Enrolled Program: MBA
Current role: Urban Roadway Design Engineer at Kleinfelder (an Engineering Consulting Firm)
Kate Ackerson, a graduate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, has recently enrolled in the online MBA program at the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business. Currently, she is working as an urban roadway design engineer at Kleinfelder, an engineering consulting firm that serves private and public clients in the transportation, energy, and water market. Her passion for her work is evident from her statement, “Civil engineering requires thoughtfulness of the community and natural world around us, which is why I am intrigued by the work I do.”
Enrolling in Barney’s MBA program has been an invaluable experience for Kate thus far. She chose the Barney School of Business program for the intimate class size and the flexibility that the online MBA program provides. Barney’s online programs have been designed to accommodate working professionals like Kate who aspire to accelerate their career through this program. A smaller number of students per class encourages an engaging atmosphere and healthy discussions amongst students. It also helps professors devote adequate time and attention to each student. According to Kate, the online platform has served to be extremely beneficial and helpful to her busy schedule; working a full-time job and going to graduate school is challenging, and the online option has made her experience significantly better. Through this program, she can leverage her skills and knowledge gained through coursework in performing everyday tasks, client interactions, and in decision making. “I believe that the applicability of the course material allows me to be a more valuable member of a team at my workplace,” Kate explains.
The EC602 Economics for Managers and MGT 605 Organizational Leadership courses have been Kate’s favorites among the few that she has taken so far. “The most surprising aspect of EC 602 has been how much economics plays a role in my personal and professional life,” she says. “With the knowledge I’ve gained in EC 602, I have increased self-awareness of cause-and-effect relationships, can understand how changes in society may affect my industry and business, and am able to ultimately make more informed decisions.” These courses, Kate believes, have helped her evolve into a dynamic leader who is able to connect and empower people around her. They have also helped her gain a better understanding of how changing economics influence her industry and business.
According to Kate, the top three skills that she learned from her MBA classes are agility, communication, and holistic thinking. She firmly believes that each of these skills have given her the distinctive thinking and confidence to navigate through the real world. “I am genuinely excited about the opportunities that I have and continue to gain by becoming a more well-rounded, capable professional because of what I’ve learned through this program,” Kate concludes.
Kate Ackerson, MBA, Barney School of BusinessI recommend Barney’s MBA program to those wishing to expand their career opportunities and leadership abilities. The MBA program teaches you skills that can be transferred to any industry, and helps you become a more well-rounded professional