Semester 1 Reflections: Tackling an MBA without a Business Background

Starting the full-time MBA at Ohio State without a business background was intimidating. I wasn’t sure how quickly I’d adjust or whether the coursework would feel out of reach. One semester in, I’m encouraged by how much I’ve learned and how supported I’ve felt along the way by great classmates and professors. For anyone considering the program from a non-business path, here are a few insights from my experience so far. 

1. You learn a lot – very quickly. 

The first semester lays the foundation for understanding the world of business - and it moves quickly. You’re introduced to the fundamentals of economics, finance, operations, marketing, and professional presentations, often all at once. What surprised me in this process was how accessible these topics became with the guidance of professors who expertly navigated the wide range of backgrounds and experiences of our MBA cohort. Even with little prior exposure, I found myself keeping up with the content and genuinely enjoying these novel, engaging, and insightful concepts. 

2. The jargon hides simple, intuitive ideas. 

From the outside, business can seem opaque, full of complex buzzwords and concepts. What I quickly discovered is that, beneath the vocabulary and initial hurdle of understanding, the concepts of business are logical and intuitive. Understanding these ideas has given me a more structured way to analyze problems, evaluate trade-offs, and make informed decisions. That shift—from confusion to clarity—was one of the most meaningful parts of the semester. 

3. Confidence snowballs 

Throughout the semester, I found that my knowledge compounded on itself, building my confidence with each passing day. Marketing drew on economics. Operations tied back to finance. Each new concept made the next one clearer, creating a momentum I didn’t expect coming into the program. While we continue to tackle new challenges and problems, I feel that I now have the tactics and tools to take them on with confidence. 

Starting an MBA without a business background is intimidating, but it’s absolutely doable. More than that—it’s transformative. If you’re on the fence, know that Ohio State has built an environment where you can grow, thrive, and surprise yourself.