Graduating from college can be scary, so I will not lie when I say it was certainly a stressful time deciding what to do after undergrad. I, like many of my friends, felt the pressure to make the “right” decision.
While searching for months and months for the right Master’s program, I was spinning my wheels because I had the view that I must find a program to closely compliment my degree in Psychology. Suddenly it hit me: I remembered a teacher telling me that often students do not necessarily end up working in their exact field of study, because once you learn to reason and think at an academic level, you can do anything you put your mind to.
That realization came to life when I discovered the M.S. in Management program at UNC Charlotte. I noticed something very special about this program. First, it was a continuous program of only 10.5 months (I was ready to move on without summer breaks) and had been specifically designed for non-business undergraduate students. Right away I was attracted to the program. I was thrilled to find out I could get a Master’s degree in management without an undergrad in business. The more I inquired about what the program had to offer and the knowledge I would gain, the more I was convinced this was the program for me. I applied right away and anxiously waited to hear back. Once I was accepted I did not doubt for a minute that this was the right path for me. A few months later, here I am, living my dream attending UNC Charlotte with not a single regret.
After completing an absolutely amazing first summer semester in the M.S. in Management program, I eagerly dove right into the fall semester. Having just moved from Ottawa, Canada only a week before the program started this summer, everything is still very new to me, but being part of such a supportive cohort, being able to make Charlotte feel like home has been a breeze. In a cohort you gel quickly, so were even lucky enough to gather several of us to take a weekend trip together to the beautiful beaches of South Carolina, where we could relax after an exciting and intense first semester and really get to know each other.
As we now begin the fall semester and get to know all of our new teachers and find out what is in store for us this semester, there is nothing but positive spirits all around. Being part of the M.S. in Management cohort is so much more than just attending class and learning concepts; it is being part of a welcoming and engaging environment each and every day. The cohort experience is a very unique aspect about this program, as we are forming relationships that will last a lifetime. It is why I am thrilled to have the opportunity as a student of this cohort to share my own personal experiences and thoughts with undergraduates who are thinking about their next steps, as well as members of the community who take interest in all the M.S. in Management Program has to offer.
Throughout this upcoming fall semester there will be many planned activities where we can really bring the class closer together and be able to bond outside of the classroom. As the Marketing Ambassador, I will have the privilege to share the program’s experiences through various social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, where I hope everyone will enjoy getting a first hand account of our journey! Since this is the first year launching the M.S. in Management Program at the Belk College of Business, it is important that others have the opportunity to observe and learn about the very first cohort’s experiences in the program and to understand the key benefits of the program.
What is even more exciting about the M.S. in Management program is that students have the opportunity to learn many of the key business concepts, while also applying whatever undergraduate background they may have to certain areas of the program. I feel truly honored to be part of such a passionate cohort with a wide variety of undergraduate backgrounds, where our program allows us to all take turns sharing our strengths and to contribute to the cohort, and together we are able to work to our full potential in each of the courses.
The M.S. in Management Program is an excellent program for non-business undergraduate students like myself, as it educates us for a wide range of business and management roles. Each course focuses on a different section of the core business curriculum, providing graduates with the well-rounded knowledge needed to prepare us for jobs within field of business. During this fall semester we will be focusing on the study of economics, human resources, organizational behavior and information systems, and how they are all linked to the field of management. After completing the first couple weeks of classes, I could not be more enthusiastic and engaged to learn all that is ahead! After a lifetime of education here I am finally pursuing a program that fits exactly what I want to do in life and will allow me to acquire the essential skills to succeed in a future business career.
Christina Hewitt, M.S. in Management Ambassador, ‘19
Christina Hewitt, student in the Belk College of Business Master of Science in Management inaugural cohort, serves as the Marketing Ambassador for her graduate program. In this role, she shares her perspective as a student of the program through her original content, manages the cohort’s Facebook and Instagram pages, builds her marketing skills, attends class and enjoys her cohort experience. Belk College of Business welcomes Christina and all M.S. in Management students to the program!