About the author: My journey from Mumbai to Chicago
I’m Tirthal Kothari, an international student from Mumbai, India who currently resides in the great city of Chicago! I’ll be graduating in June 2026 from DePaul’s MSc in Supply Chain Management.
Before grad school, I worked in procurement and logistics across roles at Mentone Concretes and the Institute of Supply Chain Management, where I led one of the most exciting projects of my career: developing India’s first national supply chain index.
At ISCM, I analyzed over 1,500 public companies across 24 sectors using tools like R, Excel, and Tableau, evaluating performance on everything from inventory turnover to ESG commitments. The project culminated in the publication of “India’s Top 20 Supply Chain Champions” — a milestone that shaped how I view supply chain strategy, resilience, and data-driven benchmarking. I also led the “Supply Chain Dialogue Series,” coordinating with top industry leaders to present our findings.
I didn’t come to DePaul to start over; I came to level up. Follow along as I go through a random Tuesday this spring quarter!
A day in the life: Flexible courses, connections with peers, and more
Mornings start with a ring of the clock at 7 a.m. (thought it might be 7:30 before I get out of bed). From there: a quick shower, a light breakfast, and a cup of coffee — my essential fuel. While sipping, I review my schedule, checking for any meetings, classes, or deadlines.
By 10 a.m., I’m out the door, often heading to the Loop Campus. My train ride downtown offers the most amazing view from the Chicago River bridge. During my commute, I plug in my Air Pods and listen to heavy metal music to set a positive tone for the day.
Once I reach university, I meet my friends at the library, where we sit in group rooms to study, apply to internships, or catch up on life. Around afternoon, we usually grab lunch together from the Blue Demon dining hall or Chipotle, which is just across the street.
At 2 p.m., I have a meeting with professor for research that we are doing together. Other than that, I look out for events happening on campus and ways to make professional connections.
Then it’s time for class. Today, that’s a product and inventory management course.
I personally love the flexibility that DePaul offers to attend the classes. Almost all classes are in the evening, which helps if you want to work off campus as an intern. On top of that, DePaul offers a mix of in-person, online, and hybrid classes — virtually all classrooms are equipped with Zoom. I love in-person classes as I get a chance to interact with professors and peers, who have been very helpful with finding jobs, internships, and other opportunities.
Once class is over at 8:30, it’s time to get home and cook something for dinner. Finally, by 10:30, I’m ready to wind down — maybe watch an episode of a favorite show or read something non-academic. Then it’s lights out: I’m getting ready to do it all again tomorrow.
Closing thoughts
Every day as an MS student at DePaul is a blend of learning, growth, and connection. That’s what makes this journey so fulfilling.
Through classes in predictive analytics, procurement strategy, and strategically optimizing inventory, I’ve been able to immediately apply classroom learning to real-world simulations. Last quarter, I even built a transportation optimization model that integrates demand, capacity uncertainty and cost-risk tradeoffs. It’s the kind of work that doesn’t feel like school; it feels like consulting.
By Dhanush “DJ” Jaiswal
I’m a full-time grad student juggling academics, HR work, consulting, and campus life. Come along with me for a day in my life!
Let’s take this week. The day kicked off at 7 a.m. with some Bollywood music playing in the background… not to convince myself to get going, but because I love what I do and I show up ready. By 8:30, I was on the CTA heading into the Loop. Classic Chicago vibes: half-asleep riders, someone watching reels without headphones, and that unmistakable aroma of Dunkin’ and Starbucks swirling through the air in the train.
I reached the Loop Campus by 9:30 and settled into the HR office by 10. First up? Making a to-do list, a few internal updates, then a team check-in to prep for a nonprofit consulting call later that day. Around noon, I was finalizing event details with the SHRM DePaul team. We’ve been planning DePaul’s first-ever in-person HR networking event, and it’s coming up fast. After work, I made a quick stop at the library to finish some readings and polish our BOSCH project deliverables.
It was somewhere between group messages and the quiet buzz of the library that I thought, “This is exactly why I’m here.”
Hi, I’m Dhanush Jaiswal…but most people just call me DJ.
I’m a full-time international student in my fourth quarter of the MS in Human Resources program at DePaul. Before grad school, I spent six years working in the corporate industry, four of those at Deloitte in HR Global Mobility Strategy, Reporting & Analytics, and earlier at Amazon. I didn’t come to DePaul to start over; I came here to level up.
