I remember in June 2022; my friend and I were having a discussion that it was important to have a second degree after several years of work experience, and we both agreed that a Master of Business Administration (MBA) would be a great idea for a second degree. We also agreed that an Executive MBA would be a preferred option to enable us work whilst still fulfilling our desire for school. The next huddle and last important decision to make, was the school to attend. Here, we had different views and spent time discussing the ‘pros’ and ‘cos’ of each option that was shared. The deciding factor came when a friend of ours walked in on the conversation and told us that he would give a scholarship to anyone who was to choose Lagos Business School (LBS). It was a ‘no brainer’, I quickly jumped at the scholarship opportunity as I remembered the adage that said, ‘a bird in hand is worth two in the bush’. And there began my journey into Adult Education.
Like a breeze I went through the application, test and interview process. On the 19th of January 2023, I received an email informing me that I have been given an offer of Provisional Admission to the Executive MBA Programme, in Lagos Business School. The reality of going back to school after so many years of work dawned on me. Several questions came flooding through my mind; O my goodness I just got into LBS and is this for real? I also started thinking of the hard work, time commitment and dedication it would require of me, to start and complete the Programme whilst working. This I was going to do in addition to being the primary care giver and provider for my children. Mixed feelings enveloped me, and I asked myself if this was actually a right decision, and maybe my love for ‘freebees’ have put me into trouble. I then shrugged my shoulders and mentally tapped myself at the back saying out loud, ‘if other have been successful through this journey, so can I do it’. It is what I had wanted for a while and I was not going to give up my dream to be better, do better, learn more and become a more rounded professional. Secondly, there is no better time to do it than now. With all these in mind, I quickly accepted the offer of admission.
The orientation and brush-up classes held over the next couple of weeks. We are now four weeks into the Programme, I have over 50 classmates and we are focused on 5 courses this semester. Our classes and group meetings happen during the weekend and in the evenings of a weekday. The amount of work to be done, books/articles to read and assignment to complete has been massive, but I am still pushing it with office work and coping thanks to a supportive family, close friends and amazing classmates who send reminders on different activities, so no one misses anything. So here I am, the journey to adult education is on and I am all geared up to see it to the finishing line.
If you are still at cross-roads, considering if you should start that Programme of your desire. Remember, if I can do it so can you. Why not start the journey now? #EMBA28 #nevertoolatetolearn #justdoit.
