Wednesday, March 19, 2008

dalam dilema

Dah lama sangat tertangguh.
Kawan-kawan pun dah ramai lepas. ramai juga yang dah hampir lepas, di hujung2 semester.
Saya pula masih lagi belum dapat membuat keputusan. yang mana satu perlu dipilih. sudah makan tahun kini. boleh bantu?

I cannot make my mind which and where to go.
Considering my early degree was majoring in Economics, as where my interest lies i wish to further deepen my knowledge in this area. However, i have search the courses offered in Local Universities in this area does not interest me. Furthermore, in this field it is better (or best) if one degree i do it in local and other one in oversea (or vice versa) for exposure and better understanding of the world as a whole.

Most of the overseas universities offer better specialization in this area. Either it is MSc (Master of Science) or MA (Master of Art). I wish to try, but then here go other limitations: (1) the tuition fees and costs of living - i need to earn a scholarship or loan. (2) in the case of scholarship, most organizations do not offer it for my course; (3) my result was not that highly flying colours when i was in my first degree; (4) i may be afraid of living alone somewhere unknown with unknown people.

But still i never stop having interest in this field.

Then most people suggested MBA. The best thing on MBA is it is the certificate that allows you to go higher in your corporate carrier. but one thing, i already had my BBA and having it back on my master it doesn't give much input (and satisfy my soul) especially i frequently discussing and reading all things regarding those related to the syllabus in this course. i don't want to feel like wasting my money; even some people said what matter the most is the certificate. After all, i am not keen in stepping high in the corporate ladder.

And now i have another option - master (MSc) in International Business. Well somehow it is related to my current job, but the people inside are people from my offices and colleagues. and i have no idea what to do if i took this Master and when i complete this Master. It is offered by collaboration with local university in northern, i do not know the style of teaching yet or what input but somehow the syllabus is different from my BBA.. but in here i will be using my own pocket money ..

Now, i do not know should i:
(1) accept the 3rd option and enroll in the class which will start in June (due date is in middle of april) ; or
(2) do the 2nd option instead for better carrier profile; or
(3) wait until i get the opportunity to do my interest in option #1; or
(4) do nothing in furthering my study, proceed with my life with some other things.

at this point of time, i suddenly cannot analyze my strength and weakness; cant even decide; cant think. those in local universities, i will need to use my own pocket money in which it is really hard to decide so that i dont make the wrong decision and turn up half way after spending thousands of ringgit.

Perhaps, you can help me?

11 comments:

r.o.l. said...

A lecturer once told us in class her story, about her life, career, something about finishing her studies at a young age and switching fields later (from science to business, if I'm not mistaken). It was short and lacked details, but I remember it till today because she said, "I had an early start in life."

I looked at myself and realised: I had a late start in life. I graduated late, went for postgrad and started working when most people my age have steady, confirmed jobs and positions. They discussed about buying home for themselves and their families. I was taking home a 3-digit salary as a part-timer.

God only knows what went about in my head during those days.

But I consider myself fortunate to have survived. I did a couple of jobs, and still job hopping actually; but to survive, is just a blessing.

And that's not the only blessing. I must thank my mother, and so many people, for opening my eyes to an important lesson— to live my own life, and not others.

It OK to compare, especially in this aspect. Learning is our duty. It's a good thing you're thinking and planning for it.

However, this is your life. I hope you're not pressuring yourself about going for further studies just because of others.

I had a late start in life. My mother said, some people get their dues early, some later in life. The way I see it, I'm probably of the second group.

My life is far from ideal. I have people telling that at my age now I should be making such and such amount of money. But I'm making peace with it. I try my best not to compare myself to others so much. It's no good anyway. It's much better to be grateful and hopeful.

Forgive me for babbling. I don't think I'm the right person to advice you on this matter. Other people here are more qualified, experienced and wiser than me. But you've helped me a lot over the years so I'll try my best to offer you some insights.

I suggest you perform solat Istiqarah several times if you feel strongly about this. Mind your wuduk and level of khusyuk, and pray with a heart full of hope for guidance. Insya-Allah, He will show you the right path to take.

Try talking to people who is and have worked and studied at the same time. They can help you put together what to expect in the future, and what options are available and best for you.

You will get what is meant for you, insya-Allah.

All the best, and again, forgive me for babbling.

ieka said...

rol
thanks for sharing your opinion.. there is nothing to be apologize for, my posting this time is meant for people to babbling after all.. hehehe i'll take note on your opinion and suggestion.. thanx a lot dude.

Ummu Auni said...

ieka, in my humble opinion, if you want/have the urge to go for it, just do it. you have all the bickerings, all the what-if questions, but i sincerely believe if you thirst for knowledge is tremendously keep on bogging down you, maybe you should try it out.

i'd a taste of it when i drop my Msc few years back. looking further, i know when i did my msc, i was not ready, i was only half heartedly doing it. now with mba, i'm much more relaxed, and just follow the wind of change gently. but i'm quite satisfied i started something, even though maybe a bit too late compared to our friends.

but Alhamdulillah, i keep on thinking, this is what i want, this is what i seek, and suddenly i become whole, instead. if you don't want any regret of looking back & say "i wish i should do that", maybe you should start now...

marriage? takpe, insya Allah, kalau jodoh tak ke mana. sekarang belum kawin, mula je dulu slow2, kut2 jadi serampang dua mata - jumpa 'someone' ker :)

p/s : aku still rasa nak tengok AAC kat pawagam :p. mau ikut gitu?