This quarter, I’m enrolled in Consulting Skills, one of the most practical classes I’ve taken. As part of it, I’m working with a nonprofit client on a real HR issue. While I can’t share the details (consultant code!), the experience has been energizing. It’s not a simulation — it’s the real deal with comes with lot of learnings and guidance from the instructor and that’s the best part about being a DePaul student.
Another standout experience is the BOSCH Project, offered through the DePaul HR program. All MSHR students are working alongside BOSCH professionals, learning how different teams and roles function, and applying what we’ve learned to support strategic alignment efforts. It’s the kind of work that makes you forget you’re in school because it feels like the job already.
Evening class kicked off at 6. We discussed stakeholder relationships, and I couldn’t help but smile, I’d just applied that very concept in our client call hours earlier. After class, I caught up briefly with my team, then headed home, cooked dinner, and called my family in India (shoutout to time zones for keeping me on my toes).
And honestly, there’s still so much more I could talk about.
If you’re curious about the program, the projects, or just want to chat, feel free to reach out, drop me an email, or stop me on campus. I’m always happy to share.
So yeah, that’s just one day. Every day looks a little different at my end, but the energy, the learning, and my love for all things HR — that’s constant.
And that’s exactly what I signed up for.
By Noelle Rotte
As graduate business students, we are challenged to think critically, analyze data, and devise strategic solutions to real-world problems. One of the most exciting ways to put these skills to the test is through participation in case competitions. Recently, I had the opportunity to compete in my first case competition. It was challenging – and immensely rewarding.
A case competition involves teams coming together to tackle a business problem presented by a company or organization. It’s an opportunity for students to apply classroom knowledge to real-life scenarios — often under tight time constraints and intense pressure. These competitions give business students the chance to hone essential skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, presentation, and problem-solving.
In collaboration with United Airlines, the Kellstadt Marketing Group organized a case competition that pitted ten teams against each other. My team included three full-time MBA students: myself (Noelle Rotte), Shihab Chowdhury, and Alessia Serafino. Each team was tasked with devising a marketing strategy for United’s new uniform rollout. I was especially excited about the target audience for this marketing strategy. United has a diverse employee base; we had to consider how our strategy would resonate with people of all different generations, genders, races, ethnicities and other identities.
The competition began with teams submitting proposals outlining the marketing strategies they would use and how each strategy should be implemented. After the initial proposals were reviewed, five of the ten teams went on to the second round. Luckily, my team made it to the second round!
We were charged with bringing our proposals to life through a presentation. Each team was paired with a previous KMG president to bounce ideas from and provide feedback on what to include. We were paired with Zach Bosy, a Brand Manager of Disruptive Innovation at Kraft Heinz.
On the day of the presentation, we were filled with a mixture of nerves and excitement. We felt prepared; we had completed and practiced our presentation, limited to just 15 minutes, the day before. Despite being the first team to present, we delivered our proposal with confidence. The subsequent question-and-answer session provided us with valuable insights and challenged us to defend our ideas.
Although my team did not emerge as the winners (shout-out to Devika Chaddha, Nikita Nese, and Souman Sami who came in first!) the experience left a lasting mark on me. It emphasized the significance of understanding your audience’s needs, the importance of preparation, and the value of taking risks.
So, to all aspiring business leaders: seize opportunities like these! They offer a unique chance to refine your skills, expand your network, and embark on a journey of self-discovery.
By Noelle Rotte
As I find myself halfway through my MBA journey at DePaul University, I’m reminded of the many reasons that led me to choose the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business for my MBA over other MBA programs. Here’s a glimpse into why Kellstadt stood out to me:
(1) Access to Professors
Coming from a small undergraduate institution with intimate class sizes and meaningful interactions with professors, I wanted to continue this personalized approach in my MBA. DePaul’s commitment to fostering close student-faculty relationships aligned perfectly with my academic preferences.
(2) Financial Aid Opportunities
DePaul’s comprehensive financial aid offerings played a pivotal role in my decision-making process. As a full-time MBA student, I received a Graduate Assistantship offer. The Graduate Assistantship I received covers half of my tuition for the first three quarters. The student-first policy, allowing flexibility in work hours during demanding academic periods, further underscored DePaul’s commitment to supporting students holistically.
