The Rutgers Professional Science Master’s (PSM) program warmly welcomed our new students for the fall 2023 semester! On Wednesday, August 2023, new MBS students joined faculty and staff for a thrilling introduction to our program. Hosted at the beautiful Rutgers University Inn and Conference Center, MBS executive coach and instructor Kathleen Cashman inspired students and shared how our program can help them reach their goals. We also held a virtual orientation the following evening for students who could not join us in person.
With over 700 students currently registered for fall 2023, we’re one of the larger graduate programs at Rutgers. Students in our program come from all different backgrounds, both working and non-working, and represent various companies and industries.
Where Science Meets Business
Cashman began by explaining the purpose of our program: to create more leaders within STEM organizations. At the PSM program, we’re here to help you create your path to being your best self.
Cashman is an MBS executive coach and the instructor of our course Principles of Communication and Leadership. She gave new students a taste of her course by leading them in activities that made networking, a significant component of a successful career, easy and fun. She welcomed new students alongside PSM Executive Director Deborah Silver, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice and Life Sciences Coordinator Beth Murphy, and MBS executive coach and Assistant Director Abbe Rosenthal.
Students also participated in activities to help them realize their professional goals, mingling with MBS alumni, instructors, advisors, and staff.
The MBS Edge
Cashman, Rosenthal, Murphy, and Silver reminded students that the MBS degree is designed to help them reach their professional goals. Here are some MBS fundamentals that help you succeed.
- Science knowledge. Strengthen your scientific background by taking our courses taught by industry experts.
- Business skills. Our key business courses help you learn how to speak the language of business and science.
- Academic advising. We provide ample opportunities to meet with academic advisors for guidance. Schedule a 1:1 meeting with your advisor or drop in on a session for your concentration.
- Design Your Life (DYL). A cornerstone of the MBS education, executive coaches use the DYL framework to guide students in identifying their ideal life and career and designing an individualized pathway to achieve this.
- Alumni network. Our robust alumni network provides ample opportunities to connect with our alumni—many of whom are now leaders in their fields. Alumni return to serve as guest lecturers, provide insight on panels, and mingle with students at other events. We also have a formal student-alumni mentoring program.
- Networking opportunities. Networking is a crucial skill that we help students to build. Our events, guest lectures, and colloquia are just a few of the ways we provide formal networking opportunities for students.
- Experiential learning. Our courses and events are experiential! We also offer an externship experience and internship program—these opportunities are great for students who need to build a portfolio, and you can take an internship at your current place of work.
- Capstone. Finish your MBS journey by completing our Capstone course, which takes the place of a traditional master’s thesis. In this course, complete a project that showcases business and science skills that you have acquired over the course of your education.
Students did not leave empty-handed. We provided some MBS swag, including a drawstring backpack, an MBS hat, and—most importantly—a journal. This journal, said Cashman, is for you to ponder the question of who you want to become, write down your big ideas, and keep track of your individual development plans (IDPs).
Welcome to the fall 2023 semester!
