Reflective Paper: My MBA Journey and Business Leadership

This reflective paper details a student's MBA journey at Post University, providing a comprehensive overview of the MBA program's impact on their personal and professional development. The paper begins with an executive summary outlining the importance of business education and the skills needed for success in today's competitive environment. The author discusses their key learning points, including the development of leadership skills, decision-making abilities, and cultural awareness. The paper analyzes the most beneficial components of the MBA program, such as the in-class experiences, online library resources, and faculty input, while also addressing areas for improvement. Specific courses, like Competitive Intelligence and The Future of Leadership and Management II, are highlighted for their significant contributions to the author's skill set and understanding of business principles. The author provides recommendations for enhancing the MBA curriculum, focusing on career readiness, digital literacy, and ethical considerations. The paper concludes with a strong affirmation of the MBA's value as a worthwhile investment for future career opportunities. The essay is contributed by a student and published on Desklib, a platform providing AI-based study tools.

Running Head: EDUCATION 1
Reflective Paper on MBA journey
Author's Name
Institutional Affiliation

EDUCATION 2
Executive Summary
Education has always been a dominant force, and business education carries unique
potential as it matters now and in the future through its impact on the economy. The competitive
business environment of today and tomorrow looks for competencies like problem-solving,
critical thin, excellent communication skills, teamwork, leadership, professionalism and work
ethics in the business leaders. The work environment is becoming increasingly competitive, and
students must learn as much as they can and prepare effectively so that they are successful when
they enter the professional work force.
As a student of MBA at Post University, I had a wonderful experience of getting my
MBA degree and feel well placed and poised for career advancement. The course curriculum is
customized based on what outcome a student is looking for. My journey of MBA at Post
University has indeed been an exciting one. The paper makes a thoughtful assessment of what I
learned at Post University and how I place myself as a present or future business leader.
The paper focuses on the most relevant learnings that will assist me in the future and
what components of the MBA Program were the most beneficial and which course were the most
helpful. I will also discuss some parts of the program that did not work well based on my
learning style or needs. I have given some recommendations that I think would enhance the
overall program. Earning an MBA degree from Post University has indeed widened my horizons
and opened doors to multiple career opportunities, apart from educating me on the core MBA
principles. I am a changed person today and feel confident about my personal skills and
academic achievements. I strongly believe this my efforts and time at Post University have been
a very worthwhile and profitable investment for the future.

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Introduction
When I look at my MBA journey at Post University, I must admit that I was certainly
naïve about certain aspects of education. It was an intimidating experience as a starter as I was
not well prepared for the long hours of studies and hard work expected from the whole class.
By the time the MBA was over, I felt how fortunate I was to complete my education from a
reputed institute and study with peers who were highly dedicated and focused on their education.
It was indeed a very humbling experience.
Key learning points
My reasons for getting an MBA were to enhance my knowledge and learn new
experiences. And I could find tremendous resources for learning new things and an opportunity
to meet other ambitious people looking for higher levels in their career. I learned gradually that it
is both an art and a science to become a good leader and make the right decisions. While it is
easier to gather data and information and bring people together, the tougher part is to find the
right balance and a solution to a problem that everyone is agrees to and is comfortable with.
Another learning point for me was how to raise myself to a new level of confidence and take the
ultimate decisions based on data available and with limited information. I learned that I am more
capable than I thought of myself. I met new people from different cultures, tried new classes, and
pursued new leadership opportunities and challenges. I attempted to go beyond my comfort zone
and learned how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Key points in the Program
Every educational program has some key points that one can take away as a learner.
For me as a leraner, I was impressed by the different courses offered in the MBA program.

