The MBA Trap: Destiny Plan Q’s

Waller Hall at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. Category:Images of Willamette University (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Mr. Albion believes MBAs come in two basic packages: the Conflicted Achiever and the Passionate Striver. The former wants to make money early in life, pay school loans off, and then, years later, contribute to society through their passions. The latter wants to make a difference in the world right now with the business skills they gain in school. Here are the questions for the introduction chapter:

Q1) Which career path is more in line with your thinking: 1) make some money first and then focus more on what you are passionate about, or 2) focus on what you are passionate about right away? What are the risks and rewards of each?

A1) I went in to business school as a Passionate Striver. I wanted to change the world through business, not worrying about the amount of my loans or how much money I would make. In my second and final year of school I started becoming a Conflicted Achiever. The reality of my $55,000 school debt and no job situation was really setting in. Also, my boyfriend of five years has always been motivated by money at work so I was starting to see his side of things. I started thinking, it’s like when you get in a plane crash and the flight attendants tell you to use your oxygen mask before trying to help others. I can do more good in this world if I am making money and not just scraping by every week.

In two weeks I start my first job out of graduate school and it doesn’t pay a huge amount or do a ton of social good. I’m going to be a office manager for a start-up law firm that specializes in wills, trusts, estate planning, and estate sales. I never would have guessed I would have that job, but I am excited because I get to manage all aspects of the business and help it grow in to something bigger. Although it isn’t technically a social-good job, it is not harming society. I think if I worked for a divorce lawyer I would not be happy with what I saw everyday. Instead, I’m part of business that is helping people prepare for their end of life and sell their possessions.

Q2) What did you expect to get out of business school? Did the school experience meet your expectations?

A2) I expected to get a well-rounded understanding of all business aspects (marketing, HR, accounting, finance, etc.), make new business connections and friends, learn sustainable business practices, gain strategic and tactical experience, and ultimately, get a job. For the most part my school did meet these expectations. I wish there were more sustainability classes and that I had chosen better electives. I was always learning, being pushed to my limits, trusting colleagues at deeper levels, and making incredible bonds.

Q3) What is the purpose of business?

A3) A seemingly simple question, but it is actually a huge source of debate in society. I would argue that until Peter Drucker came along most people would say the purpose of business is to make money or maximize profit. Instead, I think business has many purposes: provide jobs, cultivate talent, strengthen and help communities, provide useful products and services, help us live better lives, innovate… The list goes on and on. You can see from my list though, that I think business serves a social purpose. In sustainability there are the three P’s: people, planet, profit. I wholeheartedly believe that the purpose of business is to improve all three of those P’s, not just profit for a select few CEOs and executives.