Bridging Science and Strategy: Emerson’s MSM Experience

Motivation to Apply and Finding Direction

For Emerson, the decision to pursue graduate study in management was rooted in both reflection and discovery.

“When initially considering colleges, I sought a community close to home and felt an immediate connection to the values at the College of the Holy Cross,” she said. “While I entered my undergraduate experience drawn to the sciences, I valued the versatility of a liberal arts education.”

As a student at Holy Cross, Emerson studied music and health studies, initially envisioning a future grounded in academia or research. That vision began to shift through hands-on experience.

“Following two internships within the healthcare business sector, I realized I wanted to pivot toward the industry side of care,” she said. “To do so effectively, I knew I needed to bridge the gap between my scientific background and business fundamentals.”

That desire for clarity ultimately led her to Notre Dame’s Master of Science in Management program.

“After researching numerous graduate programs, Notre Dame’s MSM stood out as the ideal bridge,” Emerson said. “It offered a rigorous curriculum ranging from Quantitative Business Analytics to Marketing Principles.”

From Healthcare Science to Business Strategy

The turning point in Emerson’s academic journey came during her second internship with IPG Health, where she worked as an Account Management intern.

“Working within a market access agency, I discovered that I found immense fulfillment in the complex problem-solving and interpersonal dynamics of business,” she said. “I realized that a career in the healthcare business offered the variety and fast-paced environment I was looking for.”

When she entered the MSM program, Emerson was seeking both direction and a stronger technical foundation.

“I entered the program looking for career clarity and a technical foundation,” she said. “Beyond the classroom, I was also looking for mentorship and professors who could provide industry insights and help me build a professional network within healthcare.”

A management degree felt like the perfect next step. “I recognized that to be a credible leader in healthcare, I needed a formal business toolkit,” she said. “The Notre Dame MSM offered a holistic curriculum that would allow me to develop an exhaustive and versatile skillset that I could immediately apply to the professional world.”

Learning Through Real-World Application

One of the most impactful components of Emerson’s MSM experience has been Grow Irish, where students work intensively with real clients to solve complex business challenges.

“The Grow Irish experience was an invaluable opportunity to translate classroom theory into corporate strategy,” she said.

Working directly with Molson Coors executives gave her insight into how business decisions come together across functions.

“Working with Molson Coors leadership provided deep insights into the intersection of finance, marketing, and logistics,” Emerson said. “The one-week sprint taught our team how to work under pressure, communicate efficiently, and deliver a high-stakes pitch for a creative campaign to a major client.”

The program also significantly strengthened her analytical skill set. “Prior to the MSM program, my data experience was largely limited to scientific R analysis,” she said. “This program has significantly elevated my professional proficiency in Excel, especially through Business Statistics and Quantitative Business Analytics.”

She now approaches data with a business lens. “I’m much more confident navigating complex datasets, using formulas to drive insights, and interpreting data through a business perspective to support stronger, evidence-based recommendations,” she said.

Expanding Career Possibilities

Coursework within the MSM program also expanded Emerson’s understanding of potential career paths.

“Marketing Principles opened my eyes to an array of opportunities within healthcare,” she said. “I discovered a vast range of roles that I had not previously considered.”

As a result, she broadened her job search beyond consulting alone. “I am now including marketing roles within healthcare and life sciences rather than limiting myself to consulting,” she said.

Collaborating with classmates from varied academic backgrounds further enriched her learning experience.

“Team members from different academic backgrounds contribute unique perspectives to each project,” Emerson said. “From organized research methods to creative interpretations, diversity of thought has elevated final deliverables beyond what a single perspective could achieve.”

Building Confidence and Career Clarity

Today, Emerson is targeting consulting and marketing roles within healthcare, life science, or pharmaceutical sectors.

“This path allows me to combine my background in health science with my desire to drive impactful business decisions,” she said. “I’m motivated by the opportunity to contribute to an industry dedicated to helping others.”

As she prepares to take the marketing track, she is especially excited to continue developing technical skills.

“I’m particularly excited for the Digital Marketing and Automation & AI electives,” she said. “As the industry becomes increasingly tech-driven, I want to understand how digital media and AI can be leveraged in a professional setting.”

Building a business foundation has reinforced her decision to pivot into management. “Despite ambiguity in the job search process, the MSM program has deepened my understanding of different aspects of business that will ultimately help me as I move forward,” she said.

Community, Culture, and Belonging

Emerson credits the program’s summer start and small cohort size for fostering meaningful connections early on.

“Beginning the program in June was extremely helpful in cohort bonding,” she said. “Our smaller class size contributed to developing close relationships relatively quickly.”

What surprised her most was the eagerness of the cohort to build community.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the shared willingness and eagerness to make connections and memories with one another,” she said. “This has been a highlight of my experience and has made the program very enjoyable.”

She describes Mendoza as a place where collaboration is central.

“Mendoza is a very tight-knit community,” Emerson said. “With a collaboration-over-competition mindset, students and faculty are genuinely invested in one another’s success.”

That culture aligns closely with her own values.

“I strive to be fully present in the classroom, asking questions and supporting peers as they do the same,” she said.

Advice to Future MSM Students

Her advice to future students is to lean into every opportunity.

“Take advantage of every opportunity, even the ones outside your comfort zone,” she said. “Everyone here is eager to help you succeed.”

She also encourages students to fully engage with the Notre Dame experience.

“Work hard, immerse yourself in the culture, and network relentlessly,” Emerson said. “You never know which conversation might lead to your future career.”

For those considering the MSM program, her message is clear.

“If you want to challenge your thinking and build a truly versatile skillset, this is the right program,” she said. “Treat every course with equal weight, because the interdisciplinary nature of the program is what prepares you for the complexities of a business career.”