MBA Student
What inspired you to pursue your graduate degree?
Growing up around family businesses and later starting one of my own inspired me to pursue my graduate degree. I realized I wanted to take my passion for business, marketing, and entrepreneurship to a higher level by gaining the skills and knowledge needed to grow and manage successful brands.
How has your perspective in your field evolved during your time in this program?
During this program, my perspective has shifted from just focusing on the creative side of business to really understanding the strategy behind it. Coming from a background in fashion and running my own business, I used to rely a lot on instinct and trends, but now I think more about data, positioning, and long-term growth.
What has been the most meaningful or impactful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful project I worked on at Heidelberg was building my Enactus business focused on fighting fast fashion. Since fashion has always been a big part of my life, it was really cool to take something I’m passionate about and turn it into a real business idea with a purpose.
Getting to present it at a national competition in Austin, TX, made it even more impactful as the competition pushed me outside my comfort zone and showed me how much I actually enjoy building and pitching ideas that can make a difference.
How did you balance graduate studies with your personal or professional responsibilities?
Balancing graduate school during soccer season while also running my own business was definitely the biggest challenge. My schedule was already packed with practices, lifts, games, and travel, so I had to be really intentional with my time. I learned how to stay organized and use any free moments I had, whether that was getting work done on bus rides or managing my business in between classes and training.
What challenge during your program pushed you to grow the most?
One of the biggest challenges that pushed me to grow during my time at Heidelberg was getting comfortable being uncomfortable. A lot of the time, I was put into roles or situations that I didn’t feel fully ready for, or didn’t know if I had enough knowledge for. I was constantly being pushed outside of my comfort zone, whether that was in the classroom, soccer, or my business. But looking back, those were the moments that helped me grow the most.
How have your relationships with faculty or mentors shaped your experience?
My relationships with faculty and mentors have had a big impact on my experience, especially my relationship with my coach (Coach Maddie, women’s soccer). She really pushed me to grow into a leadership role, even at times when I didn’t fully see it in myself yet. She held me to a high standard, but also supported me in a way that built my confidence. Over my four years on the team and three years as a captain, I learned how to lead by example, communicate better with others, and step up when it mattered.
What advice would you give to someone considering this graduate program?
My biggest advice would be to stay on top of your work, especially since it’s a fully online program. It’s really easy to fall behind if you’re not disciplined and manage your time well. Also, communication is key, especially because you’ll be working in a lot of group settings. You have to stay in touch with your team, be clear about expectations, and hold each other accountable.
What does earning this degree mean to you at this stage in your life?
Earning this degree means a lot to me, especially at this stage in my life. I graduated with an undergrad degree in three years, so being able to complete my MBA in my fourth year feels like a huge accomplishment. It represents not only the work I’ve put in, but also how motivated I am to keep pushing myself and getting ahead.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to continue growing my business and expanding it into something long-term. At the same time, I’m exploring opportunities in the marketing field where I can gain additional experience, build my skill set, and continue learning in a professional environment.