I was 23 and about 2 years out of college with a bachelor’s degree in economics and working in an investment banking boutique as an analyst. I made pretty decent money for a young woman but knew I wanted more in life. I looked up to some of the powerful women in leadership roles where I worked and was inspired to take the next step to achieve my career goals which involved getting into a top notch MBA program in the United States. And so I applied to several schools in the United States and was accepted.
In hindsight, I think what set me apart from other applicants was my unique, diverse background and work experience. Plus my extracurricular involvements in college involved leadership roles in various organizations apparently made me the right package and therefore was granted an international student visa to study in an MBA program in the US.
However, getting admitted was just half the battle. Arriving the US was quite daunting as I had to adjust to the new culture and teaching styles. It seemed like I had to work 3 times harder than my classmates to understand the professor’s lectures –often meeting with them for additional help and then reading some more.
Then there was the financial challenge. I had hoped upon arriving the US I would be able to take a loan in addition to the money I had saved from my old job to pay for my tuition which was close to $100k. However, that plan proved futile and the first year I had to struggle for money including lending from family members.
And then the light at the end of the tunnel appeared. Towards the end of my first year, I was interviewed on campus by a Fortune 500 company for a summer internship and was the only candidate the company hired from the school that year. I worked really hard that summer and had a great 3 month internship experience. The team I worked with really liked me and kept me on as part time during the school year. This boosted my confidence and I applied and received a graduate assistance-ship on campus which automatically qualified me for in state tuition. This significantly lowered my financial burden and enable me pay my tuition all the while juggling a full-time class load.
By the end of the second academic year, I graduated with my MBA and a full time, six-figure job offer from the company where I’d interned the previous summer and worked part time all year. I looked back at where I’d begun 2 years earlier and smiled in my heart with so much joy.
“Yes!” I was well on my way.
My advice for women is “Just go for your dreams”. Don’t be afraid. As long as you are willing to do the hard work and stay the course, things will work themselves out in the end.
Signed by
A Queen