By Arial Starks
Rinji Kassem
Returning to school full time can be intimidating, but it may be a little less stressful if you have an idea of what to expect day-to-day. Rinji Kassem, 2nd year MBA candidate at Vanderbilt Business, shares what a day in the life of an MBA looks like.
5:30 AM- Starting the Day
Kassem usually starts his day with a workout at his local gym from about 6:30–7:30 AM before returning home to have breakfast with his wife and kids. After getting in some quality time and preparing for the day, Kasssem heads to campus for class.
9:00 AM- Off to School
Kassem currently has 2 classes each day: one that begins at 9:45 AM and a second one in the afternoon. During Mod 2, Kassem’s classes include Managerial Economics, Marketing Management, and Managerial Management and an elective.
Between classes, he spends his time meeting with groups for assignments, engaging with colleagues, and/or responding to any calls or emails he may have missed throughout the day.
“About 70 percent of my time is spent doing group work, in class, or working with colleagues,” Kassem shared. “During most of your classes in the second year (of the MBA program), you will be working in groups to encourage teamwork and collaboration. Very few of my classes have personal deliverables,” he added.
After enjoying lunch at one of his typical spots – Chipotle, Cava, or San Antonio Taco Company – Kassem returns to Owen to attend his last class of the day.
4:00 PM- Beyond the Classroom
Kassem’s day does not end after his classes are complete. He often has meetings for the campus organizations he is involved in, including his roles as an MBA Recruiting and Admissions Fellow and peer coach, as well as a Teacher’s Assistant and Library Assistant.
“When coming into the MBA program, I never expected my day to be so busy,” said Kassem. “The thing that helps me stay on top of things is my calendar. Yes, my calendar is so full, but when I look at it, and the things that I am doing, it’s not just about being busy, but about me really getting work done.”
His favorite part of a long day on campus is his peaceful walk home and returning to his family to get in some quality time before bedtime.
“Since my wife and kids moved here from our home country of Nigeria, my favorite part of every day is just getting back home to them. It gets really busy during the day, and when I take that 5-minute walk across campus to my apartment at the end of the day, I am just happy to be back with my family.”