(3) Access to Career Opportunities
Situated in the vibrant city of Chicago, DePaul provides unparalleled access to a multitude of career prospects and networking avenues. With its extensive alumni network and strong reputation within the city, DePaul serves as an ideal place for expanding one’s professional horizons.
(4) Diverse Learning Modalities
DePaul’s diverse range of learning modalities caters to various student needs and preferences. Whether it’s hybrid, flex, or fully online classes, the flexibility offered has been invaluable.
(5) Engagement with the Driehaus/Kellstadt Community
DePaul fosters an inclusive community through numerous engagement opportunities. From leadership roles in student organizations to participation in networking events and case competitions, the avenues for involvement are abundant, allowing students to forge meaningful connections and contribute to the university’s dynamic environment.
With these factors in mind, I am confident that choosing DePaul University for my MBA program was the right decision. DePaul’s unwavering support, coupled with its conducive learning environment and vast array of opportunities, has enriched my academic journey and positioned me for success in as I begin to step back into the world of business.
By Amanda Eckerle
Flex is a new course mode offering at DePaul that began in the fall of 2021. Students have the option to attend class in person or join online; the choice is up to you based on your schedule. Lectures are given live from an on-campus classroom equipped with technology to connect and engage in-person and remote students simultaneously. Here are the five reasons Flex mode is my new favorite way to learn:
1. Best of both worlds
I began pursing my MBA in the fall of 2020. Starting school again after being away from the classroom environment for many years was a challenging adjustment. On top of this, I had to adapt to virtual learning; something I had never done before. After a full year of virtual learning, I started to really enjoy and prefer a lot of its aspects. So, when a Flex course was offered in fall 2021, I was eager to keep those things I loved about virtual learning, but also get back to the classroom in person. The set-up was truly the best of both worlds.
2. Flex can fit into any schedule
In Flex mode, you have the option to attend virtually or in-person or a combination of both. Having this flexibility allowed me to juggle school, my full-time job and my lifestyle more easily. Some weeks were busier than others at work, so I was able to work right up until class time and join virtually. Other weeks, I needed to get out of the house and wanted to experience in-person interactions to foster those crucial connections while getting your MBA. Being able to choose which way I would attend class on a weekly basis made all the difference.
3. Sometimes we need that human interaction
I’ve discovered many perks to virtual learning: watching and re-watching lectures when I don’t understand a topic the first time, you’re already home after class with no late-night commute, and most importantly, location flexibility. With all that, sometimes you just need to interact in real life. See people’s expressions or have a non-course related conversations before and/or after class. These are the moments where I made great connections and networked with those in and outside of my industry, and networking is a big reason many pursue an MBA.
4. When virtual is the way, the experience isn’t lacking
James Moore, director of Online Learning at DePaul’s business college, demonstrates the digital monitor in a technology-enabled Flex classroom.
When virtual is the choice for a particular week’s class, DePaul has an excellent video and audio set-up in each classroom. There are cameras in the front and back of the room, allowing those at home to see the class during a discussion and the professor during a lecture. Additionally, the monitors are also virtual “white boards,” so those at home can see written notes from the professor during a lecture. Because the virtual experience can be as equally engaging as in person, you don’t feel like you’re missing out if you can’t make class that week.
5. Access anywhere, any time
Flex mode allows you to attend class from anywhere, but it also allows flexibility for when you take class as well. While the lecture is given live, it is also recorded, allowing those who can’t make it the ability to watch the live recording. While it’s not ideal to miss class, conflicts can occur! A business dinner or trip is scheduled during class, or a family matter may arise that needs to be addressed. Additionally, maybe you made it to class, but you just need to watch the lecture again to better understand the material. Either way, you have options, which is so incredibly valuable as we all try to juggle our busy lives.
Amanda Eckerle works full-time at a fully integrated advertising agency, Blue Chip Marketing, while pursuing her MBA at the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. Originally from Missouri, Amanda now calls Chicago home with 2022 marking almost 10 years here. She anticipates graduating in the fall of 2022 and is looking forward to applying what she’s learned, taking her strategic thinking and leadership to the next level. When she’s not in the classroom or at work you can find her breaking a sweat at a locally owned boutique gym, L.E.A.P., in Lakeview.
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