MSBA Class of 2018 Job Placement: Kayleigh Johnson

If you are a current senior or recent college graduate wondering if the MSBA program is right for you or how it can help enhance your undergraduate degree, keep reading!

Kayleigh Johnson, MSBA '18, has accepted a job as a a Data Consultant at NimbleUser. Below, Kayleigh shares her experiences in the program, and how it helped her to find her career:

Q: Why did you choose the MSBA Program?

I chose the MSBA Program because I wasn't happy in my sales position. I knew I wanted to do something more, but wasn't sure how to get there. I started searching for graduate programs and came across the MSBA one and thought it would be a perfect fit.

Q: What company will you be working for, and what will your title be?

I will be working for NimbleUser as a Data Consultant.

Q: How did you get interested in this type of work?

I've always loved math and really enjoyed our Quantitative Analysis class in the fall semester. That experience solidified my desire to get into the data field.

Q: How did the Catholic U MSBA program help prepare you for this career path?

The MSBA Program connected me with an alum who worked at NimbleUser. After I reached out to him, we scheduled an interview for a Data Consultant internship for the spring semester. Without the MSBA Program, I would not have had the confidence to reach out to someone that I didn't know or be able to answer the interview questions confidently.

Q: What from the program stands out specifically that you think helped prepare you for a career in this field?

Quantitative Analysis was one of my favorite classes, and very helpful. I've also used tools that I learned in Managing the Enterprise and Business Communications.

Q: Can you recall a favorite memory from the program?

One of my favorite memories from the program was going to Top Golf in the fall after we did a company visit. Even though I'm a terrible golfer, it was a great bonding experience for our cohort!

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MSBA Class of 2018 Job Placement: Michael Morris

If you are a current senior or recent college graduate wondering if the MSBA program is right for you or how it can help enhance your undergraduate degree, keep reading!

Michael Morris, MSBA '18, has accepted a job as a a Junior Research Analyst at FRANdata in Arlington, VA. Below, Michael shares his experiences in the program, and how it helped him to find his career:

Q: Why did you choose the MSBA Program?

I chose the MSBA Program because I saw a disconnect between the business executives and the lab technicians at the labs that I interned for. I wanted to figure out if there was a way to bridge these two mindsets. When I received the offer from Prof. McHie to join the program, I showed it to my former supervisor, who was the head of the company I was interning at. He thought it was a good idea to gain these business skills and encouraged me to take the opportunity.

Q: What company will you be working for, and what will your title be?

I will be working at a company called FRANdata in Arlington, VA. My title is a Junior Research Analyst.

Q: How did you get interested in this type of work?

I always had an interest and proficiency for Data Analysis. The MSBA Program helped me understand how to apply this skill set to fields outside of the mainstream sciences.

Q: How did the Catholic U MSBA program help prepare you for this career path?

There are three main classes that helped prepare me for this particular job. Quantitative Analysis challenged me use to a lot of the excel programs that my job uses. Accounting helped me to read financial data and relevant formulas. Career Development aided me in preparing for interviews. The MSBA Program as a whole helped me prepare for this position by showing me that there are other fields that I can pay my skill set towards other than the sciences.

Q: Can you recall a favorite memory from the program?

Professors Seegers' shares stories in class to provide a practical example of what we are learning or just to tell a funny story. The way he relates these stories  make them particularly memorable.

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Thirsty Thursdays: The Value of Simplicity in Presentations

Last week, Tom Heath, a local business reporter and columnist for the Washington Post, spoke with our students during one of our Thirsty Thursday events. Students presented their Field Team Study capstone projects to Tom and received feedback on how to improve their presentations.

The presentations to Tom were a unique opportunity to practice a business discussion, think on their feet, and test their knowledge of their project in advance of their final client meetings. Tom challenged students to simplify their presentations and to walk their audience through the charts.  A great chart is one the reader can understand on their own.  But if the subject matter demands a more complex treatment, students should carefully explain how the chart is constructed and what the chart represents, a piece at a time.

Final client presentations are next week!

