An MBA can work wonders for your career. It can help you land better and higher-paying jobs and develop important skills. However, balancing an MBA with family and work commitments can be a demanding endeavor. But, by following the right steps, you can accomplish your goal of having an MBA without compromising on your family or work.
Every year, many students enroll in MBA programs in Jacksonville alone, and upon completion of an MBA, individuals have the potential to earn an annual salary of up to $115,000. Especially when entering a competitive job market, having an MBA can make all the difference.
These statistics might sound tempting and reinforce your idea of pursuing an MBA. However, the lingering question persists: is it possible to balance school, work, and family? The resounding answer is yes. It is indeed feasible to pursue your MBA while prioritizing your family. All you need is lots of determination, commitment, and the following tips. Here is what you need to do:
1. Consider online options
Studying online can be quite beneficial for parents. Online degrees allow you to:
- Study at your own pace
- Create a schedule according to your responsibilities and work commitments
- Offer accelerated courses that allow you to finish your degree sooner
- Save you the time and cost of traveling
- Enroll in programs worldwide
- Have access to different resources online
Another great characteristic of online degrees is that they are relatively more affordable than traditional degrees.
You can easily find a suitable online program, no matter your location. It’s important to do your research and check the online program’s accreditation to ensure it is credible. Fortunately, Jacksonville online MBA programs are quite accessible and come with various specializations. From business to accounts, and healthcare administration, the options are vast. Here’s your checklist for researching the right one:
- Accreditation and reputation of the institution
- Enrollment date of the program
- Duration of the program
- Cost of the program
2. Discuss it with your spouse
Engaging in open discussions with your spouse before making significant life decisions is crucial for a strong and fulfilling marriage. This principle also holds true when pursuing a postgraduate degree. By involving your partner in these important choices, you foster trust, communication, and shared aspirations, ultimately enriching both your personal and academic journeys.
So, it is necessary to get your spouse onboard before pursuing an MBA. It is important to have an in-depth discussion of how you will do things and divide responsibilities. Working as a team and tackling problems together will allow you to pursue your goals without it affecting your marriage or family life.
3. Change your working schedule
Your family isn’t the only thing you have to worry about, as work commitments can be equally hard to manage, along with studying. However, there are certain steps you can take to manage work along with other responsibilities.
For instance, if possible, you can change your shift so it does not coincide with other commitments such as studying. Although the cost of living, especially if you have small children, is quite high these days, you can choose to work part-time if you are comfortable enough and have enough savings to fall back on. Similarly, if your spouse has a high-paying job and agrees to take on the extra load, you can stop working for a while altogether. This will take one thing off your plate and allow you to take on more family responsibilities as well.
4. Create a schedule
Creating a schedule is the best thing you can do for yourself and your family. A schedule will help you stay organized and set your priorities. It will also help divide tasks for you and your spouse, prevent you from forgetting important commitments, and reduce stress.
To create a good schedule, you need to:
- Set time aside for scheduling
- Allot an adequate amount of time for each activity
- Avoid a jam-packed schedule and allot time for self-care and breaks
- Create a schedule that your family can easily understand
- Discuss everyone’s commitments for the week before creating a schedule
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
We often believe that we must handle everything independently without making any compromises. However, this mindset is simply not sustainable. Trying to shoulder all the responsibilities without seeking assistance can result in stress, burnout, and even compromise your health.
As a backup option, we suggest having a few babysitters’ contact information readily available in case no one else can assist.
6. Prep meals for the week
Thinking about what to prepare for dinner is probably the biggest dilemma every parent faces daily. This can be particularly hard if you have little picky eaters in your home. But you can eliminate this problem by prepping meals for the week every weekend.
Prepping meals and freezing them will save you the time to decide what to make and cook it too. Similarly, you can also prep your children’s lunch beforehand to save you some time in the morning.
If you can’t prep whole meals, you can use pre-chopped vegetables or go for frozen options to save time. You can also create a weekly menu to save you from deciding what to cook daily.
7. Plan according to your course outline
Before you start your MBA program, you will get a course or syllabus outline for each subject you will be studying. These outlines are usually given at the start of each semester. Your syllabus outline will include the following:
- Topics to be covered during the semester
- A breakup of the grading system or scores
- The number of assignments, projects, or quizzes required
- Dates for exams
Planning according to your course outline can make the whole process easier and stress-free. Doing so will prevent you from scheduling events near your exams or other important days. It will also help you remember any upcoming schoolwork, quizzes, or exam and give you enough time to prepare for them.
Concluding Thoughts
An MBA might just be the next best step for your career. Not only can it help you land a better, higher-paying job, but it can also help you get into leadership roles. But, deciding to pursue an MBA while having children to look after and a full-time job may be hard. Yes, you will have a lot to juggle and may even miss some important events or your children’s milestones. But, it is necessary to keep your end goal in mind.
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