Doing It All

In a world where balancing the demands of graduate coursework, professional responsibilities, and family life can often seem insurmountable, a group of extraordinary Online MBA (OMBA) moms is defying the odds. Fall 2021 OMBA cohort graduate Amelia Murray, Spring 2022 OMBA Cohort President Ellie Pardue, Fall 2020 OMBA student Amrita Talukdar, and Fall 2022 OMBA student Brooke Valentine have not only learned more about themselves but have developed resilience and perseverance through the challenges they have overcome in their OMBA programs – invaluable skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

FINDING FLEXIBILITY

Earning her MBA online was essential, noted Pardue. “I have three kids, [and] one on the way. So, it’s a necessity to be able to do things online and…learn asynchronously.” A distance learner living in Las Vegas, Murray noted some hallmarks of UofL’s MBA format that made selecting this program over other universities an easy choice – particularly the built-in, student team-based support system. “The cohort structure with an amazing team dynamic for those courses that required it [was beneficial].”

ACHIEVING BALANCE

Juggling multiple roles and responsibilities was a running theme and constant challenge for these moms, with Talukdar noting the cultural challenges for which she had not been prepared. “I’m originally not from [the] US – I’m from India. Where we come from, we have lots of help…in terms of domestic help. But here, you are on your own. So, time management [became] a big issue.” Valentine echoed the challenges of balancing multiple schedules, explaining that she now had to consider “how to manage and balance that time between school and my kids.” 

The challenge for me was learning to prioritize myself and my mental health.

Another area of focus noted by both Pardue and Murray revolved around the challenges of maintaining self-care while trying to stay on top of a hectic schedule. Used to submitting assignments that she considered perfect, Pardue noted that she now looks at her academic program through a more holistic lens. “Sometimes just getting the job done is good enough,” she shared. “It doesn’t have to be perfect.” Along with that sense of perfectionism, the need to put children and family first can result in significant burnout and poor mental health, explained Murray. “As moms, we are constantly putting other people first. It’s ingrained in who we are, especially once we become mothers.” Learning it was okay to put her needs first was a difficult lesson. “The challenge for me was learning to prioritize myself and my mental health.”

SUPPORTING GROWTH

Identifying a solid support system in her mother helped Valentine believe in herself and her ability to complete a graduate degree while working full time with three children. “My mom has her master’s and…she’s an educator. The fact that my mom did it with three kids let me know that if I was [going to pursue] this MBA program, I could do it because my mom did it.” Likewise, Talukdar notes her husband’s support as she works her way through her academic program. “Every time there’s a meeting or a group assignment, he [will say], ‘Yeah, go ahead, I’ll take care of the kids.’ He’s been a great support system for me in ways [I didn’t know were] possible.”

Now that [my son is] nine, we’re sitting at the table together doing homework, and…we’re putting our worlds together when it comes to academics.

LEAVING AN IMPACT

Valentine shared the impact her academic perseverance is having on her oldest son. “Now that [my son is] nine, we’re sitting at the table together doing homework, and…we’re putting our worlds together when it comes to academics. We’re impacting each other. He’s inspiring me because he’s going through the adversity and I’m going through a different type of adversity while we get it done.” Talukdar elaborated on the message she hopes her decision to pursue her MBA will leave her young son. “By the time he grows [up], I think it will be motivation for him to say, ‘My mom [completed her MBA] when I was a toddler, with a full-time job.’”

I am a mom, but I’m not just a mom. I can do other things, too. I can have a career and be a mom. I can have a relationship with my husband and be a mom. I can go to school and be a mom.

PURSUING DREAMS

Despite significant time constraints, Pardue knows she made the right choice in pursuing her graduate degree and stresses the importance of mothers achieving their academic and professional goals. For those moms who are considering advanced degrees, she encourages them to “go for it. There isn’t any downside. I wouldn’t say it’s self-care to [earn] a degree but doing something for yourself [is important]. I am a mom, but I’m not just a mom. I can do other things, too. I can have a career and be a mom. I can have a relationship with my husband and be a mom. I can go to school and be a mom.”

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