IeNa said...

hehe..agree dgn aini!!

tikot, kalau rasa nak study, go on jer. Kalau nak fikir what if you go for that and what if you go for this..mmg ler pening. Macam Rol cakap, istikharah jer..insya Allah Allah beri petunjuk arah mana yang patut dituju.

We will never know biler rezeki kita akan sampai..so keep trying and hoping the best. Kalau tak cuba, kita takkan tahu resultnya :)

love ya!! :D

y@tipruzz said...

i'd strongly recommend uum kalau nak senang!! muehehe

senang = agak flexi, classmate best, lecturer very understandable. Of course there are some subjects/lecturers putting high demand especially on coursework, but overall...i'd conclude 65% sweet: 35% sour/pressure

gud laks!

ieka said...

thanx ladies for your comments.

i guess Aini was right after all... maybe i want to feel being in the intellectual discussions and circle once again. Anyway I am just following the flow, if it is meant to be for me , then it is meant to be. Gonna share with you the outcome later on..

Ummu Auni said...

yang, you want to know why i did my mba?

- i was jealous that some of my friends finished heir masters, and i know i should go for it
- i was stressed under CQY's regime
- i wanted to fulfill my dreams and my parents too

yes, i know that i'm under stressful conditions due to heavy assignments & workload

but i definitely love my class and my classmates. if you have the urge of quitting, remember this - others also have full time jobs & heavy workloads (one of my classmates, only punch her card at 10 pm! every weekday), but they still survive through it all

kalau nampak diri tak mampu bawa beban, lihatlah rakan-rakan. barulah kita menghargai kehidupan :)

all the best!

ASaL said...

nasihat atau beri pandangan tak reti, coz me myself finished my MSc with hardship and x berapa tau pasal Econ dan MBa, so i'm not qualified to give comment here

by the way jadi ke nak gi book fair?

MC_E349094 said...

Ika...

I am going to highlight a few things from other perspectives, and urge you to simply take the steps... in whatever directions, just consider this rambling as inputs from a former team mate and a caring friend.

I am going through the same deal for a few years, starting 2004, ask Dr Hairul (MMU Usrah dulu), he has written countless referee for me, in the end, I just have to accept that getting scholarship is not feasible when you are fighting thousands of better candidates academically each time.

First, addressing the question, 'AM I READY FOR IT?'... The thing is, when you have arrived at the point of searching for alternatives, you are actually searching for something new in life. Be it becoming a student again, or getting married, or started playing new sports, usually it boils down to a requiring quite a drastic change to your life, since you are already bored. If Master degree seems to be a better option, then do it.... Careful consideration after taking inputs from others, even if it leads to a wrong decision, will not make you feel bad afterwards, since you have made a decision to the best of your capability. Just make the decision, and DO IT.

'SHOULD YOU OR SHOULD YOU NOT' take the Master course? Others are right when they say follow your heart, but I must insist only partially. When others said it is good for climbing the ladder, I would say 'DO IT FOR SURVIVAL REASON'. We are all getting older by the day, and it will come to a point where younger people having similar or better knowledge will surpass us, since they are paid lower. Without anything extra on paper that you can offer, you will be left behind.

There are other reasons for venturing into Master degree. Opening up the door to new people nowadays could very well lead to something wonderful in the future. Putting aside a good husband, it could also be a door to meeting future potential business partner, or any other benefits.

'LOCALLY OR OVERSEA?'. Well, in your case, I would say, if you are able to find sponsors, then go for oversea. If not, DO NOT take drastic actions going for loans that will burden you 10 years down the road.. Right now, if local specialization does not meet your exact needs, hold the thought, but do not drop it. Give it a few more years to try and find suitable course, if none available, then only you reconsider. I am going to complete my 2 years Master degree, and then if time permits, go for my PhD research degree oversea. On PhD level, the competition is much lower, and since it is by research, there are a lot of grants available to us, with much lesser competition.

On a final note, knowing you, if you have decided on something, I sincerely believe that you will be able complete the degree with flying colours.

Dulu kita mmg overload kerja, tapi still boleh lepas, skrg kita cuma ada fix time kerja dan belajar. I am super confident that you can make it if you try.

RASA MCM NAK NYANYI LAGU 'I BELIEVE I CAN FLY' BERAMAI-RAMAI... senyum sikit Ika, jgn tension tension...

ASaL said...

yup, knowing you, you can do it with flying colors!

ieka said...

abg anuar, dah senyum dah..tu tgk posting terbaru tu.. thank you for sharing your experience, haah mmg saya pun hampir2 malas nak buat sbb asyik kena reject je scholarship applications. heh heh heh

you people think high of me... although i dont think i deserve to be that high. ;) thanx anyway. ni yg semangat nak sambung belajar balik ni.. hahahhaha

but thinking back, hey people..why suddenly issue on husband is brought up! :P:P