Tom Fail’s journey via greater training is deeply private and rooted in a transparent sense of function. 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 greater training and the way the on-line iMBA from Gies School 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 resolution 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 pliability of a web based program. That mentioned, it wasn’t straightforward. Like I’ve instructed my spouse, that is one thing I’m really very happy with. I may have stop 50 instances, however I didn’t, and I’m actually pleased I didn’t.”
A Lifelong Perception within the Energy of Increased Schooling
Tom Fail is a lifelong learner with a deep sense of the worth greater training can convey. Admittedly not one of the best pupil in highschool, Tom kicked issues into gear upon getting into his first greater training expertise.
“Rising up, I noticed the necessity to go to varsity and work out what you need to do together with your life. My dad and mom did quite a bit 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 school, I knew that my dad and mom had labored their entire lives in order that I may do that. I believed 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, “a few of the least fulfilling organizations that exist: the IRS, the US Senate, and a pupil mortgage company.” Ultimately, Tom discovered his footing in ed-tech and has but to look again.
“I needed to have a profession that was purpose-driven, in order that I may 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 resolve to pursue one other grasp’s diploma?
“Once I received my first diploma, I hadn’t but had any real-world expertise. It’s actually essential to know the inside workings of your corporation: 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 needed to mix educational rigor and understanding into my particular function now.”
Searching 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 fashion. With two new direct stories, he needed 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 needed to brush up on management expertise. Managing Groups by Illinois was among the finest ones I discovered to assist me work out how I needed 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, on condition that the programs he was taking really counted in direction of the complete diploma.
“It was an important first expertise, and that first course hooked me into the diploma. I took that course, liked it, and figured that was most likely an excellent 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 standard, on-campus MBA wouldn’t match his life. Managing the workload was a problem, however Tom was grateful for the pliability that this system introduced.
“Illinois has a whole lot 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 via what makes essentially the most sense for you.”
The asynchronous content material and adaptability to be taught on his personal phrases meant he may work at his personal tempo, whereas nonetheless making significant relationships with college and friends via 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 lessons, 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 widespread for me to be at school sooner or later, and the subsequent day, be utilizing what I had simply discovered,” 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 immediately, inside actual organizations, with actual outcomes. This direct hyperlink between studying and doing saved him motivated and made the late nights and full calendar price it.
A Acquainted Group Constructed via Digital Connections
Regardless of being absolutely on-line, the iMBA provided one thing uncommon: a real sense of belonging.
“They exit of their solution to make you’re feeling as if you’re a part of the Gies group, though you’re a web based pupil.”
From responsive assist groups to in-person meetups and alumni connections, each interplay bolstered the concept that on-line didn’t must imply impersonal. He even participated within the well-known in individual occasion iConverge, which he described as an unbelievable occasion that allowed him to satisfy his friends face-to-face.
“There’s additionally native alumni networks in every single place. I went to some within the DC space and met individuals at basketball video games, soccer video games, and it was nice to satisfy people who find themselves native right here. We actually have a Groups channel the place all of us chat to assist one another and plan meetups.”
That welcoming environment continued all through this system, making him really feel like greater than only a identify on a roster.
“1000’s of scholars by no means stepped foot on campus. However I think about myself an Illinois alum. I’ve somewhat signal of Illinois subsequent to my desk, and that’s my school sports activities crew 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 workers.
“Each time that you’d write for assist, they responded virtually instantly. It was shockingly quick.”
It wasn’t nearly answering questions. School and workers 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 Searching for a Diploma
Tom’s recommendation for others in his footwear?
“Make a plan and take motion. For those who’re not able to get the complete diploma, strive the open content material like I did. It’s an effective way to get a really feel for this system and what you’ll like about it. It lets you perceive the rigor of a program, and it helps you acquire the arrogance to return.”
He admits that there have been instances of impostor syndrome in his pursuit of upper training, specifically with Illinois lately being named one in every of Forbes’ 2025 public Ivy League colleges. Nonetheless, he encourages others like him to provide it a strive.
“Why not you? Different individuals can do it, so why not you? You probably 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 Grasp’s in Enterprise Administration (iMBA) from the College of Illinois Gies School of Enterprise.
