Having grown up in a collectivistic culture where family plays a big role in shaping my life, my parents had a massive influence when it comes to making life-changing decisions. After finishing high school, I went to a maritime school, one of the best and most famous schools in my country, Myanmar, at that time for my undergraduate degree majoring in Marine Engineering as my family urged me to go there. And also, it was the only choice that I had at that time apart from going to the medical school because of the education system of my country and my family didn’t want me to study abroad either.
According to the school’s policy, it took me 5 years – 4 and half years of classes and a thesis for the last half – to finish my degree. During my 3rd year as an engineering student, I realized that I could never fit into that field. Since I already had invested my time and energy in that program for 3 years, I strived hard to finish it even though I had no idea of what I am going to do after that. After four and a half years of disorientation, one of my aunts, who is running a construction and home decoration related materials distribution company, asked me if I would want to work as her personal assistant. I started working there in the evenings after school during weekdays and also in the weekends. Having worked and learnt as her assistant for nearly 6 months, I truly found out what I am passionate about.
Starting from the second half of my final year of college, I worked full-time while I was doing my final project in the evenings and weekends. I had the privilege to learn from business meetings and discussions that she took me to. Working in the field and dealing with people had taught me a lot; Communicating and negotiating with people, taking risks, where there are required and managing resources are the most prominent ones. However, as the company was growing vigorously and having more international exposure with the constant development of the country, I had realized that my knowledge in this field was insufficient and I needed to study further in business if I wanted to thrive in this field.
Why I chose George Mason University and “Master of Science in Management” program stemmed from three reasons. Firstly, the school is located just a few minutes from Washington, D.C where government offices and a lot of prestigious companies are based. Secondly, I visited both Fairfax and Arlington campuses for many times before I decided and I had discerned the willingness to help and the courteousness of the school faculty members here. Moreover, I loved how the school has a diversity of international students and a friendly and warm atmosphere. Thirdly, the fact that the program lasts only a year and the curriculum covering the fundamentals of business management was very enticing. Also, having the chance for an internship as part of the program was a catalyst for my decision.
I strongly believe that this program will nourish me with the practical management skills required for my future endeavors. On the other hand, cohort-based learning approaches of this program will not only help me enhance the capacity to work in groups but also help me build a strong network of peers with various geographical backgrounds. Thus, I believe that investing one year of my time and money in this program will be such an auspicious investment I have ever made so far.
After graduating from this program, I will find a job in the retail industry here and work for 3 years before I go back to my country in virtue of my aspiration to have global working experience. After that, I will go back to my country and work at my aunt’s company again as an executive with the knowledge I consumed and the global experiences I gained from U.S. In a nutshell, attending this master program can definitely be beneficial for my future endeavors by enhancing my knowledge and skills that I have not learned from my undergraduate degree and broadening my global perspectives and I truthfully believe that George Mason University has all the vast resources and capabilities that I am searching for.