My First Year at the Illinois MBA

When I first started at the Illinois MBA program I was very eager to involve myself in everything that the program offered. Everyone met during the week prior to starting classes where we all participated in team building activities. As we entered into the semester, I find myself quite busy with team meetings, classes, weekly social events, and MBAA club activities. I remember feeling overwhelmed with assignments and classes. We often did our assignments in teams which can be challenging as there were many different personalities, working styles, and schedules within the team.

As I looked back to my first year, the one item that I wished I had mastered prior to entering the program was time management skills. With the amount of activities the MBA program offered along with the many assignments and classes, I did find myself over stretched at times. However, my classmates and the professors were extremely supportive. You can always expect them to help and go to them for various advice.

Now that I am in my second year I am able to form my own schedule. In the first year, the MBAs are required to take core classes. These classes give you a perspective on a wide range of subjects and provide an opportunity for students to explore new topics. These classes range from marketing, finance, organizational theory to strategy.

The best way to start the MBA program is to keep an open mind. Don't narrow your choices and be open to all the opportunities presented to you. I can't even begin to explain the amount of new skills I have acquired in the past year. I just know that I wouldn't trade my experiences and new knowledge for anything else in the world.