Full-time UST MBA

Meet Michael Burns

"One of the most unique aspects of the UST MBA program is the Links business simulation, which allows a team of students to manage a global manufacturing firm."

After three years experience in medical software marketing and sales, I decided to pursue my M.B.A. I chose the University of St. Thomas for four main reasons. One, UST has a strong regional alumni base, enabling wonderful networking opportunities.  Through the UST alumni network I am very connected with regional business leaders. Two, the UST MBA program is focused on business ethics. Ethics and business values are integrated into every course and an ethics lab provides students with the opportunity to explore and debate business ethics on a level unprecedented in M.B.A. programs. Three, I was attracted by the Links business simulation, allowing students to refine their business strategy in a risk-free but realistic environment. And finally, I was impressed by Dean Puto’s marketing expertise, which is evident throughout the curriculum

While those were the qualities that attracted me to St. Thomas, once I began the program I came to appreciate other facets. One of those is the diverse learning environment.  The strong international student presence is a definite plus.  A rich combination of race, gender and creed contributes to the effectiveness of the learning environment. Also, the vast majority of my classmates are eager contributors and are also interested in helping their colleagues succeed (everyone competes but it is more of a collaborative learning atmosphere).

As a student in the Full-time UST MBA program, I gained quantitative skills such as cutting edge financial, marketing, and economic analysis skills, as well as the ability to identify key strategic questions. In addition the program emphasizes interpersonal and team leadership abilities, as well as presentation and speaking skills. This has provided me with the qualitative skill set that differentiates me from M.B.A. candidates from other programs.
The Opus College of Business faculty are one reason this dual emphasis is successful. Professors are experienced professionals with business and academic backgrounds. Small class sizes facilitate the connection between professor and student. UST is clearly a teaching university, not a research university.

One of the most unique aspects of the UST MBA program is the Links business simulation, which allows a team of students to manage a global manufacturing firm.  The ability to design strategy, evaluate success and reformulate strategy to meet the needs of an evolving global market was a fantastic experience.  In my second semester the Applied Business Research course got me out of the classroom and into a real world consulting role.  By analyzing customer attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors via a qualitative focus group, an online quantitative survey and advanced statistical data analysis I was able to enhance the business model of a local non-profit while refining my business strategy consulting skills.

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Meet other Full-time UST MBA Students

Scott Buell
Victor Chavarria
Christopher Cook
Steffan Johnson
Jiwon Kim
Erin Liddy
Cara Lindgren
Margarita Noriega
Michele Reis
Jill Schlangen
Matthew Wach