Day 14: More Than I Could Have Ever Imagined

Avery Toliver 2018

“Wow, what a great opportunity!” These were the first words that popped into my head when I spoke with Bailey and Lorne and again after I learned I was accepted into the program. Those same words popped up two months later as I walked into my first MSBA event. Here I was in a new city, having arrived three days later than everybody else, and being a bit worried about whether I was going to be a fit with the other 24 participants of the program. “Wow, what a great opportunity!” That same feeling has followed me for these past two weeks as I experienced amazing Office Field Trips, listened and gained insightful advice from some of the industry’s best and even when I was just hanging out with the group.

“During my time here, I have been able to see my fellow MSBA’ers not only as motivated individuals and my classmates, but also as family, something that Lorne, Bailey, and Alumni have all stressed.”

During my time here, I have been able to see my fellow MSBA’ers not only as motivated individuals and my classmates, but also as family, something that Lorne, Bailey, and Alumni have all stressed. In these past two weeks, I have made great memories with new friends, Mentors, and other people I barely knew when I first arrived. Whether it was them welcoming me with open arms on my first day, having Luke invite us to spend time together at his New Jersey lake house, going to the NBA Draft, getting dinner together or just having a chill night, I can say that this group is like no other. In talking with my classmates, each has shared interesting stories of what brought them here, their goals, what they want out of the program, and the meaningful connections they want to make within our group.

Not only can I tell from my first two weeks that this is a special group we have going on here, but it is also one that I am proud to be a part of. I guess all I can say is that I’m glad the words “Wow, what an opportunity!” are no longer the first words that come into my head when I see this fascinating group of people, but rather “Wow, this is more than I could have ever imagined.”