Monday, March 12, 2012

The Master Thesis Process

Since January I have been concentrating on the final stage of my Master education. The Master thesis writing process. It is a 70-120 page paper that represents a graduate student's skills for research, critical thinking, and analysis on a topic of their choice. Often times, companies have a problem they would like investigated or professors have identified an area needing more research, which graduate students are welcome to write about. Other times, it is a chance for the student to dig into their passion and interests for six months to hopefully shed some light on a current topic or business challenge. Some grad students pair up to write the thesis together to add discourse and depth to the topic at hand. Others choose to write alone to test their skills or meet a tight deadline. I have chosen the latter route on both accounts.

I have decided to write about something I am passionate about on a personal level in order to potentially explore the professional opportunities later on in life. Additionally, I am using this opportunity to test my research and writing skills, both of which I have always enjoyed. My first article was published in the local paper at age 11. While I was receiving my Bachelor's education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the States, Professors would ask whether they could use my papers as examples for future students. Once I started working, I naturally ended up in Marketing where there were lots of writing and communicating opportunities. First on proposals or presentations, later on websites and blogs. However, it wasn't until I moved to Denmark and started my Master's education at Copenhagen Business School that the true test of my writing and discourse began.

Receiving an education in Denmark is not like anything I have ever experienced in the U.S. The level of learning, depth of discussion, and preparation for argumentation and oral presentation that students are expected to have truly prepares them for holding their own with senior members of any organization. Experiencing this during my final stage of education is something I am truly and entirely grateful for, as I know this is pushing me to expand my abilities beyond anything I could have done on my own. Culture plays a big role in the education system in Denmark where a flat organization and group decisions are common practice in the business world. In this type of an environment, senior leaders want to hear employee's thoughts, and employees are expected and (thankfully) prepared to eloquently share them using the appropriate strategic or management terms. Quite the opposite in America where a fighting spirit, hard work, and (sometimes, but not always) a higher education is all that is required for success. Otherwise known, and typically admired throughout the world as "The American Dream." In most cases, a Bachelor degree is all that is needed in the U.S. to ensure professional success. However, a Master degree is an absolute requirement to be successful in a knowledge economy like Denmark.

In both cultures, having a good network and knowing the right people are needed to get your foot in the door professionally. Once in the door however, it remains to be seen whether knowing the right people is still a qualification required for getting a seat at the table, or whether having an additional level of academic skill is the secret ingredient to ensure an upward mobile path (if that is your determinant for success). For me, finding a job that does not feel like work is the ultimate goal. Merging passion and skill, and adding value to an organization and/or society is key. The best way I can describe what I hope to achieve professionally is otherwise known as the "state of flow" in theory. Where loss of time and consciousness occurs because you are so emerged in something that is the right mix of challenge and skill, intrigue and interest, keeping you coming back for more, or looking forward to the work day ahead. First thing's first. Right now I just need to make it through the thesis process and cross my fingers the writing flows over the next few months. Apologies if this means my blog posts are even more spread out, but at this moment in time it's about the destination. I just hope I will enjoy the journey!