So last week, I put into motion the process of starting my MBA. I'm still in the admissions process with Post University in Waterbury, CT. It's all online which is necessary with my life and I don't have to take the GMAT's. That sucks though because I had already registered for them and you can't get your money back. $250. Yeah. I'm going to call and see if I can get at least some of it back. I considered taking the GMAT's anyway just in case I needed them elsewhere however, I don't need the added stress of studying right now and I had to take vacation time to find time to take the test which is just a waste. I figured it would be something just over $100 of time (If I was paid hourly) for the 4 hours for the test. I'd rather save those vacation hours and use them some where more fun.
So I'm going to see what I can do about getting my money back but I want to wait and make sure that I actually get in to Post first!
So, here is the real story here (not that I'm not proud of just starting the process). I slacked in college. No surprise to anyone who knew me. If I could go back, I'd do it differently but that's life. So my GPA was just below a 3.0. To get into Post you have to have had a GPA of 3.0 or higher. If you had between a 2.5 and 2.99 and have something like 7 years of business experience they will still consider you for admission. They want 2 letters of recommendation for you though.
So this week, I emailed 4 people at work. 2 of my former managers and 2 colleagues. I figured I'd get 4 recommendations then pick the ones that I liked best to send on. I asked everyone to have them to me by the 28th of the March because I know they are all really busy. All of them said that they would be more than willing. My most recent former boss, we'll call him J, emailed me the recommendation within 3 hours of me asking. I couldn't believe how quickly he'd gotten back to me and when I read the letter I almost cried!
Here are some excerpts:
I quickly realized L’s talent and potential as she took it upon herself to accelerate and own her professional development. She worked independently to learn and impart best practices, and began to mentor newer Educational Consultants. L’s dedication and motivation were infectious and I began to notice gradual, but steady improvements in team morale and client satisfaction. L continued to seek and develop skills that would add value to the customer experience.
L leads by example, both inside and outside the workplace. She inspires coworkers and friends in social settings with the same facility that she enjoys in professional settings. She lives our corporate values, volunteers her time with our clients, and embraces the personal rewards afforded by diligent effort. My staff of Educational Consultants now functions as a cohesive, synergistic team, rather than many individuals working independently in silos; L epitomizes the notion that “the whole is greater than the sum of the parts” and this core belief is evident with her every undertaking. There are many reasons for this transformation and improved team dynamic, but I cannot overstate Leanne’s contributions to the revitalization of my department. L’s future is limited only by her imagination and the willingness of others to believe in her potential.
So after reading this I was in complete shock. I think that as employees we work hard because we know it is what is expected of us. I never thought twice about helping other new employees because I remember how much mentors and more experienced employees helped me when I first made the move to the business sector (I was a teacher). Being a remote employee for the company, I think that I think about these things even less than others, and just do them because it's what I believe is right. My clients and my team are my priority and I love all of them. I just want to do everything I can to help my clients and my team be their best. I think that's the teacher in me. I don't however, go looking for praise either. There are some people I know who will copy their boss on EVERY NICE THING that is ever said by a client to them. I don't do that. If people ask who my boss is, or takes my bosses name from my email signature (company requires it be there) and sends them an email that's awesome but other than that to me it's just doing my job.
As my college GPA suggests I was not always a hard worker. So I still don't think of myself that way. This recommendation made me look at things a little differently. Not that I'm getting all cocky and "duh! about time you noticed" about it, but it made me realize that all my hard work doesn't go unnoticed and that it is worth it to others. I do it for my own satisfaction but it's always nice to hear from others as well.
So here is my recommendation to you. Have a couple people write you a recommendation. If their isn't a reason, who cares. It will make you realize that you are appreciated. Even if it's just your husband or a friend or a co-worker. I think everyone needs to hear that people do notice their hard work and appreciate it every once in a while. I know it made my week!
