CorpComms Magazine

Dear Ros,

I'm in a real quandary.  I have always been ambitious and enjoy working under pressure, but since the recession has kicked in I have found myself incredibly bored at work.  Half my team has been made redundant and the three of us who are left have virtually nothing to do.  The company has a policy of saying or doing as little as possible when it comes to the media, so even when we announce profit warnings and yet another round of redundancies, we are instructed to stick to the script and keep our communications down to a minimum.  And as for external events and campaigns, we simply don't have a budget for 2009.

I feel guilty as I should be grateful that I've still got a job while my ex colleagues have been made redundant, but I don't think I can take a year or more of this stultifying tedium.  I'm thinking of applying for a professional qualification, like an MBA, and taking a year out.  What do think?  Would it be career suicide to leave a permanent job at a time like this?

George, Twickenham

Dear George

Last week a leading business school claimed that applications for its prestigious MBA programme had doubled this year, so you are obviously not alone!

One of the direct effects of a recession can be a much slower paced working environment and for someone ambitious this is frustrating and demoralising.  You have a choice here, either push yourself in your current role or leave.  This recession means that you have to work in a different way, you need to come up with new ways to add value.  There is one thing that an organisation aims for during a recession and that is to protect and maintain its reputation and brand, so you, in communications should have an opportunity to prove your innovative thinking.  And remember, all the work you are doing now in building relationships may not immediately lead to results, but will stand you in good stead when the market picks up.

If you don't think this is a realistic option in your current job, then yes, an MBA is an excellent idea.  But think carefully if you can afford it.  Not only will you lose your salary, but MBA fees are expensive.  You could consider a part time MBA, which would mean two years of evening classes, and a huge amount of work - but then you say you like working under pressure.  There is also the slim possibility that your current employer might sponsor you in a part time course.

There are other qualifications, such as the CIPR and the CIM certificate that are well regarded, so you might consider one of these. Or you might like to look at studying for a Masters Degree for fun in, for example, philosophy or international politics.  Far from being career suicide, a professional qualification will stimulate you intellectually, increase your network of contacts in the business community, help you see beyond the parameters of your current situation and equip you well for the future.  It will also give you a sense of achievement and success - a dose of which we can all do with!

share me: del.icio.us | digg | reddit | Tweet