To say that any of us knew we’d be juggling graduate school, full-time jobs and social lives a year ago would be a complete lie. However, since starting, we’ve all found that it truly is not as scary as we had imagined. Three women. Three degree programs. One shared goal: advancing our professional careers.
Kendall – Marketing, M.S.
Starting my first semester of my MS in Marketing has been a lot smoother than I expected. I had built up in my head that grad school had to be a grueling time commitment, but it’s surprisingly been refreshing! I can actually feel my brain ingesting the content instead of just trying to survive the workload, which has been a nice surprise!
Right now, I’m only taking one class, Marketing Research. I went in expecting a lot of math and spreadsheets, but so far there hasn’t really been any math at all. Instead, it’s been much more conceptual and focused on analytical thinking. I’ve really enjoyed learning how to think through problems, gather data, and understand the “why” behind marketing decisions.
If I’m being honest about what I wish I’d known before starting classes, it’s that I overestimated the time commitment and workload by a lot. I spent weeks slightly worried (okay, maybe more than slightly…) about how I was going to balance everything and getting ahead to help the transition, and it turned out to be almost no stress at all. I was especially nervous about my first exam, but it ended up being much easier than expected. I got a 98, which definitely boosted my confidence early on.
My number one tip for anyone pursuing this degree is simple, just get started. If you’re worried about the time commitment, jump in and see what happens. You can always take a break, slow down, or take one class at a time. The hardest part is just starting, and once you do, it’s not nearly as intimidating as it seems – at least, that’s my experience!
Blake – Management, M.S. (Social Media Strategy)
When I hear the word “statistics” I envision a large rolling chalkboard riddled with mathematical formulas and equations. Unfortunately, and fortunately, for me, my one and only graduate level math course is nothing like “A Beautiful Mind”.
Unfortunately, the textbook reading for each concept feels like the equivalent of studying Shakespeare’s greatest works while battling through a two-day migraine. This could just be a me problem since any and every form of math is my kryptonite and typically leads to me shedding a tear or two. (I’ve always had a knack for the theatrics.)
However, on the bright side, the “pre-certify” assignments have been lifesavers! Reading about the steps necessary to solve each problem does not work for a visual learner like myself so having the opportunity to work through the problems with a step-by-step guide has made all the difference. Once you start working through the formulas, you realize that you truly don’t need to spend a ton of money on a fancy graphing calculator. (I only spent $20 on mine and frequently berate myself for throwing away the receipt.)
If I could go back in time and tell myself anything it would be to plan with intention because some of the assignments require a heavier lift than others. For example, there are a few case study assignments sandwiched between units. I enjoy writing more than taking tests but the idea of writing a paper or analyzing the concepts that we’ve talked about makes me very nervous. Now, I don’t say that with the intention of scaring anyone off or making you second guess choosing this degree program. I just think that it’s better to go in knowing that some of the assignments will require more undivided attention than others.
If I had to give one tip to students pursuing a similar degree program, I would say that it takes a village! As soon as the syllabus was available, students in my class started a GroupMe chat where we give encouragement or reassurance about upcoming assignments. Some of us are taking it one week at a time while others are significantly ahead. Simply knowing that you are not going through this journey alone makes a huge difference and can truly boost your confidence.
Although there are a few upcoming assignments that I feel uneasy about, overall, I have high hopes for this course. I am NO mathematician but I’ve been holding on tight to a high B in the course and I always feel a sense of pride after submitting an assignment!
Halie – Business Administration, M.S.
When I started my grad school journey this semester, I had mentally prepared myself for Accounting Management to be the academic equivalent of walking into a room where everyone else already speaks the language. I am not, nor have I ever been, an accounting girly, so I assumed I’d be in over my head from day one. But the reality has been far less intimidating than the story I told myself.
Don’t get me wrong, accounting is hard, but this material has turned out to be more about understanding the logic behind decisions than memorizing formulas. Once you get past the vocab, it’s really just a structured way of asking, “Does this make sense for the business?” I still have my moments of staring at a term and blinking twice, but it’s been surprisingly manageable to realize you don’t need to be a numbers person to follow the bigger picture.
Organizational Behavior has been the class that feels like it fits me naturally. It’s the kind of course that makes you rethink how people work, lead, communicate, and occasionally miscommunicate. I expected it to be a lighter, more intuitive subject, but it’s been really thought-provoking. There’s something fascinating about learning the psychology behind teamwork and leadership instead of just the mechanics.
If I could go back and give myself one piece of advice before the semester started, it would be to stop assuming my MBA experience is defined by the hardest class on your schedule. I spent weeks, okay maybe months, bracing for chaos, only to discover that the program is designed for people with different strengths, backgrounds, and comfort levels. Some assignments definitely require more focus, but none of them have demanded that I magically transform into an accountant overnight.
The best part has been the sense of community with my classmates. There’s something reassuring about knowing half the class is also trying to decode accounting terms while simultaneously debating leadership theories. The group chats, shared notes, and “does anyone else not get this yet?” messages make the whole experience feel collaborative instead of isolating.
If I had to give one tip to anyone starting an MBA, it’s this: don’t count yourself out just because a subject feels foreign to you. You don’t need to be an accounting person, a finance person, or any specific type of person to succeed. Bring your curiosity, willingness to learn, and your sense of humor when you inevitably mess up. You’ll figure out the rest as you go!
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