Since the recession began in December 2007, there has been a lack of jobs and job security. According to the Department of Labour (2009), the official unemployment for 2009 was 9.3% of the total labour force. Going to temporary agencies will only get their foot in the door at a prospective employer; however, their qualifications, work ethic, and knowledge might keep them there. Employers are looking to hire employees who have a certain skill set and training that could help improve their business. They also are looking for managers to step in with the knowledge and expertise to be efficient in managing others and their business. The reason for pursuing a Masters in Business Administration degree is to start a new career. “Equipping yourself with an MBA degree during the phase of slow down helps you to position yourself strategically when the upturn begins” (Saxena). The argument will be based on personal and professional goals for getting an MBA, including: family, leadership skills, develop into a marketable asset, better career prospects, job progression, and to gain the skills to adapt to the changing workforce. Furthermore the argument will analyze the personal perception and perception of others regarding the Jungian assessment.
Having both personal and professional goals set will help someone accomplish the great opportunity of pursuing an MBA to start a new career. A personal goal for pursuing an MBA could be for the betterment of a family. Pursuing an MBA is not solely for the individual, but it is also to give their family a better life. Keeping family in mind and at the forefront will lead to success because God and family are excellent motivational tools. Another personal goal could be to gain better leadership skills so an individual can succeed in and out of the workplace. Pursuing an MBA will “hone you to survive despite recession, and helps you to grow in the up-turn” (Saxena, 2010, para. 5). Gaining the survival skills will help develop leadership skills because it will teach others how to survive through tough or trying time. The last personal goal is to become a more marketable asset when applying for jobs. “For those who realize they are stuck following a bad career choice, an MBA can open a window of opportunity” (Nigam). Pursuing an MBA can lead an individual down multiple job paths, they do not have to be a manager at a business, and one day they could be the CEO of their own company. Keeping in mind these personal goals that are set for an individual will help keep them grounded through the next two years. Professional goals differ from personal goals because this is what an individual is working towards at the end of this process. A professional goal that is set is for them to start a new career of their choice. Having a Bachelor’s degree will only go so far, especially in the economy today. The skills gained while pursuing an MBA will give a competitive edge when contending for a job. According to Saxena (2010), “skilled professionals are always valued and remain in demand” (Saxena, 2010, para. 2). Top executives of companies feel that having an MBA is important. Employers are looking for individuals who can adapt to the changes of the industry which is another personal goal. To learn the particular skill set to adapt to the changes of the workforce. Through an MBA program, “students are given exposure to a variety of scenarios and are made to struggle with a lot of information, so as to hone their management capabilities, which are required in their professional career” (Saxena, 2010, para. 3). Along with everything an MBA can provide the last professional goal is to have successful job progression. Job progression does not particularly mean progression within the company the individual is currently employed with but progression within their own career. Being a Quartermaster Officer in the Army does not require an individual to have an MBA but having the degree will set individual up to be successful if that is the career path they choose. It is better to set yourself up for success rather than being dissatisfied with a current career choice. A lot about success in a particular profession can be based off of personality scores that are gathered from the Jungian 16-type personality self-assessment.
According to the Jungian 16-type personality assessment, Marla is introverted, sensing, thinking and judging (ISTJ). ISTJ’s personality type consists of individuals who are “organized, compulsive, private, trustworthy, and practical, with possible careers as an office manager, accountant, business manager, tax agent, public servant” (Pearson Prentice Hall, 2010, para. 2). Marla’s personality consists of everything that has been stated previously. However, these are strengths but there are weaknesses that lie within. One weakness found is with the word compulsive, she has found out at times that she is unmanageable and tends to make decisions off of an impulse. This could affect her career in the long run if she does not get it under control now. Another weakness found was in the word private. She tends to stay to herself even when problems arise. She is not necessarily open all the time, especially when confrontation is right in front of her. This could be a problem because constantly staying to herself could lead to less career progression or less opportunities all around to better herself and her career. From the personality test, she could see herself being any of the career possibilities except of accountant.
Others perceive ISTJ differently than Jung. Feig (2005) stated, “ISTJs personality type is realism, organizing abilities, and a command of the facts lead ISTJs to complete tasks thoroughly with a great attention to detail. Logical pragmatists at heart, ISTJs make decisions based on their experience with an eye to efficiency. ISTJs are intensely committed to people and to the organization of which they are a part of they take their work seriously and believe others should too.” Kelly Buckman a teammate of Marla’s said, “It sounds to me that you are a quiet person who views the world silently. You may gain a lot of insight about people that way and use it to help others.”
Feig has narrowed her personality down more than Jung did. Marla has a hard time with not being able to complete a task that she cannot put her all into, being very detail oriented can be a weakness in return. She uses her experience to help lead future decisions and does it effectively. A weakness is that she can be too committed to people and the organization of which she is a part of to the point that the main reason for being there is somewhat forgotten. Also, the fact that she takes her work too seriously has lead her to live a very serious life, in which she treats the majority of her life like a job. Kelly on the other hand has made a great observation that Marla had not thought of. Marla does sit back and watch how others act, she learns a lot from doing so. However, she would not go into it so much to say that she uses it to help others because she still would rather stay to herself more than go out and socialize.
Pursuing an MBA to start a new career with both personal and professional goals in mind will help someone stay on track and not lose focus. Family will continue to drive and support everyday. Having the necessary leadership skills will help an individual survive any down turn or recession. Also, being a marketable asset can be beneficial when choosing a job. Keep in mind that in order to start a new career an MBA is the best degree choice. The skills that are developed throughout the course of the degree plan will help an individual adapt to various changes. Also, the MBA will lead to better job progression either within a particular company or within a career. The Jungian assessment was used to point out an individuals strengths, identify any weaknesses and show possible career choices. The personality type ISTJ could lead to a possible career choice in a management position. ISTJs are overall organized, trustworthy and practical all qualities an employer is looking for in a new hire.

Department of Labour. (2009). EIU Data Services. Retrieved from http://secure.alacra.com/

Feig, N. (2005). The 16 Personality Traits. Community Banker, 14(1), 34. Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier database.

Nigam, J. (2010, Sept. 6). IS MBA NECESSARY?. Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved from http://find.galegroup.com.ezproxy.appollolibrary.com. Oct. 7, 2010.

Pearson Prentice Hall. (2010). WHAT'S MY JUNGIAN 16-TYPE PERSONALITY. Retrieved from Pearson Prentice Hall, MGT 521 website.

Saxena, S. (2010, June 28). Advantage MBA?. Daily New and Analysis. Retrieved from http://find.galegroup.comp.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com. Oct. 7, 2010.