Before you say anything, I know — this whole “virtual learning” thing is not the most ideal situation and it is not the way many of us wish we would be spending our college experience. We can’t ignore the emotions we are all facing, but we also can’t change the circumstances (besides wearing a mask, of course). What we can do is trust the phenomenal faculty and staff we have here at DePaul University and the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. Our professors and advisors are working diligently to provide us a sense of security, understanding and support, which I know the current student body is incredibly grateful for.
This time we are going through will bring immense levels of challenge that go beyond our course content, so it is important that each student is doing what they can to better prepare themselves. Below is a checklist that has helped me optimize my productivity while taking virtual classes. We might as well make the most of it!
1. Find your own space
Finding your own study space is a valuable tactic while completing lectures, class Zoom meetings, appointments and homework. There is much to be said about making an at-home space as similar to a classroom setting as much as possible. Everyone’s space circumstances differ, so whether it is an entirely different room or a small desk in your bedroom, having a designated destination for school work will get your mind and body ready for anything the school day brings.
Personally, I have transformed a spare room in my house into a little home office. I made this experience an opportunity to have some fun by redecorating this room into a comfortable school work sanctuary. This space prepares my mind for my responsibilities each day.
2. Communicate with professors
This, by far, is one of the most powerful tools I have implemented in my quarterly routine. Since we can’t meet face-to-face, it’s important to me that I grow and develop connections with my professors. Prior or within the first week of classes, I take time to reach out to each professor I have that quarter. I send them a professional email introducing myself and asking if they would be available to connect via Zoom (Zoom is a personal preference; others might continue to communicate in an email thread).
Opening the line of communication, breaking the ice and having a conversation with your professors will not only benefit you throughout the quarter with your studies, but it’s a great networking tactic as well. It is quite inspiring to feel the support and care of the Kellstadt faculty. This is where your network grows, so water these professional relationships and opportunity will bloom! I promise you — your professors will recognize the effort and admire your dedication, helping you make the most of your grad school experience.
3. Connect with classmates
I am currently enrolled in the Full-Time MBA program and there is not a single day that I don’t recognize and express gratitude for my classmates. Graduate school is a unique and challenging time in all our lives and it’s an honor to be learning alongside such extraordinary and intelligent students. DePaul introduces us to one another, allowing us to form lifelong friendships.
The relationships you make at Kellstadt will be of great value to your learning experience. Being virtual has directed us toward great technological tools, making it easy and accessible to communicate in small or large groups about projects, course content, student organizations and virtual events. My classmates and I also use Slack and GroupMe to communicate. If you are not yet familiar with these tools, no need to worry. Download them and you’ll learn them in no time.
4. Stay organized
Organization will be your lifestyle hack while taking classes virtually. Whether it’s a notebook planner, your mobile phone calendar, Post-it Notes, etc., planning your responsibilities on different timelines will help you prioritize and practice successful time management. Bring out the highlighters, Sharpies and more. This is another great opportunity to get creative and have fun with planning.
5. Ask for help
People are sometimes mistaken when attending graduate school. Yes, it comes with rigorous courses and new challenges, but you are most definitely not alone in the process. Kellstadt has phenomenal faculty and staff, so there is always someone available to help you reach your goals by assisting you toward your utmost potential. Just because you’re in graduate school now, it does not mean you can’t ask for help. We are always learning something new.
In addition, don’t be afraid to provide feedback to your professors. Though Kellstadt has always offered online courses, virtual learning is new to some professors and staff, as well. Take advantage of these conversations and provide feedback on how your courses are going or where you feel students could use more support.
6. Take breaks
…Because even graduate students need to manage their personal lives. These breaks will help your mind decompress, relax and ultimately, obtain more information in the long run. Make it a priority to plan 15- to 30-minute breaks into your daily schedule.
Marisa Farella is a current MBA Candidate and Graduate Assistant at Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. She graduated from DePaul University in 2018 with her Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations and advertising, making her a proud soon-to-be Double Demon. In addition to her studies, Marisa has taken her love for writing and creativity a step further. She is the self-published author of her debut collection, “Truth or Dare: Poetry,” which is available on Amazon.
By Adam Piraino
Switching to Remote Work
Back in March, on what seemed like the last day before the world changed, everyone in the office had their eyes glued to the TV. We were watching the market react to COVID-19. Despite the worst recession since 1987, the S&P 500 surged more than 9%. Phones were ringing off the hook with clients worried about their portfolios, or wanting to take advantage of the situation and put their money to work.
