Finding Home Through Purpose and Community: Libby’s MSM Experience

Motivation to Apply and Choosing the Right Path

For Libby, the decision to attend Saint Mary’s College and continue into the Master of Science in Management program at Notre Dame was guided by a strong sense of purpose and belonging.

“I had an overwhelming feeling that God was calling me to this community,” she said. “I knew that this would be my home.”

Growing up in Peru, Indiana, Libby initially expected to attend Indiana University, following in the footsteps of her parents, who are five-time IU graduates. But after visiting Saint Mary’s College and Notre Dame, her path shifted. That sense of calling ultimately led her to complete her undergraduate degree at Saint Mary’s in just three years and continue seamlessly into graduate study at Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business.

“Because I graduated in three years, it felt like a no-brainer to finish off my ‘senior year’ in graduate school,” she said. “Once I heard about the connection to Mendoza with the one-year master’s programs, it felt perfect.”

Staying in South Bend was also an intentional choice. Libby had already built strong relationships and wanted to continue growing within a community that felt like family.

An Interdisciplinary Foundation Meets Business for Good

Libby’s undergraduate experience was intentionally broad. She studied economics alongside human studies, mathematics, and gender studies, an academic blend that shaped how she views business today.

“My undergrad education was widely intersectional and across disciplines, which is what made the MSM so appealing,” she said. “Everyone in the cohort comes from a different background.”

Her interest in business was sparked through hands-on experience. As an undergraduate, Libby ran financials for a student-managed café that operated as a nonprofit.

“That’s what really pushed me toward business education,” she said. “It’s also why the ‘grow the good in business’ mission at Mendoza resonated so strongly with me.”

The program allowed her to build marketable business skills while staying aligned with her commitment to servant leadership and community impact.

Personal Growth Through Challenge and Adaptability

One of the most defining academic moments for Libby came early in the program during the summer session.

“My favorite class was Quantitative Business Analytics,” she said. “It was heavily focused on Excel-based work and quantitative business problems. I retained so much from that two-week course, and I know it will be incredibly applicable for my future career.”

The MSM’s consulting-centered curriculum pushed her to think differently about problem-solving.

“I learned that there is no one perfect way to solve a complex organizational problem,” she said. “Every problem is different, and the solution depends on the people you’re working with.”

Working with real companies reinforced that lesson. One experience, in particular, stood out.

“Working with EY completely changed my perspective on how consulting and business meetings actually happen in reality,”  Libby said. “They threw curveballs, asked really difficult questions, and structured the meeting in a non-traditional way. It was the hardest case we had, but also the most realistic and valuable.”

Through these experiences, Libby learned the importance of adaptability and self-awareness, both individually and within team settings.

Professional Growth and Redefined Career Interests 

While Libby entered the MSM program focused on finance and operations, exposure to other disciplines broadened her perspective.

“I was really shocked by the impact and the roles that marketing also offers,” she said. “It pushed me to explore strategy and marketing roles that I hadn’t originally considered.”

The program also helped her gain clarity about how she works best.

“I learned that while I do well in group settings and can contribute strong work, I tend to thrive and fully enjoy my work when it’s more independent,” she said. “That self-awareness has been really important as I think about my future.”

Just as significantly, the MSM program reshaped how Libby communicates professionally.

“I had to completely change how I created and delivered presentations,” she said. “Each client was different, so I had to adjust how I communicated every time. It pushed me to prepare more than I ever had before.”

The Notre Dame Experience and a Cohort That Feels Like Family

For Libby, the summer start was one of the most impactful elements of the MSM experience.

“The summer was the best part of the program,” she said. “We were together every day, and everyone participated in plans. I have some of my favorite memories from those months.”

Starting together before the fall semester allowed the cohort to form deep bonds early on.

“The MSM cohort is truly unique,” she said. “Everyone is inclusive, supportive, and genuinely wants the best for each other.”

That support extends beyond academics, from attending one another’s sporting events to offering encouragement during challenging moments.

“There’s a real sense that no one is doing this alone,” she said.

Advice to Future MSM Students

If Libby could offer advice to incoming MSM students, it would start with embracing the experience from day one.

“Fully embrace the summer semester and be yourself,” she said. “Once I put myself out there, I built friendships that carried into the fall.”

She also encourages students to be proactive about career preparation.

“The job search is hard,” she said. “Start early and lean heavily on the Notre Dame network. The connections here really matter.”

For students considering whether the MSM program is right for them, Libby’s message is simple.

“Say yes,” she said. “There is a love here at Notre Dame like no other, and it will always be your home. The MSM will help you gain valuable experience and make your skills marketable to employers, but it will also help you grow in ways you don’t expect.”