Tom Fail’s journey by larger training is deeply private and rooted in a transparent sense of objective. With two levels already below his belt and a profitable profession in Ed Tech, Tom explains why he made the choice to pursue his third diploma credential. 

His story explains his private connection to larger training and the way the online iMBA from Gies Faculty of Enterprise 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 determination to enroll with Gies. 

“With this program, you get to mix the advantages of networking and having a hands-on expertise that you simply’d get from an in-person program, with the flexibleness of a web based program. That stated, it wasn’t straightforward. Like I’ve informed my spouse, that is one thing I’m really very happy with. I might have give up 50 occasions, however I didn’t, and I’m actually joyful I didn’t.” 

A Lifelong Perception within the Energy of Increased Training

Tom Fail is a lifelong learner with a deep sense of the worth larger training can carry. Admittedly not one of the best scholar in highschool, Tom kicked issues into gear upon coming into his first larger training expertise.

“Rising up, I noticed the necessity to go to varsity and work out what you wish to do together with your life. My mother and father did loads for me, one of the best that they might, to permit my sister and I to go to varsity, so as soon as I used to be in faculty, I knew that my mother and father had labored their entire lives in order that I might do that. I assumed to myself, ‘I can’t mess this up.”

After proudly finishing an economics undergraduate diploma and graduating with a grasp’s in administration, Tom entered the workforce, embarking on careers with, as he says, “among the least fulfilling organizations that exist: the IRS, the US Senate, and a scholar mortgage company.” Finally, Tom discovered his footing in ed-tech and has but to look again. 

“I wished to have a profession that was purpose-driven, in order that I might really have an effect on individuals’s lives.” 

So, why, with all of his enterprise expertise and now a profession he was impassioned about, did Tom determine to pursue one other grasp’s diploma? 

“After I acquired my first diploma, I hadn’t but had any real-world expertise. It’s actually vital to grasp the interior workings of what you are promoting: the best way the enterprise mannequin works, finance, advertising and marketing, and having the ability to perceive the concrete methods the enterprise grows. It’s cliche to say, however I wished to mix educational rigor and understanding into my particular position now.” 

Looking for out Related Technique of Upskilling

Not initially in search of one other full diploma program, Tom searched on Coursera for tactics to upskill his administration model. With two new direct reviews, he wished to refine his skillset and ensure his management toolkit was as much as snuff. 

“The primary course that I took was as a result of I had two teammates reporting to me, and I wished to brush up on management expertise. Managing Teams by Illinois was top-of-the-line ones I discovered to assist me work out how I wished to point out up as a pacesetter. This course really stacks into the iMBA, and it was my first publicity to diploma materials.”

The iMBA program got here as a pure subsequent step, provided that the programs he was taking really counted in direction of the complete diploma.

“It was a terrific first expertise, and that first course hooked me into the diploma. I took that course, beloved it, and figured that was most likely a very good place to begin for what the net diploma can be.” 

The Flexibility to Stability Life, Work, and Studying

With a full-time job and different private commitments, he knew a conventional, on-campus MBA wouldn’t match his life. Managing the workload was a problem, however Tom was grateful for the flexibleness that this system introduced.

“Illinois has plenty of flexibility. You may velocity up or decelerate relying on what’s occurring in your life. They’ve actually nice curriculum plans for two, 2.5, and three years as beginning locations. Then, you possibly can meet together with your on-line advisor to speak by what makes essentially the most sense for you.”

The asynchronous content material and adaptability to study on his personal phrases meant he might work at his personal tempo, whereas nonetheless making significant relationships with school and friends by networking occasions and on-line connections. 

Studying You Can Use the Subsequent Day

For Tom, essentially the most highly effective a part of the Gies iMBA was its quick relevance.

“As I used to be taking courses, I used to be instantly making an attempt to use what I used to be studying at school to what I used to be working with every day. It was frequent for me to be at school someday, and the subsequent day, be utilizing what I had simply realized,” he says.

Whether or not he was finding out statistics, advertising and marketing, or enterprise technique, the coursework by no means felt summary. As an alternative, it was constructed to be utilized straight away, inside actual organizations, with actual outcomes. This direct hyperlink between studying and doing stored him motivated and made the late nights and full calendar value it.

A Acquainted Group Constructed by Digital Connections

Regardless of being absolutely on-line, the iMBA provided one thing uncommon: a real sense of belonging.

“They exit of their option to make you are feeling as if you’re a part of the Gies neighborhood, regardless that you’re a web based scholar.”

From responsive help groups to in-person meetups and alumni connections, each interplay bolstered the concept that on-line didn’t should imply impersonal. He even participated within the well-known in particular person occasion iConverge, which he described as an unbelievable occasion that allowed him to fulfill his friends face-to-face.

“There’s additionally native alumni networks far and wide. I went to a couple within the DC space and met individuals at basketball video games, soccer video games, and it was nice to fulfill people who find themselves native right here. We actually have a Groups channel the place all of us chat to help one another and plan meetups.”

That welcoming ambiance continued all through this system, making him really feel like greater than only a identify on a roster.

“Hundreds of scholars by no means stepped foot on campus. However I contemplate myself an Illinois alum. I’ve a bit signal of Illinois subsequent to my desk, and that’s my faculty sports activities workforce now. I’ve an unnatural quantity of orange clothes at this level, to be trustworthy.”

Help That Goes Above and Past

One factor that stood out from day one was the responsiveness of this system employees.

“Each time that you’d write for help, they responded virtually instantly. It was shockingly quick.” 

It wasn’t nearly answering questions. College and employees have been deeply engaged, passionate, and current. The individuals behind this system, together with leaders like Dean Brooke Elliott and Affiliate Dean Nerissa Brown, left an enduring impression.

Phrases of Knowledge for Working Professionals Looking for a Diploma

Tom’s recommendation for others in his sneakers?

“Make a plan and take motion. If you happen to’re not able to get the complete diploma, strive 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 helps you achieve the arrogance to return.” 

He admits that there have been occasions of impostor syndrome in his pursuit of upper training, specifically with Illinois not too long ago being named one among Forbes’ 2025 public Ivy League schools. Nonetheless, he encourages others like him to provide it a strive.

“Why not you? Different individuals can do it, so why not you? If in case you have the dedication and the dedication, you are able to do it.”Be a part of others like Tom who’re proudly adorning their resumes with a Master’s in Business Administration (iMBA) from the College of Illinois Gies Faculty of Enterprise.