Wednesday, October 11, 2006
I’ve received more than a few questions and comments about the classes that I’m attending so I thought I’d use this blog to explain what I’m doing in Greensboro, NC.
I’ve hinted to some that I sit in coffee houses and breweries for hours every day. “Must be nice!” is the most frequently heard complaint. More on that comment later. In reality I’ve signed up for a rather unorthodox program to get the equivalent of my MBA. The passing rate for the class is about 80% with only 3% excelling. Odds are not good for 80% of the attendees.
The class is actually 3-5 years long and not just a 4 one-time classes in October. For the college kids reading this, the lectures begin at 7pm and last until at least midnight. The lst class went until 1:30am. The professor had 1 ten minute break after 3 hours. He intends on weeding out the ‘weak’ right away.
The reading assignment is beyond most college requirements. I have a list of over 120 books to read, not just the initial 15 that I showed some of you. I’ve purchased about 10 of the first 15, and am required to read, at a minimum, a book a week. A major challenge for me. Some of the books are extremely dry.
The homework: 1-2 hours a day for 5 days a week, 52 weeks each year. Even though it’s self grading, the evidence of your work is examined/revealed after the first year or two.
I have 5 classes this fall, with 4 of them this month in the Greensboro area. Next year I will be taking another set of classes of similar length and most probably in the October time frame but in the Raleigh, NC area. This still allows me to travel to Mexico, Ireland, Maryland, Wisconsin, New Mexico, and the West Coast for the next year. (as long as I continue with my homework and reading assignments)
Class size in Greensboro is about 500 and the classes in Raleigh hitting the 1000 mark. Tough to speak to one instructor in that arena? Teacher’s aids? None.
So when I email you that I’m sitting in a coffee shop for three hours, I’m really doing homework and reading. I spent 2 hours today at a Chinese lunch buffet reading and getting two meals for the price of one. (you stay long enough, you don’t need a second meal)
An internet connection and access to CNBC and Bloomberg radio or TV is a requirement. In Greensboro, the campground where I’m residing doesn’t have those things, so I find them at coffee houses and micro-breweries. In addition, it’s tough for me to drink coffee for less than the buck they charge me all day. Frugal, absolutely! If I expect that from Jamie and David, I have to abide by that guideline.
So that explains the ‘what’ of my trip to North Carolina. As for the why, when I graduate in the 20% level or in the 3% level, it will be explained.