Tom Fail’s journey by way of greater schooling is deeply private and rooted in a transparent sense of objective. With two levels already underneath 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 schooling and the way the on-line 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 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 informed my spouse, that is one thing I’m truly very happy with. I may have stop 50 occasions, however I didn’t, and I’m actually pleased I didn’t.”
A Lifelong Perception within the Energy of Larger Training
Tom Fail is a lifelong learner with a deep sense of the worth greater schooling can carry. Admittedly not one of the best scholar in highschool, Tom kicked issues into gear upon coming into his first greater schooling expertise.
“Rising up, I noticed the necessity to go to varsity and determine what you need to do along with your life. My mother and father did rather a lot for me, one of the best that they may, 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 may 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, “a number of the least pleasurable organizations that exist: the IRS, the US Senate, and a scholar mortgage company.” Ultimately, 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 may truly have an effect on folks’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?
“Once I obtained my first diploma, I hadn’t but had any real-world expertise. It’s actually necessary to grasp the inside workings of your enterprise: the way in which the enterprise mannequin works, finance, advertising and marketing, and with the ability to perceive the concrete methods the enterprise grows. It’s cliche to say, however I wished to mix tutorial rigor and understanding into my particular position now.”
Searching for out Related Technique of Upskilling
Not initially searching for one other full diploma program, Tom searched on Coursera for tactics to upskill his administration type. 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 Groups by Illinois was among the best ones I discovered to assist me determine how I wished to indicate up as a frontrunner. This course truly 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 truly counted in the direction of the complete diploma.
“It was a terrific first expertise, and that first course hooked me into the diploma. I took that course, liked it, and figured that was in all probability place to begin for what the web diploma could be.”
The Flexibility to Steadiness 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 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’ll be able to meet along with your on-line advisor to speak by way of 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 by way of 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 instant 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 in the future, and the subsequent day, be utilizing what I had simply realized,” he says.
Whether or not he was learning 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 stored him motivated and made the late nights and full calendar value it.
A Acquainted Neighborhood Constructed by way of Digital Connections
Regardless of being totally on-line, the iMBA supplied one thing uncommon: a real sense of belonging.
“They exit of their technique to make you’re feeling as if you’re a part of the Gies group, though you’re a web based scholar.”
From responsive assist groups to in-person meetups and alumni connections, each interplay strengthened 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 fulfill his friends face-to-face.
“There’s additionally native alumni networks everywhere. I went to a couple within the DC space and met folks 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 assist one another and plan meetups.”
That welcoming ambiance continued all through this system, making him really feel like greater than only a title on a roster.
“1000’s of scholars by no means stepped foot on campus. However I contemplate myself an Illinois alum. I’ve a little 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 sincere.”
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 assist, they responded virtually instantly. It was shockingly quick.”
It wasn’t nearly answering questions. College and employees had been deeply engaged, passionate, and current. The folks 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. If you happen to’re not able to get the complete diploma, attempt 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 means that you can perceive the rigor of a program, and it helps you acquire the arrogance to return.”
He admits that there have been occasions of impostor syndrome in his pursuit of upper schooling, specifically with Illinois lately being named one in all Forbes’ 2025 public Ivy League colleges. Nonetheless, he encourages others like him to present it a attempt.
“Why not you? Different folks can do it, so why not you? 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 Grasp’s in Enterprise Administration (iMBA) from the College of Illinois Gies Faculty of Enterprise.