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MSBA Class of 2018 Job Placement: Leah Szews

If you are a current senior or recent college graduate wondering if the MSBA program is right for you or how it can help enhance your undergraduate degree, keep reading!

Leah Sophia Szews, MSBA '18, has accepted a job as a a Content Associate at BluShark Digital in Bethesda, Maryland. Below, Leah shares her experiences in the program, and how it helped her find her career:

Q: Why did you choose the MSBA Program?

The MSBA program offers a unique and competitive opportunity to earn a Master’s degree in 9-months. This was my primary motivation for enrolling in the program; however, I also desired to advance my business acumen.

Q: What company will you be working for, and what will your title be?

I will be working for a SEO firm called BluShark Digital in Bethesda, Maryland. I will be a Content Associate.

Q: How did you get interested in this type of work?

I have always been interested in marketing. However, I networked with a MSBA alumni at a program hosted event and later reached out to her for a fellowship opportunity.


Q: How did the Catholic U MSBA program help prepare you for this career path?

The Catholic U MSBA program demands excellence and discipline through many different aspects. This has largely helped define the way I prepared for entering a professional business setting.

Q: What from the program stands out specifically that you think helped prepare you for a career in this field?

Attention to detail and a flexible attitude towards problem solving are two attributes that have been constantly reinforced by the program. Applying those two attributes has strongly helped prepare me for my future position at BluShark.

Q: Can you recall a favorite memory from the program?

The TopGolf excursion was one of my favorite memories from the program. This is where I initially bonded with classmates that have become some of my very close friends.

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MSBA Class of 2018 Job Placement: Christine Awad

If you are a current senior or recent college graduate wondering if the MSBA program is right for you or how it can help enhance your undergraduate degree, keep reading! 

Christine Awad, MSBA '18, has accepted a job at Cummins, Inc. as a Corporate IQA Engineering Auditor. Below, Christine sheds light on how the program helped prepare her for her career path:


Q: Why did you choose the MSBA Program?

I chose the MSBA Program because I thought it would be a valuable investment for my future,
and I wanted to focus on becoming a well-rounded professional. I currently possess technical
skills that are highly valued across multiple industries, but it is important I also understand more
qualitative business aspects the program provides to succeed in the business world. Most
importantly, I knew the program would teach me how to unite my Catholic faith and ethical
business practices.

Q: What company will you be working for, and what will your title be?

I will be working for Cummins, Inc. and stationed in Columbus, Indiana as a Corporate IQA
(Installation Quality Assurance) Engineering Auditor.

Q: How did you get interested in this type of work?

As a young girl, I developed a passion for the field of engineering through various STEM
organizations, job shadowing experiences, and inspiring mentors. Before beginning my freshman
year at Purdue as an engineering student, I had the opportunity to complete my first summer
internship with Cummins. Five years later, I have completed six internships, in different job
roles, with Cummins. All my internships have exposed me to innovate products and processes,
diverse perspectives, development opportunities, and encouraging teammates. Additionally, I
have not felt like an “intern”; I have felt like a full-time employee who is helping to make a
positive impact on the world. For all these reasons, I am excited to return to Cummins and utilize
the knowledge obtained from my internship and academic experiences.

Q: How did the CUA MSBA Program help prepare you for this career path?

The MSBA Program has taught me several practical business skills that can be used in any
company. Some of my greatest takeaways from the program, which will help me at Cummins,
include learning how to analyze complex problems as well as communicate results effectively
and concisely. Specifically, I have learned how to take complicated problems and break them
down into manageable working parts. I have realized the importance of “big data” and can now
use various processes and analytical programs to examine and decipher such datasets. Lastly,
using the Extreme Presentation method, I can “tell a story” to an audience. Using results and
insights from datasets, I can help individuals make critical decisions.

Q: What from the program stands out specifically that you think helped prepare you for a
career in this field?

