Sunday, August 12, 2007

It's a developmental thing...

I am on the final course that makes up my MBA (Masters in Business Administration), Yay! I finish next May and it will be the culmination of 5 years study which I have undertaken whilst still working. I won't lie. It has been hard work and not just in terms of doing the actual work, but also in planning in the study time around work and trying to have a life and all those other things that demand our attention on a daily or weekly basis.

I am studying with the Open University which bases the majority of it's courses around programmes of distance learning with tutor support and residential schools. I am currently in a hotel near Oxford, participating in one of these. It's basically a guided group learning experience where the knowledge and experience that the other students have are a key resource. It's intensive, hard work, and incredibly rewarding (if you gel with your group) and fun! Oh yes, the days may be long (12.5 hours) but there is a social element too.

So far I have braved the peculiarities of the British train timetables, survived the convivial talk of the taxi driver who knows a captive audience when he sees one and even sallied my spirits at being put in the brown group in stead of the ones with much prettier colour badges. I am even smiling at having to walk around with a name badge on, but that might be because of tiredness and the well earned glass of wine I am currently enjoying! I have sat through two PowerPoint presentations and contributed with many Post-it notes to one group activity as well as introducing myself through the medium of art! Tomorrow it is my turn to present my work problem for the group to dissect and this will eventually contribute to my final project. Wish me luck.

Internet access is limited so I won't be able to visit until I get back home mid week. I feel I might need some recovery time once this is over! I will post again soon too, and let you know how this goes, I also have a meme to do as, some pics from an airshow to share and a Festival of History to post about that I went to at the weekend and had a fabulous time. I figured I was owed a day to enjoy myself before this residential course! Back soon :)

11 comments:

diyadear said...

all the ebst for ur presentation.. im sure all ur hard work will reap many rewards :)

MaR said...

Take your time, Bob-Kat. You are doing a tremendous job. I worked on my master's when I was in my early 20's and was fully supported by my parents...I couldn't imagine doing it while working...Hats off!

rashbre said...

Sound like tough but also fun. And the social aspects are all part of the experience. Enjoy the week and take some time to peek around Oxford too!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

You need a weeks vacation just to catch up on ALL the blogging you want to do...lol! You are a very industrious and amazing person, taking this MBA on while working, too...I think that is fantastic!
I hope your time in Oxford will have a little bit of time to "play"...well, to go to a pub or two...That famous one...The Angel...? I cannot remember the full name, but we went there in the early evening as part of our day in The Cotswolds to celebrate my Birthday in 1993...!
It is nice that there is a social aspect to this week, too!
I DO wish you much good luck with your presention, dear B-K...(Who is watching over your faithful frind Bob, whilst you are away?
Sweetie sends his love to Bob, and to you, too!

kenju said...

Good luck, Bob-kat!

Beckie said...

I wish you the very best of luck! I know how hard an MBA can be...so hard that after I took a break from my MBA studies I never went back. It is hard, especially when you are trying to have a life.

Sending you good vibes.

Unknown said...

Keep up the great work!

Shephard said...

Crossing fingers for you!
~S

Star said...

You are a busy busy person. Good lucck with everything. Mihele sent me.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

J=Hi B-K...Hope all is going well, my dear...Still have my fingers crossed....!

You should try that MEME, it is fun to do! I only had to Google 5 things...LOL! I could not think of a Pro Sports Team with "N" and once I got The New York Jets, I remembered that Joe Namath had been on that team...It is funny how some things pop right into your mind...NUTSHELLS came to me immediately...I had to look up NISSAN....! Great Fun!

David Edward said...

thank you for the visit today,
I think I may have found a new house to rent