When Michael Daughters enrolled in the Master of Science in Management (iMSM) from Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, he wanted to keep growing without putting his career and other responsibilities on hold.
“I chose Coursera because it gave me access to a respected university like the University of Illinois in a format that actually fit my life,” he says. “I wanted a degree I could take seriously without putting the rest of my career and responsibilities on hold.“
For Michael, the iMSM from Gies College of Business in partnership with Coursera offered the quality and practical learning he was looking for, while the program’s flexible online format allowed him to continue learning around his existing responsibilities. Beyond the program, Michael has also used Coursera Plus to build career skills and explore new interests, with plans to continue his education through Gies’ stackable pathway towards the iMBA.
As a mid-career professional working in marketing, Michael wanted to strengthen his business judgment and strategic thinking through learning he could apply as he progressed.
“I wasn’t looking for a box to check,” he says. “I wanted something I could use while I was still learning it.“
That practical focus became particularly important as he explored the intersection of business and emerging technology.
Turning an Interest in AI Into Something More
Michael entered the program wanting to better understand AI, strategy, and how businesses can use emerging technology in meaningful ways. Professor Brunner’s AI in Business course became a turning point.
“It expanded how I thought about AI, strengthened my overall knowledge of its business applications, and opened my eyes to possibilities I hadn’t considered before.”
Since taking the course, Michael has become deeply interested in building AI automations and workflows, shaping much of the learning and experimentation he has pursued since.
Making Progress When Life Wasn’t Predictable
Studying meant balancing full-time work, parenting, running his marketing company, and managing hyperparathyroidism. Rather than waiting for the perfect time to learn, Michael made use of the time and energy available to him. The program’s flexibility helped him continue making progress around those responsibilities.
“I studied early, late, between responsibilities, and whenever I could create a pocket of focus,” he says. “I think I just kept showing up, stayed connected to why I started, and gave myself permission to move forward without expecting every week to look perfect.“
Thinking Differently About What’s Possible
Michael says his learning has changed how he thinks, works, and makes decisions. He has become more confident in his business judgment, more curious about technology, and more intentional about how he uses AI in his work.
“It’s opened doors in how I see my career too,” he says. “I’m more willing to experiment, build new ideas, take on harder problems, and trust that I can figure things out.“
For Michael, one realization stands out: “The biggest impact has probably been realizing how much more capable I am than I used to give myself credit for.“
Following Curiosity Beyond the Degree
As a Coursera Plus subscriber, Michael has continued learning beyond the iMSM, using courses to develop career skills, explore new interests, and connect his learning with his work and everyday life.
“For me, the best part is having the freedom to follow that curiosity,” he says. “One course can start with a skill I want to learn and end up changing how I think about something completely different.“
Michael plans to continue through Gies’ stackable pathway toward finishing his iMBA, building on the skills and curiosity that have shaped his journey so far.
Explore the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign iMSM and master the fundamentals of business.