Leveling Up: How Professional Development Enriches the Graduate Experience
December 11, 2025
What elevates a graduate business education into true preparation for leadership? At the E. J. Ourso College of Business, professional development plays a central role by connecting classroom learning with experiences and outside lessons that help students grow into confident, career-ready professionals. While coursework builds technical and analytical strength, the moments outside the classroom often shape how students understand their future roles as business leaders.
This semester, the Office of Graduate Business Programs and Flores MBA Program offered a series of experiences designed to give students opportunities to build and refine their professional identity by welcoming prominent guests and alumni into the classroom for insightful conversations, and organizing business visits across Baton Rouge to learn directly from several of the important firms and organizations in the capital region.
Shaping Professional Identity with Ourso Alums
Many students began the semester focused on how to present themselves effectively in the job search. Early sessions provided guidance on professional expectations, compensation, communication, and interview preparation. One prominent example was a workshop led by Ourso College alumna Anna Bellow (BS Management '12), a compensation manager at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Louisiana with extensive experience in HR strategy and talent development. She encouraged students to think intentionally about how they communicate their strengths, how to navigate conversations about pay, and how to approach the early stages of their careers with confidence.
Similarly, Wanda Kuo (MBA '18) and Jacques Stafford (MBA '14) returned to campus to share how their career trajectories progressed and shifted in several ways following graduation, offering honest insights into workplace realities, leadership, and decision making. Together, these experiences helped students shape a more thoughtful and authentic sense of who they are becoming as professionals, while emphasizing the smart development of adaptable skillsets.
Through their varied experiences, Flores MBA alumni serve as an invaluable asset in conveying professional development concepts. Our panel discussions are rich in-person opportunities to strengthen in-class learning and offer great networking. Site visits also offer a tremendous opportunity to connect with working alumni and observe the inner workings of various company operations.
Seth M. Thibodeaux, Director of Professional Development
Students visited Marucci Sports, where they learned about the production and development of MLB's official baseball bat and building an international sports brand.
Connecting Academic Learning to Real Environments
Professional development also played a key role in bridging classroom learning with real business settings. Visits to organizations such as Raising Cane’s and Emergent Method allowed students to observe how strategy, branding, operations, and problem solving unfold in practice. At Raising Cane’s, students saw how a clear value proposition and strong culture supported national expansion. At Emergent Method, they gained insight into consulting work and how teams collaborate to deliver solutions for clients.
Later in the semester, the visit to Marucci Sports offered a hands-on look at an industry rooted in innovation and craftsmanship. Students toured the woodshop and finishing rooms while learning how design, production, and quality control come together to maintain a trusted brand in professional baseball. Experiences like these helped students see the relevance of their coursework and explore industries they may not have previously considered.
Students helped the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank pack boxes and prepare grocery deliveries, receiving valuable lessons in logistics and the importance of community impact.
Encouraging Purpose, Creativity, and Community
This semester also encouraged students to think about the wider impact of business and the many ways professionals contribute to their communities, industries, and audiences. The volunteer day at the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank highlighted how operational skills and teamwork support essential community needs, allowing students to see how business principles function in a service-focused environment.
From there, students also explored how purpose can take shape in creative fields. A virtual conversation with internationally renowned fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez offered a completely different lens on leadership and innovation, showing how storytelling, craftsmanship, and brand identity influence global markets. Although the settings were different, both experiences helped students consider how their skills and values can shape the kind of impact they hope to make, whether through service, creativity, or entrepreneurial vision.
A Semester That Supercharged Growth
Across all events, the focus remained consistent: helping students grow into thoughtful, capable, and confident professionals. The programming encouraged them to explore diverse industries, connect theory with practice, and engage with leaders who brought valuable insight to their development. These experiences enriched the journey for graduate students preparing to take their next steps.
The Office of Graduate Business Programs and the Flores MBA Program continue to prioritize professional development as a direct component of the graduate student experience. This semester demonstrated how learning beyond the classroom can shape emerging leaders who are prepared, engaged, and ready to succeed.
Considering a graduate business education as your next step? Visit the Office of Business Graduate Programs to learn about the Ourso College's graduate offerings and get started.