“Adversity is one of life’s greatest teachers” -Malcolm Gladwell
When I started my MBA journey in the beginning of 2020, the world was filled with uncertainty. I was working a crazy job, about 70+ hours a week. The idea seemed far-fetched, and graduation seemed like nothing more than a pipe dream. COVID-19 had begun to take the world on in full force and it created true chaos in my professional life. Additionally, I had found out that my mentor was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer that would undoubtedly take his life. My life was hectic, and I didn’t even know what an MBA would do for me… but still, I chose to pursue it.
After a bit of research, I found Southern New Hampshire University. I received my undergraduate degree from Montclair State University and lived at school for four years. I majored in Political Science with a double minor in Pre Law and Public Administration. After living on campus for my entire tenure there, I had definitely gone through the “college experience”. Even better – that experience came with a ludicrous price tag. Regardless, I found an MBA program at SNHU that offered a concentration in Engineering Management and all my geek lights were flashing. On a whim, I applied. And then I was accepted.
Undergraduate studies (especially when you live on campus) offer a much wider variety of learning. You have a few years of basic requirements and you spend a short time on your true major/minor(s). I was also the ultimate over-achiever and was deeply involved in extra curriculars that Montclair State offered. In my Junior year of undergrad, I was President of my building’s student council, wrote for the school newspaper, I was the Secretary of the local chapter of the Pre-Law Society, had an internship with the state of New Jersey, had an additional internship writing for an NYC radio station, as well as taking 6 classes. Needless to say, my studies were rarely my main focus and I kept myself as busy as possible. When I entered into my Graduate studies, I had no idea what to expect. I knew working full time was my only pathway and I was going to somehow fit the MBA course load into the mix. Again, graduation seemed like a day dream, but I still wanted to go for it. So, I did.
I learned early on that one class at a time was the way to go. After previously taking six classes at a time, I couldn’t help but feel like an underachiever. Luckily, I had an excellent academic advisor who let me know one class at a time was industry standard for an MBA. The time frame for MBAs at SNHU are broken up into 10-week terms and it was completely online. Logistically that seemed super enticing but again, understanding what that would be like in true practice was hard for me to wrap my head around.
Fast forward to 2024, I am in a completely different role than 2020 and with a different company. I made significant career moves over the past four years and learned the undeniable value that comes with work-life balance. Additionally, my life has taken more twists and turns that I may care to admit. I struggled a lot – personally, professionally and mentally. I lost my mentor in 2021and that was crushing. I left corporate America in the beginning of 2022 to try out an incredibly lucrative start-up opportunity, only to be let go 3 weeks before Christmas in the same year. My parents sold my childhood home which was a huge chapter in my life as well. Most recently, in September 2023 I found out I had cervical cancer and would need a medically required hysterectomy. These are just a few of the life-altering events that took place in just four years. All the while, I stuck with my MBA program and have officially completed my degree as of February 2024. Relief and joy would be the understatements of the year, but they are the first words that come to mind when I think of how I feel completing my degree. More than anything, I feel proud of myself for sticking with it, even when I felt like my world was crumbling. The one thing that got me through it more than anything was simple – infinite and ultimate transparency.
Some of the courses were harder than others, especially the math related ones. Ironically, while I have a pretty complex background in Engineering and Facility Management – I cannot add my way out of a paper bag. When it came time to take Statistics, I was mortified. The first time I attempted the course, I saw the syllabus and just cried. I was completely overwhelmed and had to drop the class. The second time I attempted the course, my Administrative support at my job was leaving in short time and I was going to launch 3 more buildings (in addition to 5 at the time) in approximately 2 months. I knew logistically and mentally there was no way I could swing it, so I dropped it again. Hoping that third time would be a charm I eventually attempted the course again…and passed with flying colors. I could not even believe it and told everyone I knew for months!
Throughout my MBA journey, I learned more than could ever be described or contextually understood. I learned that it is okay to know your limits; albeit if they are academic, mental, emotional, or professional. The course work was research intensive and there were many times I missed out on social or personal events in order to focus on my studies. On the flip side, I also was able to take a lot of what I learned and put it into practical use within my career. While Engineering Management sounds great, its true definition is the ability to disseminate and solve complex problems. In the interest in life always being full circle, I took the academia and let it guide my personal challenges as well. If someone had told me four years ago that I would actually have an MBA, I would have never believed them. Admittedly, I spent a lot of time doubting myself. But through adversity and honesty, I found my path and made it through. I learned more than anything that growth is never linear and that is more than okay. As I prepare myself to walk for graduation in May, my mind and soul are overwhelmingly grateful for all the challenges I faced because I know – without any shred of doubt – they made me better.
Victoria Fisher, MBA is a Strategic Sourcing Manager for Sodexo. She received her undergraduate degree from Montclair State University in Political Science with a Double Minor in Pre-Law and Public Administration. Victoria has built her career path in third-party management, having worked for some of the biggest companies in the world (Amazon and Bloomberg). During her tenure with Amazon, she managed 9 sites and 35 people. Victoria has also worked for a Fintech startup, Chipper Cash, where she strengthened her Project Management skills as a Technical Program Manager. Victoria presently lives in New Jersey where she was born and raised and enjoys spending time with her loved ones, as well as cooking and spending time with her puppy.
*Victoria can be found on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-fisher-mba-77405674?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
Comments