A Master’s Degree in Servant Leadership? Huh?

Last month, I knocked something big off my bucket list. I finished my MASTER’S DEGREE!  Why is this big? Because it took me 2 years longer than I thought it would to finish it and of course it was a lot more work than I ever imagined it would be.  When I first started working at AU and thought about the opportunity for pursuing a further degree; I thought I would take part in the tuition exchange program and go for school counseling at another University (AU does not offer that).  But I kept running into some challenges that made getting into the exchange program a huge pain in the butt.  So, I thought what the heck I will just get my MBA since AU offers that here on campus.

I was a whole year into my MBA when AU rolled out this new graduate program called “Leadership for Service”.  It is a master’s built around the idea of Servant Leadership.  What is Servant Leadership? It is essentially a leadership philosophy and set of practices that is geared towards enriching the lives of individuals, building better organizations and creating a more just and caring world.  It goes so much deeper into what it takes to truly motivate and lead others.  Sounds kinda corny and mushy gushy doesn’t it? My thoughts exactly.  Which DUH is why I loved the sound of it right away and ditched my MBA program (despite being halfway through) and jumped into this one.

I didn’t want just a piece of paper, I wanted something to challenge me and make me a better person, employee, leader and maybe even clarify if I am on the right path in my career.  That is exactly what I got out of this program. My MBA courses were good, but I wasn’t excited about them.  Accounting, Finance, Economics etc. just was not doing it for me.  When I talked to both my Director and VP about switching programs, they both told me not to.  They told me an MBA would serve me better if I want to continue to move up the ladder or be more marketable for other positions.  With all due respect, I did not follow their advice and followed my gut instead.

Call me crazy but titles and moving up the ladder does not mean much to me.  Neither does promotion or money. What is important to me is MEANING.  What is important to me is the question of “Am I making a DIFFERENCE?” and “Am I making this world BETTER?” and that is EXACTLY what this program was about.  We had whole classes on how to be a better listener, how to be an authentic leader and how to be more self-aware and present.  How cool is that?  I cannot even tell you how many “AHA!” moments I had in this program.  Whether it was things I was doing wrong/right as a leader or confirmation on what I am passionate about and where I need to go.

This program also came at a perfect time where I was transitioning into a new leadership role and struggling with it.  It also solidified the fact that I am meant to work with students. I am still trying to figure out in what capacity that is, but I know that is when I feel the most on fire.  When I am helping a student figure out the college application/financial aid process, when I am helping a student figure out what career path is best for them, when I am teaching my Spartan Ambassadors important lessons and helping them be the best they can be.  THAT is when I want to shout from the rooftops because it makes me so happy.  Whether my role is to stay in admission or in a different path that is more student centered, I am not sure yet.  But I know I am moving in the right direction.  All of these things an MBA could not have given me.  The late nights and early mornings of cramming  for tests projects and papers, the precious weekend time spent in class was all so worth it.  I might get a few quizzical looks when people ask me what I completed my degree in, but it’s all good. I came out of this program with more knowledge, self-awareness and confidence than I had before I started and could not have loved my experience more.  That is what education is all about.

Happy Sunday, stay blessed in the mess 🙂