A Day in the Life of a Student-Athlete in the Master's in Management Program
Preview a day in a student's life in Ohio University's online Master's in Management program. In this article, MSM student Keegan Wilburn shares how the flexible format and organized coursework work well for people with busy schedules—including football players like himself.
A Day in the Life of MSM Student Keegan Wilburn
Being an MSM program member has been beneficial to my well-being as a student and athlete. From the ability to choose classes at convenient times to having my professor's phone number, everything about the MSM program seems to cater to someone with a busy schedule who wants personability from the faculty.
Daily Student Routine
A day in the life of a student-athlete pursuing the MSM degree probably looks like someone with a typical or part-time job, except our hours are slightly different. As a football player, your "work hours" are from 7 to 11 a.m. every weekday when you go and train. Football may require another hour with treatment and miscellaneous activities at the facility, but you're finished around noon.
I like to recharge and get food in the middle of my day. This looks different for everyone, but I like to do something creative or stimulating to get my brain on track. This could mean sitting down and making music, playing an instrument or watching YouTube videos about something I'm not well-versed in. This kind of thing gets me ready to do the coursework that's been laid out for me for that day. I typically spend around an hour or two daily working on coursework and have assignments due throughout the week. Some days, nothing is due; on others, a few assignments are due.
Student Life Requires Organization
One thing I enjoy about the MSM program is that it is highly organized. In the past, in my undergraduate program, it seemed that every class had a different layout. With the MSM program, every class I have taken thus far has been organized concisely, and most of the content and resources for each class are laid out similarly. This makes for seamless task completion and identification. In addition, the Blackboard calendar is updated with assignments. This way, you're not looking back and forth to different course calendars; all your content is in one spot. This is incredibly helpful for someone like me with a significant course load.
Flexible Class Options Appeal to Busy Students
This semester, I decided to take a heavier course load than recommended. As I understand, this is a two-year program, and working professionals typically take 6 credit hours a semester. As I have tried to utilize all my resources as a student, I am taking 21 credit hours this semester in hopes of completing this degree in one year. Although it may seem like a lot, I want to emphasize how manageable it has been for me as a student-athlete. However, with how this program is set up, completing all your work is feasible, and I rarely feel overwhelmed with my work/school/life balance.
Class time is a centerpiece of this program and one of my favorite aspects of the MSM degree. It happens two to four times a week, depending on your schedule, and class is always at convenient times for everyone involved. While all the learning sessions and class meetings are virtual, they are usually held between 6 and 8 p.m., so working professionals and people with busy schedules can attend.
Something I want to emphasize about class and meetings is that although it may be virtual, I feel connected to my faculty and classmates. Most of my classes are relatively small, making interactions with peers and professors personable. Within these class sessions, it is also a point of significance for guest speakers to share their journey with the MSM group. I would estimate that every week of class, at least two sessions would allow an MSM student to network and hear from someone outside the program. Dr. Amy Taylor-Bianco does a fantastic job of communicating with students beforehand to get speakers to attend calls that correlate with the desired career paths of the MSM students. We’ve met with CEOs, business owners, and Ohio alums – all well-established and distinguished professionals with elite management and leadership skills synonymous with the program.
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Is the Master's in Management Right for You?
If you're interested in crafting your own educational experience with the resources and close help of the faculty, then this program is for you. The program is focused on the managerial concepts of being an effective, empathetic and calculated manager of an operation or business. If someone were considering the MSM program, I would say that it would target professionals who want to further their careers through academia without the in-person commitment of being a college student. The schedule is flexible enough to cater to people with busy schedules, and it is a fantastic option for people wanting to pursue these things. For example, many professionals in the program currently work full-time jobs and pursue careers. People who are interested in this program need time management skills and should be motivated to seek out their challenges and interests within their studies. I have found that applying yourself and seeking out more from professors than just the class content will allow you the most robust experience. With these attributes, you will succeed in the Master of Science in Management program at Ohio University.
Being a member of the MSM program has proven to be a transformative and accommodating experience for me as a student and an athlete. The program's emphasis on flexibility, personability and organization has allowed me to seamlessly integrate my academic pursuits with the demanding schedule of a student-athlete. The structured and connected nature of classes and the opportunity for networking through guest speakers highlight the program's commitment to providing a well-rounded educational experience. Overall, the MSM program at Ohio University is ideal for individuals seeking a tailored and manageable academic journey, blending managerial concepts with the convenience of a flexible schedule.
Pursue a Master's in Management from Ohio University
As Keegan shared, OHIO provides the flexibility and organization that Master's in Management students need to tackle their coursework and achieve their goals. Learn more about the online program to see how you can unlock your leadership potential and advance your career. You can choose from a suite of certificates to customize your education to your goals, finishing in as little as one year.
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