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Different courses were taught such as Economic Foundations of Applied Acct. & Finance, Org
Creativity Discovery and Innovation, The Future of Leadership and Management, Organizational
Dynamics and Effectiveness, Competitive Intelligence and more (Post University, 2019). MBA
courses teach different components of business and the significance of each. The aim behind
these courses was to train students in these segments.
Some of these courses were an eye-opener for me. For example, when I first came across
the term ‘Competitive Intelligence’, I assumed that it had something to do with the intelligence
of the students and competition among them. However, after attending a few classes, I found
myself surrounded by a whole new world and the significance of data in the business world. I
realized how important is the amount of information that flows through a business on a daily
basis and how essential is it to analyze the data. The Competitive Intelligence course taught me
to study and analyze enormous data sets. I got deeply interested in statistical analysis and data
modeling and how to present the results that are understandable from a global context. I was able
to analyze patterns and draw inferences from information and results. It was amazing how a
piece of data could be the driving force behind specific business challenges.What I found
common in all the programs was the amount of research and hard work we had to put in as well
as collaborating with peers and senior students.
The most relevant learnings
Some of the most relevant learnings from my MBA journey which I think would remain
with me for the rest of my life was the training I got and the confidence I built. It is a perfect
course that not only prepares one for the corporate world, but also for life. The unique
characteristics that I have imbibed from the learning environment would allow me to distinguish
myself from others with similar educational or work profile. As an MBA student, I learned how

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to apply theoretical lessons to practical situations and study the outcomings. Getting constant and
real-world feedback from my professors and peers made a constant improvement. Unknowing to
me, I had direct experience on how to address the complex challenges faced by the businesses
and companies. An MBA from a good institute and with an impressive mix of academic,
extracurricular and social components, I am sure that I would be an advantage when I look for a
job or better opportunities in the future.
The components of the MBA Program
MBA Program is not just about the curriculum or the grades. It is more about the learning
experiences one gets and thus different components like online environment, faculty input,
online library, advising support are equally important. For me, the best part about the entire
program was the in-class experience. I think that the interactions within the classroom and active
participation of the students works as a great learning platform for all. One gets valuable
information and knowledge as questions and answers and ideas are bounced off within the class.
The experience level of the professors and the quality of the students play a critical role here.
The online library was excellent, and I was able to get all the material I needed for my
educational assignments. The courses were paired with promising start-ups, and thus I gained
first-hand experience interacting with ventures. It was indeed exciting to explore the real driving
factors in a capitalist’s decision making. Nevertheless, I enjoyed going to the relatively new
library that boasted of state-of-the-art facilities. Although there were reasonable materials online,
I felt it was essential to have essential interactions and face time with others.
Courses that were most helpful
As mentioned before, I took a particular liking for Competitive Intelligence, as it was
something that was beyond the traditional MBA curriculum. I got a solid foundation in

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information technology and quantitative analysis and got a deeper understanding of business
intelligence. The course taught me how to focus on business implications and opportunities and
examine the huge volumes of data at the macro level. I came to know that there is an explosive
growth in Business Intelligence in recent years. With an MBA in Business Intelligence would
add to the business expertise with a specific skill that is witnessing a growing demand today.
The closer I get to applying for my post-MBA jobs, the more I realize and appreciate
what I learned in the classes at the Post University. The Future of Leadership and Management II
was a special course for me as it challenged my own values and forced me to align my behaviors
to that of a business leader. I felt motivated to stretch my way of thinking and gained self-
awareness. This is indeed my big takeaway. Every other week we were asked to give a
presentation and got feedback from our professors and peers. Regular self-evaluation helped me
to work on a better action plan for the next presentation. The course made me realize that what I
say is important, but it is equally important as to how I say it.
As MBAs and future managers, I feel that we should be able to evaluate the political and
social environments successfully as well as respond to these elements. Another course that I
found helpful was BUS525.30: Business Strategy and Planning. I can’t say that I necessarily
enjoyed it, but I did learn a lot from it. We had to study different business models and identify
patterns and suggest recommendations. While it seemed mind-numbing and time-consuming, the
course did make a point. During my internship, I realized that I was facing similar business
problems that I assessed in my course and I was using the skills that I had learned in the class.
Now I was working on real problems, looking for the causes behind and fixing them. I felt
empowered to evaluate business environments and identify new business opportunities. I was
confident about simplifying complex businesses by applying critical thinking. MBA education

