5 minute read
What I learned on my journey to an MBA
By Craig Plaatjes. Craig recently started studying towards an MBA at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, after leaving his job as Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineer at Zutari.
Standing on the stairs of Sarah Baartman Hall in 2016, engineering degree in hand, I never imagined that I’d be signing up for round two of academics just five years on.
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But here I am doing my MBA at one of the best programmes in Europe – with lots of research and preparation, and even a stab at crowdfunding, behind me. Here are the things I found to be important in my pursuit of joining an international programme.
Understand your Why
When you start such a journey, your ‘why’ is the proverbial compass needle that helps clarify your direction ahead. You need to have a clear and definitive answer as to why you want to pursue a particular degree at a particular institution. The goal is not to have a 100% accurate answer but rather to create a bit of clarity regarding what you want to achieve, what your values are, and the skills you want to sharpen. I chose IMD because of its incredible reputation for leadership development and that’s a particular area I wanted to continue improving.
Studying abroad is not simple or cheap, so having a clearer purpose will influence your drive and will keep you motivated. German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, stated it quite eloquently – “those who have a why to live, can bear with almost any how.” The other critical point is that admission boards will want to see that you have clear reasons and a well thoughtout plan. Your authentic answer to “why this course?” and “why this institution?” will lay the foundations for your entire application.
Be prepared
Research the programme you want to pursue and the requirements for entry. For example, to do an MBA you need to have a GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) score or a GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) score. Each requires significant time to prepare, and each is administered and scored in very different ways. Some institutions will accept the GMAT or the GRE, while others may only accept the GMAT. Make sure you understand what you need to complete or achieve for the specific programme you are aspiring to and plan accordingly to meet those targets.
Fail forward
An important lesson I have learned is the need to change my relationship with failure. To experience failure is inevitable. To learn from failure is a choice. I applied to three highly rated schools (including IMD) in 2019, and I was not accepted into any of them. It was important for me not to see that as a “no”, but rather as a “not yet”. I was able to take those learnings from my first round of applications and apply them to my process for the next round.
Invest in yourself
Understanding your “why” has large implications when it comes to finances. It is much easier to source funding for programmes in major locations such as the USA and the UK. There are a whole host of scholarships available for these two regions, but if your “why” is pushing you to another location, it becomes more important to consider all funding options available.
I recommend doing research on available sources of funding from the start. This allows you to plan appropriately and manage expectations throughout the process. You could start by checking out the scholarships available through the Department of Higher Education and Training (https://www. internationalscholarships.dhet.gov.za/), or a quick google search might take you to Scholars4dev (https://www.scholars4dev. com/). It’s not the most user-friendly, but it will show you a whole host of scholarships available to Africans.
Crowdfund your degree
I raised some funds through a crowdfunding platform called BackaBuddy. Crowdfunding is a different animal altogether, and it requires a patient and diligent approach. The three points I think are important are preparing, building and connecting.
PREPARE - You need a lot of time to, firstly, prepare the message you want to use to crowdfund and, secondly, to run the funding campaign. It takes time for a campaign to gain traction, so make sure to prepare in advance to avoid a situation where you need to rush the process.
BUILD - Then your “why” comes into play again. You need to develop a strong message of what your aspirations are and why people should invest in you. It is my belief that people will invest less in what you do and more in who you are and why you are doing it. Be sure to build a strong brand and strong message.
CONNECT - The hard work continues after your campaign is up and running. Once you have developed your message you need to push it out and connect with those who will invest in you. Use social media to share your message and regular updates on your journey and progress. Allow people to feel connected to you and your journey. In the beginning, your biggest contributors will be your friends and family. A strong support base and a strong message will inspire others to invest in you.
