Beyond the books

MMU Plus provided Rob Kandl ’23 with a deeper look into what marketing is like outside the classroom.

When Rob learned he could take master-level classes during his undergraduate degree with MMU Plus, he decided he wanted to take his education to a higher level.

“I enjoyed the thought of having deeper conversations with my peers who already have full-time jobs,” shared Rob.

Thanks to Rob’s classmates and guest speakers, he gained knowledge on how many careers function and how every thought process that gets shared or goes unshared can affect a business.

“My assignments had me looking at real companies and real outcomes based on their business decisions,” said Rob. “I enjoyed hearing real stories from individuals brought into the classroom to discuss their corporate jobs.”

Rob’s first MMU Plus class with Tracy Tunwall helped him know immediately that this program was for him. The Corporate Social Responsibility class gave him a glimpse into the business world by going on field trips and reflecting on real events.

From Rob’s first class in the program all the way to his last course, he learned many valuable skills.

“My last MMU Plus class was Dynamic Marketing with Rogan Stoops, which helped me find the ‘why’ within my reasoning, and it helped me ask more critical questions,” said Rob. 

Although Rob had meaningful experiences and connections with all of his professors, there were three who played an influential role in helping him succeed at Mount Mercy University.

“Anne King, Christa Nelson, and Seth Pennock helped me with changing my major, day-to-day advice, and after-college tips,” shared Rob. “I could not have made it through without these three professors and their willingness to help me.”

MMU Plus not only expanded Rob’s outlook on marketing in the real world, but it also taught him valuable skills, a forward-thinking mindset, and created a network of professors that he can turn to for advice in his future career.