With her master’s degree in business from Medaille’s Accelerated Learning Program, Yvonne Thorne started to apply what she learned in her evening classes to what she worked on during the day. She highlights three concepts that had an impact: “Analytical concepts, for use in writing proposals and business plans showing financial benefits and outcomes; research concepts, in learning how to research and when to use the data; and, renewed confidence in providing my employer with quality reports.”
“I chose Medaille because it offered an MBA,” she says. “Other academic institutions offered master’s degrees in management, and my research showed me that employers have a greater respect for applicants with MBA degrees.”
“When I first started taking classes at Medaille College in Rochester a few years ago, I had to constantly explain to people what ‘Medaille’ was,” Thorne continues. “No one had heard about the school. Now, people I talk with know exactly what Medaille is – I think it is viewed positively in Rochester’s business community. I know Rochester employers view a business degree as a valuable asset. It is very hard to get a job in this economic environment. Having a college degree along with work experience may make getting a job a little easier.”
Thorne’s response to the question of the most surprising thing about earning her master’s degree is typical to that of other graduates. “I was able to complete all coursework while juggling a full-time job and raising a family,” she offers. “The students with whom I took classes possessed a wide range of skills and had diverse occupations, and these were a great benefit in the classroom because we learned from one another.”
As a contract manager for the New York State Department of Health Tobacco Control Program, Thorne works on a statewide initiative to reduce the rate of tobacco use and smoking. As a 2004 graduate of Medaille, Thorne now gives back to the College by volunteering and serving as an Alumni Board member. “The support I received from Rochester Campus staff was encouraging,” she explains. “I wanted to give back to show my appreciation for the College offering an MBA program in Rochester – I am grateful to Medaille and hope that others who have attended the College are grateful too.”