There are times when life presents you with a curiosity and opportunity
collectively and the end result leads to something very special. I have experienced this scenario a few
times in my life but most recently it required an expertise level completely
out of my wheelhouse. If by definition
of being compensated means being a working professional then by definition I
retired a few years ago. Since
that time I have been pursuing interests that are passionate to me primarily in
the humanitarian sector working with non-profits and NGO’s. I have spent the
past several years working in the diplomatic arena on initiatives impacting
marginalized groups in developing democracies and had the opportunity to travel
throughout the world meeting with influencers, government leaders, elected
officials and even Prime Ministers and Presidents strategizing on plans to
pursue equality for all people.
None of these experiences typically leads one to a pursuit
of educational advancement, however I have rarely followed a typical path. Last summer I relocated back to my home
in the United States after living abroad for three plus years. Though I love playing golf, tennis and
reading there is only so much of that one can do before the mind begins to beg
for challenges, so I decided to return to school. Following my undergraduate degree from a public university I
immediately entered the workforce.
My plan had always been to go to law school but unfortunately at the
time resources were not available to me to pursue that goal. After 30 years in the public relations
and sales industry I decided to return to the educational environment and
accomplish what I had wanted to achieve 30 years ago. I live walking distance to a prominent university in my
hometown and began to explore options for attending a program there, but as I
began my research I realized I was restricting myself instead of reaching for
something greater.
I started exploring the idea that if I could attend any
university I wanted, anywhere in the world, what would that look like? And so I discovered Oxford University
and the Diploma in Global Business.
I researched the program and the Said Business School discovering not
only is the program extremely distinctive but the learning environment and
tools at your disposable for achieving success are extraordinary and the
educators and staff are extremely responsive and encouraging. I have completed my first module and unlike
being thrown into the deep end of the pool and expected to swim, we were thrown
into the deep end of the pool with the most amazing lifeguards and are being
taught how to swim. The University
of Oxford is an amazing environment providing encouragement and resources at
every turn. The program is clearly
designed to provide you with the tools to achieve success and advance your personal
goals and initiatives. I entered
the first module on day one with a huge amount of apprehension and anxiety only
to exit it with the excitement that our entire cohort is developing a network
of educational and professional excellence on which we all can build our dreams
for the future. The University of
Oxford, the City of Oxford, the Said Business School, the staff, my fellow
classmates and our fellow alumni is a community I already feel very much a part
of and a responsibility and dedication to contributing my very best. As I move forward in DipGB2018 I extend
my most sincere wishes for our collective success and making a contribution
that will benefit a better future for all of you.