All the professors in the MSBA Program have most certainly helped prepare me for my new
career. The program requires my classmates and I to take a diverse course load in a condensed
amount of time. Each professor brings industry experience, a specialized skillset, and the motive
to help each student reach his/her full potential to the classroom. I takeaway significant methods
and examples from every lecture I attend. I have managed to build a relationship with each
professor and feel comfortable approaching them with questions even after I graduate in May.

Q: Can you recall a favorite memory from the program?

My favorite memory is working with Catholic Charities and Adam’s Place Shelter to provide a
Thanksgiving Feast for many men in Washington, D.C. A few days before Thanksgiving, my
classmates and I brought joy to several individuals by serving food, providing entertainment, and
having conversations with those around us. By the end of the feast, I knew I just participated in a
very rewarding experience; I served others, worked as a team with my classmates, saw many
joyful faces, and heard many interesting stories from those I served that will be ingrained in my head for a lifetime.

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Navigating the Business World with a Music Degree: A Journey of Discovery

Kayleigh Johnson, MSBA '18, is a Music Education major from Penn State University. Kayleigh joined the program after taking some business courses and developing an interest in furthering her understanding of the field:


When I was in fourth grade, I wanted to be like Squidward from Spongebob Squarepants. At the time, I thought he played the clarinet beautifully, and it was my hope to one day play the clarinet just like him. Luckily, I accomplished this goal pretty early on in my musical career, as Squidward was not particularly good at the clarinet. However, it did ignite a musical passion in me. From the time I was in fourth grade through college, I was heavily involved in music by participating in marching band, concert band, fife and drum corp., quintets, and many other ensembles.                                                                                                     
By the time I reached my senior year of high school, I knew I wanted to pursue Music Education at Penn State University. I spent the next four years of college studying Music Theory, Music History, Sight-singing, various methodology courses, and teaching practicums.

After I graduated with my Bachelors of Music Education, I decided to not seek a career in music. Instead, I became a Solutions Specialist at Verizon Wireless. While I was employed at Verizon I took a few business courses, which prompted me to apply to, and ultimately attend, the Catholic University of America’s Masters of Business Analysis program.

There are many parallels that can be drawn between the music world and the business world. One of the main, and most important, lessons that I learned is how to effectively manage my time. In both my undergraduate and professional work experience, I have had to meet strict deadlines, plan large scale projects, and shuffle between many tasks. I’ve learned to efficiently and effectively prioritize my tasks, coordinate schedules, and plan ahead.

Another important skill that I acquired from my undergraduate degree is strong leadership. Overseeing a large group of ten year olds all playing loud instruments is no small feat. I have learned to employ a strong and commanding presence when needed, and present with confidence.

Even though I decided not to pursue a position as a music educator, the skills that I gained in my undergraduate career will be invaluable to me as I embark on my business journey.

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What I Wish I Knew 10 Years Ago

Julio Herrera, MSBA '18, is a Politics major from The Catholic University of America. Julio joined the MSBA Program to complement his undergraduate degree with some business skills and figure out what career path he wants to take:

My favorite course in the MSBA program is Accounting and Financial Analysis. It is not because I love numbers and crunching math equations, but because it has been the most useful method of thinking to use. The ability to calculate whether something is worth an investment is critical throughout life. The material I am learning and will learn would've been helpful to me 10 years ago when I was helping my family with property management. Being able to find out expenses and what the return on investment for something is essential. Learning how to dissect a financial statements from Fortune 500 companies shows how much wasteful spending there is. If these large companies can afford to waste millions of dollars and still have successful operations, imagine the possibilities of being fiscally conservative with personal finances at a young age would do?

Being able to make critical choices is crucial and it molds us into the people we aspire to become. I have personally struggled with finances throughout my life. Growing up in a small industrial city, nothing was ever handed to me or my family. Both my parents were working over-time just to get by. They moved to this country with nothing in their pockets yet made the choices in which they knew investments were going to pay off. What Accounting and Financial Analysis is teaching me is how to make sure I make the proper investments and so I am reassured to make it profitable and worthwhile. It has given me the insight to take a step back and analyze my situation and what I can do to improve myself.

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