December Intersession: More than a Holiday Break

December Intersession: More than a Holiday Break

DePaul University maintains a quarter-based schedule, with four quarters and one December Intersession per academic year. Students can choose to study abroad or take a class in December. For Kellstadt student Tim Duxbury, however, December Intersession is job-hunting season!

Tim says, “During December, my full-time job will be expanding my network, setting up informational interviews, doing research and filling out applications. Learning the material and getting good grades are important, but executing the proper job-search techniques is just as important. As a sustainable management major, I hope to land a job where I can help companies get the most out of the resources they have and reduce the waste they produce. To do this, I need to find which sect of sustainability captures my interest the most and learn all that I can about it. I can utilize Kellstadt’s deep network of alumni to connect with people who are currently doing work that interests me. Informational interviews are a great way to make connections and learn a lot about a particular role, company or industry, as well as make valuable contacts. It will be hard work but if it all pays off with an internship offer, it will be worth it!”

Kellstadt Career Management Center Assistant Director Rabia Baig agrees that December can be a key time to network. “Professionals have flexibility in their schedules as the year ends and have more time to conduct informational interviews,” Baig says. “It’s also a great time to touch base with your network as contacts could have an idea of how their team may grow in the coming year and if there will be opportunities for internships.”

December can be an opportunity for students to decompress after the fall quarter and have the chance to build their networks. No matter how students chose to spend their December Intersession, Kellstadt offers resources to assist them with professional skills and career development.

 

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Contributor: Tim Duxbury is pursuing his MBA in Sustainable Management with the full-time cohort at the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

 

Contributor: Rabia Baig is a recruiting specialist and assistant director at the Kellstadt Career Management Center.

 

 

 

The Personal Statement: No Need to Panic!

The Personal Statement: No Need to Panic!

The Personal Statement: No Need to Panic!

 

When I first learned I had to write a personal statement to apply for Kellstadt’s MBA program, panic set in. Writing has never been one of my strengths, so it was hard not to procrastinate. Inspiration came, however, when I began to examine the reasons why I knew DePaul University was the right fit for me. A role model at my former company helped me find my “Aha!” moment and the direction for my personal statement.

My first impression of the company’s Chief Accounting Officer was that he was a family man, a DePaul alum, and occasionally called “Deacon.” After having the opportunity to work with him and get to know him better, I learned there was much more to him than met the eye. At an annual company event, the CEO asked Deacon to speak about his personal experience of balancing personal and company responsibilities. During this speech, I learned about the journey to achieve his goal of becoming a Deacon, an ordained minister in the Catholic Church. The process is a lengthy one and he needed support not only from his family, but also from his peers at work. When Deacon had explained his personal ambitions to the CEO, he was supportive and made sure Deacon had help from his coworkers if he was unable to complete a task.

For the first time, I found myself eager to write my personal statement. It was exciting to connect Deacon’s personal value at the company to the skills and tools he developed at DePaul. My advice to prospective students writing their personal statements would be to share what inspired you to apply to Kellstadt. Each applicant has a different story and connection to the program and sharing your own “Aha!” moment is a way to set yourself apart from other applications.

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Kristen Hall is a Student Ambassador and is enrolled in the full-time day MBA program at the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

 

 

Sweet “New” Home Chicago! Kellstadt Students Love to Explore their New City

Sweet “New” Home Chicago! Kellstadt Students Love to Explore their New City

Sweet “New” Home Chicago! Kellstadt Students Love to Explore their New City

 

The “City of Broad Shoulders,” the “Windy City”–whatever you call Chicago, DePaul is lucky to call it home. Sampling the famous pizza, cheering on one of our six professional sports teams, or visiting one of our many world-class museums are all options for the Kellstadt student with a few hours of downtime. But Chicago’s benefits aren’t just limited to leisure activities.

One of the largest cities in the world, Chicago affords DePaul one of the most robust networking communities of any university. Simply being in Chicago puts Kellstadt students at an advantage with an extensive alumni community, financial district and a plethora of companies within walking distance. Kellstadt students can make use of this prime location with resources like the ASK (Alumni Sharing Knowledge) network, an online community to connect them to mentors. DePaul students also have the chance to be involved in the cutting edge of the entrepreneurship community through resources offered through The Coleman Center for Entrepreneurship, including access to tech incubators like 1871. Whether you’re looking to secure a job with an established company or get in on the ground floor of a start-up, the opportunities are unlimited in Chicago.

