Reflecting on this Thanksgiving Day, my heart fills with gratitude for the blessings that have paved the way for my recent educational milestone. I mulled an MBA for a few years before beginning the journey last year. Almost two years ago, my boss at Elevance Health sent me to a formal in-house educational experience. I loved it, and it broke a key mental barrier I held— the belief that, as a parent, I didn’t have the time to engage in pursuing knowledge through formal programs.
At Elevance Health, my on-the-job learning served as the catalyst for even thinking about doing an MBA. As a solo parent to young children, attending a physical school seemed completely impractical. Discovering that an executive MBA could be pursued entirely online was a game-changer. Admittedly, the online route proved to be more demanding, lacking the personal connections forged in traditional settings. Networking experiences were undoubtedly different. Yet, if the love for learning takes precedence, nothing compares to the experience I had at Quantic.
Curious about the impact on my children, I asked them if my schooling had altered my availability to them. Save for a dip in home-cooked meals during the capstone project’s intense months, they hadn’t sensed a change. Opting for Quantic was a conscious decision driven by a desire to harmonize parenting duties with the pursuit of knowledge. Their feedback validated that choice.
Beyond the academic curriculum, this journey unveiled a profound revelation — the discovery of untapped time within each day. Now, I’m committing to other realms of self-improvement that I would previously have ruled out due to time constraints. The importance of having cheerleaders became evident, with colleagues, friends, parents, and siblings playing pivotal roles. Their unwavering support transformed what could have been an arduous journey into a surmountable challenge.
A decade ago, a venture into business met an untimely demise. As each class unfolded during my program, I found myself reflecting on the reasons and had the humbling realization that I had made every conceivable mistake. I had never learned as much from that failed business as I did during this program. This introspection extended to the broader perception of doctors in business and the unique challenges facing a medical practice as a business enterprise. It underscored the urgent need to bridge the gap between medical and business perspectives, a subject about which I hope to share reflections in the coming months. The ending of a formal educational chapter does not mark the end of learning as long as one returns to reflect. I anticipate additional lessons in the future.
For now, I am grateful for everyone who loves me. Without them, I am nothing.
Congratulations, Dr. Raina! I look forward to more insights from this experience of found time.