Left holding the babies? You can still get an MBA
IF YOU want to progress professionally, then you have probably considered a postgraduate qualification. A Masters of Business Administration is the gold standard for those already in management roles who want to step up to more senior positions. However, many are reluctant to press the pause button on their lives to take a year out to study.
Well, time does not have to be a barrier if you study with Arden University which has a truly flexible MBA — it’s affordable, accessible and will enable you to fit learning around your life. That is why 90 per cent of Arden University students manage to juggle working and earning while studying.
All of Arden’s study materials are online and available for you to access early in the mornings, in the evenings, at weekends or on the commute home.
If you still feel it mightight be a challenge, then listensten to Dominika Stevens.s. She managed t oo complete her MBA even though she fell pre gnant — with twins — during her studies.
So what inspired her to continue? “People asked me why I was going to study for an MBA, say-saying it wasn’t going toto ben-benefit me. However, it hhas hhelpedld change my life, because I’ve been fasttracked thanks to my studies.
“Since starting my MBA, I have been promoted twice and have been recognised for my ability to co-ordinate a career, my family and universit y course. My annual reports read: ‘Selfstarter with bags of self-motivation with no apparent ceiling to her ability to work under pressure’.”
She says that distance learning is “the way forward when your life does not allow for regular attendance at a daytime university.”
Like many of those rising up the career ladder, she was keen to study for a masters degree.
“However, I was unable to find anything I could really get my teeth into,” says the 34-year-old.
“I knew that I needed to broaden my educational horizons to allow myself the best possible promotion path. When researching for a masters degree, I came across Arden University and got in touch. There were no hard sales or pushy tactics, but someone being genuinely helpful. At a third of the cost, it was the perfect choice.”
Even before her twins came along, she had a demanding schedule, so an MBA that could fit round her busy life was important.
“With my job, life is everything but 9 to 5,” says Dominika. “I started my course in Germany, but have since returned to the UK. I have moved house numerous time within the UK. In addition, I have had to attend various career courses, all of which are several weeks long. Wi-fi is not always available either, so a lot of catching up is required.”
When she fell pregnant with twins during the course,c the flexible nature oof Arden University’sty’s pprogrammes meant she did not have to gigive up on her ambittion to complete an MBA.
“Life has been hectic since then and completing my MBA has been a great challenge — so the ability to ss tt uu d y flexibly is iincrediblyncre valuable,” says DoDominika.
ShShe says studyingt for an MBA while working full-time is hard work and her advice for others wanting to do the same is: “You do need to have motivation, because there are no set timetables.
“With Arden, though, you get plenty of support. My tutors are easy to contact, including by Skype, unlike other institutions.
“I’ve enjoyed my MBA more than my previous university studies. Even though it was distance learning, I connected with a lot of fellow students. I spoke to a lot of people from around the world, you don’t feel alone. It’s a really good set-up.
“Distance learning is the way forward when your life does not allow for regular attendance, and I would recommend an MBA with Arden University to anyone.”