I stood there with the team, on the 37th floor of 150 North Riverside in downtown Chicago, absorbing news of the virus. Unlike my colleagues in the room, I was an MBA student at the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business—and an intern. I had been interning at William Blair since January, working on investment, market and economic research for client meetings and pitches, and helping make investment calls and manage business operations.
Over the weekend of March 14, the director of administration informed us that our office would be working remotely. The only problem for me, as an intern, was that company policy allowed only full-time employees to use remote access on secure client information/accounts and financial platforms. So how was I to continue my work?
As rumors spread across the nation that companies were laying off or furloughing their employees, I figured I would soon be joining the newly declared “unemployed” and searching the web for another internship. However, the firm showed me what it means to take care of their employees. They understood it would take time to go through seven levels of corporate hoops, including approval from the CEO and president to grant remote access to interns, but they were determined to make it happen.
I soon found out that not only was the firm getting approval for us to have access but that they would continue paying us and would allow us to assist advisors with market/investment research. This showed me that William Blair did not view me as just a number or an intern and that they cared about my future growth.
My biggest takeaway from this situation was although we all want to work for the largest, most successful companies, it is important to understand how a company treats its employees not only in good times but also in terrible times (war, recessions, nationwide pandemics, etc.).
Staying Engaged
During my five years in the military prior to starting my DePaul MBA, we had this saying, “Flexibility is the key to air power.” We prided ourselves on being flexible, adapting to changes in a situation and making do with what we have to get the mission done. Without flexibility, we don’t bend—we break when faced with change.
Today, I’m still interning at William Blair and the experience continues to be remote.
While working remotely, there are moments when I don’t want to work, watch that lecture on economic stagnation or read that book. It is easy to find excuses to do other things and it can be tough to focus on a task until it is completed. Through this challenge I have had a revelation: there is nothing but myself standing in my way from accomplishing something. I’ve had to learn to reorganize my day and plan differently. Adapt or fail – that’s how I see it. That’s what we were taught in the military.
With years of experience in a disciplined military office setting that included everyone from a three-star general to government civilian right out of undergrad, I understand what “normal” business etiquette is. However, considering that we are in new territory when it comes to workplace etiquette in a remote setting, I feel like there is some leniency.
For instance, calling an experienced advisor might be viewed as taboo in a “normal” work environment. But since everyone has started working from home, it has often become necessary to call advisors/associates and speak directly with them about certain projects or for guidance. It is just as important in these situations to be respectful, professional and considerate when deciding between a phone call or an email.
At first, I was surprised at how much I was able to learn from a 10-minute phone or video call with someone. The best part of working from home has been the one-on-one time with advisors, peers and leadership via phone, Microsoft Teams and even text. With these conversations, I have been able to continue building personal relationships that will ultimately help me grow my network and build a book of clients for my future practice.
Looking Ahead
If I were to give advice to someone seeking or preparing for remote employment, I would say the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. The things you didn’t like about working in an office could become the very things you miss when working remotely. Don’t take anything for granted. And realize that personal responsibility and self-motivation are key to being able to successfully work in a remote setting.
Overall, I’ve been thankful for this experience of working remotely. It has opened doors to possibilities that I had not considered before, to the fact that I could potentially work for a company in Chicago but live anywhere in the world. Though a part of me prefers to work in an office, remote work has helped me understand where I can take my career and what the world can offer.
Life throws challenges at us every day – some bigger than others – but one thing we can all do is understand what we have control over. Focusing on that aspect, in this case our own attitude, mindset and actions toward others, will help us navigate not only the world of working remotely, but also life.
Adam Piraino graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a bachelor’s degree in aviation management. Prior to pursuing an MBA with a finance concentration from Kellstadt, he served 4.5 years in the U.S. Air Force as a project manager for the Global Positioning Systems Directorate. Today, he is a private wealth management intern at William Blair & Co.
This past Saturday, June 13, was a bittersweet day for DePaul graduates and their families and the entire university community, who celebrated the graduating Class of 2020 via online commencement ceremonies. A first in DePaul’s history due to unprecedented circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business online ceremony flowed much in the same way an in-person commencement would have, with remarks from DePaul President A. Gabriel Esteban, PhD; Interim Provost Salma Ghanem, Driehaus College of Business Dean Misty Johanson and a student commencement speaker.
Sharing words of encouragement and advice as Kellstadt’s student commencement speaker this year was Richard Dingraudo, a graduate of the Master of Science in Finance program.
