Evening
Management Association helps align Kellogg life with peers'
work and family obligations
By
Romi Herron
Topics
like financial reporting
may intrigue the MBA students who discuss its nuances during
Kellogg School networking events, but their significant others
might be forgiven if they are less enthusiastic about such
shop talk.This
is why the student government at The Managers' Program acted
to keep everyone in the part-time community happy —
and talking.
"When
you are married to a Kellogg student, you are essentially
married to Kellogg," says Evening Management Association
President Andrea Hargrave '06. "Through the Significant
Connections Club, those individuals have their own network
so that at Kellogg events they enjoy their own conversations
for a more enriching experience."
That
social outlet for TMP families is just one way EMA improves
networking opportunities to accommodate the schedules of students
balancing full-time careers, part-time Kellogg academics and,
often, family responsibilities.
Hargrave,
who is transportation analytical manager at USG Corp., says
that the EMA's overarching goal is to serve as a liaison between
TMP students and the Kellogg administration, providing student
involvement and feedback on academic, programming and services-related
issues. The group also facilitates career and alumni networking
events, community service opportunities and social gatherings.
To
make it happen, EMA schedules compelling events into limited
time slots that pose the least conflict when weighed against
participants' competing priorities.
For
instance, a well-attended one-hour winter program addressed
student interest in board governance positions. Other events
are frequently offered in the evenings, just before classes,
or on Saturdays.
Pradeep
Muthusamy, EMA's vice president of alumni relations, motivates
students to manage their time and networking potential to
make the most of the Kellogg experience.
A
senior associate in economic evaluations services at KPMG,
Muthusamy says, "Half of the Kellogg experience is the
critical networking component.Through it, I've built many effective relationships
and gained key insights."
Often,
Kellogg networking activities have a ripple effect on the
larger community.The
Managers' Ball, an annual fundraiser held April 1, netted
nearly $28,000 for local student-selected charities. Soliciting
silent auction donations or assisting with promotions and
marketing are invaluable leadership experiences for students,
notes Anne Knurek, vice president of The Managers'
Ball committee.
Though
time is likely to remain tight for TMP students, the EMA plans
to keep valuable networking activities available and as convenient
as possible, says Muthusamy.
"Time
is a greater concern than money for many students, and often
they are concerned about over-extending themselves,"
he says."EMA
reminds them that a primary benefit of coming to Kellogg is
to gain leadership experience outside of classes. Through
effective time management, they can absolutely make the most
of these opportunities."
