One-Year Master’s Students Share the Most Valuable Benefits of Their Program

Pursuing a master’s degree has long been a proven way for students to advance their careers, whether to gain experience, switch industries, or stand out to recruiters. While traditional programs like the MBA typically take a few years to complete, some students opt for accelerated, one-year degrees that offer similar outcomes in a fraction of the time.

At Michigan Ross, there are four of these options available to students: the Master of Management, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Accounting, and Master of Supply Chain Management. All under one year in length and packed with rigorous coursework and action-based learning experiences like the Consulting Studio project, Michigan Ross OYM degrees are a great option for students looking to build momentum and make an immediate impact in their careers.

To learn more about what makes these accelerated programs so valuable, we asked five recent OYM graduates to tell us about their experiences.

Emi Ying Wang, MBAn ’25

Hometown
Orange County, California

What is your post-graduation career goal?
My post-grad career goal is to work in consulting, leveraging data analytics to help organizations drive strategic business decisions. I’m excited to start my journey in this field and to continue building skills that combine data insights and executive-level strategy.

What made you want to pursue your OYM Program?
After graduating a year early from the University of Michigan with my bachelor’s in economics, I realized that I wanted to gain more marketable technical skills while also becoming more business-savvy overall. I wanted to join a program that would not only make me more competitive in the job market but also provide me with a deeper understanding of how to apply data analytics to real-world business challenges.

In your opinion, what are the benefits of taking a one-year accelerated graduate program as opposed to a longer one?
For me, the three-plus-one-year track I took provided the best of both worlds. It helped me develop the technical and professional skills needed to confidently enter the job market while also experiencing exponential personal growth. The accelerated structure of the program created a full-steam-ahead mindset for me, which pushed me to take full advantage of the Ross resources, knowing that my time here was limited.

What is the most valuable lesson or experience you took away from your program?
The most valuable lessons I’ve learned throughout MBAn are the importance of effective communication, creating psychological safety within teams, and seizing every opportunity presented to you. Whether I’m in or out of the classroom, the ability to collaborate with open-mindedness and take initiative has been crucial to my success.

What advice would you give prospective students considering a one-year program?
Three pieces of advice I would give prospective students would be: First, remember it’s only one year, so whenever you feel overwhelmed, ask yourself if you’ll regret not trying when you look back a few months from now. Second, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your professors, the Career Development Office, and your classmates are all there to support you, but you must have the courage to reach out. Third, fully embrace this year. Attend the events hosted by MBAn e-board, mingle with your classmates during breaks, and make an initiative to hang out outside of class — you only get one year, so make it count.

Lucas Moore, MM ’25
 

Hometown
Mercer Island, Washington

What is your post-graduation career goal?
After graduation, I hope to pursue consulting roles where I can leverage my strategic analysis, project management, and collaborative leadership skills to drive growth for organizations. Developing a go-to-market strategy for a sustainable food packaging company during the Consulting Studio was one of my favorite experiences from the MM Program, and I would love to build upon the skills and knowledge I developed from this experience in future roles.

What made you want to pursue your OYM Program?
I wanted to pursue my MM degree to gain increased insight and experience in the world of business. The program’s comprehensive exploration of business would allow me to build upon my undergraduate degree in political science, or pivot my career should I discover new topics of interest. Also, the OYM action-based learning opportunities, such as the Consulting Studio and Sanger Leadership Crisis Challenge, allow students to learn outside of the traditional classroom setting and apply their learnings to real-world projects.

In your opinion, what are the benefits of taking a one-year accelerated graduate program as opposed to a longer one?
The most significant benefit of the MM Program is the vast amount of exposure that students receive to new business concepts in a consolidated period of time. The curriculum provides students with a holistic understanding of core business concepts and allows students to quickly identify which subjects they are interested in further pursuing in their future careers.

What is the most valuable lesson or experience you took away from your program?
The most valuable lesson I took away from the program was the importance of being engaged with the class material, professors, and the program as a whole. Throughout my program, I particularly enjoyed conducting research for two Ross professors to further explore subjects that I was interested in outside the classroom and developing relationships with my professors. I also enjoyed serving as a student ambassador to advise prospective students and represent the program at events. I highly encourage future students to pursue these opportunities for engagement beyond the classroom to gain the most from their OYM experience.

What advice would you give prospective students considering a one-year program?
I would advise students that everyone in the program comes from different backgrounds and majors and is likely experiencing the same nervousness about learning a completely new set of concepts. However, the program’s collaborative nature allows students to frequently work with and learn from their peers, while also gaining vast exposure to different business subjects that would not be possible in a slower schedule.

Nina Wan, MSCM ’25

Hometown
Anhui, China

What is your post-graduation career goal?
In the short term, I’m looking to join a rotational program at a mission-driven company, where I can gain hands-on experience across core supply chain functions — from planning and procurement to digital innovation. I want to build a strong, cross-functional foundation and discover where I can create the most impact. In the long term, I hope to lead global supply chain transformation initiatives that make operations more sustainable, agile, and forward-thinking. I also plan to start my own business one day, applying what I’ve learned to solve real-world challenges through smarter supply chain design.

