× Explore our resources to learn how to reach your career goals with a graduate business degree.

Register

Creating an account on mba.com will give you resources to take control of your graduate business degree journey and guide you through the steps needed to get into the best program for you.

Create New Account >>
  1. mba.com
  2. Business School & Careers
  3. Why Business School
  4. An MBA Is Possible for Working Professionals

An MBA Is Possible for Working Professionals

October 3, 2017 | Erick Prado, Saint Louis University
Image not found

Erick Prado

Erick shares his tips for balancing work, school, and life.

Erick Prado is a part-time MBA graduate from Saint Louis University.

Hi, my name is Erick Prado. I am from Mexico City. After finishing college in Mexico City I started working at an American Company with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. After a couple of years in my role I was invited to join the Global Shared Services team in St. Louis. A few years later I started the part-time MBA program at Saint Louis University after I was encouraged by my colleagues and managers to pursue an MBA. I graduated and I recently took a new role within my company. Thanks to the MBA I was able to learn things outside my company that helped me to have better understanding of how a company operates across multiple functions.

Why Business School? I wanted to have a holistic understanding of the business world and learn business cases from other companies.

Best GMAT™ exam study tip? Study at your own pace and solve multiple sample questions and tests before the real exam.

Before business school, I was: Working on a Finance supply chain role focused on closing activities and accounting.

When I’m not in class, you’ll find me: Running, playing tennis, golf or watching a Netflix TV series.

Advice for anyone thinking about b-school?  Make sure you talk to the staff, professors or alumni from the B school you would like to attend. Additionally, think 5 years from now how going to b school will help you to achieve your goals.

My remedy for pre-test nerves: Rest, focus, try to take a few days off from work.

On the day before your exam, you should: Focus on the strategy you have to solve the exam. Get some rest, eat well.

How did you fit studying for the GMAT exam into your busy schedule? I used my weekends to study. I studied with my wife since she also got into B school. That helped us to stay on track and solve problems together.

How well-prepared for business school do you feel, after studying for the GMAT exam? Very well prepare, studying for the GMAT was very helpful because it set the right tone about how to start the MBA. 

An MBA Is Possible for Working Professionals

"It's very important to re-prioritize your activities in order to set up the right expectations."

Full transcript

"Hello, my name is Erick Prado, and I recently graduated from the part-time MBA program and Saint Louis University. Today, I want to give you a few tips about how do you balance work, school, and life. Let me start by giving you a few samples at my company. I have a full-time job and I knew that it would be a big commitment to start my MBA program. So what I did was I communicated the specifics with my managers and I got their support. I actually included this in my career development plan and I was able to track periodically my progress and communicate this to my manager. At the school level, I visited the school multiple times and I talked to the professors and alumni. I also made sure I understood their expectations and that made me feel more comfortable. Lastly, on the personal level, I’m married and my wife started the MBA program with me, so that helped me to be on the same page. I think it’s very important to re-prioritize all of your activities in order to set up the right expectations. It’s also important to take some time off in order to get that energy that you will need to balance all of these activities. I wish you all of the best in your career. Thank you."

My Advice for Preparing for the GMAT Exam

"Look at your strengths and your weaknesses and make sure you go through each problem that you didn’t have time to catch."

Full transcript

"Hello GMAC viewers, today I want to about some advice that I have for preparing for the GMAT exam. Regardless of the methods that you want to use whether personal books or different programs, I urge you to download the GMATPrep product that is available at mba.com. Make sure that when you download the product and going through the sample test, make sure that you have enough time to focus. Avoid any distractions such as a cellphone or having people around so that you can really focus on the test. Also, take it personally and make it like a real one. Look at your strengths and your weaknesses and make sure you go through each problem that you didn’t have time to catch. At the same time, I encourage you to take your own pace for dealing with the different problems. I wish you the best and good luck in your process for preparing for the GMAT. Thank you."