By the time Paxton Hughes enrolled at Bryant University as an undergraduate business student in 2022, the school was already familiar territory. As a high school student, he had participated in seminars hosted at Bryant on financial responsibility, critical thinking, and other topics at the intersection of business and day-to-day life.
Hughes found these experiences informative and engaging, and the faculty creative and approachable. Bryant seemed like the perfect place to explore his passion for enterprise and learn the skills to turn it into a career.
Now Hughes is a graduate of Bryant’s 3+1 Accelerated Fourth Year MBA program, meaning he earned both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in just four years.
“Being able to get my undergraduate degree fairly quickly, and then get through the graduate program within a year, especially at a discounted price, that was big for me,” Hughes says.
But whether students take a similar route or enter the One-Year MBA program after studying another field, Hughes believes earning the degree can be an important stepping stone for anyone interested in advancing in their business career.
An Engaging, Hands-on, and Accessible Curriculum
Thanks to the 3+1 format, Hughes started pursuing his MBA having just taken undergraduate classes in business administration fundamentals such as finance, accounting, and marketing. A friend with an engineering background also enrolled in the one-year program. To Hughes, one of the greatest strengths of Bryant’s MBA program is how it was able to meet both of their needs.
“What you see with the core in the MBA program is that a lot of it is similar to undergrad, but it is taught and experienced in a different way,” he says. “The program treats you as someone capable of picking things up quickly and directly implementing them in a way that is realistic and grounded in reality.”
To accomplish that, Hughes says many of his instructors integrated case studies and business simulations into the curriculum. This allowed him to use his skills in new ways while learning the fundamentals.
The Anatomy of a Business Simulation
One of Hughes’ favorite simulations was part of an international marketing class. The class was divided into six groups. Each group had to devise a plan to help a theoretical business market its products to a new consumer base in South America. Hughes’ group marketed toothpaste.
“It was all about understanding the concepts of how demographics and needs and wants of different countries impact sales,” he says. “We were learning how to break down cultural barriers and how to work with cultural differences, regulations, political issues, and economic issues.”
With those factors in mind, the group had to plan everything from the marketing budget to what type of container the toothpaste would be sold in.
“I do get bragging rights,” Hughes says. “My group took home first and made 20% more in revenue than any other team.”
As much as Hughes enjoyed these types of assignments, some of the most impactful lessons he took away from Bryant’s MBA program he learned outside the classroom.
Making Waves in International Waters: The Global Immersion Experience
Every January, Bryant’s MBA students participate in a Global Immersion Experience (GIE). In past years, they have gone to countries including Chile, China, and Germany. Hughes’ class visited two of the world’s most dynamic global economies: Singapore and Hong Kong.
“It definitely opened my eyes and was one of the main drivers as to why I chose the international business degree concentration,” he says.
A First-Hand Look Into the Realities of International Business
Most mornings during their time in Singapore, Hughes’ cohort and Bryant faculty sat in on lectures at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Each session was led by an NUS instructor or local business leader who spoke on different aspects of business in Singapore.
“Then there would be a time for questions and an activity,” Hughes says. “I remember the first day, the activity was, we were given a company to look at, and we would create an explanation of how they should move into new markets.”
In the afternoons, Hughes and his cohort went on site visits to enterprises such as Singapore’s revolutionary floating solar panel plants. This gave students the chance to gain first-hand wisdom from active Singaporean business leaders.
“We got to spend a lot of time kind of talking to them about what the philosophies behind their businesses were and how they managed their time,” Hughes says. “It was just cool to listen to these successful people talk about how they made it. It demystified things.”
According to Hughes, “The biggest thing that differentiates Bryant’s MBA program is probably the GIE. It elevates the MBA program.”
For an inside look at Hughes’ eye-opening journey to Singapore and Hong Kong, watch his animated short film, created during his time as a digital storytelling and content production student worker with the Bryant graduate admissions and marketing team.
The Real Test of a Business Education: Applying New Skills in the Real World
Hughes did not have to wait long before putting his business skills to use. During the last year of his studies at Bryant, he started working as a technology coordinator for the African Alliance of Rhode Island (AARI), an organization that bridges gaps in health and food access across the state through wellness programs and community gardens.
“Right now, we are working on event planning and event promotion,” he says. “A lot of that comes down to brainstorming, ideation, that kind of thing. Collaboration is definitely a huge thing. That’s a soft skill that I learned at Bryant, and I definitely strengthened it at Bryant.”
Hughes has also been using his skills to help out with his family’s business, Ollie’s Diner in Cumberland, Rhode Island. As an in-house development manager, he has streamlined the restaurant’s kitchen operations, balanced its pricing, and helped the business increase revenue.
“I’ve been helping them optimize a number of things, finances mostly. A lot of that is hard Excel skills,” he says, adding that statistical models have also been vital to his efforts. “I definitely learned a lot about that at Bryant, but also what those things mean. Data isn’t really helpful unless you understand it.”
A Bright Future
While Hughes is already applying his business education in his current role, his professional journey is just beginning.
“I would love to be somebody who is making the big choices,” he says. “I really enjoy doing strategy and defining organizational goals. That stuff is fun for me. But I also really enjoy digging in the weeds and figuring out operational efficiencies.”
Hughes says that he would love to take on an international role in the technology sector, whether in software or hardware, nuclear energy, or elsewhere. However, Hughes is confident he can go in just about any direction. Bryant University’s MBA program helped him define his passion and develop the skills to pursue it.
Carve Out Your Professional Path at Bryant University
Bryant University’s One-Year Master of Business Administration program prepares recent college graduates and experienced professionals alike for high-level leadership roles. Built around hands-on learning, a small cohort model, and the Global Immersion Experience, the program is just as much about building confidence and networks as developing adaptable business skills.
In addition to taking courses covering core skills in areas such as resource management and strategic analysis, students can choose a concentration in international business, global supply chain management, fintech, business analytics, or general management. Bryant also offers a part-time Two-Year MBA program and a flexible Online MBA program to meet a range of student needs. Whatever your goals, Bryant can help you blaze your own path.
Find out more about the One-Year MBA Program at Bryant University today.