Advice for Moms Earning an MBA

While faculty and staff are always supportive, it may be difficult to start or expand your family during the first year in the Full-time MBA program. Students typically find that their second year is more flexible and allows for additional time to dedicate towards personal and family life.

The flexibility in selecting my MBA elective courses has helped me better plan my time. This aspect is crucial because I can effectively schedule time with my family. What helped me most was having a great support system in my hsuband, friends, and extended family. Faculty members have also been exceptionally supportive and understanding whenever I need to attend to family matters.

I have found tremendous support from my professors. They have been understanding of unforeseen emergencies, allowing me the flexibility to catch up on missed sessions during office hours or through email correspondence to seek clarification. This collaborative approach has proven instrumental in managing the delicate balance between academic pursuits and family responsibilities.

Our Evening MBA students are working full-time, succeeding academically while also growing their families. The Scheller community strives to support our students at every phase of their lives both personally and professionally. We provide nursing moms an easily accessible mothers room for privacy and a bit of quiet time before classes. The program proudly welcomes new additions to the MBA family with their first Scheller 'Schwag,' an MBA onesie. The Evening MBA program celebrates our students as their families grow and thrive during their time in the program.

I knew I wanted to start a family while in the program. Although it would have been easier to wait, I didn't want to put my life on hold. The flexibility of the evening program was extremely helpful, and I knew it was possible to navigate both at the same time. The best thing I did was to plan ahead. Knowing I wanted to start a family from the beginning of the program allowed me to choose my classes in a specific order so that I wouldn't feel overwhelmed during that last semester. Of course, taking an entire semester off was helpful as it allowed me plenty of time to bond with my son and recuperate both physically and mentally before returning to school again.

Transitioning into anything new takes some getting used to. Motherhood is a constant exercise in flexibility, and, in that way, it prepared me beautifully for the MBA program. I chose Scheller for the sense of community. I felt it immediately when I attended the admitted student’s weekend. The atmosphere is collaborative and supportive. As a mother, the age-old adage it takes a village, rings true and I could see and feel the 'village' at Scheller. Faculty, staff, and classmates genuinely want me to succeed and that is a major sense of comfort.

We are dedicated to recognizing and supporting the unique challenges faced by mothers in balancing family responsibilities with career advancement. Our Executive MBA program is committed to providing support and resources tailored to empower mothers in their leadership journey. Mothers in our program connect with other working mothers in the Scheller community. These connection points help our students navigate challenges with support from those who have been there before. We help mothers gain the skills and resources needed to excel in the business world.

I entered the Scheller MBA program as a mother of three young boys, ages 9, 5, and 3. Balancing motherhood with the demands of the program was a challenge I knew would be difficult, but one I was prepared to undertake. Time management and prioritization became my best tools. What helped me most was the incredible support from my family, the understanding and flexibility of my employer, and the resources provided by Scheller, including access to study groups, flexible class schedules, and understanding professors who were willing to accommodate my unique situation.