I had the opportunity to go back to Knoxville and be the guy that talks about his experience after the MBA program - way after.
As part of 1st year orientation, the business school brings in a panel of alumni and has each person on that panel talk about their experiences and provide advice to the new crop of MBA's.
I like doing this for two reasons - 1.) I get to go back to Knoxville and load up on UT paraphernalia (with a newborn, now it's twice the fun); and 2.) I get to connect with faculty and friends and get that feeling that I had when I first chose to go to school in Knoxville. It is a feeling like you are in the place that you are supposed to be.
For students, it's an opportunity for them to get advice and ask pointed questions about what their lives may be like during and after the program. One question that the panel was asked was, "What really was your motivation coming about of business school when pursuing career opportunities? (That's probably not exactly how it was worded, but that's what I heard).
10 years ago, I was motivated to make as much money as I could coming out of school. I honestly believed that after entering the program, when I came out, my income and life would be a step change from where I was after undergrad after spending 3+ years as an engineer.
10 years ago - mission accomplished.
Now fast forward 10 years and I've come to realize that chasing the paper comes at great sacrifice. If I look at my peers, they are probably par if not better than where I am. They have families, spend time with them, go on vacations, and have a comfortable life. I guess what I'm saying is that I may have been Usain Bolt coming out of B-school, but eventually someone like Tyson Gay will catch you.
My advice is this - and you'll see it in every self-help, personal development book ever written. Find a purpose and pursue your passion. Don't let monetary gain or the number of material things you have define success. I bet that for all of those people that have a ton of stuff, they made great sacrifice to get that stuff and also don't have the time to enjoy it.
As part of 1st year orientation, the business school brings in a panel of alumni and has each person on that panel talk about their experiences and provide advice to the new crop of MBA's.
I like doing this for two reasons - 1.) I get to go back to Knoxville and load up on UT paraphernalia (with a newborn, now it's twice the fun); and 2.) I get to connect with faculty and friends and get that feeling that I had when I first chose to go to school in Knoxville. It is a feeling like you are in the place that you are supposed to be.
For students, it's an opportunity for them to get advice and ask pointed questions about what their lives may be like during and after the program. One question that the panel was asked was, "What really was your motivation coming about of business school when pursuing career opportunities? (That's probably not exactly how it was worded, but that's what I heard).
10 years ago, I was motivated to make as much money as I could coming out of school. I honestly believed that after entering the program, when I came out, my income and life would be a step change from where I was after undergrad after spending 3+ years as an engineer.
10 years ago - mission accomplished.
Now fast forward 10 years and I've come to realize that chasing the paper comes at great sacrifice. If I look at my peers, they are probably par if not better than where I am. They have families, spend time with them, go on vacations, and have a comfortable life. I guess what I'm saying is that I may have been Usain Bolt coming out of B-school, but eventually someone like Tyson Gay will catch you.
My advice is this - and you'll see it in every self-help, personal development book ever written. Find a purpose and pursue your passion. Don't let monetary gain or the number of material things you have define success. I bet that for all of those people that have a ton of stuff, they made great sacrifice to get that stuff and also don't have the time to enjoy it.
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