I was asked this week what I thought the future of MBAs will look like given the proliferation of online learning in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Would getting an MBA still be worth it? What will teaching look like in an increasingly virtual world? What is the impact of being in-person vs. virtual?
These questions were timely as we had our first opportunity to attend classes in-person this past week. I can’t answer all of these questions right now as my experiences are only my own and my MBA story is still in its early innings, but I did want to talk a bit about the experience of being in-person compared to being virtual.
The Church of Reason
To set the stage, I want to turn towards one of the most thought-provoking books I have ever read, the part autobiography, part exploration of philosophy and metaphysics, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig.
In the book, Pirsig describes modern universities as “Churches of Reason.” He discusses the question of whether a roadside sports bar located in an old church is still a church? Is it simply the building that matters or something more?
Pirsig would tell you the roadside sports bar is no longer a church. Not really.
The object of a church is defined by its purpose. If a church is not being used for worship, it is just a building. We may continue to refer to the building as a church because of its familiar architecture or because that is how it has been known historically, but it no longer is a church. Pirsig believes that there is a deeper meaning to something being called a church. There is a required ‘spirit’ of the physical object. As that spirit leaves, the purpose and very essence of that object leaves with it. It becomes something else entirely. A simple building.
Similar to religious churches, Pirsig argues that Churches of Reason are intrinsically defined by their use or purpose. In the case of universities that purpose, that spirit, is to pursue truth through learning. To expand the boundaries of knowledge itself.
Pirsig would argue that, just as with religious churches, these Churches of Reason become simple buildings as soon as the Spirit of the University leaves. As soon as the pursuit of truth and expansion of knowledge stop becoming the purpose, the buildings become nothing more than a mausoleum to their former holy endeavor.
But what if we turn it around? What if the Spirit of the University is alive and well, despite not being able to meet within the confines of a classroom?
Zoom University
The past year has been an interesting exploration of that exact question. Can the Spirit of the University continue to live on virtually?
I believe that on a macro-level, the answer is a resounding yes. Over the past year, we have seen people adapt and evolve in an unprecedented way. We have seen the important roles that education plays in our society and I expect that long after COVID-19 has faded, its impact on education will continue to be felt acutely.
But I think the answer may be different on a mico-level. One of the things you realize when you start a graduate school program is that everyone is here for different reasons. There are some people who are just checking a box as they climb the corporate ladder at a bank or consulting firm. There are some people who want a two-year vacation where they can travel and party. There are others who are just focused on getting a job and others still who are deeply committed to learning in the classroom.
And I don’t want to try to prescribe which is more important. Everyone has their own reasons and they can all be legitimate depending on where you are at in your career/life.
For me, the value of the MBA revolves around three pillars: building lifelong relationships, learning as much as I absolutely can, and growing personally.
Whatever the reason someone is here, I do think it impacts the question of whether the Spirit of the University lives on. The reality is, that for a decent amount of my peers, the academic side of the MBA experience is a necessary evil required to access the other aspects of the experience.
Without saying whether this is right or wrong, I think I can say that it does make me a little bit sad. The opportunity to attend a school like Wharton is such an incredible privilege and it does make me sad when people ignore a part that, I believe, can drive so much fulfillment and accomplishment. I should note that this perspective is definitely colored by my intense love of both learning and the academic environment. I did not take full advantage of the academic environment in undergrad and it was one of my few regrets from those four years. I promised myself that, should I ever have the opportunity to be a student again, I wouldn’t take it for granted.
And I think it is impossible to look at the academic side of the experience without taking the virtual medium into account. It is clear to me that the Spirit of the University can live on virtually, but I think what the virtual medium does is that it makes it much easier to not really engage with the academic experience.
Even for someone as gung-ho about the academic side of things as me, there have definitely been times I gave in to the temptation to roll out of bed 5 minutes before class and passively listen while constantly refreshing my All Things Arsenal Twitter feed. (Side note: Thanks for the memöries Mesut! And Here-We-Gø-Confirmed that I will be getting a new jersey in the near future!)
As with many things in life, whether the Spirit of the University lives on for each individual is largely a choice. My belief and experience so far is that the more you invest into it, the more you’ll get out of it.
Come to class with me!
To my fellow Wharton students, I highly recommend you at least give the in-class learning opportunities this semester a try.
I get the temptation. It is extremely convenient to be able to roll out of bed and into class. Needing to walk back and forth between school and center city since there aren’t really places to hang out in between classes sucks. Wearing a mask is a pain and needing to drink through a straw seems a bit silly. And the Walnut Street bridge gets cold this time of year. LIKE REALLY, REALLY, REALLY COLD.
But I would encourage and challenge you to at least give it a try. I believe one of the great dangers we all face in life is the choice between doing what is easy and what is right. Between comfort and doing what is best for ourselves and the world.
And if my experience is anything to go off of, going back into the classroom is well, well worth it if you feel comfortable doing so given your own health/risk/life parameters.
Getting to be in class and on campus last week was simply amazing. It was a little window into normalcy and a reminder of some of the things we have probably forgotten we are missing out on. I loved simply being on the move on a beautiful (if brutally cold) day. Enjoying the sun on my face instead of on the window in my office. Serendipitously running into friends on the way to campus or in the bathroom between classes. Getting to look new acquaintances in the eyes when you introduce yourself and feeling the energy of a classroom filled with interested and engaged students.
You simply can’t beat it.
I can’t recommend trying to go in person highly enough and that was when A) I went to the wrong room for my first class and had to zoom in from a floor away anyway and B) there were only a handful of people who were brave (foolish?) enough to be the guinea pigs for the first week of classes. If we are able to get a critical mass of 10-15 students in each class (even our stream together classes!) I really think it will make for a huge improvement and provide much more value to most of us over the zoom status quo.
Maybe I am making too much of being in person.
Maybe the Spirit of the University lives on no matter the medium.
Maybe I am overreacting to what was just a nice day.
Maybe COVID has simply lowered the bar for what a good day looks like.
Maybe that isn’t such a bad thing.
Until next week. Journey before Destination.
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