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Pauline Schellart's OneMBA Class of 2006 Diary

June 23 , 2006: The Journey Continues

Graduation day was a very special day. With our class of 17 we sang:

It’s fun to stay at the OneMBA (2x)
You can make your dreams real, (…)
You can do whatever you feel.

During our final presentations for leadership development, it became clear one of the outcomes of the 21 months program is that we have gained more confidence, developed our strengths and learnt to deal with our weaknesses. It was a pleasure to see my class-mates grow and see the change between the initial presentations and these final ones; differences in what they have established in their career as well as how they have developed personally.

I find it very important to try and make my dreams real; to follow my passion. However, I am not the kind of person who has her life mapped out completely. I see life as a journey. One of my expectations was that the OneMBA would take me a big step further on this journey. And it has done so: I need challenges and opportunities, to create and build, to learn and be inspired. OneMBA has contributed to further develop my creativity, curiosity and flexibility, which will bring me closer to my destination. When I look at the horizon I see two serious and inspiring options for the next step in my career. One of them is to start my own business and I have already started some initiatives that can grow, either as part of my current organization or as independent business(es).

Another option for my next career step is a higher management position in a service company and therefore the learning experience has been very relevant. One of the most significant benefits and insights I derived from the OneMBA curriculum is that in our daily life (including business) we shall be increasingly confronted with cultural diversity.

Understanding cultural differences is vital in services, because the intangible elements are much more important than the tangible ones. Service is crucial and the hardest part to grab. What suits one person, might not suit another one; it is all about what people experience. And local differences are therefore much more relevant.

Throughout the OneMBA program one of the good things was the support of my class-mates. Simple things meant a lot, like one calling me in the middle of my move from Amsterdam to Gouda, just asking how I was doing. I have built some very good friendships and that is an important benefit in itself. I would like to thank my family (with special thanks to my son and daughter) and (new) friends for their support.

All the learnings and insights will reach far much further than the OneMBA. We have had an amazing, demanding, interesting and challenging experience, which made me grow, which brought me new friends and a huge network and changed my life forever. The learning process will not stop after the OneMBA, it is just the beginning. The journey continues.