There are many reasons I wish to pursue my MBA at St. Edwards University, all of which stemming inexorably from my perpetual desire to move forward. I like to think of myself as a creature of potential; every one of us has the ability to keep working, striving for more than we have now, and each step I take is a move to know, learn and do more. In the case of my pursuit of an MBA, I believe returning to school will not only improve my understanding of the world of business, but it will expose me to a great many opportunities to network and open doors with the companies that are in close proximity to St. Edwards. While I do fully expect and hope to learn as much as I can to become a better worker and businessman, I also plan to capitalize on the opportunities this great university holds for me.
Looking back on my life up to this point, I believe getting my MBA is the best next step in my career; as a 31-year-old man with no dependents, I have the time and the energy to dedicate myself to such a rigorous program. I would be able to devote as much time as necessary to studying and finding ways to make and benefit from opportunities. One of my best traits is my ability to be self-motivated; I hardly ever need an external push to pursue my dreams, instead focusing as much as I can on what I want and how to get it. I have never wanted a typical desk job, which has driven me to network as much as possible, gaining connections and learning new skills so make my career path more dynamic and sustainable. I love thinking outside of the box, and coming up with new ways to improve existing processes to make them more efficient; I have found this has made me an invaluable asset to employers and colleagues alike.
Currently, I work as a buyer at Epicor Software Corporation in Austin, TX; this was my first job in the corporate world, so it has served as an introduction to corporate culture and its expectations. Right from the start, I was intrigued at its fast pace, demanding schedule, and intense competitiveness – it was daunting at first, but I soon became accustomed to it, and have even grown fond of it. With this job, I have really come into my own, and discovered my own strengths and weaknesses; however, it has also shown me what I don’t want in a career. Many of my colleagues are unhappy, but they find they have settled into their career and have no further aspirations; I cannot understand this mindset. As a buyer, I am constantly questioning myself and my tactics to figure out what I can do better, or if my skills can be put to better use in another field.
Recently, marketing has come into my mind as an attractive field, as I am incredibly good with people and an inventive thinker who has extensive experience with working in-house. While I do appreciate my work as a Purchasing Agent, I am extremely interested in working in the food and wine industry; my ultimate goal is to find a challenging job that pays well and also allows me to subsidize my passion for my interests. To that end, my pursuit of an MBA is directly connected with my desire to figure out a concrete next step for my career, allowing myself to bridge the gap between my existing knowledge and the expertise that could expand it.
With the help of the quality education and world-class networking opportunities at St. Edward’s, it is my hope that I can make this dream a reality. By looking at the way other companies operate, and learning more and more about organizational culture, I hope to gain needed insight into the proper marketplace niche I can fulfill. I feel incredibly lucky to have been given the opportunities I have had thus far; there are so many who do not get the chance to see what the world has to offer them. By realizing my full potential, I also wish to pass on this experience and privilege to others, giving back to those who are less fortunate and give them the chance to succeed as well.
Despite my career goals, my life is not solely dedicated to business – I like to consider myself a well-rounded individual with a myriad of interests and pursuits. One of my biggest interests is health and fitness; I enjoy a regular exercise regimen, and have a great affinity for both jogging and kickboxing. Ever since I have lived on my own, I have worked hard to learn as much as I can about healthy cooking; I regularly host dinner parties for friends and family, focusing on organic, locally-sourced ingredients that nonetheless taste delicious. I have researched food and wine culture in great depth, and relish the opportunity to try a new dish or ingredient I have never tried before.
In addition to that, I also provide volunteer assistance at the Austin Humane Society, walking dogs and helping to take care of pets looking for a new home. I have a great deal of experience with community outreach, which is an incredibly important part of the St. Edward’s mission; I sincerely hope to contribute my efforts toward the pursuit of that principle. I put forth all of my efforts into serving my business and my community, and it is with this spirit in mind that I wish to expand my skill set and career through St. Edward’s MBA program.
In essence, the MBA program at St. Edward’s University will permit me to expand and complete my knowledge base in business, permitting me to have as many tools and contacts at my disposal to further my career. I am attracted to the smaller classroom sizes (which permit me to have more one-on-one interaction with instructors) and the general job satisfaction experienced by graduates; these are all attributes that are very enticing to me. St. Edward’s status as one of the most prominent Christian schools in the country also aligns very well with my values, as I have been a churchgoing Christian ever since I was a child. My existing career as a buyer has opened the door to the world of business, and I would love to step through it and see what lies on the other side. I am fascinated by all aspects of the business environment, from Marketing and Sales to supply side economics as per present position and beyond.
Not only do I hope to benefit from the expertise of St. Edward’s experienced faculty, I wish to take advantage of the sense of community and student involvement that the university offers. This will allow me to grow as a person as well as form vital, worthwhile networking connections. It is my belief that the process of the MBA graduate program will offer me the chance to better understand the big picture of business dynamics from top to bottom, permitting me to expand my skill set more comprehensively, arming me for whatever business challenges may lay ahead. Whether I wish to continue my work at Elicor or start my own small business, I believe that this university program is the place to find my next step.
