Peek into Workload and Worklife Balance in the MSC
Posted by:
Aaron Subich, Class of 2012
As with all thing involving life, there is no static, easy pat answer for what your life will look like entering into the MSC. However, I can say with conviction – Brace yourself for a very intense year. Sometimes, the workload will be heavy and you’ll find yourself struggling to keep your head above water, but other times, you’ll find yourself in a wonderful rhythm with fantastic harmony between your studies and work that will fill you with a wonderful energy.
That said, currently, this student is in the trying not to drown category. My work for Managing Information for Innovation this quarter consists of writing 4 – 1 page response papers to our weekly reading where my task is to tie the readings to my workplace and suggest improvements based on observations in line with the thoughts presented in the reading. Thankfully, I have only 1 more response paper to complete. I am also reading I’d say an average of between 40-60 pages of material a week. Lastly, I am working in a group of 4 to complete a processes audit of an innovation attempt at my company. This will result in a no more than 2,000 word write up in which we’ll present the innovation attempt and critique it based on material studied in class.
My elective course this quarter is Managing Workplace Diversity and Inclusion. In this class, I read slightly more at around 80-100 pages a week. I have already conducted an interview with a workplace colleague of very different background and orientation than mine, given a 15 minute presentation on my findings, and submitted a 4 page paper concerning the experience. I have also done a significant amount of research in the LGBT arena concerning the workplace, and along with a partner, given a hour long presentation to our class detailing our findings and essentially bringing them up to speed on the current issues and situation for LGBT members of the work community. I have yet to write a 10 page paper with a critique and overview of my company’s diversity and inclusion plan in light of all I have learned in the class. In both classes there are also significant percentages of our grades assigned to participation, so the weekly readings are mandatory.
Concerning work, I’m fortunate in that my company is vested in my attending the MSC and graciously allots me the time away for the every other Friday, however, they also expect the same amount of work… This area is by far the most subjective for us in the MSC, but prepare to lose a day every other week regardless! That, and the Saturday’s, will inevitably compress workplace time for you.
Fortunately, I’m not yet a parent. But that’s certainly something you’ll want to factor in as well, and communication with your spouse or other caregivers is something you’ll want to do well in advance of starting next fall! Overall though, I can’t say enough how pleased I am with this program, and especially with the way it’s packaged into 10 months as opposed to being spread out over 2-3 years. It’s worth it, you can do it, and I KNOW you’ll grow through the process.
Categorised as: Aaron Subich, class assignments, class readings, Connecting to the Workplace, culture, experiences, finding balance, graduation, MSC, NU, Paul Leonardi, Workload, Workplace Diversity and Inclusion