Daniel Bryant is a business student on the MBA Fast Track Program that struggles to balance school with a full-time job.
He has been a student at UT-Dallas for the past three and half years. This semester, he will graduate and receive his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. For his MBA, he is still contemplating if he should come back next semester to finish his degree due to work.
About the Fast Track Program
Daniel said anyone that recognizes the value and price of education would take advantage of this program.
One of the main reasons Daniel decided to stay at UT-Dallas was because of the program. Being able to earn graduate credit as an undergrad student is saving him time and money in the long run.
He said you’re able to have almost 1/4 of your MBA knocked out before you start it.
With the program, 12 out of 53 hours of his MBA can be completed as an undergrad. He said it may not sound like a lot of hours right away, but at least you have a good idea how graduate courses are structured.
Undergraduate vs. Graduate Courses
Daniel said the graduate courses require more group work which can be harder. Things are a bit more self paced, and you have to have a broader knowledge to do better. Undergrad courses are easier, but the fast track is worth it.
He also said in graduate courses the professors expect students to engage and participate more in class discussions, not just take notes and read the text book. He is currently taking three night courses. All of his classes require group projects which can be a great struggle with his full-time work schedule.
Working Full-Time
Daniel said I don’t balance school and work well. I have a lot of late nights, and I spend a lot of time at Starbucks studying. It’s not fun at all. I study for about 12 or more hours a week.
Besides attending classes at night and studying, he works full-time as a web developer for The Pursuant Group which is a fundraising agency. Even though he loves his job, he has some advice for potential MBA students.
He said avoid working full-time so they can either do better in their classes or take more classes each semester to finish their MBA within a reasonable time frame.
Future Plans
According to the School of Management, students may delay for up to one year entering the graduate program and have their Fast Track courses count toward their graduate degree.
Daniel has one year to decide if he wants to come back to UT-Dallas for his MBA. He said that he would probably wait a few months but at least he would have a head start thanks to the Fast Track Program.
Published: March 5, 2009