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SCMP Reporter

my MBA scholarship

I OUTLINED HOW EFFECTIVE time management techniques can help when studying for a part-time MBA in a previous article. Time is a critical factor for students committed to completing a tough academic programme.

If they are trying to juggle study, work and family responsibilities, it will seem that there are never enough hours in the day.

Inevitably, this leads many MBA students to question their priorities or measures of success, and ask themselves what they want to get out of life.

There are no easy answers.

In contemplating such issues, individuals must examine their views on money, career, recognition and personal development, and decide what combination of them equates with success.

After identifying your goals in life, you must sustain the passion to achieve them. This includes pursuing an MBA. Real passion for any endeavour requires genuine interest.

Basic money-making or the accumulation of wealth is something I regard as separate. I believe that no one can have a long-standing interest in money simply for its own sake - despite what you may hear and see in Hong Kong.

I think that the real interest of business people lies in entrepreneurship, engineering or innovation, and that any financial success is more a by-product or consequence of their genuine passions.

When advising young people about career or study choices, I advise them to go with their heart as the best way of making the most of their ability.

If you are uncertain about which direction to take, you may want to think back to your school days when you had to decide whether to take arts, science or commercial subjects. The subjects you liked then should provide a reliable guide to the areas where you can expect to succeed in life.

By recognising your likes and aptitudes, and these could be in less academic subjects such as sports, music or drama, you will focus on areas of strong interest from which a real passion can develop.

However, do not force yourself to develop an interest due to peer pressure or other people's perceptions. That will only lead to a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction.

The same principle applies when making a career choice. It is generally a mistake to accept a job purely because of the remuneration package or title on offer.

The first thing to consider is what your heart tells you and whether the role matches your interests. If it does you will enjoy the work more, perform better and be far more likely to succeed according to the usual objective measures. A clearer career path will then open up.

I have seen too many cases of students not really interested in accounting and business issues but still trying to get into one of the Big Four accountancy firms. Once they start the job they hate it and cannot wait to leave.

Daniel Au won an SCMP/Henley MBA Scholarship in 2005. Each month you can follow his progress towards obtaining an MBA



Go with your heart on career matters