Photo credit: (Paul L. Newby, II /UW-Madison Wisconsin School of Business)
When it comes to earning an advanced degree like the Master of Science in Management (MSM) from Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), time is of the essence for many learners. This was the case for Karl Galko, as he was looking to grow his career by preparing for management positions.
Like a lot of working professionals, Karl hoped to maintain the momentum he had built in his career while still acquiring the new skills and credentials he needed to stand out. To do this, he had to have a program where he could learn effectively in a short amount of time. But was it possible to have an enriching student experience in a degree program on such an ambitious timeline? Karl was about to find out.
Karl was working in public relations as he was deciding how to approach a master’s program. “The short term commitment of the iMSM was attractive, as I didn’t have the time,” he recalls, adding, “The curriculum really fit into what I was looking for. I wanted management-based skills to help me in my career.” While feeling like he had found the degree for him, Karl had to be sure he’d enjoy the online learning he’d be doing. He says, “I wanted to take some courses to test the online learning environment. I took some courses from Gies, really liked them, and decided to apply for the degree.”
The courses Karl took before enrolling in the degree program would indeed be a preview of the enriching student experience that was to come with the iMSM. Karl specifically tells us, “Global business courses were great. Global projects were interesting and a highlight.” He also mentions, “Managerial accounting was one of my favorite courses. I personally struggled with accounting, but the course was structured in a good way.”
Beyond these noteworthy courses, Karl was pleasantly surprised by the unique encounters he had because he chose an online program from a globally revered university. With his peers in the program hailing from different parts of the world, Karl remembers, “The diverse group of students that brought in a varied perspective to projects was thought-provoking and made the projects more impactful.”
Although the iMSM from Gies is earned online, students in the program have optional in-person opportunities as well. Through the annual event known as iConverge, online learners can visit the UIUC campus, meet their fellow students, and attend a Fighting Illini football game. Online learners can participate in Gies immersion opportunities, too—including in-person and virtual experiences where you study regional business somewhere in the United States over a few days or global business somewhere in the world over a full week. Even graduating in person is a possibility, as online learners can proudly walk across the stage to receive their diploma just like on-campus students.
Karl tells others, “Try to make in-person events if possible.” He toured the campus, met the instructors, and went to graduation himself—and he wished he had been able to go on the immersion trip that was offered during his time at Gies.
Since completing the iMSM program in 2022, Karl has seen how continuing his education through Gies has progressed his career. He reports it brought him to his role as an advisor for the graduate programs for the Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin. There, he’s been promoted from career coordinator to assistant director of employer relations. He shares, “In my role as the advisor to the graduate programs at the University of Wisconsin, I was able to connect with my former classmates to facilitate connections for my current students in their job searches.”
Karl’s example is one that can be emulated by all working professionals desiring to move into managerial roles. With his aggressive goals in mind, he earned the skills and credentials he needed, and the results speak for themselves. When you’ve reached the point that you want to prepare for such positions, you can learn effectively in a short amount of time with the Gies iMSM. Check it out today and consider the potential impact you can make on your own career.