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3 Valuable MBA Lessons I’ve Learned As A Nontraditional Student

Considering enrolling in an MBA as someone from a nontraditional student background? Find out three valuable lessons this former hospital nurse has learned during his MBA

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Tue Nov 5 2024

BusinessBecause
There are some careers where enrolling in a two-year business degree doesn’t seem an obvious step to get ahead. While finance professionals and consultants often build an MBA into their plans, it’s less common for ballet dancers, for example.  

But, each year nontraditional students enroll in MBA programs seeking to enhance their professional opportunities. That was the case for hospital nurse, Joshua Copeland.

After a six-year stint at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, where he rose to a leadership role in the intensive care unit, Joshua began considering his future. He participated in projects implemented across the entire hospital and had come to appreciate the impact he could have in a more strategic role.

“I wanted to have a larger impact on healthcare and society, and not just on my patients, but also on clinicians as well,” he says.

Conversations with members of the hospital’s nursing leadership team led him to consider business school, and, in 2023, he made the decision to leave the hospital and enroll in an MBA program at Emory University Goizueta Business School.

Now midway through his two-year program, and having recently completed an MBA internship with health solutions firm CVS Health, Joshua has identified three key lessons he’s learned as a nontraditional MBA student.


Lesson 1: You can gain valuable support by joining a wider community 

Expanding his network was a key reason behind Joshua’s decision to enroll in the Goizueta MBA. His professional community was composed of medical professionals, many of whom had undergone similar paths via nursing practitioner schools and specialist degrees.

“I wanted to take a different route, a route that could really open my network wider and give me more opportunities to do something unique and new,” he explains.

After arriving on campus, Joshua quickly immersed himself in MBA life, committing to interacting with people from a variety of backgrounds both inside and outside of the classroom.

“I’ve been very diligent in connecting with my classmates. I know all my classmates by name, and while sometimes you can’t really remember where everyone goes for their internship, I know what industries they’re interested in.”

As one of a number of nontraditional students—others within his class include a helicopter pilot and a physician—Joshua also notes the strong bonds he’s been able to form with those from diverse backgrounds.

One particular surprise: enrolling in the Goizueta MBA has even brought Joshua into a community of former nurses studying MBAs across business schools in the US.

“I've had other nursing students from other schools reach out to me and we've all connected,” he explains. “We're just creating a large group of all these nurses at top MBA schools both to help keep a tight group and just support each other throughout the whole process.”


Lesson 2: You can expand your abilities with new experiences 

While Joshua’s primary objective in enrolling in an MBA was to enhance his generalist knowledge and business acumen, he feels the array of experiences available to him during the MBA has significantly impacted his professional development.

Like all Goizueta MBA students, Joshua has participated in the IMPACT module, a course focused on strategic problem-solving that involves working on real consulting projects for client companies.

As a student with an altogether different pre-MBA experience to many in his class, working in a practical environment has both enhanced his learning and showed him the value of different perspectives.

“I did some structured problem-solving development in nursing school—we actually have our own process that we follow, and I did implement a little bit of this,” he explains. “It’s a bit different to how we do it in the business setting, but still similar to some degree, and that really was powerful.”

Through the program’s required internship, Joshua has also spent four-months working in strategy and operations within a leading health solutions corporation.

“I was using the skills and tools [I learned] to help me when I began my internship,” he says. “CVS Health, it’s a little different from nursing—the corporate setting—so I took those structured problem-solving skills and applied them from day one.”


Lesson 3: You can overcome personal challenges and unlock different opportunities 

Entering a cohort of students who largely hail from business backgrounds was initially daunting, Joshua admits. “Being a niche candidate. It can be a little nerve wracking in the beginning. Sometimes you can feel like you may not necessarily belong, but that's not the case.”

Within the MBA environment, where participation is encouraged and students must collaborate and communicate during team-based projects and in-class discussions, Joshua feels he has overcome these doubts.

“Being a nontraditional student, I’ve learned that I actually have a lot of knowledge and a lot of wealth to offer to the classroom setting,” he says.

Now more than halfway through his MBA, the experience has encouraged Joshua to search for post-MBA opportunities that harness the unique knowledge and perspective he can bring.

As he prepares for his next career steps, the combination of a specialist pre-business school background and MBA knowledge have already proved fruitful. With the help of the Goizueta MBA Career Management Center, he identified CVS Health as an internship opportunity where both clinical experience and business knowledge were highly valued.

“A lot of my goals lined up with their goals as a team and a company,” he explains. “They really valued that clinical experience and being able to take that and apply it in a business setting.”


Bringing diverse industry experience into the MBA classroom can make nontraditional students a unique and valuable member of the cohort. For Joshua, he feels it can make for an overwhelmingly positive journey.

“There are a lot of things that you will know that others will not know in terms of industry experience,” he says. “If you’re a nontraditional candidate, don’t be afraid to apply to an MBA. It can be something that can be really helpful and beneficial to you and your career.”

