Who am I??

In October 2020, I thought, "I am doing masters in my private life (soon-to-be mother the second time), why not do the same in my professional life too?". Without wasting further time, I picked on that thought and applied to an executive MBA program at the Hochschule Furtwangen, which would start in March 2021. Life in 2020 was all about uncertainties. Every day was different. The rules of COVID-19 was changing rapidly. Vaccination was a new thing. "Work from home" was trending. I had a new born and a 3-year-old at home. My husband did not have work-from-home back then. Nevertheless, despite all the rough paths of 2020, the two best things arrived in my life. My child and my admission letter, and that with a scholarship! What more could have I wished for Christmas 2020? I was very emotional on holding both, because, I believe that family and career should always be balanced. Without the immense support of my husband and my daughters, this wouldn't have been possible.

The first semester was unfortunately or fortunately fully virtual and this helped me to be able to serve my duties as a mother, as well as a student, quite well. It was like a relay race all the time. As soon as my husband arrives home, I would hand him over the home and the kids and get back to the study. I used my coffee and lunch breaks to feed my baby and sing her to sleep. Yes, it was quite stressful, but I enjoyed it. I enjoyed being able to study again. I enjoyed networking with my small group. I cherished those group work moments. I cherished those breakout room discussions we had. I awed the works and brains of my professors. I made some promises to balance family and career. The positivity and my family is my strength. I fared quite well in the first semester. Second semester was all the more difficult with the baby being phasing into a toddler. Nevertheless, i kept telling myself, "You got this". With each progress my toddler made, I had to double the efforts I took in studying. Yes, I lost sleep. Yes, I lost time with my kids. But, I knew it was for a good cause. It was for myself. For my career. Hard work does pays off! I got the best grades in my second semester and I am proud to say that!

We are already in March 2022 and I am eagerly waiting to start off with my third semester next week. This time my kid has turned a year old and is sitting on my lap, distracting me, as I type this. Nevertheless, I am still enjoying every bit of it. Challenges in private life or in professional life, whatever it is and however it is, it's all about how you look at it! I never regretted taking up this course. When some friends told me I did a mistake, I felt stronger than before. I knew I could be a good parent while being a good student. I told myself that I want to be an inspiration for many women out there, yearning to build up their careers. We are women. We are born to lead and made to be strong. We are designed to multi-task. Should we not utilize our strengths? Cut out on the negative comments around you. Ignore discouragements. Look, take and absorb only anything that will help you to stand on the ground.

I see myself as a self-confident woman, who can balance work and life. I hope to aspire many of you out there with the same fire as me!