• Ece Bennett(ABN AMRO, United States)
• Stacy Deming (Affinity Logic, South Africa)
• Jennifer Eickelberg(Nabisco, Ecuador)
• Andrew May(Citibank, United Kingdom)
• Rebecca Nakamura(SI Associates, Singapore)
• Lana Natalchenko(BANKONE, United States)
• Amy Shang(Mercedes Benz, United States)

Kristin Finlay or Andrew Hallissey

Kristin's Weekly Diary:

Monday
9:20a - 10:50a: Graduate Assistant (GA) work
10:50a - 12:20p: IB 775 Problems & Practices-Financial Management
1:10 p - 2:40p: IB 530 International Finance
2:50p - 4:20p: MGT 502 Operations Management
4:30p - 5:30p: GA
8:30p - 11:00p: Marketing 535- read Marketing chapters (usually 2 per week)

Tuesday
10:10a - 1:20p: MKT 535: Marketing, Strategy & Planning
1:30p - 4:30p: GA
4:30p - 6:30p Work on IB 775 group cases or homework problems
8:00p - 10:00p: IB 530 homework: read chapter(s) (usually 2 per week)

Wednesday
9:50a - 10:50a: GA
10:50a - 12:20p: IB 775
1:10p - 2:40p: IB 530
2:50p - 4:20p: MGT 502
4:30p - 5:30p: GA
7:00p - 9:00p: Homework: Read MGT 502 chapter(s)

Thursday
9:00a - 12:30p: GA
2:00p - 4:00p: IB 775 homework: read chapters or group case work & problems
4:00p - 6:00p: IB 530 homework: read chapters for Monday & do any problems assigned

Friday
Homework: 2-3 hours IB 775 reading or case work
Homework: 2-3 hours IB 530 problems or read chapters

Saturday
Homework: 11/2 - 2 hours MKT 535 strategy paper research

Sunday
Homework: 2-3 hours read MGT 502 chapters
Homework: 2-3 hours any IB 775 or IB 530 reading & other work

- Kristin Finlay

Andrew's typical days

It's challenging to summarize a typical day for someone on the full time MBA program because there is usually so much going on; no two days are alike. What you can be sure of is that every day will be as challenging and exciting as you want to make it. I am a big believer in getting the work-life balance right and the program gives you ample opportunity to work hard during the day and also make many good friends on the program as well. Some people initially fall into the trap of focusing too much on the academic nature of the program but sooner or later they realize that its just as important to be involved in other activities around DePaul and Chicago. It lets you enjoy the time a lot more, as well as making some great contacts.

The class schedule is usually not too hectic. We generally have between 2 and 3 classes per day and it is unusual for them to start before 10am. This also varies depending on the quarter. Most days you can expect to find yourself done with class by 4:30pm. The classes usually tend to be fairly interactive with many professors working with the case method, which often creates heated debates within the class. It's very important to participate in class discussions - even if it's something you are not used to - ultimately practice makes perfect!

Lunchtime is an important time of the day and there are dozens of places right by DePaul Center that people go to eat. It's always relaxed and gives everyone the opportunity to catch up with the latest news from the class or discuss what problems they are having on group projects.

While actual class time does not take up a lot of time, group projects and papers do. We generally average at least two group projects per quarter. In addition some groups will be fixed, with different projects or cases to prepare each week. As much as you try to meet during the week these always require meetings over the weekend. It's actually a great way to get to know the class better. Often we would go to someone's house to work and order in pizza or something. It's also amazing what you can learn from the other people in the class - different perspectives, values and opinions always help make a group more effective and certainly more enjoyable.

Graduate Assistants work also requires a serious time commitment. As a Graduate Assistant in the Real Estate Center I usually end up working just over ten hours per week. It really can be a great experience. As well as seeing from the inside the work of a leading Academic, it has given me the opportunity to meet a lot of senior people in the real estate industry. I was also fortunate to receive both an internship and subsequent job offer with the help of the professor that I work for.

Finally, another equally important element of the program is unwinding after a difficult and strenuous week and what better way to do it than a class party! Friday or Saturday night will regularly be filled with some kind of party or celebration before you prepare to do it all over again the next week!

- Andrew Hallissey

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