As a solo mother of four, Chelsea Doman recognized that returning to education would require more than just determination; it necessitated a program tailored to her hectic schedule. She had developed a career encompassing pipeline operations, ten years of data interpretation, initiating a nonprofit focused on educational advocacy, and corporate analytics within the automotive sector. Yet, her enthusiasm for learning was unwavering.
“I’ve always had a passion for education. Stopping at my bachelor’s felt insufficient,” she remarks. “There have been various moments when it seemed appropriate to further my studies, but I was uncertain whether to pursue a master’s in linguistics or transition to engineering. Nothing seemed to fit.”
Amid her obligations as a mother, full-time employment, and managing a household on a single income, many graduate programs appeared unattainable. They were either overly expensive, excessively time-consuming, or inflexible. Then she stumbled upon the University of Illinois Gies College of Business iMBA.
“When I discovered that Illinois offered an online MBA in collaboration with Coursera, it felt like a miracle. Having grown up in Illinois, obtaining a degree from there whilst residing in Wisconsin, plus the absence of a GMAT requirement…it was as if I found a rare treasure! It was just what I needed.”
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The Motivation Behind an MBA and the Choice of Gies
“A friend of mine completed an online MBA at a different university. Observing that she could manage this alongside her job and motherhood made it seem feasible. As a single parent in a one-income household, and two decades into my profession, I was hesitant to incur six figures in debt, questioning the potential return on investment.”
For Chelsea, the MBA was not about pursuing a higher salary or prestigious title. It was driven by her desire for knowledge and attainment of personal aspirations.
“I did it for the love of learning, a longstanding ambition, a comprehensive understanding of business, and to ensure I’m equipped for future opportunities.”
Seeking a flexible, economical, and reputable program, when Chelsea learned that the Gies College of Business provided its MBA entirely online, it felt like an ideal match. Here was a distinguished institution with the academic rigor she desired, presented in a manner that enabled her to feasibly juggle her work, parenting, and everything in between.
An Enriching Experience
Chelsea commenced her journey in the Gies Business iMBA in January 2022, and what she acquired was beyond her expectations. She soon became immersed in networking opportunities, participating in both live and virtual social and academic groups.
“I’ve formed lasting friendships with individuals I initially met online! Daily, you have the chance to meet and interact with diverse people from around the globe.”
With initial apprehension about certain components of the curriculum, Chelsea gradually built her confidence, course by course. Eventually, she flourished in subjects that had once intimidated her.
“The class I was most anxious about was statistics, and it turned out to be one of my absolute favorites. Being able to indulge in Excel continuously was fantastic, and of course, the professors made it highly engaging and enjoyable. From that moment on, if I felt overwhelmed, I reflected back to my stats experience.”
The community she encountered was unlike any she had known before. The Gies College of Business is deeply committed to fostering an online community for its learners, and Chelsea’s experience is proof of that commitment.
“Each day offers the opportunity to engage with various people from around the world. I wasn’t anticipating such a level of networking and involvement. Gies fosters a unique atmosphere where individuals are genuinely enthusiastic about collaborating and learning together.”
Managing Career, Family, and Coursework
“Taking the first step is the most daunting part. Once you’re in it, it’s incredible. Naturally, there’s anxiety about managing the workload in addition to everything else on my plate. It’s certainly not the easy path! Yet I value it immensely at my age compared to what I would have at 20. It’s never too late.”
Chelsea utilized Coursera’s platform and the online format to tailor her learning to her schedule. She appreciated the versatility in how she was able to learn and absorb new material.
“Coursera is my preferred resource when seeking online education. It accommodates a variety of learning preferences. For visual learners, there are video resources. If you lean towards reading, you have captions, and you can adjust the playback speed. The videos also made the content easily searchable and the format consistent every term. I truly valued the flexibility it provided.”
Beyond Title Changes or Career Progression
Although many pursue an MBA to advance their careers, Chelsea wants others to understand that there are additional reasons to take the plunge.
“Frequently, questions arise like, ‘How did you advance with your degree? How many promotions did you receive? What was your salary?’ Yet truly, the program is so affordable and fulfilling that you don’t necessarily require a change in job title or income. You’re embarking on a transformative journey within the program that cannot be easily quantified.”
The self-discovery became apparent for Chelsea throughout her entire Gies journey. However, she emphasizes the importance of the concluding capstone course and its profound impact on her.
“The ongoing stimulation of daily learning is akin to chiseling away at a marble block, and you can’t fully grasp the transformations occurring within you as you progress. However, the final capstone was a remarkable opportunity to contemplate the whole experience and how significantly I had evolved.”
Today, Chelsea proudly holds her iMBA diploma and works as a Data Engineering Manager at Sargento Foods. She radiates confidence and pride in her newly acquired qualification and appreciates how the MBA has made her a more well-rounded and globally connected leader.
“The Gies influence will resonate well beyond my retirement. I never anticipated how profoundly transformative this experience would be. While I expected ‘academic knowledge’, the insights I gained about myself? That was life-altering.”
Curious about following in Chelsea’s footsteps?
The Gies Business iMBA from the University of Illinois is entirely online, budget-friendly, and designed for aspiring professionals at any career level. Whether you seek career advancement, personal growth, or both, you’ll become part of a global community and undergo a genuinely transformative experience.
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