Chicago is a city that offers more to do and see than most other cities. From comedians to athletes, foodies to nature buffs, there’s something here for everyone. No matter where your interests lie, you will be able to find your place and create your community. With its central location in the heart of Chicago, and endless entertainment and extensive networking opportunities, it’s tough to pass up on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study at DePaul.

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Contributors: Paul Rosenfeld and Nathan Farmer, students in the Kellstadt MBA program.


Five Tips for a Smooth Transition Back to School After Full-time Employment

Five Tips for a Smooth Transition Back to School After Full-time Employment

Five Tips for a Smooth Transition Back to School After Full-time Employment

 

“It’s been HOW LONG since you were in school?”

Since MBA programs often require a few years of professional work experience, a majority of MBA students haven’t made use of their study skills for a while. For this reason, many students find it difficult to get back into the “swing of things” when it comes to studying. Here are five tips to help make sure you’re fully prepared once that first class starts.

Organization is key. Everybody has their own preferences on how to stay organized, from sticky notes to project management apps to calendar blocking. Whatever your process is, implement it from the beginning of the quarter and maintain it throughout to stay up-to-date with everything on your plate.

Make a budget. Let’s face it, money stresses everybody out! Going back to school, especially in a full-time program without a full-time salary, means you’ll have some financial adjustments. By making–and sticking to–a budget, you’ll eliminate overspending and additional stress. There’s also a variety of financial aid available to Kellstadt students–from scholarships to assistantships, there’s support at every level.

Use your resources. I realized during my time at DePaul that faculty and staff truly want to help. If there’s a class you’re struggling with or career advice you’re seeking from a mentor, there’s a resource available or person who can help. There are also a variety of networking and university-sponsored events to take advantage of, including the Food for Thought program by the Office of Adult, Veteran, and Commuter Student Affairs, which encourages you to take a professor to lunch. Networking is always easier when lunch is involved!

Get to know your peers. I can’t express how fortunate I feel to be in my cohort. These classmates-turned-friends have been an invaluable support system–as study partners and helping me adjust to my new city. My cohort has become the foundation of my DePaul community and I know that I will have them to rely on as part of my network in the future.

Plan ahead. Valuable materials and resources will be shared with you starting on day one, so plan ahead to eliminate procrastination and last-minute stressors. Get a head start on the internship and job search by utilizing the many resources offered by the Kellstadt Career Management Center. Networking and job searching can be overwhelming, and the support offered by the CMC is invaluable.

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Author: Hannah Leibeinger, Kellstadt Graduate School of Business MBA student Contributors: Paul Rosenfeld and Mike Fowler, students in the Kellstadt MBA program

   

 

Breaking Down Barriers: What’s Stopping You from Continuing Your Education?

Breaking Down Barriers: What’s Stopping You from Continuing Your Education?

Breaking Down Barriers: What’s Stopping You from Continuing Your Education?

We’re all trying to juggle schedules and it can be difficult to imagine adding school responsibilities to the mix. As an adult student who had been in the workforce for more than 12 years before returning to pursue my MBA, I spent two years struggling to make the commitment due to my apprehension about the application process.

Here were some of my top concerns and how the Kellstadt admissions team provided a solution:

  • I’m not sure I’ll like the classes. Book a class visit! There’s no better way to learn about classes than to experience them firsthand. You’ll also have the chance to chat with students and faculty.
  • I want to get my MBA, but I can’t fit classes into my work schedule. There are class structures for every schedule! Full-time day, evening, and weekend programs are all available, as well as flexible structures.
  • I’ve been out of school for a long time, I don’t even know how to get started studying for the GMAT/GRE. There are plenty of classes and aids to help you in your studies, but Kellstadt also offers the opportunity to apply for a GMAT/GRE waiver, based on your education and work experience. This is a prime example of the flexibility Kellstadt provides to its applicants.
  • I’m not sure if an MBA or an MS is right for my career path. This can be a struggle for everyone! I found that talking with a Kellstadt admissions counselor was invaluable in helping me to decide which program was right for me. Book your own appointment to better understand how each program could help with your goals.

Making the commitment to return to school can be nerve-wracking! I found that the support of the Kellstadt community started before my acceptance, as soon as I reached out to the admissions team with my questions. Ultimately, it was my decision to further my education, but the assistance they provided was invaluable.

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Ashley Byrd is a student in the full-time day MBA program at the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul.

 

 

 

Inside Kellstadt: Voices of the DePaul University Graduate Business Community