Tom Fail’s adventure via upper schooling is deeply non-public and rooted in a transparent sense of goal. With two levels already underneath his belt and a a hit occupation in Ed Tech, Tom explains why he made the verdict to pursue his 3rd stage credential.
His tale explains his non-public connection to better schooling and the way the online iMBA from Gies School of Trade program has been a key a part of that. From on-line coursework to in-person networking, Tom is able to graduate this August and couldn’t be happier together with his resolution to sign up with Gies.
“With this program, you get to mix the advantages of networking and having a hands-on enjoy that you simply’d get from an in-person program, with the versatility of a web based program. That stated, it wasn’t simple. Like I’ve advised my spouse, that is one thing I’m in reality very pleased with. I can have surrender 50 occasions, however I didn’t, and I’m in reality satisfied I didn’t.”
A Lifelong Trust within the Energy of Upper Schooling
Tom Fail is a lifelong learner with a deep sense of the price upper schooling can carry. Admittedly now not the most efficient pupil in highschool, Tom kicked issues into equipment upon coming into his first upper schooling enjoy.
“Rising up, I noticed the wish to cross to university and determine what you wish to have to do together with your existence. My oldsters did so much for me, the most efficient that they might, to permit my sister and I to visit faculty, so as soon as I used to be in faculty, I knew that my oldsters had labored their entire lives in order that I may do that. I assumed to myself, ‘I will be able to’t mess this up.”
After proudly finishing an economics undergraduate stage and graduating with a grasp’s in control, Tom entered the team of workers, embarking on careers with, as he says, “probably the most least relaxing organizations that exist: the IRS, the United States Senate, and a pupil mortgage company.” In the end, Tom discovered his footing in ed-tech and has but to appear again.
“I sought after to have a occupation that was once purpose-driven, in order that I may in reality have an affect on other folks’s lives.”
So, why, with all of his industry enjoy and now a occupation he was once impassioned about, did Tom make a decision to pursue every other grasp’s stage?
“Once I were given my first stage, I hadn’t but had any real-world enjoy. It’s in reality essential to grasp the interior workings of your enterprise: the way in which the industry style works, finance, advertising and marketing, and with the ability to perceive the concrete techniques the industry grows. It’s cliche to mention, however I sought after to mix educational rigor and working out into my particular position now.”
Searching for out Related Approach of Upskilling
No longer at the beginning searching for every other complete stage program, Tom searched on Coursera for methods to upskill his control taste. With two new direct experiences, he sought after to refine his skillset and ensure his management toolkit was once as much as snuff.
“The primary route that I took was once as a result of I had two teammates reporting to me, and I sought after to sweep up on management abilities. Managing Teams by Illinois was once one of the most best possible ones I discovered to assist me determine how I sought after to turn up as a pace-setter. This route in reality stacks into the iMBA, and it was once my first publicity to stage subject matter.”
The iMBA program got here as a herbal subsequent step, for the reason that the lessons he was once taking in reality counted in opposition to the entire stage.
“It was once an ideal first enjoy, and that first route hooked me into the stage. I took that route, cherished it, and figured that was once most likely a just right place to begin for what the web stage could be.”
The Flexibility to Steadiness Existence, Paintings, and Studying
With a full-time task and different non-public commitments, he knew a standard, on-campus MBA wouldn’t have compatibility his existence. Managing the workload was once a problem, however Tom was once thankful for the versatility that this system introduced.
“Illinois has numerous flexibility. You’ll be able to accelerate or decelerate relying on what’s taking place for your existence. They have got in reality nice curriculum plans for two, 2.5, and three years as beginning puts. Then, you’ll be able to meet together with your on-line marketing consultant to speak via what makes probably the most sense for you.”
The asynchronous content material and versatility to be told on his personal phrases intended he may paintings at his personal tempo, whilst nonetheless making significant relationships with school and friends via networking occasions and on-line connections.
Studying You Can Use the Subsequent Day
For Tom, probably the most robust a part of the Gies iMBA was once its speedy relevance.
“As I used to be taking categories, I used to be right away seeking to practice what I used to be studying at school to what I used to be running with each day. It was once commonplace for me to be at school sooner or later, and tomorrow, be the usage of what I had simply discovered,” he says.
Whether or not he was once finding out statistics, advertising and marketing, or industry technique, the coursework by no means felt summary. As an alternative, it was once constructed to be carried out immediately, within genuine organizations, with genuine effects. This direct hyperlink between studying and doing saved him motivated and made the overdue nights and entire calendar price it.
A Acquainted Neighborhood Constructed via Digital Connections
In spite of being absolutely on-line, the iMBA introduced one thing uncommon: a real sense of belonging.
“They cross out in their approach to make you’re feeling as even though you’re a part of the Gies group, although you’re a web based pupil.”
From responsive enhance groups to in-person meetups and alumni connections, each and every interplay strengthened the concept that on-line didn’t must imply impersonal. He even participated in the well known in consumer tournament iConverge, which he described as an incredible tournament that allowed him to satisfy his friends face-to-face.
“There’s additionally native alumni networks far and wide. I went to a couple of within the DC house and met other folks at basketball video games, soccer video games, and it was once nice to satisfy people who find themselves native right here. We actually have a Groups channel the place all of us chat to enhance every different and plan meetups.”
That welcoming surroundings endured all through this system, making him really feel like greater than only a title on a roster.
“Hundreds of scholars by no means stepped foot on campus. However I believe myself an Illinois alum. I’ve a little bit signal of Illinois subsequent to my table, and that’s my faculty sports activities workforce now. I’ve an unnatural quantity of orange clothes at this level, to be truthful.”
Beef up That Is going Above and Past
Something that stood out from day one was once the responsiveness of this system group of workers.
“Each and every time that you’d write for enhance, they replied virtually right away. It was once shockingly rapid.”
It wasn’t with reference to answering questions. School and group of workers had been deeply engaged, passionate, and provide. The folk in the back of this system, together with leaders like Dean Brooke Elliott and Affiliate Dean Nerissa Brown, left a long-lasting influence.
Phrases of Knowledge for Operating Pros Searching for a Stage
Tom’s recommendation for others in his footwear?
“Make a plan and take motion. If you happen to’re now not able to get the entire stage, check out the open content material like I did. It’s a good way to get a really feel for this system and what you’ll like about it. It means that you can perceive the rigor of a program, and it is helping you acquire the arrogance to return.”
He admits that there have been occasions of impostor syndrome in his pursuit of upper schooling, particularly with Illinois just lately being named one in all Forbes’ 2025 public Ivy League colleges. Then again, he encourages others like him to provide it a check out.
“Why now not you? Folks can do it, so why now not you? When you’ve got the dedication and the determination, you’ll be able to do it.”Sign up for others like Tom who’re proudly decorating their resumes with a Master’s in Business Administration (iMBA) from the College of Illinois Gies School of Trade.
