“sorrows, sorrows, prayers”
Embarking on an MBA journey has been a rollercoaster of challenges and unexpected reunions with subjects I had fervently avoided. One such reunion that sent shivers down my spine was the encounter with Corporate Financial Accounting and the inevitable use of Excel in our program
Let’s be honest; accounting has never been my cup of tea. The mere thought of calculating someone else’s wealth felt like a daunting task. My disdain for accounting dates back to my junior secondary school days when it was introduced under the guise of “Business Studies.” For three consecutive years, I grappled with this subject and never passed. The discomfort was so profound that when presented with the choice between Science and Commerce classes, I promptly chose the former, fleeing from anything remotely associated with Accounting, Finance, and Government.
Recollections of calculating assets and liabilities in those early accounting assignments still elicit a mumbled rebellion under my breath. My motivation was clear — I aspired to build such wealth that others would be tasked with calculating my net worth. The prospect of dissecting a company’s balance sheet or financial statements never resonated with me; I aimed to be the entrepreneur whose success others would analyze.
Fast forward to my undergraduate years, where I pursued a BSc in Chemistry. Post-NYSC, I found myself in a brief period of unemployment, during which I explored freelance writing. This venture eventually evolved into a career in content development and editing. Throughout these transitions, Excel remained on the periphery of my skill set. I deliberately steered clear of its columns and blocks, opting instead to dedicate my time to mastering PowerPoint for its versatility in design and visual storytelling.
The irony of fate struck when Corporate Financial Accounting became a mandatory course for my MBA. The subject I had carefully sidestepped throughout my academic and professional pursuits was now a pivotal requirement for advancing my career. The sense of discomfort amplified as I realised that I had to embrace Excel, the tool I had actively avoided for years.
The MBA journey, intended to be a source of knowledge and growth, now seemed like a cosmic joke, with the universe conspiring to reintroduce me to the subjects and tools I had strategically evaded. What’s next? My ex-girlfriend(s)? I sure hope not.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqD3PZpp-NZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
As I grapple with Corporate Financial Accounting and reluctantly acquaint myself with Excel, I find solace in the hope that these challenges will yield valuable insights and skills.
Whether I’ll develop a newfound appreciation for accounting or come to terms with Excel’s layout remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — my MBA is proving to be an unexpected reunion with the aspects of my life I had cunningly avoided.
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PS: “sorrows, sorrows, prayers” is a catchphrase from the Netflix series “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.” The character of Queen Charlotte uses it repeatedly when trying to comfort others, even when she is clearly not feeling empathetic.
https://youtu.be/9h1aj0qBwkA
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