“This is surely not how any of us envisioned today’s events unfolding,” he said to the camera, addressing his classmates. “While we are not all under the same roof, that does not lessen the overwhelming joy you should feel, as you, along with several thousand others, are recognized for all your hard work and accomplishments.”
As he reflected on his time at Kellstadt, Dingraudo shared how helpful it is to have a clear understanding of what is expected of us, whether that’s at the start of a class when a syllabus is provided, or in a job as you work toward a promotion. “Expectation is a great place to start,” he said. “But that’s nothing compared to what we’re capable of.
“Our capacity is this ever-moving bar that jumps just a little further and seemingly just out of reach, every time we cross the finish line of what is expected of us. At which point that finish line becomes a base line, one that we use to reset our goals and consider what we’ll accomplish next.”
Dingraudo went on to ask two things of his peers:
Take some time to inspect what you expect of yourself. Equipped with a Kellstadt degree, what new expectations will you set for yourself? He encouraged the Class of 2020 to revisit their self-imposed expectations on a regular basis in order to avoid complacency and to continue discovering what they’re capable of.
Pay it forward by being a member of somebody else’s team. From his parents who inspired in him a strong work ethic, to his professors who continued to be a source of wisdom and support even when classes went online in the spring, Dingraudo asked everyone to reflect on who supported them on their journey through graduate school and to acknowledge and thank them for being there. Then to pay it forward by being a supporter and advocate on someone else’s journey.
“Always remember the Vincentian values instilled in us at DePaul,” he said. “How they humble us to recognize that the opportunities afforded to us today are a gift.”
Watch Dingraudo’s full speech on Kellstadt’s 2020 online commencement ceremony webpage. His speech begins at 16:45 of the video.
By Laura Tenney
In this time of COVID-19, we’ve all had to adapt to a new normal and make adjustments, big and small, to our everyday lives. Many of us are working remotely or taking online classes for the first time, and have needed to find new ways to succeed in this new environment.
As a student in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, I’m taking online classes like so many and have had to establish a new routine. I thrive on structure so having a schedule, even if it is self-implemented, is very important to me.
Here are some time management strategies I’ve implemented to help keep me organized and motivated:
Start the week with a plan. At the beginning of each week, I write down every assignment for that week for each class. This helps me visualize what needs to be done. I like to include a time estimate on each activity or a page count so I know what items can be completed quickly and what will require a bigger chunk of time. I also include larger project due dates that are a few weeks away, so they do not slip my mind.
Create a to-do list for each day. Once I know what needs to be done for each class throughout the week, I assign items to specific days. You can do this by sticking to the original class schedule before classes were moved online. For example, study Economics on Monday, Management on Tuesday, etc. Or you can do bits of each class each day to vary the content and remain engaged.
Set aside blocks of time for schoolwork. Whether it’s working for an hour or three hours straight, create designated blocks of time throughout the day for schoolwork. I usually try to work for an hour in the mornings then take a 20-minute break. I find these shorter periods of time work best for my attention span and tend to minimize burnout.
Create a schedule that works for you. Some people are morning people and others are night owls. Find what works best for you. I work best in the morning from about 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. so I make sure I dedicate this time to schoolwork. If you are more of an afternoon person and enjoy taking your mornings slow, set aside time after lunch to focus on what needs to be done for that day.
Make time for breaks. While some of us would love to finish our work as soon as possible during the day to move on to our down time, breaks are important for rejuvenating the mind and making sure you’re fully understanding the material you’re studying. Schedule breaks into your day, something as simple as a 15-minute break for coffee or a short scroll through Instagram. Or a longer break like going for a walk or cooking a meal. Set a timer for your break so that you stay on track and get back to schoolwork in a timely manner.
Have a cutoff time. With home life and school life blending together, it’s important to try to keep some sort of normalcy in our day-to-day lives. I aim to complete all my work by 5 p.m. so that I can enjoy my evening and spend time with my family and pets. Having a predictable cutoff time can help you manage your productivity and stress levels. Here is a sample schedule:
8 a.m. Wake up and coffee
9 a.m. Watch a lecture
10 a.m. More coffee
10:30 a.m. Reading/lecture
11:30 a.m. 15-minute break
11:45 Reading/lecture
1 p.m. Go for a walk/ exercise
2:30 p.m. Reading/lecture
4 p.m. Done for the day! Check off what you’ve accomplished and mentally plan for the next day
In the end, you know what works best for you, so structure your time accordingly. Plan your schoolwork around your most productive hours of the day, make sure to schedule in breaks, and try as much as you can to include physical activity into your week to stay healthy and relaxed in body and mind.
