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Part-Time Students
The success of our graduate programs reside in their characteristics- intimate, interactive, hands-on, and flexible- qualities that mirror many successful businesses. Because we purposely keep our program sizes small, you always have access to faculty, staff, other students, alumni, and executives. Our strong teamwork focus encourages you to build relationships in and out of class including networking and mentoring opportunities.
You’ll also have the flexibility to study what intrigues you on a schedule that fits your life. MHRM courses are offered in the evening because many of our students work during the day.
Check out what some of our part-time students had to say about balancing a career and pursing the MHRM program.
In Their Own Words
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As a part-time student, how do you balance work, school, and everything else?
"The best answer I can give is to learn how to prioritize, know your limits, and make friends in class. Time management is important when it comes to juggling group projects, meetings, papers, midterms, and finals. I’m fortunate in that I met some other part-time students who wanted to split up readings for a class and send out detailed notes to one another. Find what works for you and if you’re in over your head, reach out for help sooner rather than later."
Stacey Dibowski
Class of 2011
 Read more of Stacey Dibowski's responses
What is it like to work with the full-time students?
Full-time students are a great resource. They tend to be on campus longer and more often so they know what events are happening within Fisher. Most of them are straight out of their undergrad program or changed careers completely, so they are very eager to take advantage of the internship opportunities. Most part-time students are not going to do an internship so this means you don’t have to compete with them.
What is it like to work with the other part-time students?
I think it’s much more relaxed to work with part-time students because they are in the same situation - trying to find balance with work, school, and family life. They understand the need to be flexible regarding group project meetings and may prefer to do things over e-mail, which frees up some of your time.
Are there any challenges or benefits that come to mind specific or are common to each group of students?
A challenge I have experienced is the difference in mentality of younger students (recent undergrads) vs. older students (who are continuing their education one or two classes at a time). Having work experience gives you a different perspective on human resource issues/topics and to work with other students who don’t have that can be tricky at times.
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How applicable is the curriculum to what you do on a daily/professional basis?
"I use a lot of material from my training and development, staffing and change management classes because of the nature of my job. The coursework from those classes in particular is helpful to me in situations that I've never experienced on the job before, but because I gained experience in class, it's not completely foreign to me when I do encounter something new."
Megan Ellis
Class of 2010
Read more of Megan Ellis' responses
As a part-time student, how do you balance work, school, and everything else?
"I set aside specific time to do my school work, and specific times to do everything else. I had to prioritize things and plan ahead for more things, but that helped me make time for most of the things I wanted to do, schoolwork and otherwise. Then I tried really hard to honor that schedule so I could maintain a balance."
What was something beneficial you learned about the program after you enrolled?
"You can do a lot of networking in class from your peers and classmates to presenters and representatives from other companies. You'll make a lot of connections in the field of HR!"
If you had three pieces of advice to give someone who is considering the MHRM as a part-time program, what advice would you give them?
- Network as much as you can
- Learn about resources for local HR professionals (HRACO, SHRM other HR professional Organizations)
- Find a balance that works for you!
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If you had three pieces of advice to give someone who is considering the MHRM as a part-time program, what advice would you give them?
- Enroll now! Don't put it off. The time goes by in the blink of an eye so don't put it off any longer. This is an investment in your future.
- Sharpen your time management skills.
- You can do this. I was very intimidated about going back to school at my age, but that quickly went away after I attended orientation and several GHRA events.
Beth Branstiter
Class of 2011
Read more of Beth Branstiter's responses
Why did you choose to apply to Fisher’s MHRM program?
"I knew I wanted to go back to school for HR, but I was leery on how I'd be able to pull it off while working full time. As soon as I heard Fisher's MHRM program was mainly comprised of night classes I immediately signed up for an information session. After I went to the info session I was sold. I knew this was the right program for me and I was right."
What was something beneficial you learned about the program after you enrolled?
"One thing I learned after entering the program is the support you receive from the Office of Career Management. They are a great resource for preparing you for the interview process and your job search. I haven't interviewed for a job in over 10 years so this is a great benefit for me."
What is it like to work with the other part-time students?
"Part-time students are great to work with because it's great to see how they manage their work/school balance. They're a good support system."
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How did you prepare for going back to school?
"I think I jumped in pretty quickly. I know with our first assignments, I tried to do really good and get everything done on time and kept on top of my reading. It’s been an interesting transistion. It’s been a long time since I’ve done homework and had exams.
I’ve found it has really been nice to get together with my classmates and form study groups. I learned a lot from some of the students who came directly from undergrad into the program since they’re used to being in a college atmosphere more recently than I have. They’ve been able to help me get back into the study habits and remember how to study for exams."
Courtney Labenne
Class of 2012
Read more of Courtney Labenne's responses
Are there any challenges or benefits that come to mind specific or are common to each group of students?
For a part-time student looking at the program it would have to be someone who is probably open minded. Because you are working with different types of people of all different backgrounds. Some have HR experience some do not so it is really someone that is open to meeting new people and learning new things and wanting to share those experiences.
I’ve had a lot of opportunities to share with my classmates about what I do and sort of teach them in that way. So I think as another part-time students the classmates appreciate when you are able to share and provide some value."
How applicable is the curriculum to what you do on a daily/professional basis?
"Absolutely that has been the most amazing thing is that I do go to work and I’ll say to my boss “oh I can do this I just learned this in class the other day and I learned how to do a pivot table in my statistics class“ which I’ve actually been doing at work now.
We read a book in one of my other classes and my boss was using terminology the other day and I picked up on it and recognized it so my company is actually re-embursing me for my degree so it is really nice for them as well to see what I’m learning I’m actually able to apply for my day-to-day work."
As a part-time student, how do you balance work, school, and everything else?
Time management has been key with working full-time even to get to class on time and really setting aside time during the week outside of class and on weekends to make sure I’m getting my work done and not being distracted. The other thing is we do a lot of group projects here so really coordinating schedules with my classmates since I’m not normailly available during the week, so I’ve gotten together mostly on the weekends and that’s when I tend to do the majority of my studying.
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In your opinion, what sort of student would be the best fit for Fisher?
"To work through the MHRM program, a student needs to be committed and driven, dedicated to the end result and excited about the career possibilities. Because the current course content is so relevant to what I do at work on a daily basis, I can take what I am learning in class and apply it on the job. Once I complete the program, I will be better positioned for future opportunities in my career."
Natalie Pepper
Class of 2010
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Why did you choose Fisher?
"I actually was looking at various MBA programs around the city and after doing a little more research, I had an interest in Organizational Behavior. My undergrad was in Psychology and found that the MHRM program was more of a fit for what I was looking for. Fisher offered a little more variation in classes and I was able to retain my actual job so I can work full time and take classes at night."
Dan Rutkowski
MHRM Class of 2012
Read more of Dan Rutkowski's responses
As a part-time student are you able to participate in student organizations?
"Getting involved with the GHRA is very valuable in terms of the networking aspect. Additionally we’ve coupled with General Mills and were able to volunteer at the local Ronald McDonald House. This year we went up to Eaton Corporation and did a volunteer project up in Cleveland so plenty of different things to do through the GHRA. I think its probably going to be your biggest opportunity to meet students in your class."
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