The definition of personal growth and development can be subjective for everyone, but one thing that is common throughout is to become a better version of themselves. For me to reach a point of self-actualization, and being a more confident version of myself has been the pinnacle of personal development through my MBA.
Throughout the course, I came to understand myself better; my strengths, my weaknesses, and most importantly, my uniqueness. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone from the onset of the program and thanks to the opportunities and design of the course, I continued doing that.
Reflecting on my experience, I believe I’ve grown a lot as a person. Since the start of the program, here are some of the ways this program has facilitated my development:
Being self-aware and confident
I remember how initially I was so intimidated by my cohort mates who all came from such great experiences, somewhere I wanted to be in the future. But this opportunity to interact and work with people from diverse fields helped to broaden my perspective of what’s out there to explore. Moreover, pushing myself out of my comfort zone really helped me, whether it was participating in the BC MBA games, being the VP of a student council, indulging in an actual consulting experience with the International Applied Project, or just ultimately being comfortable at giving presentations after presenting countless times. Having experienced the MBA program, one thing I can vouch for is that nothing will inculcate confidence like knowledge and experience.
Being more open to leadership roles and activities
Throughout the MBA program, which in itself is a carefully crafted set of experiences, there were times when there were projects in which we struggled. Over the course of my time, I’ve realized that to be open to possibilities, one must also have the courage to explore those possibilities. By being open to leadership activities or roles in projects, I tried to be in constant motion for improvement to develop skills for my future career and will continue doing so in the future.
Vast connections and networking
One of the first lessons I got after joining my business program was that networking is one of the most powerful tools. With a diverse cohort of like-minded business enthusiasts, the connections one makes can be a gateway to so many future opportunities. Investing time to build a network, either by attending events or reaching out to people, is a very effective method to learn about their skills and get a first-hand experience of what their job looks like.
Being more conscious of my time
Living alone and the lessons learned from our business classes have taught me the essence of time. Being in a whirlwind of experiences, it was apparent that MBA is not a standard master’s program as there were multiple commitments to juggle at the same time. Time-blocking the activities and maximizing productivity helped me navigate stressful commitments. Being intentional with time is imperative to avoid falling into the traps of procrastination.
Although I’m nearing the end of my MBA program, I’m filled with gratitude for the transformative experiences and invaluable lessons I’ve gained and I’m excited to incorporate additional meaningful habits. Personal development is an ongoing journey, and I look forward to embracing new opportunities and challenges with the same determination and curiosity that has driven me throughout my MBA program. I believe that as future leaders, personal development will not only give us greater clarity and direction but also a sense of our own values.
___________________________________________________________
About the Author
Srishti Pandoi is a passionate, data-driven Full-Time MBA student with over 3 years of experience as a Quality Engineering Analyst at Accenture. She is skilled in designing and implementing solutions aligned with complex business requirements. At Beedie, she contributes beyond academics, serving as a Student Ambassador and Vice President of Events and Engagement for the JEDI council, promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.