It’s never too late to redefine your journey
Embracing the roadmap: Madilene’s journey to completing her degree, despite the challenges she faced along the way, through resilience and learning.
In my professional career, I’ve learned that life’s journey often resembles a roadmap. Recently, as I delved into the course “Strategic Management and Accounting,” I found myself on a deeper exploration. What emerged was the realisation that each of us inherently possesses a strategic methodology—a way of navigating challenges and opportunities.
Bumps along the way
Fifteen years ago, my roadmap wouldn’t have led me here without the experiences that had shaped it. Completing my education had always been a goal of mine, but life threw some unexpected curveballs. In 2015, my priorities shifted when there was a decline in mine and my family’s health and wellbeing, as a result throughout this time education took a backseat.
A defining conversation
In 2017, during a conversation with a senior project manager, I was asked a simple question: “What do you like to do?” My response—project management and problem-solving—led to an eye-opening revelation. The projects I’d worked on, from my initial role as a project assistant to project coordinator, were all part of my journey to project management.
Taking the first step
Realising the importance of my road ahead, I decided to pursue the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute. The path wasn’t easy, but I successfully completed the required courses and passed the examination. Yet, I knew there was more to achieve.
No excuses, only opportunities
The pandemic brought clarity. Online education channels were abundant, and excuses vanished. I explored Coursera and stumbled upon the BSc Business Administration programme at the University of London. Despite being almost 50 years old, I asked myself: Was I ready? Would this education enhance my career path? Why was I doing this?
I had a 'seizing the moment' moment
I signed up, and from that moment, there was no looking back. My parents, who hailed from humble beginnings on a small Philippine Island, had moved to the United States for our sake. They wanted us to seize opportunities. Starting work right after high school, I found myself in the corporate world, collaborating with project and programme managers. Problem-solving became my passion.
Aligning with strategic management
As I progress through the programme, I find myself immersed not only in my own experiences but also in the intricate details of strategic management. It’s a path that aligns seamlessly with my role as a manager within an organisation.
The course modules have been enlightening. They’ve bridged gaps in my understanding, transforming me into a stronger manager. From the foundational principles of quantitative methods, to the current focus on operations management and strategic management/accounting, I’ve gained insights that extend beyond theory.
Admittedly, numbers haven’t always been my forte. Yet, this course has empowered me. I now grasp the key roles in management decision-making—the very essence of effective leadership. While my experiences provided a brief glimpse, this programme is equipping me with the technical acumen needed to excel.
In my view, age should never define our educational journey. The right time to pursue education is when it feels best for you. As for me, I didn’t always know what I wanted, but my experiences, both triumphs and challenges, have shaped my path. Today, I stand here, embracing my roadmap, armed with resilience, and ready to continue learning. Remember, it’s never too late to redefine your journey.
Madilene studies BSc Business Administration in the United States.
This page was last updated on 2 September 2024