Perspective: Work-study-life balance

Abstract

Engaging in a university management program is like running a marathon. It requires a high level of discipline, commitment, and mental strength from every student - regardless of being enrolled in a traditional campus or an online program. At times it is hard and painful, and you ask yourself why you are doing it; but once you have crossed the finish line, you are incredibly proud and feel like you can accomplish everything no matter how hard the challenge might be. The main difference between campus and online programs is the higher level of flexibility online programs provide to its students and, with that, to their employers and families. With some exceptions, online students have the freedom to organize their study schedules themselves. This allows pursuing a professional occupation or, in some cases, even full-time employment. It also permits students with family commitments to continue a more-or-less normal family life. Thanks to this increased flexibility, the author was able to remain fully employed at CSL Behring during the duration of the entire master program at the University of Liverpool. In addition, the author remained mobile for business travel and even more for an international long-term assignment that required relocation from Europe to the USA without interrupting the program. Studying in the late evening hours also allowed the author to spend as much time as possible with family and friends during daytime and weekends. It was certainly not easy to bring work, family, and studies under one umbrella during the entire duration of the master program. However, studying online was found to be the perfect solution for the author to keep job, family, and study commitments in balance. This was obviously not a stand-alone achievement but required flexibility, comprehension, and support from all the actors including workplace and, more importantly, family and friends.