Bryan Nyary is the latest to join the 'Dean's List' of outstanding students. He had attended his second residency at Zurich this April and is currently on his capstone module.
Name: Bryan Nyary
Age: 41
Nationality: American of Hungarian descent
Country of Residence: United States
Profession: Magazine Editor
Course: Master of Business Administration
1) How about giving us a brief introduction about yourself, your role as a managing editor with a wide varied experience in the publishing industry?
First off, I’d like to express how honored I am to be selected as a Dean’s List student. I think it’s a testament to a great “fit” between a student and an academic program. I doubt I would’ve enjoyed this level of accomplishment had I drifted in a different direction and foregone the quality of the program and the level of support I’ve received from Dean Costa and the RKC staff, my professors, and my fellow students and colleagues.
I got into publishing through an interest in writing (there’s a frustrated novelist in me somewhere), and initially did extensive work with a handful of national small-press magazines during and after college. From there, I migrated into local political newspapers, then eventually into books where I worked with several genre-fiction publishers in various roles. I did everything from designing paperback novels to editing manuscripts to working with subsidiary rights contracts; very early on I received a well-rounded, in-the-trenches education in the publishing business.
For the last fourteen years or so, I slipped into a niche working exclusively on medical magazines. That was initially very challenging since I’ve had no formal medical or clinical training and—by necessity as an editor—it’s critical to have an understanding of the content you’re editing. I suppose that niche was a circumstance of location: Chicago is home to a heavy concentration of non-profit associations (especially medical associations) and work opportunities were abundant. Currently, I’m the managing editor of LabMedicine, an internationally circulated, peer-reviewed science journal catering to the laboratory community. It’s a challenging position as I not only edit content, but also manage the magazine’s staff, manage the fiscal budget, deal with printers, vendors, and the sales force, and coordinate the magazine’s advisory board and publication’s commission.
2) Why did you opt for an MBA?
Though my experiences in publishing have been rewarding, publishing in non-profits has traditionally been a low-paying sector with limited viable opportunities for vertical progression—at least this has been my experience. Traditional publishing roles can tend to pigeon-hole employees—in circulation, production, or even editing—and having made various lateral moves during my career, a sense of stagnation eventually defined my environment. It’s simply the nature of the industry and seemed to be doing a great disservice to me. At that point, an MBA seemed necessary to lift me to a higher rung of position, responsibility, and challenges, or even to leverage my experience to transition into a completely different field.
And that’s where I’m at now. At 41 years old, I’ve still got another 20-plus years of productive work and wonderful contributions to offer. Without an MBA, I doubt I’d have the tools needed to apply my natural talents in a “second career.”
3) Did the college meet your expectations? Was the college different from the initial image that you had in mind?
I spent about a year shopping for MBA programs, so settling on RKC was a decision based on a lot of thought. Consider, too, that I live in Chicago, which enjoys some heavy academic hitters: the University of Illinois, the University of Chicago, DePaul, and Northwestern University. They all have MBA programs with high national rankings. However, I was looking for specific traits, which, oddly, I couldn’t find in my own backyard but felt I found at this place 4,500 miles away in far-off Zurich.
I held a lot of expectations. It was important for me to enroll in a smaller college where I wouldn’t get lost as a number. I wanted an approachable staff so I could avoid wading through an administrative morass. I wanted professors with impeccable academic credentials and real-world business experience. And since I planned to focus on international business, I wanted a school with a truly international flavor—this was the quality most important to me in an MBA program. There was something that smacked disingenuous about sitting in a classroom in Chicago, surrounded by fellow students from Chicago, taught by instructors from Chicago, learning “international business".
Did RKC meet these expectations? Absolutely. From the size of the school and the availability of staff to the quality of the professors and the quality of the program, RKC is everything I thought it would be. And what speaks volumes to the international flavor of RKC’s program is RKC’s most valuable asset—its students. To date, I’ve had the genuine honor and great privilege of studying with a diverse and far-ranging cohort comprising 211 students from 62 countries from every continent on the globe (except Antarctica!). I can’t envision a richer environment in which to study international business.
4) You have been with the college for some time and are currently registered for the capstone as well for your second residential module, how satisfied are you with your MBA studies?
