One of my motivations for getting my MBA was to broaden my future career prospects. The university where I attend is trying to groom us aspiring MBAs to be the perfect candidates, touting the company line, and wowing the companies that recruit on campus.
In order to be eligible for the university's career events I need to complete a list of 25 accomplishments in the PAR (Problem/Project/Performance Objective, Action, Result), a 3-5-5+ value strategy, a resume, and a focus statement in order to establish my "personal brand". All of this has me feeling like more of a consumer good rather than a person and I am 100%+ stressed. What I thought would be a good exercise in reflection on my career and achievements, is making me feel like an underachiever. I have to work, go to school, get awards, do extracurricular activities, and have hobbies in the meantime.
How can I fit in all those things when I feel like I can barely tread water with work, school, and caring for a new baby? Why are these the only ways to measure my success and capabilities?
So for one of my accomplishments in the PAR format, I have decided to write the following:
Problem/Project/Performance Objective - pregnant with first child
Action - labored for 12 hours
Outcome - gave birth naturally to daughter
Value Created for Enterprise - family started
MBA Competencies (list three) - persistence, initiative, and adaptability; judgement and decision making; complex problem solving