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and the courses have indeed changed the way how I view the world.
The program that did not work well
The parts of the program that did not work well for my learning style was the Org
Creativity Discovery and Innovation program online. It would have been more helpful if a part of
the online program was organized in the classroom. I feel that face to face interactions would
have made me enjoy the course a lot more and comprehend the concepts well. Another course
that I found a bit difficult was Economic Foundations of Applied Acct. & Finance. The course
introduced me to micro- and macroeconomic analysis as well as theoretical realities of finance
and commercial policies. I felt that there was a higher focus on the American economy as
compared to international economic concepts. I think that as an MBA student, I need to
understand economics and finance on a global level.
Recommendations to enhance the overall program
An MBA is a traditional good investment that serves the graduates well. However, MBA
colleges and programs must remain aware and keep pace with the digital revolution ahead and
the fast-paced automation and artificial intelligence. It is essential to improve the career-
readiness of MBA students. The MBA curriculum can be optimized for career readiness and
focus on career readiness skills that allow the students to get practical experience with new
technologies. The new MBA applicants might feel out of place in a traditional MBA program.
The overall quality and value of an MBA program can be improved. Certain changes can be
made to the MBA curricula that can encompass cultural competence and ethics. There is a need
for strengthening evidence-based management and applied research skills. Cross-cultural
comparisons with economies can be adjusted within the curriculum. The changes need to be
made on a deeper level rather than on a superficial level. Recommendations include updating the

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overall business curriculum with more focus on prosocial management theories. The educational
environment should balance both formal and informal aspects. Currently, there is a higher
influence on the formal elements in the learning environment. I feel that the informal
management curriculum can work as a powerful factor in student learning.
Key learnings about yourself as a learner
During my time in business school, I was able to introspect and understand myself. I
discovered my strengths and weaknesses that I never knew existed. For example, I discovered
that I could be a good leader and impressive communication skills that could be further
developed. As for my weaknesses, I learned that I need to improve my time management skills.
The time, the courses and the education were like making an investment in yourself. I met people
and students from completely different walks of life and learned to appreciate life from different
points of view. As I was literally forced to talk to people for surveys and assignments, I gained
confidence as I became good with networking. My interpersonal, team and leadership skills
developed over time. Today, I feel I am a lot different person and for the better after my MBA. I
am much more confident, carry a broader outlook and I find it a lot easier to reach out and
network with people and discover insider information. I enjoy more credibility with people
around me and that I think is a positive sign. I feel that the biggest business insight I achieved
from the courses was to make an inquiry at all levels of business. While on a personal level, I
was able to continue my professional growth, on a team level, I improved on my effective
dialogue and relationship building skills.
Additional reflections related to the Program
I guess I could say that my MBA program certainly increased my knowledge and added
to my skill sets. I understood that nothing in life is given to you on a platter and you have to

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work hard for it. This is what an MBA degree is about as it would not be handed over to you, but
you must work hard on your own. while your professors and pers can give you guidance, it is
you who has to devote a lot of time and make efforts to get those good grades. Another best
aspect of the program is that as different working professionals come together from a variety of
fields, one can develop a broader way of thinking easily and naturally. We were encouraged to
use the tools we learned in class in a lab environment and got immediate feedback from our
professors and classmates. I feel that we not only learn from the professors, but also from each
other. I firmly believe that not everything can be learned from a lecture or success can be based
on the assessment of an exam. The informal learning environment is as important as the formal
ones. The courses and classes at Post University have helped me realize to see the overall picture
without criticizing. As a leader, I must prioritize how and where I spend my time. I feel
empowered with my education and how to use it to advance my career.
Today, I am a completely different person and for the better. Moreover, I think the credit
goes to the MBA program that enhanced my leadership skills, creative thinking and made me
technology savvy. The MBA program has indeed done a good job, and it has been a good
investment of my time, money and efforts. I intend to apply what I have learned to find solutions
to business questions. It might not be easy always, but they can be figured out.

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References
Post University (2019). Master of Business Administration (MBA), Post.edu Retrieved from
https://post.edu/academics/online-graduate-degrees/master-of-business-administration-
mba/#