I’m extremely satisfied. I’ve been challenged every step of the way and it’s been an incredible ride. Of course, some courses I liked better than others and some were more difficult than others, but I’ve walked out of every one feeling satisfied with what I learned. Financial Management is a great example: that course was, by far, the most challenging (for me). But by the time it was over, I was amazed at the sheer volume of information I had absorbed—the difficulty of the course seemed to directly correlate to the amount I had learned. And to demonstrate that practically, I’m in a mentor/protégé relationship with the Director of Finance at my current company. When we sit down and talk corporate finance, I’m comfortable discussing a broad range of issues and can pose lucid questions and offer sound and logically constructed suggestions. When I began Financial Management, I joked that I barely knew the difference between a “credit” and a “debit.” Now I’m talking shop with the finance director.
I think RKC offers a nice selection of electives and I’m encouraged to see more are being added and will be added in the future. For me, the electives offered were exactly what I was looking for. Investment Management, International Business Management, and Microeconomics of Competitiveness were, by far, my favorite courses and those electives will nicely compliment my MBA.
5) How was the online learning experience as well as the residency experience at RKC?
I had taken a few online courses in the past for personal enrichment, so I wasn’t entirely unfamiliar with the process. However, I still knew very well that I was a “visual learner” who had always preferred learning from a professor standing in front of me. Because of that, I felt learning entirely online might be difficult for me but I quickly realized the opposite was the case. Every course comprised a nice blend of self-directed reading and forum posting with more visual resources (Harvard ManageMentor modules, video lectures, or accompanying CDs with text books, for example). The structure of the courses worked very well for me.
The residencies, of course, were right up my alley. I initially took the Investment Management residency in June, 2008, and had such a wonderful experience that I opted to take an additional residency, Microeconomics of Competitiveness, in April, 2009. Not only was the learning environment great, but the entire experience was very exciting. I appreciated the opportunity to meet fellow students and professors in person and to engage in discussion outside the confines of the forum. The face-to-face dialogue was great; the after-class socializing was invaluable; and the time spent in Zurich really solidified the MBA experience and reinforced—in a very tangible way--what all this hard work was all about. And, trust me: I get a lot of mileage out of telling people “I learned investment management at the Swiss Exchange in Zurich.” There are not a lot of people who can claim that of their MBA program!
6) Being “married with children” as mentioned in your profile, I guess you'll have something to share with us about your personal life and family.
I’m married to Lauren and have four wonderful children: Sean (18 years old), Jonah (16), Molly (14), and Tessa (12). Clearly, I’ve got my hands full, and sometimes I’m amazed there’s time for coursework between everyone’s obligations and time commitments. It helps that the older kids are fairly self-directed and autonomous, and I’m convinced pursuing an MBA would’ve been disastrous had I not had the full support of my wife (who’s been extremely helpful during this time and also exceptionally forgiving when I disappear into the office during midterm and final exams!). Everyone’s been behind me 100% and we all subscribe to the understanding that “a rising tide raises all boats.” Given a bit of sacrifice now will ensure success and prosperity for all of us when this is completed.
Despite little time for other endeavors, I did do a fair amount of flying before RKC. I hold an FAA-issued general aviation private pilot’s license and was, for a time, a part-owner of two single-engine aircraft. That’ll definitely be something I pick up again when studies are over. Otherwise, we’re fortunate to live in Chicago, and when free time is available we take advantage of all the local amenities: concerts and events at Millennium Park; the vibrant local festival scene in Chicago; museums, cultural centers, and art galleries; and, of course, limitless restaurants and night life—all within a few blocks of our front door.
7) Normally, how much time do you devote a day or in a week for your studies?
That varies, of course, but generally I put in about two hours most weeknights and another five or so during weekends. I spend additional time in the forums, and often do reading in the evening then type applicable forum postings the next day during my lunch break at work. Flexibility is key: sometimes I spend additional hours to frontload work so I can take the next evening off, or retroactively make up reading the following weekend when feasible. The beauty of the program is the ability to structure your work how you need to, and I’ve certainly taken advantage of the ability to do work in coffee shops, on trains, and in airports.
During those semesters where I took two courses simultaneously, life became an exercise in creatively managing time. A useful technique was to parcel out coursework: read Entrepreneurship on Mondays and Wednesdays; read International Business on Tuesdays and Thursdays; post forums during work breaks; cover course resources over the weekends; catch up on text reading early in the morning. Interestingly, for those courses I most enjoyed much of the work didn’t seem like “work” at all, and—even when dual courses presented a heavy workload—by the time the semester was over I felt I managed everything at least somewhat gracefully.
