OLA Vs. MBA Case Study

Summary

OLA vs. MBA has been the debate going through my mind for the past five months.

When I chose to continue with a master’s degree I examined the OLA program and thought it

would make an excellent accompaniment to my Human Resource Management degree. As the

journey began so did my doubt that I had not chosen the right program for myself. The

knowledge I was seeking from the classes and my plans to use that knowledge were not meeting

my expectations.

Cause and Effect

Since I began my schooling journey five years ago, for my bachelor’s degree my thirst

for knowledge has never stopped. I wanted OLA to help develop my leadership skills and give

me the confidence I need to be the leader I want to be. I have never struggled
The constant uncertainty I

feel in my job has chipped away at me. Some I blame on myself and getting into my own head,

but also on the leaders at my company. For example, one of the first projects I tackled was to

update the employee handbook, but during this process I asked the leaders/board members if we

had a mission and vision statement to make sure the policies were updated in alignment with the

company’s direction. The blank stares I received in return were not what I expected from the

leaders of a company. I expected at least a clear vision so we could develop the mission

statement, but they did not have a shared vision to give me. I asked them every month that

followed and each time they had nothing and told me, they were working on it. Neither the

vision or the mission had been completed and come this March 2017 it will be a year from the

first time I asked. Needless to say, doubt has become my life and I ask myself, “Is this what

OLA vs. MBA 3

leaders are truly like?” The conversations we have in class are not bringing me closer
For the time being I will roll with what I have.

My work environment contradicts every bit of knowledge I receive and when I try to

apply it, managers are very receptive but the leaders are not. Since I am unable to get into the

minds of the leaders around me and all leaders will be different no matter where I work, I am

100% positive changing to the MBA program and widening my knowledge of the different facets

of business. If I can learn more about business structure it may well be the making of me.

The Decision

The decision to change from OLA to MBA was not made lightly. I would be adding

approximately one more year onto my studies and forfeit two of the four classes I have already

completed. What I have learned from the four classes I have taken is that I am going in the

wrong direction. I felt an immediate sense of relief when I contacted Donna about my revelation

and knew, despite my teacher’s best efforts to have us re-examine the who, what, why, how of

the OLA program, that I have made the right choice. I can never know if I will appreciate every

teacher that comes my way or every class content, but I know I needed to change my odds.