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?

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.

From Economic Diversification to Falconry: Professional Growth through Study Abroad

As an MBA student, there are many opportunities to grow, not only as a professional, but also as a person. One of my most rewarding experiences at Kellstadt was the study abroad trip to Doha, Qatar. Without the purpose and guidance provided by DePaul, it is difficult to say if going on a trip like this is something that I ever would have done in my life. I am grateful I was given the opportunity to learn more about this emerging market, as well as a culture that is very different from my own.

The goal of the trip was to learn how the Qatari economy was becoming more diversified and entrepreneurship-friendly. Visits to the news organization Al Jazeera, the telecom provider Ooredoo, the Qatari Stock Exchange, and Qatari entrepreneurship accelerators were on the itinerary. We were also able to experience Qatar’s rich culture, with a visit to the historic market called the Souk Wakif. The market was filled with all kinds of cultural wares, spices, food and even pets. The sport of falconry is popular in Qatar, and the Souk Wakif had its own falcon hospital to take care of injured falcons.

Study abroad continues to be a vital piece of the Kellstadt experience, with a specialized short-term study abroad program planned for Spring Break 2018 in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Offered in conjunction with DePaul University’s Global Engagement, the program aims to expand participants’ international business and cultural experience. Program applicant, Ben Zakaria (MBA ’19) says, “I look forward to broadening my international business experience, while creating a lifetime of memories and forming a global network.” Kellstadt provides a world of opportunities–literally!

Learn more about:

DePaul Study Abroad
DePaul’s Graduate Business Programs
Admission to Kellstadt

Author: Nathan Farmer is a student in the MBA program at the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul. Contributor: Ben Zakaria is a student in the full-time day MBA program at the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul.

Inside Kellstadt: A Day in our Lives

Welcome to Inside Kellstadt, a blog to share student experiences as they pursue their MBA or MS degrees. You’ll have the chance to hear from student ambassadors, faculty and staff about their experiences during the application process and beyond.

Looking for other ways to get to know Kellstadt?

Make an appointment with a Kellstadt advisor to discuss your background and future career goals.
Visit a class to have the opportunity to experience the Kellstadt curriculum and chat with students and faculty.
Attend a graduate open house or information session. We’re already making plans for our winter open house, which will take place on February 8, 2018.

We’re excited to share first-hand stories of our community and help you get to know the classes of 2018, 2019 and beyond.

Learn more about:

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