Meet Kelsey Charles, MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth Class of 2022. At McCombs, Kelsey is a part of the McCombs Ambassador Committee as a MAC Chair. She is currently a Strategic Sports and Entertainment Sponsorship Director at MVP. Kelsey tells us about her experience juggling life and work, while in school, and shares advice for students looking to apply to McCombs.

What were you looking forward to most when you started your MBA journey?

“When starting my MBA journey, one of the things I was most excited about was the opportunity to connect with like-minded people. Undergraduate programs are awesome and set a great baseline in terms of general knowledge, but deciding to go back to school for an advanced degree, especially while working full-time, is a different level of commitment and drive. I think it’s important to surround yourself with people who push you and the McCombs MBA program does just that.”

Why did you choose the Texas McCombs MBA at Dallas program for your MBA?

“McCombs is iconic and well-respected internationally. There is simply no other way to put it and it’s for good reason. Texas picks the best and brightest but also places an emphasis on culture which I think is important. By coming to UT, you are joining one of the most well-rounded, well-known, and respected groups in the world. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime.”

What was the application/interview process like for you? 

“The application process was great. I really appreciated McCombs asking what my goals were in the short and long term because it ensured that I had intention when entering the program. I also really enjoyed the conversations I had with alumni and the admissions staff- it was very clear what type of people go to McCombs and I immediately knew I found my home when I realized that culture was just as important as intelligence and experience.”

What were some of the challenges, if any, that you and your peers faced in the first semester?

“Juggling a full-time job in addition to school is always difficult at first. On top of that, many people have spouses, families, or even additional commitments and side hustles. I personally have several other commitments and jobs on top of my 9-5, so working out a schedule to balance it all was imperative for me in the beginning.”

What were you surprised by in the first semester?

“I was surprised by the diversity of the curriculum, in the best way. I feel like a lot of schools are focused solely on tactical types of programming, whereas McCombs truly builds future leaders through career coaching, leadership classes, and of course, a core business foundation.”

Kelsey also took part in the Austin Intensive Seminars.  The Austin Intensive Seminar is a week-long signature program that kicks-off your first and second year in the MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth and MBA at Houston programs.  They are an opportunity for you to get to know your classmates, start learning from McCombs faculty, and launch your first and second year of MBA studies on The University of Texas at Austin campus. The Austin Intensive Seminars bring together first and second year students from our two weekend programs in Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston.

What were Austin Intensives like? 

INTENSE. But SO FUN. It truly was the epitome of ‘work hard, play hard’ and was the perfect combination of drinking from a fire hose and learning so many incredible things, but doing it alongside your friends in the program. It was a true bonding experience.”

MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth Class of 2022 in Austin.

Bonding with your classmates is an invaluable part of the MBA experience. The MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth program also includes a Residency component, in which you’ll stay in Dallas at the Marriot Dallas Uptown, the official program hotel, on class weekends during the first semester. The Residency cuts down on commute time, fosters a more immersive environment, and creates additional networking opportunities for students and faculty.

How did the first-semester residency impact your part-time MBA experience?

“Residency is great because it gives you a chance to truly get to know your peers. This program FLIES by. You will be done before you know it and residency is just another way to get to know your fellow classmates and make friends and connections that will last a lifetime.”

What is the work/life/school balance like for you? 

“Work/life/school balance has been great. I think identifying days upfront that you will be studying is key and really leaning into your study groups is helpful too. Teamwork makes the dream work, right? You’re not alone in this so asking others what works for them is always a great idea and then fine-tuning it to fit your personal schedule has been my strategy.”

What is your study group like? Did you find it helpful to have those selected for you?

“My study group was one of the most impactful and valuable aspects of McCombs for me. It was just another element of the program that showed me how customized the school made the program. Our study groups were so well-rounded in terms of background that it made learning that much more collaborative and insightful. One person might run point as the subject matter expertise and could help the others by providing real-world examples, etc. It truly helped bring the material to life and make it that much more impactful.”

Kelsey Charles with Emily Le, Senior MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth Admissions Officer.

What has been the biggest lesson you have learned?

“That being a successful leader in the business world isn’t all about the work you produce, but also the qualitative values you bring to the table too. Being a good leader, pushing the envelope, not being afraid to roll up your sleeves, asking the tough questions, and diving in.. the secret sauce is in being more than one-dimensional and I know I have been equipped with the proper tools to be successful as a leader in my field moving forward.”

Do you have any advice for future students starting the program in the fall? 

“DO THE ACCOUNTING BOOTCAMP! And if you do not have a business background, don’t worry. You will be successful. This is truly a program of well-rounded individuals. Don’t be afraid to ask for help where you may have blind spots- you will truly get what you put into the program.”

Learn more about the MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth and stay up to date with all things McCombs by subscribing to our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram to see more about student life. If you have any questions, please reach out to MBA Admissions. Hook ’em!