The Transformative Power of Education: Personal Goals and Strengths

My name is Elizabeth Lawani, I am single and I live in Johannesburg, South Africa. I have previously completed qualifications in Business Management, marketing, and Project Management Certifications. I am currently working as the Project Manager for my company with over ten years of work experience. I believe knowledge effectively applied is power hence, we need the right knowledge to get the right result. Completing my MBA will give me an opportunity to achieve personal educational goals and will open several career paths for me within several industries.

SWOT Analysis of Myself and Personal Goals

My Strength: I have been able to acquire some skills and technical know-how that has distinguished me from others. I have the knowledge and experience on how to lead a team (whether international or locals) towards achieving a successful project. I believe everything is possible we only need the right knowledge, and mindset to achieve our goals. I have an excellent communication skill and always ready to create a solution when a problem arises. This specific strength has made me an asset in my industry. I have an open mind, a self-starter, and self-motivated individual with a high passion for excellence in everything I do. I like to see myself as a go-getter, good listener and always ready to carry out required actions when a goal is identified. Strengths discovered so far: from the study so far, my ability to improve myself and my work has increased. I can do much more than I thought both at work and in my academic.

Weakness: I often believe my English Language skills will be challenged at some point by a native speaker. Lacking confidence sometimes to speak up. This has made me study hard gaining many TESOL certificates to remain relevant and have the ability to express myself anytime or amid anyone. Impatient with slow learners and bad decision-makers. Weakness discovered so far: although this is my 8th course, I am still learning how to balance my time, work and other engagements with my studies. Time is never enough. I have had many sleepless nights and restricted social activities trying to meet up with deadlines.

Opportunity: the world is changing at a fast speed and more competent individuals are needed for better results. To leverage this opportunity, I am studying this MBA to keep myself updated with important knowledge that can help me make strategic decisions for success in any situation. The use of high technology is a requirement for my kind of work to compete among others. So, I am improving myself in the use of software and applications that boost opportunities for better work delivery, and better pay. Opportunity to improve my technical know-how and networking. Opportunity discovered so far: possibilities of getting a better job with better pay than what I currently have irrespective of my background. Opportunities to get Leadership training and be mentored by highly esteemed professors and Doctors, valuable knowledge received from different perspectives and feedback from my peers in the discussion forums and assignments. Learning how to establish and manage my own business and how to succeed by making strategic decisions both in life and in business.

Threat: global discrimination of blacks is a major threat for me. As a black individual especially in S.A, it is difficult to get a good position in some giant companies. Even if the competencies are evident, the colour of the skin speaks otherwise. This limits growth and effective utilization of capacities. Ability to have a permanent job with great benefits. Threat discovered so far: I may not achieve my education goal of completing this study in one year if I do not effectively balance my time. Peer assessment could discourage me from continuing with my study. I feel like all my effort and investment could be placed in a less competent individual which could lead to low. grades and failure. My last six courses have been an “A” and so far, the way I have been graded by one of my peers in this course BUS 5711 is very discouraging and annoying which could hinder me from having an A. Also, because of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, my company has been seriously affected. We are still on hold hence, I may not be able to pay my fees.

Conclusion

Education is a vital key needed to succeed in our global world of change. The university of people has provided a great platform to achieve applicable knowledge that can make the lives of people more beneficial and successful around the world. After evaluating my SWOT analysis, I can conclude that my professional goal is well on track, and aligned with my SWOT. With the investment in knowledge and my personality from the various professors and Doctors, I can explore the opportunities currently available and in future. I will be able to establish my own business, which is part of my current goal, and achieve my DBA. The threats in my SWOT analysis, like poor utilization of capabilities, will be eliminated when results and achievements are seen. My goal is to appropriately apply every knowledge I have received so far in this study to leverage the opportunities and overcome every threat.