8) We are really interested to know how you balance your work, family life and studies?
As one of my fellow RKC students, Ahmad Salih, once advised, the three key elements for success are: 1) time management, 2) time management, and 3) time management. I took that to heart. My entire experience during this MBA process was defined by Post-It notes, a heavily marked day calendar, task lists, progress benchmarks, delegating, prioritizing, and learning how to say “no.” With balance, I found that time with family, time with friends, and time for self weren’t things that could be put on hold. Rather, it was necessary to creatively find time for everything, even if that meant trimming them down into bite-size pieces. And as I mentioned earlier, having the full support of my family was critical. If everyone hadn’t signed on to my commitment, this most likely would’ve been undoable.
9) Would you recommend RKC-UoW?
For me, the RKC program was a perfect fit. And, yes, I’d certainly recommend the program for all the reasons I covered and more: the intimate size of the school; the accessibility to professors and staff; the ability to take a residency; the affordable cost; the impressive quality of a University of Wales degree; and the exposure to a great cohort of fellow students. However, I’d encourage everyone to pair their own MBA program criteria with what RKC offers and make their own decision. In my opinion, the unique appeal of RKC is a combination of everything it offers—the sum is greater than the parts—and I would encourage potential students who are looking for the “cheapest” program or the “fastest” program or the “easiest” program to recognize RKC’s unique value.
10) What's the message that you would like to give to all those MBA aspirants out there?
I can’t speak to all MBA programs in general, but in relation to RKC’s MBA program in particular, I would encourage everyone to go for it—especially if they’re looking for traits in an MBA program similar to what I described previously. To an MBA’s value, at the very least the dividends an MBA pays out over a person’s career far outweigh the costs. But, also, an MBA will equip a student with the tools to realize his or her own goals, whether that be to change career fields or start a company. An MBA’s applicability is very broad.
Interestingly, I field a lot of questions from potential students who want to know how “difficult” the MBA program is or how much “work” is involved, and I think making a decision whether to pursue an MBA based on those factors is the wrong way to approach the decision. Of course it’s difficult. Anything worth accomplishing should be. However, what you learn in the program is directly applicable to your career—even from day one. I recall going into work the very next day after reading the initial content in the induction course, Power Learning for Managers, and applying those lessons to my job. I’m hard-pressed to think of an equivalent program that offers such utility right out the gate.
Furthermore, I’ve learned a lot of “soft skills” that seem implicit, yet not advertized, in an MBA program—skills, habits, and behaviors that certainly weren’t touted as benefits of the program, but are certainly very useful! I compare this to, perhaps, a medical residency. A resident physician isn’t just learning medicine; he or she is also learning a lot of ancillary soft skills, like how to quickly assess a patient’s condition, or how to make cogent and accurate decisions on very little sleep. Likewise, through RKC’s MBA program, I’ve not only learned the academics, I’ve also learned how to express my ideas is a focused manner, how to accurately and quickly convey ideas, how to manage my time efficiently, how to spot anomalies in data, and how to work effectively with a very broad, culturally-diverse group of people. These are newly formed habits I wouldn’t have learned outside this program.
After exploring all these benefits and realizing exactly what an MBA offers, I think it sells itself. And, again, I’d encourage everyone who was interested in the program to do it. There really isn’t cause to question how much “work” is required; the value of an MBA far outweighs the effort required to get one.
Reader commentary
shahid mahmood
June 10th, 2010 at 01:04am
i need to know how long it takes to finish
and what is your requirements plus how much money we need
James Ochieng
March 16th, 2010 at 12:24pm
This is a real source of inspiration to me. Wonderful time management skills and steady focus to the target. Well done Bryan. You have shown that with committment and with eyes on the ball nothing is unachievable. I admire your sacrifice and unwavering support from your family.
Hoping to be an allumni of RKC MBA too.
Oku Ukpong
January 20th, 2010 at 12:02am
Bryan,
Kudos to you, your interview is a thought provoking. even though i am yet to formalise my admission in PGD, Project Management, i am more than convinced that it is a right decision.
Olufemi Aribaloye
December 25th, 2009 at 04:57pm
Bryan
I can already feel you even though I am yet to secure an admission to RKC. There is this thing about "financial organization" and Switzerland that I can't wait for the residency classes.
