IMD MBA Blogs : MBA Blog class of 2013 - The way to the Emerald City

The Blog Team

Natalia Filchakova
A passionate learner and speaker of five languages, I was raised in Moscow, helped cities become more sustainable, worked in Germany and Canada, and set up an own strategy consulting business in Switzerland. Now I’m excited to be at IMD to pursue my passion for excellence. Join the ride!

Vikas Menon
Indian by heritage, I grew up in Dubai and later ventured out to the USA for 8 years. Along the way I translated my passion to work with people into a sales career in High-Tech. Join me on this global IMD adventure of discovery, enrichment and excitement!

Hammad Hussain
I grew up in Abu Dhabi but moved to Karachi, followed by London to grow further. Most of my 11 years career, I've been learning to improve processes in Oil-and-Gas industry, but I’m here to learn more (about myself), and would like to share what I learn, with you.

Other Blogs

The way to the Emerald City

Laurent, Suzy Calendar

Friday, 11 Nov 2011 04:12 Comments

1 Comment

Today's guest entry is by 2012 candidate, Joan Beets in Amsterdam

Hovering over my Corporate Finance book trying to absorb the concepts of PV, FV, stream of cash flows etc. on a sunny Saturday afternoon I thought to myself – why did I want to do this again? Why do I want to give up the security blanket of a good career with the world’s largest crude oil producer just when I have to opportunity to be part of mega projects in the Middle East and Asia? What crazy brainwave made me give up a stable income when the economy looks like its heading for yet another downturn? I must be insane….

No, I’m not insane…I’m Dorothy. Well, no my name is really Joan but over a year ago I found myself faced with the same dilemma as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. With the big “30” looming over my head, I had strong feeling of being at a point in my life where I could choose from 2 yellow brick roads. Either one of them could lead to the Emerald City, being the future that I want for myself, but the question was which one - the easy one or the hard one. The easy road would be to stay where I was, in my comfortable life with my stable career and good friends. Or I could gamble and take the hard road? The road that would mean turning my life upside down, pushing myself harder than I ever had before without knowing where I would end up. I chose the hard road. Why? Because the city at the end of the easy yellow brick road is not my Emerald City, it’s not the future I want for myself. My Emerald City lies at the end of a yellow brick road with lots of chasms and challenges. I can always tap my heels 3 times and be home, but if I didn’t go down that yellow brick road I would not find self-fulfillment.

So I go back to hovering over my Corporate Finance book with a smile on my face, excited by the thought of the adventure ahead of me and wondering about the Scarecrows, Tin Men and Lions I will meet along the way. Together, I know we will find our Emerald City.

Joan Beets