Diary of an Innovation student
Paul Rosham
Systems Engineer
NetApp
Current Postgraduate Certificate in Innovation Management student
Working week
As with most part-time students, my work tasks take first priority. Overseas and interstate travel, with my position, can introduce disruption to most schedules, so a flexible approach is required. I have found that, by keeping in touch through email and phone, group tasks can be kept moving along even when I am not around. I have even found the time to schedule some meetings for a syndicate assignment during the week (with creative use of lunchtimes and customer meetings out of the office).
Monday
After work
Monday night's task is to complete my preparation for my Tuesday lecture. I get home at 6:00 p.m. and help get my son bathed and into bed. After that, my wife and I eat dinner. Often, she is out at book club. At 8:30 p.m., I start on the textbook reading. It's important to get the current chapter read and summarised, preferably with a mind- map. I find this a great way to get the week's topics in mind which really lets me contribute in class. I usually get the reading work and notes finished by 12:00 a.m.
Tuesday
During the day
On the day of lectures, the night's slides are usually posted on the M.B.S. website (unless there is a surprise in store during the lecture!). I like to get these printed out so I can make written notes for later revision, and have my mind-map printed for a quick review before class.
Class time
It helps to be at MBS on time, so I leave my office in the city and find a car-park nearby. Before the class is a great time to check-point with other members of my syndicate, so we can make sure all work for the syndicate assignment is on track. Often, team members are juggling busy work life with the assignment, so it helps to share the work around to make sure it all gets done on time. The first part of the class is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., then 30 minutes for dinner (often accompanied by a rowdy discussion with fellow class members). Class continues from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. It's not unusual to follow class with a few drinks at the pub. Networking with fellow classmates presents lots of learning opportunities and a chance to share the load!
Wednesday
On Wednesday's I do a 5:30 p.m. gym class and get home before my son goes to bed. Tonight it's a "relax" night and a chance to hear about my wife's work for that day - sometimes we catch a movie.
Thursday
After work
I try to sped a few hours on Thursday night between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. to get work done for syndicate group project or class presentations. Bed-time reading is usually a selection from the subject's reading pack (as there are usually a few articles, business cases or exercises to complete).
Friday
After work
Friday nights are reserved for family activities.
Weekend
Saturday
Daytime
Generally, I cycle with a group of friends. We do a 70km or 100km ride each weekend. Normally, this is on a Saturday morning from 7:00 a.m., and I try to be back by 11:30 a.m. This allows me to spend some time with my son and give my wife a bit of time to herself. If Tommy has an afternoon sleep, I can get 2 hours of work done on a syndicate assignment, to avoid the need to work on Saturday night.
Evening
I try to keep Saturday night free for social activities, but it can disappear into assignments, syndicate work or getting a start on next lecture reading.
Sunday
I try to encourage syndicate meetings for Sunday afternoons, and keep Sunday mornings free to go to my son's swimming lesson or for a bike ride (if I missed Saturday). Ideally, Sunday night is used to address the action points from the syndicate meeting while things are fresh in my mind.