Congrats
Abbas Hamid Mahammat
December 5th, 2009 at 08:49am
Congratulation
I have no doubt that I have made the best decision by joining MBA at RKC, and you have made for me the ending of this program clearly very auspicious.
Br,
Abbas
Lawrence Adoboe
September 26th, 2009 at 12:20am
Excellent! Bryan
Helen Alegbe
August 2nd, 2009 at 09:14pm
Congratulations Bryan.
You have indeed put into words all I have felt since I started this program.
Regards
Helen
Robert Moyo
July 28th, 2009 at 03:07pm
Bryan
It's a wonderful experience for you. Hope I will join this wonderful College soon and just be like you.
Francis Buwembo
July 23rd, 2009 at 02:33pm
This is brilliant dear Bryan! It is the way to go. You've stirred up my ambition to attend this prestigious MBA. I am still struggling with funding and hope to be at Zurich one day.
Mom
July 17th, 2009 at 04:08pm
Bryan,
I have great admiration for you in all your
accomplishments! You have shown dedication
and commitment in meeting your goals.
You have set an example for others by your
'can do' attitude! I am bursting at the seams with pride!!
love Mom
Charles Obiorah
July 8th, 2009 at 02:42pm
Hi Bryan,
Reading through your experiencial learning motivates my interest in the academy as I shop for a reputable institution. Thank you for convincing my interest in RKC. Your are stunning!
Charles
Faparusi Adewale
July 7th, 2009 at 08:58am
Brayan,you are a great guy.Keep it up.
Zelalem Habtegiorgis
July 4th, 2009 at 12:22pm
Cogradulations Brayan!!!
Sherif Ebaid
June 24th, 2009 at 01:03pm
Bryan, I am proud of knowing some like you as a class mate in MoC and Strategic Management. Well done, hope you good luck.
Sherif
Nia Owen
June 22nd, 2009 at 01:40am
Well done Bryan, your interview was very humble, but having met you, I know you really deserve to be on this list.
All the best for your career !
Nia
Siyabulela Jodwana
June 5th, 2009 at 12:40am
Way to go Bryan!! You have rekindled my positive spirit.
Charles Emelogu
June 4th, 2009 at 11:23pm
Wahoo!!!, Really nice.
Congratulations man. Am convinced that we are in the right place.
Charles
Kornelia Kwidzinska
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:15pm
Great Bryan!!! I'm proud to have you in our MoC group
Julie James
June 1st, 2009 at 07:24pm
Hey Bryan,
Congratulations! Great Interview and smart pic minus the beard
Ettiene Tukker
May 27th, 2009 at 12:38pm
All the best for the future, hope you will be as successful as you want to be.
Congradulation on Completing this MBA course and also for being selected by the Dean
You inspired and motivated me to enrol(apply) fot this course.
Thanks
Ahmed Gharbaoui
May 23rd, 2009 at 08:44pm
Really inspiring! Congratulationsâ¦
In fact, one can easily feel the flavor of this MBA right from the starting.
All the best for your RKC-MBA journey!
AG
Agwu Emele
May 18th, 2009 at 11:08pm
Wonderful Bryan,
Good to see you are doing us all proud. Your frank assessment of RKC and advice during the last residency were right on point.
You deserve all the accolades my friend!
Good initiative Prof. Costa!
Agwu
Roel Bustonera
May 14th, 2009 at 01:25pm
wow. congratulations bryan!
atleast i had the opportunity to meet one of the Dean's List of Students.
good luck!!
Ahmed Elkomey
May 14th, 2009 at 12:39pm
As a student in RKC and still fresh one, I found a motivated message hidden between the lines, which made me more and more greed for more class materials.
Thank you for what you motivated me to do and I hope I will join the Dean's list.
Good day to all
Achim Burgardt
May 9th, 2009 at 12:04am
Proud of you my friend!
Hope to visit you sometime soon in Windy City!
Cheers - Achim
Jiri Kram
May 8th, 2009 at 11:15pm
Congratulations Bryan!
Oluwafunmilayo Awotunde
May 8th, 2009 at 06:18pm
This is overwhelming!
I think I am 100% convinced now that I have made the right choice of choosing RKC for my MBA with biase in HealthCare Management.