What made you want to pursue your OYM Program?
Before coming to Ross, I worked as a supply chain analyst in the manufacturing industry. During the pandemic, I saw firsthand how unpredictable and deeply interconnected supply chains can be, and how difficult it is to make the right decisions without a full end-to-end perspective. That experience made me realize I wanted to grow beyond a single function and better understand how strategy, operations, and technology come together to build more agile and resilient supply chains. Ross stood out because it combines deep domain expertise with action-based learning. It’s not just about theory; we work on real business challenges, learn from faculty with industry backgrounds, and explore different career paths through hands-on projects and strong alumni connections.

In your opinion, what are the benefits of taking a one-year accelerated graduate program as opposed to a longer one?
It’s intense, but that intensity helps you grow fast. The one-year format pushes you to learn, apply, and adapt all at once. It’s a great simulation of what real-world supply chain roles feel like: Fast-paced, cross-functional, and constantly evolving. Plus, you enter the job market sooner with a focused, high-impact skill set.

What is the most valuable lesson or experience you took away from your program?
On a technical level, the MSCM Program gave me a much more nuanced view of supply chain strategy. With its comprehensive curriculum, I learned to approach problems from multiple perspectives, understanding not just how to solve them, but why certain trade-offs matter in real-world decisions. It deepened my ability to think critically across planning, sourcing, logistics, and risk. On a deeper level, the biggest shift was internal. Being part of the Ross community — surrounded by such driven, accomplished peers — brought on a lot of impostor syndrome at first. But looking back, the moments where I had to navigate unfamiliar challenges also brought growth, joy, and a real sense of accomplishment. What made it meaningful was having professors and classmates who genuinely celebrated those small wins with me. It reminded me that learning isn’t just about mastering content — it’s also about discovering the kind of leader you’re becoming.

What advice would you give prospective students considering a one-year program?
You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start. One of the most valuable skills you'll build here is learning to execute with 80% preparation and grow through doing. Bring your curiosity, stay open, and trust that it’s okay to learn as you go. The pace is fast, but you won’t be doing it alone — you’ll have a strong support system around you, and you’ll be surprised by how much you’re capable of in just one year.

Autumn Zwiernik, MM ’25

Hometown
Laingsburg, Michigan

What is your post-graduation career goal?
I was privileged to experience very early on what it is to be passionate about something, and for me, that’s social ecological systems. My long-term goal is to return to that exciting space with all of the skills of a business leader.

What made you want to pursue your OYM Program?
As an ecologist, I love doing research and learning. While presenting research and networking with others, I found that the individuals with the biggest impact and most exciting careers had business acumen as well as scientific know-how. For me, the MM provided that background in business. Basically, I chose the MM to move from science in theory to science in practice.

In your opinion, what are the benefits of taking a one-year accelerated graduate program as opposed to a longer one?
For me, the master’s degree was a bridge to the next part of my career. It’s an advantage to be able to accomplish that transition quickly and be ready for the next challenge.

What is the most valuable lesson or experience you took away from your program?
People skills: practicing communication, leadership, and working with others. That’s what it’s been about, and I hope to carry that forward.

What advice would you give prospective students considering a one-year program?
If your undergraduate degree was not STEM-related, take some extra time to study the math review materials provided over the summer. Also, put away all distractions during class time and dedicate that space to learning. That’s the most efficient way to not fall behind.

Erin Burke, MAcc ’25

Hometown
Spring Lake, Michigan

What is your post-graduation career goal?
Now that I have graduated, I have started studying for and taking the four-part exam to obtain my CPA certification. I will work in public accounting for PwC in Chicago starting this fall.

What made you want to pursue your OYM Program?
I enjoyed accounting classes in undergrad and was eager to advance my knowledge and expertise in the field. I had also completed both internal and external accounting internships, and both experiences expressed a strong preference for hiring full-time candidates with CPA certifications. In my opinion, the MAcc offers a great background and preparation to sit for the CPA exams, especially if students do not already have a strong accounting background. It also provides a strong community of like-minded individuals pursuing similar careers and certifications, although with a MAcc, students are not limited to working in accounting.

In your opinion, what are the benefits of taking a one-year accelerated graduate program as opposed to a longer one?
Completing a one-year accelerated graduate program is effective in terms of time and cost. Obtaining a master’s degree in one year as opposed to a longer program allows students to enter the workforce sooner, to not only gain work experience but also start to earn money and pay off potential student debt. I still believe my one-year program offered networking and career advancement opportunities like a longer program would offer, especially because, at Ross, one-year master’s students can take MBA and other graduate program elective courses.

What is the most valuable lesson or experience you took away from your program?
Ross master’s programs offer several opportunities to pursue amazing classes and other exciting experiences. Being spontaneous and willing to try anything that seems interesting can be very beneficial. By engaging with diverse subjects and meeting people from different backgrounds, you will enhance not only your academic and professional experience but also your personal development. A master’s program is a great opportunity to explore new interests while solidifying your commitment to existing ones.

What advice would you give prospective students considering a one-year program?
For anyone nervous about the accelerated pace of a one-year program, I would say that there are busy periods and calm periods, but it is absolutely all worth it. I think the pace and schedule are great preparation for the workforce. Additionally, I would highly recommend that students balance study and experience. Of course, it is important to stay on track with coursework and to set and attain career goals. The year goes by so fast, and friends that I made during the year are now some of my closest friends. I am so grateful I got to meet them and experience life in Ann Arbor.