Beyond the Comfort Zone: Why I'm starting an MBA.

It’s a weird feeling—a mixture of triumph, nerves, and curiosity. But I’ve finally done it. I’ve completed every form, submitted every certificate, and paid the fee. I am now officially enrolled on my MBA.
Since graduating, all my academic endeavours have focused squarely on social care or management. Some were undertaken out of curiosity. Others, like my Level 5 diplomas in residential childcare, were mandated to validate my existing skills. They always felt like a linear progression—logical steps in the same direction. 
This is the first course I’ve done that offers the chance to develop skills in a relatively new area. While I’ve worked with P&L sheets and drafted business plans (a far different kind of ‘world-building’ than I experience when writing my fiction!) within my senior operational roles, this course focuses on elements outside of my day-to-day role, alongside a cohort of students from vastly different backgrounds than mine.
I’m already relishing the challenge. I’ve spoken plenty about personal development in the past, and for me, this is a key element of that: exposing yourself to people from a diverse range of backgrounds and enriching your viewpoint with as many different perspectives as possible. I love being in spaces where a challenge is viewed through different lenses and my own assumptions are questioned. Growth isn’t always comfortable, and nor should it be.
The first module is ‘Integrated Communications’. This offers a different take on the subject than the strategic communications module I covered during my Level 7 qualification. It is often a struggle to stand out in the crowded field of residential care, and this should equip me with new tools—though I’m sure my copywriting and storytelling experience will come in handy. Not only that, but I’m sure to pick up a few tips on communicating more effectively with colleagues, external professionals and other stakeholders, including potential neighbours.
Studying whilst working is always a balancing act, but it gives me the opportunity to put into practice what I’m learning as I learn it. Anyone who has been in a reflective session or an SMT with me knows my obsession with feedback loops, and being able to implement what I’m learning in real-time provides not only feedback on effectiveness, but also helps consolidate the learning.
And after the course concludes? Who knows? I’m never comfortable being comfortable. An MBA might open doors to contribute and learn even more than social care has offered so far. I’m looking forward to every step - especially the mixture of triumph, nerves and curiosity to come as I approach the other end of the course.

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