Student Reviews

Emory University Goizueta Business School

Student

Verified

31/10/2023

On Campus

Excellent institution with valuable resources

In general, Emory University is an excellent institution with valuable resources. The majority of the professors I encountered were outstanding and displayed a genuine concern for their students. Furthermore, Atlanta provides a plethora of opportunities and experiences.

Student

Verified

31/10/2023

On Campus

Pleasant weather, campus and professors

Emory enjoys pleasant weather for the most part, with warmth and mild conditions. The only drawback is the spring season, particularly due to the heavy pollen presence. Everything becomes coated in layers of pollen, which can be problematic for allergy sufferers. Fortunately, this pollen season is relatively short-lived. During the spring and fall, the weather can be quite unpredictable, swinging from scorching heat to chilly temperatures. You'll often find students relaxing or studying outdoors on campus with Professors ever ready to attend to students personally.

Student

Verified

30/10/2023

On Campus

Outstanding academics

At Emory, the academics are outstanding! It takes a lot of effort and commitment, but the results are well worth it. Teachers are very approachable and like answering inquiries from students. Nobody ever turning away a student that I know of. The campus is beautiful and tidy at Emory, with many places to relax and study.

Student

Verified

24/10/2023

On Campus

Academic performance surpassed my expectations

Emory University's academic performance surpassed my expectations. Achieving good grades often requires substantial effort, and the academic rigor varies depending on your chosen major. Nevertheless, I encountered highly knowledgeable professors, well-equipped to teach their respective courses. Emory offers a wide range of subject areas to choose from, providing students with diverse academic opportunities.

Student

Verified

24/10/2023

On Campus

Outstanding institution with stunning aesthetics

Emory University is an outstanding institution! The campus boasts stunning aesthetics, the individuals are friendly, and there is an abundance of activities available in the surrounding areas of Atlanta, Georgia. Undoubtedly, my most cherished aspect of Emory was its people. I forged numerous friendships and encountered individuals from diverse backgrounds. Academically, Emory provides a manageable experience. The majority of my professors were excellent, although, as is the case with any university, there may be certain classes or professors that one may not enjoy. Nevertheless, conducting some inquiries and perusing online reviews should provide a fairly accurate insight into what to anticipate in each class.

Student

Verified

23/10/2023

On Campus

Professors skilled in interactive discussions

I take great pleasure in the small class sizes and the professors' skill in creating interactive discussions. The professors demonstrate a strong enthusiasm for their subjects, consistently making the course content fascinating. Moreover, I am captivated by the beautiful campus, and its location is equally appealing.

Student

Verified

23/10/2023

On Campus

Exceptional faculty members

Emory University takes pride in its exceptional faculty members who are highly educated and committed to utilizing innovative and successful teaching techniques.It is widely recognized for its extensive research endeavors, offering students a wide-ranging knowledge foundation that can be readily applied to a variety of academic disciplines.

Student

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25/02/2023

On Campus

Review of Emory university

The Professors are awesome and you get a lot of opportunities to get involved both on and off Campus. The campus is very lovely. The community of people are welcoming, super nice, and entertaining. The dining halls have popular music from throughout the decade playing and the overall atmosphere is super relaxing and enjoyable.

Konya

Verified

3/11/2022

On Campus

Batch'20

Emory is an amazing campus and a school with a nice social scene. I always wanted to see what it was like living in the states and this made it happen. Loving making new friends, acquaintances and some for life bonds as well as learning new subject every week. Emory is a great choice.

Jamie

Verified

26/05/2024

On Campus

Professors are always enthusiastic

Emory University is simply outstanding. They have excellent academic programmes with a vast selection of engaging courses. The instructors are extremely informed and enthusiastic about their subject matter. Additionally, the student support services are excellent. They have advisors that help you at every stage and offer resources for career counselling, mental health support, and tutoring. Emory genuinely cares about your prosperity and welfare. This university is fascinating and forward-thinking at the same time!

Linda

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26/05/2024

On Campus

Lending a helping hand

The instructors at Emory University are redefining what it means to be helpful. They support us academically and serve as supporters, mentors, and confidants in addition to being educators. They are always there to provide advice and support, whether it is by remaining after class to address unanswered questions or by getting together for coffee on the weekends to talk about our professional goals. Their commitment to our achievement goes well beyond the school day, demonstrating time and again that students at Memory are people with dreams, not just a name. It's all possibilities when you have instructors like these.

Paige

Verified

26/05/2024

On Campus

Exceptional mentorship

Emory University is a refuge for both intellectual prowess and individual development. These instructors motivate students in addition to instructing. They go above and above to make sure every student succeeds, offering anything from spontaneous office hours to late-night emails that explain difficult subjects. Their commitment to us doesn't stop in the classroom; they support and encourage us as we overcome both academic and personal obstacles. In addition to being competent, Emory's faculty members have a personal stake in our success, both within and outside the classroom. Emory stands out for the kind of help he provides.