Two Full-Time Jobs: What It Really Takes to Be a Parent and an MBA Student

Pursuing an MBA is a big commitment. Add parenting to the mix, and the experience takes on a whole new meaning. Between classes, recruiting, family responsibilities, and the everyday demands of life, balancing it all requires sacrifice, flexibility, and a strong sense of purpose. 

For Ahmad Mutahhir, Andrew Powell, and Nancy Gerezha, the MBA journey has been about more than professional growth. It has also been about showing up for their families, learning to navigate competing priorities, and discovering what it means to pursue their ambitions while being present for the people who matter most. 

In this conversation, three second-year MBA students at Michigan State University’s Broad College of Business share their experiences of balancing parenthood and graduate school, the challenges and sacrifices along the way, and the lessons they have learned throughout the journey.

Tell us a bit about yourself as a student and a parent.

Ahmed Mutahhir, MBA ’27

Ahmad Mutahhir: My name is Ahmad Mutahhir. I’m a second-year MBA student concentrating in Supply Chain Management and Finance, and I have one son. He was a little over a year old when I started the program, so it’s definitely been a journey that we’ve grown through together. 

Andrew Powell: My name is Andrew Powell, a second-year MBA student concentrating in Supply Chain Management and Finance. I am married, have a 6-year-old stepson, and have one more on the way (in March)! 

Nancy Gerezha: My name is Nancy Gerezha. I am a second-year STEM MBA student concentrating in Supply Chain Management and Marketing, and I am also a proud mum. 

What made you decide to pursue an MBA? What were you hoping to gain from the experience? 

Ahmad Mutahhir: By the time I started, I had a few years of experience under my belt across manufacturing, specifically the automotive industry, everything from OEM-level down to Tier 4 suppliers. I felt like it was the right time, professionally and personally, and I wanted to build a stronger business acumen and leadership toolkit—as a team leader, project leader, and people leader. I also wanted to explore industries beyond automotive and manufacturing, and an MBA felt like the right way to do that. 

Andrew Powell: I was at a good point in my career and wanted to use my experience to pivot to supply chain management in a different industry for the long term. The MBA felt like the right choice to make that transition happen. 

Nancy Gerezha: I have always had an entrepreneurial mindset, having founded and managed my own businesses. I decided to pursue an MBA to gain global exposure, deepen my understanding of business operations, strengthen my leadership skills, and prepare for greater professional opportunities. 

What was your first year like? What was it like navigating the demands of an MBA while also being a parent? 

Ahmad Mutahhir: Every day was an adjustment. No two days, or even two weeks, looked the same, whether on the MBA side or the parenting side. Staying flexible was everything. What I’m most grateful for is the support system around me–my family, my friends, and my cohortmates. When I had to travel for conferences or be out of state for an internship over the summer, it was that support system that made it possible. Honestly, they pushed me to go when I was hesitant to leave. 

Andrew Powell: The first year was a lot of learning as I went, balancing a return to an academic environment after being in the workforce for 12 years, as well as having a child starting kindergarten in a new place. As time went on, I found that things got easier as I figured out the routine. 

Nancy Gerezha: My first year was both demanding and rewarding. Balancing the MBA program with being a parent required careful planning, flexibility, and strong time management. Some days were challenging, but the experience taught me how to prioritize what mattered most and remain focused on my goals. 

What has been the most challenging part of being both a parent and an MBA student? How have you navigated those challenges? 

Andrew Powell. MBA ’27

Ahmad Mutahhir: I am a strong believer that anything worth doing requires sacrifice. As a parent, you want to be there for every moment, big and small. My wife and I chose to live close to our families to make it easier for our son to build relationships with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, which means I commute about an hour each way to campus. It gets challenging when priorities compete, but I’ve learned to come back to my “why” and be very intentional with my time and energy. I’ve worked on even making the commute productive. I listen to podcasts, and I use AI to turn my required readings into audio so I can listen on the drive. 

Andrew Powell: The biggest adjustment has been time. As a parent, I’m not free at all hours for group work outside of the course schedule, so I’ve had to be more deliberate about time management. The good news is that everyone in the program gets it; people have lives and responsibilities outside of coursework. There is a lot of willingness to work around everyone’s schedules. 

