. But I have taken it on a positive note and thought of ways how I can excel in my academic endeavors.
  
  But this should not sacrifice your full-time work. As a working student, what I did was to negotiate with my boss my schedule and discussed with him why I decided to pursue the MSA program and how the company can benefit from my graduation to the program. Eventually, my boss understood me and helped me find a way to work out my schedule.
  
  I also took out some time to spend time in the University whenever my schedule permits me. As a student, I participated in some activities that will enhance my professional growth and that made my University life a more special and meaningful one.
  
  Family life should not be compromised. As the author suggests, much of the time devoted to family might be diverted to studying. I guess, spending quality time with the family can also be a source of inspiration and motivation for graduate students. Never underestimate the time being with your family even if you're studying.
  
  In our country, most of us graduate students finance their education; however, many scholarships were offered and that I was so grateful to have received one. Finding means to finance your education may be a difficult thing to do, but you have to be persistent and to have faith as well in looking for scholarships. In return, you have to give your very best effort in your studies.
  
  Graduate studies stimulate creativity, critical thinking, and research capability among its students. All students, regardless of different backgrounds, will start at ground zero. At the end of the day, you will end up not competing for high grades but sharing the ideas and knowledge that you have based on experience and research. One of my professors during my first term told us that "Graduate studies is not all about intelligence, it's about diligence." That is what I uphold as I am about to finish my program.
  
  I hope that in some way, I was able to give a valuable insight on what graduate student life is all about. And I'm sure, that as we march towards our graduation, we will be proud of our accomplishments given the challenges that we have conquered.
  
  See you at the top of the ranks!

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  hkcarmen09/04/07 Report as spam
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  RE: Find the Time to Get Back in School

  I am a full-time professional who started the MBA program in Summer 2006. I will be graduating in May 2008. It has been a wide ride especially this past summer, I had class 5 nights a week for 5 hours after working all day. Going back to school is a big step but it will all be worth it.

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  andrew-238009/04/07 Report as spam
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  RE: Find the Time to Get Back in School

  At 49 I went back to school to complete my BS and have already received 9 credits towards my MBA. As of now I have taken a total of 6 weeks off and will be taking another 3 since my career has recently required more time and energy.
  
  With each week that has gone and the thought of going back to school is getting harder to face the work ahead.
  
  Two kids, mounting debt, and a time demanding life style, is the challenge. Case and point, life is what it is and excuses and procrastination is the stone wall.
  
  As with anything that is worth a value comes work, and if one is weak of heart then going back to school is not for you. Dig in deep and make the commitment. Set the pass and if obstacles accrue then figure how to keep on going but do not stop.
  
  Continues learning --- keeps one young.

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  David Jebb09/04/07 Report as spam
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  RE: Find the Time to Get Back in School

  I dropped out of the MBA program twenty-five years ago. Back then I was working two jobs and raising four kids. I enrolled back into the program--- life is a bit easier now the kids are gone and with one full time job and a supportive wife. But at 61 years old graduate studies is a challenge in time management. Reflecting back on the past 8 courses I took twenty-five years ago, graduate school is tougher and with higher expections today.
  
  David Jebb

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  rob4CEOSpace09/04/07 Report as spam
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  RE: Find the Time to Get Back in School

  In general, if you have been in a career field that requires that you have your MBA for upward mobility, you might consider it. On the other hand, if you have been in a certain career field and have not seen where having the MBA matters, then it could be a royal waste of time. For most, an MBA prepares one to work for a corporation. You can end up with a high stress job. Under the thumb of a boss who expects performance beyond human potential.
  
  Lately, I have seen many leaving the corporate world and striking out on their own. I guess you can say they got the ???entrepreneurial bug???. It is becoming nearly its own movement. I???ve seen many business colleges beginning to offer MBAs for the entrepreneur or at least entrepreneurial courses within the degree itself.
  
  One option for the busy CEO or future entrepreneur, consider the one week in residency training program of CEO Space. This is a program that is held five times per year in LA. It is an amazing process that many have defined as MBA level training for the entrepreneur or business person wishing to stay up on the latest trends in the business world. You are given two options. For the busy CEO, you would come to the program on Tuesday and finish on Friday (Four day plan). For the entrepreneur who wishes to get as much out of the program as possible they have bonus classes that start on Sunday and networking and an expo on the following Saturday and Sunday (Eight day plan, at no extra registration cost).
  
  From those to whom I have spoken, there is nothing like it. Many who have their MBA say there is no comparison. The CEO Space program condenses the truly necessary course work into a one week package. It covers the topics in an application format rather than theory. Business owners leave with much greater traction because of the interactive nature of the program. Through the week, you can actually discuss business over meals with the fortune level instructors. You will find like minded, motivated business people working together to help one another accelerate business growth.
  
  As I said before, the program is focused on application not theory. You can leave with a better business plan, a better business team and/ or the needed resources to expand your business to whatever level you can envision. Believe me, when you are with like-minded, highly motivated individuals you will greatly expand your vision for what you believed you can do, especially after recognizing all the resources you now have available through this organization. Oh, did I forget to mention, for a one time fee you receive a life time membership. Try to find a better program for a better price. I don???t think you???ll find it.
  Visit www.ceospace.net for further information. Find out for yourself. Or better yet, find out where the closest local club is located and visit them in operation between forums. Many clubs are structured to continue assisting one another even after the forum experience on a continual basis. For many, this is invaluable for their business growth.
  
  For busy CEOs of corporations, it is an experience of cooperation and collaboration you will see no where else. You will wish to bring your people to this forum for training. It will be like rewarding them for a job well done. They will actually enjoy the training and thank you for it. You will see greater productivity from them when they return.

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  Tim McDonald09/05/07 Report as spam
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  RE: Find the Time to Get Back in School

  I went back for a Masters Degree starting in 2003 on a very part-time basis with the total support of my boss for the estimated three years to complete the program. Unfortunately, my boss left the company and with him went my support. I was unable to complete the degree program.

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  cnetjake09/05/07 Report as spam
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  Sorry to hear

  This unfortunately happens way too often.

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  JennaMiller09/12/07 Report as spam
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  The flip side of the coin

  I just can't stress how heartening it is to read about everyone's experiences. And thanks to everyone for being honest -- trust me when I say that I am not known for suger-coating things. When school gets hard, I'm going to tell you it's hard. And when it gets better, I'll tell you that too. Why would anyone want to read this if I talked about how easy everything was?
  
  Along those lines, I think it's important to point out the flip side of the coin: Sometimes, the time just isn't right to go back to school. And that's OK.
  
  There's no sense in trying to go back to school if you can't find the time or the money. Obviously, finding either is going to take some creativity on your part. However, no one knows better than you if you just need some of that creativity or if you need an outright miracle.
  
  And, as some members have pointed out, there's no age limit on learning. Just because you can't swing going back to school this particular year doesn't mean you can't swing it next year or in five years or in 10 years.
  
  Jenna Miller