Try To Balance Family, Work
Q: I am in a fast-track marketing career that usually requires an MBA from a top-25 school. I work about 50 hours a week, and I am in a program to attain that degree. I have one year left. My class is 7.5 hours a week, and I have to study all weekend. I am also a husband and a father. With this schedule, life is hectic. My priorities are family, career and education, but I am starting to feel like something has to give, and wiping out education is not that simple. An MBA from a top school would allow me to progress more rapidly in my career and would allow my family and me a higher standard of living. Any suggestions on balancing life’s commitments?
A: Marrying and raising a child are serious, long-term commitments.
You and your wife need to discuss your goals, the sacrifices required to attain them, and the lifestyle to which you aspire. An MBA degree from a top school should be a valuable commodity for many years to come. The one year remaining for you to obtain this degree seems well worth the sacrifice, but you and your wife must make the decision together.
High IQ could actually hurt job search
Q: My husband has an MBA from a top-five school and is also a certified public accountant. Based on his GMAT score, he discovered that he qualifies for Mensa and would like to join and put it on his risumi. I think this would make him look either insecure, arrogant or both. The odd thing is that he is not an egomaniac. He has a wonderful job now and interviews well, though he is not currently looking. Please offer your opinion.
A: Whether your husband joins Mensa is up to him, but he should leave it off his risumi. Most interviewers are aware that people who graduate with an MBA from a top-five school and attain a CPA are quite intelligent. Getting hired involves developing a good rapport with the interviewer as well as meeting the job’s qualifications. Listing Mensa on a risumi may seem arrogant and insecure to some, and offend others who may feel less intelligent.
Divorce marks end of business relationship
Q: I divorced my husband this year. We were partners in a business together. After the divorce, I agreed to be an employee. I knew I would eventually leave, but the pay was good. Since I have been his employee, he has cut back my bonus, publicly accused me of stealing company property and exploded in anger three times. He also left a drunken message on the company voice mail (heard by the manager) about firing me. Should I see a lawyer or just move on?
A: You made the decision to move on by divorcing this man. Now it’s time to make a clean break. Unless your pay and conditions of working for his company are part of the divorce decree, move on. You need to find a company that is not involved or related to your husband’s company. If, while looking for a new job, you find that your husband has damaged your reputation and chances of securing a new job, then it’s time to see a lawyer.