Nancy Gerezha: The most challenging part has been feeling that there is never enough time to give both my family and the MBA program my full attention. I have learned to plan ahead, focus on what matters most in each season, and give myself grace when everything cannot be perfect. I try to be fully present wherever I am needed most. 

Do you have a support system, and what does that support look like for you? Who or what has helped make this journey possible? 

Ahmad Mutahhir: My wife carries a huge part of the load, along with my parents and in-laws—my whole family, really. I can’t thank them enough. 

Andrew Powell: The flexibility of the program has been huge for me as a parent. Being able to work around my kid’s school schedule instead of the other way around has taken a lot of the pressure off. The one trade-off was moving further away from our family support system, but the structure of the program has made that transition much easier. 

Nancy Gerezha: I am fortunate to have a strong support system that includes my family, friends, classmates, the Broad MBA community, and the African community I have connected with through the African Graduate Students Association (AGSA). The encouragement I have received within and beyond the MBA program has made this journey possible. 

Have you had to make any sacrifices or difficult choices along the way? What have those experiences taught you? 

Ahmad Mutahhir: Of course, sacrifices happen regularly! Taking my internship in Texas, away from family, and traveling back and forth to see my wife and son was one of the bigger decisions. But it taught me that once you commit to a decision, you have to chart forward and trust it. 

Andrew Powell: The biggest sacrifice was the distance from our family support system. We not only moved as a family, but our son started kindergarten in a new place, knowing we would likely only be here for two years. While it’s difficult to move schools and locations often for young kids, I can’t say enough about the quality of the schools around here. 

Nancy Gerezha: I have had to be more selective about how I spend my time, which sometimes means missing social events or family activities. These choices have taught me to be intentional with my time and appreciate the moments I can share with the people around me. 

Has this experience changed you as a parent or as a professional? If so, how? 

Nancy Gerezha, MBA ’27

Ahmad Mutahhir: I’ve learned to become more efficient. I spend time on what really matters and let go of what doesn’t. Being a parent has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done; it’s not a distraction from this journey, it’s part of what drives it. 

I like to think of it like watering a garden—wherever I put my attention, that’s where things will grow. So, I try to be very intentional about where I “water”—family, school, or work—and give it my full effort when I’m there. 

Andrew Powell: Being a parent has made me more diligent with my time. I have a fixed amount each day, so while I’m still working on the balance, I’ve gotten much better at ensuring that I’m learning during the program and focusing on being present for time with my family. 

Nancy Gerezha: This experience has made me more patient, adaptable, and intentional as both a parent and a professional. It has strengthened my confidence as a leader and reminded me that pursuing my goals also allows me to model resilience, courage, and lifelong learning for my family. 

If you could go back and start your MBA journey again, would you? What, if anything, would you do differently? 

Ahmad Mutahhir: I’ve invested a year and a half, and I’m happy with where things are. What made the difference for me was going in with a clear goal. Once I knew what I wanted out of the program, I had a destination to chart toward. 

Andrew Powell: Absolutely. This has been a great experience for all of us, my family included. It gave us the space and time to explore different opportunities. 

If I had to do anything differently, it would be to utilize more of the community resources that are available for parents in this situation. There is a lot of support in the local area, not just what MSU has available for student parents. 

Nancy Gerezha: Yes, I would choose this journey again because of how much I have grown personally and professionally. If I could start over, I would begin networking earlier by reaching out to alumni, building relationships, and learning from people in the fields that interest me. I would also seek support sooner and give myself more grace as I adjusted to balancing academics and family life. 

What would you say to another parent who is considering pursuing an MBA? What do you wish someone had told you before you started? 

Ahmad Mutahhir: Be intentional with your time—a close mentor told me that right after I became a father, and it’s stuck with me ever since. Water the grass where you need to be. Know your “why” before you start and let that guide you the rest of the way. 

Andrew Powell: This program is a real change, no doubt about it. However, it’s more manageable than you would expect. I’ve really enjoyed the time I’ve had with my family and am looking forward to the rest of my second year. 

Nancy Gerezha: I would tell another parent that pursuing an MBA is challenging, but it is possible with planning, support, and a clear sense of purpose. I wish someone had told me that balance will not look perfect every day, and that asking for help is a strength. Give yourself grace, celebrate small wins, and remember why you started.