The Full-time UST MBA takes students on a rewarding, but challenging journey. The time commitment required of each student may seem daunting. For this reason, prospective full-time MBA students are asked to leave their jobs before starting the program. As four students would realize, there is one job they simply cannot quit: parenthood.
[Program Director's Note: We have a diverse student mix in the Full-time UST MBA program with males representing approximately 60% of the current student body. At the time this article was written, none of our female students were current or expecting parents.]
Allan Hammell
Allan already had approximately one-year of fatherhood under his belt when he decided to enroll in the Full-time UST MBA program. However, he would later learn that he had something else to look forward to. In an introductory gathering with his classmates, he would have his phone in hand, anticipating the call that would signal the imminent arrival of his second child.
Allan’s son was born approximately a month before he began the MBA program. By that time, experience had already taught him the importance of routine for young children. This led him to setting some nonnegotiable time aside for his family, albeit at the cost of routinely burning the midnight oil for school-related activities.
Allan credits his family’s support for being able to limit other potential distractions. As he notes, this “…enabled [him] to focus on balancing school and family.”
William Morgan
Billy was a week away from beginning his MBA program when he found out from his wife that “[things] just got real”. The timing couldn’t be more interesting for the soon-to-be father - Billy was just a week removed from leaving his job when he learned of his incoming bundle of joy.
On how fatherhood has shaped his MBA experience, Billy went through two phases: inspiration and gratitude. In his first phase, which began after finding out he was going to be a father, Billy found himself more motivated to succeed in the MBA program.
The second phase began after the birth of his son, where Billy became more stringent on the time he spent away from his family. He wanted to be sure that he spent his time away from his wife and son on things that mattered. As he notes, “fatherhood made [him] realize the importance of getting the MBA, but also that there is a lot more to life”.
Nicholas Fahey
Nick found out he was going to be father during his first semester in the MBA program. Although some may view the timing as a bit overwhelming, it ended up working out perfectly for the father-to-be. A year away from fulfilling a long-term goal of completing an MBA, Nick will look forward to setting new goals with his son on the way.
Fatherhood has reshaped Nick’s perspective on the MBA program- his desire to spend time with his son precedes his desire to put in “…an extra hour or two of effort towards homework.”
Nick will carry this stance into his final year in the program as he spends as much time as possible at home with this son, while also remaining dedicated to the program. This is some “home” work he can gladly get behind.
Oludolapo Abokede
Olu found out he was going to be a father shortly after he completed his first year. It also happened shortly before he began his internship at Target, where the infant section became his second home.
Olu lists career development and financial stability as his two primary reasons for coming to the MBA program. Fatherhood increased his desire to succeed, to be present and to become a person his child could be proud of. He further clarified that, “with an MBA, [he has] set an important education standard for [his] daughter”.
During his graduation ceremony, Olu had his wife and daughter with him. It was a feeling he described as priceless. His MBA career had ended; his life as a father had only just begun.
Allan, Billy, Nick and Olu have all had to balance the joys of fatherhood with the intensity of the MBA program. Nonetheless, that joy speaks more words than any case or textbook could. It emphatically says that they wouldn’t have it any other way.