Learn how Kristen, a recent graduate of the online Master of Science in Management (iMSM), pursued a digital marketing course on Coursera that proved pivotal in her business and her learning through a diverse array of courses.
Kristen is a recent graduate of the online Master of Science in Management (iMSM) program from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Gies College of Business. Urbana-Champaign is part of the University of Illinois System which was recently ranked among the top 50 national universities by U.S. News & World Report. Kristen’s program on Coursera is one of over 90 degree, certificate, and endorsement programs that the university offers online as millions of students worldwide continue to choose Illinois.
The iMSM program is designed for working professionals like Kristen who are interested in management, consulting, analytics, entrepreneurship, and more. In 2019, Kristen began searching for learning opportunities that would help her run her massage therapy company.
Her quest led her to Coursera, where she took a digital marketing course. The knowledge and skills she gained in the course proved valuable as she grew her business by 200 percent within a year, so she then sought more opportunities on Coursera.
Previously, Kristen was unsure online learning would work for her. But her digital marketing course helped her understand how to approach online learning. Needing flexibility for her schedule and living far from any physical campus, Kristen soon enrolled in the iMSM program so that she could learn more about business in general. She saw it as a way to build foundational understanding without spending two or three years in school. She felt the iMSM program was perfect for her at the time as it aligned with her needs then.
Once Kristen started the program, the people she met stood out to her. She says everyone was friendly and helpful, noting there are some amazing professors that are very motivating. Kristen worked with students in London and Germany during her time in the program, and she raves about how great it was to get their perspectives. Kristen enjoyed her project management course the most, and she says the classes push you to think differently. She also found faculty office hours to be super engaging, and she liked being able to rewatch lectures (one of the perks of online learning).
Having sold her share of her massage therapy company, Kristen successfully transitioned to working in human resources after graduating with her MSM degree in May of 2023. Her new master’s even helped her negotiate a higher salary. Because of her time in the program, Kristen has changed how she thinks about herself as part of her company. She’s also changed her standards for what she looks for in an employer. Ultimately, she says starting or switching your career can be tough, but worth it.
As Kristen shows us, the world of business can include everything from owning a share of your own company to being part of a department like human resources. But wherever you go in the business world, it’s easy to see all the areas where fundamental knowledge and management skills are essential. When you encounter any of these areas in your business career, remember Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. You could join Kristen on the long list of successful graduates. Explore the iMSM program for yourself.