Laura Tenney is an MBA student, specializing in accounting, at the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business and a graduate assistant at the School of Hospitality Leadership in the Driehaus College of Business. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Texas State University.
By Geena Fennell
For the Love of Hockey
I was fortunate enough to grow up playing hockey, a sport that I love. I loved it so much that I went on to play in college, where I won a NCAA National Championship in 2011. I was also fortunate enough to play with USA Hockey; I was in their active player pool after college and participated in various camps over my playing career. Because of my love for the sport, I decided I wanted to examine the business side of hockey – from both the players’ and administrations’ perspectives – when I came to the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business to pursue my MBA.
Women’s USA Hockey: Then and Now
The women’s USA hockey team took home the gold medal in 2018, the first team to do so since the inaugural Olympics for women’s hockey in 1998. Yet, this win received limited exposure in the media, a fact that unfortunately aligns with the way the team is treated in the sports field as a whole.
The USA Women’s hockey team is not given the same rights as their male counterparts, like financial support during the season and health care benefits to name a few, and a push for progress wasn’t made until a group of players partnered with Ballard Spahr Law Firm in 2015.
I played with the 2018 Captain of USA Hockey, Meghan Duggan, as well as Illinois native and two-time Olympian Kendall Coyne-Schofield. They are not only ambassadors for the game, but are advocates for equal rights for players in USA Hockey. Prior to the partnership with Ballard Spahr Law Firm, Duggan says, “Us as players were never able to stand together as a united front, so it is difficult to make change when not everyone is on the same page.”
Geena Fennell (L) with Meghan Duggan during the 2010-2011 University of Wisconsin Hockey Season.
But when negotiations to advance women players’ rights began with USA Hockey, they didn’t make any progress. So when the 2017 World Championships were being planned in Plymouth, Michigan, the team used the opportunity to ensure their demands were met by announcing a boycott. They missed the entire pre-camp until their needs were met by USA Hockey.
The move worked. Finally, the two parties negotiated a four-year contract, which included full funding during Olympic and non-Olympic years.
Before the contract, all active players for the national team were being paid the same amount with a monthly stipend in order to train and prepare in between Olympic Games. The contract ensured this included benefits through the US Olympic Committee, better injury and maternity coverage through USA Hockey, and the creation of a women’s advisory committee that meets monthly to discuss improvements consisting of players, representatives from the NHL and USA Hockey. What an accomplishment!
The Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association
Another major change in women’s hockey came in 2019 when the USA hockey players, along with a legal team from Ballard Spahr, and various advisors, created the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association.
Historically, between Olympic years, national team players participated in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League without compensation. However, in 2015, the formation of the National Women’s Hockey League ensured the athletes were paid to play for the first time.
The league’s long-term structure, however, was not sustainable enough with sponsors or support from the NHL, so the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association formed with their own board, advisor team and support from big names in women’s sports, such as Billie Jean King.
The best players always compete in different tournaments throughout Canada and the US. The goals of the association are to not only grow the game, but to have a professional league ultimately backed by the NHL. As Kendall Coyne Schofield stated during our conversation, “The infrastructure of a successful league has been in place by the NHL for 100 years, they just need to make room for women to be a part of that, and we can’t do it without the league and player’s support.”
Women in Hockey: Behind the Scenes
Women are playing a major role on the administrative side of hockey, too, and some of that is happening right in our backyard within the Chicago Blackhawks organization. Meghan Hunter is one woman making a difference by running senior vice president/general manager’s Stan Bowman’s schedule, and handling so much behind the scenes to make day-to-day operations run smoothly. Her colleague Annie Camins, meanwhile, has put in 11 years building the BlackHawks Fan Development program to grow the game in our community. You may not recognize these names, but these women are growing the game in Illinois.
Both Hunter and Camins believe that now, more than ever, is a great time for women in sports. Hunter explains: “There has been a push in our organization as well as the NHL to expand upon diversity and inclusion, and women are starting to take on more roles than ever before.”
After speaking to these amazing women, I learned how change is happening for women athletes in the fight for equal rights. More women are taking on administrative roles and opening doors for other women to enter. However, there is still a lot of work to be done. The more we can support our fellow women in hockey—by following the team on social media, going to their tournaments and events and getting young girls and women involved in the sport to grow the game—the more we can continue to build on their foundation and improve the opportunities for women hockey players and professionals in the future.
Geena Fennell graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in history. She works full-time as an account manager for a large staffing and recruiting company and is completing her MBA at the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, with concentrations in leadership and change management, as well as sports management.
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