Becoming a Baylor Bear

A little bit of a life update, I have moved back to Dallas for the semester for my residency. I am currently working in a corporate office for at a long-term care company that has 129 different communities across the United States. We strive to provide quality service in three different spectrums of long-term care. I have absolutely loved the last 5 months of work and have been learning non-stop. I always explain our residential internship as the only time in our lives where we will be getting paid to learn, and I hope that each individual who enters the Baylor MBA Healthcare program will get to take away the same opportunities I have received over the last few months. As much as I have been enjoying working, I will soon return to Waco to finish my last semester of the program. I know I have been missing Fuego, football games, basketball games, and the 2019 Baylor MBA Healthcare class.

As we get closer to January, I have begun searching for an apartment for when I return to Waco for my last semester. Through this process, I realized that I have not shared any tips on finding student housing for incoming students. When I first accepted my attendance into the Baylor MBA Healthcare program, I was clueless on where to live. I had only visited Waco a few times in the past and had limited knowledge on how far I should live away from the business school. I did not have much time to drive down to apartment hunt in February because I was still working part-time and a full-time student at Texas A&M. Just like any other millennial, I started with online research. I googled housing in the area and only found one or two apartments that fit what I was looking for. In the end, I decided I would have to take a Saturday road trip to Waco in order to have better understanding of my options.

A few weeks later, I convinced my father (the apartment hunting expert) to drive down from Dallas to guide me on my search. We spent an entire day stopping at each apartment to look at amenities and prices near the Baylor campus. Each time we stumbled upon a new location, I would explain my requirements. I knew I wanted a 1 bed and 1 bath apartment that had a pool, a gym onsite, easy parking, and a dog-friendly location for Gracie. After a long day of searching, I returned the following weekend to sign a lease at West Campus Lofts. It was a lot of additional work to stop at each apartment, but it was my first time living by myself and I did not have the resources that provided all of the rentals into one single platform.

Now, a few months later, I was recently introduced to a free online tool for off-campus apartment search called Bear Cribs. Bear Cribs gives students access to photos, prices, a list of amenities, and special offers from virtually every rental property near Baylor University. Each profile explains the available units, cost, features, location, and pictures of the floorplans. The process is pretty simple:

1. Go to bearcribs.com
2. Put in if you are looking for an apartment, condo, or house
3. Pick a bedroom style- studio, 1 bed, 2 bed, 3 bed, 4 bed, or 5 bed+
4. Enter in a price range
5. Select if you are looking for a cat-friendly or dog-friendly housing
6. Click search

Properties will pop up and allow you to find exactly what you are looking for before you visit. When you are moving to a new town, it is helpful to have all of the information you need for housing in one search. I have already started searching on the site for the Spring and I have found three options that will take on a short-term lease for my last semester of graduate school. Take my advice, save some time, and use an online resource like Bear Cribs!

If you are an incoming student, I am happy to speak about any housing options. I understand you might be working with a tight budget. I get you might want a location that is right by campus so you don’t have to pay for parking in garage. I know how important it is to find an apartment complex that won’t interrupt your studying. Whatever your situation is, I am happy to help. After living in Waco for over a year, I have better understanding of what locations might fit the needs of a graduate student. If needed, feel free to reach me at katie_cummins1@ baylor.edu.

What a month it has been. Over the last few weeks we completed a few of our core classes, but now we have transitioned into QBA and Accounting. Our class has also had a field trip to Lutheran Sunset Ministries in Clifton, and we are beginning to get ready for our big trip to Chicago. In Chicago, we will be attending the American College of Healthcare Executives’ 2018 Congress on Healthcare Leadership. We will have the opportunity to sit in on lectures, network, and even enjoy the beautiful city of Chicago.

As much as this semester has kept us busy, I have really been enjoying what we are learning. Core 2 has had more of a focus on healthcare than the previous semester and has made it feel like the semester is flying by. One of my favorite healthcare classes is our Structuring the Operating System Healthcare Operations class. We are beyond blessed to have the current CEO of Baylor Scott and White Hillcrest, Mr. Glenn Robinson, as one of our professors. Not only did Mr. Robinson share his experience as a leader and introduce Healthcare Operations, we had multiple hands on learning experiences. We each visited different departments of the hospital to prepare for our Residency and then demonstrated our knowledge by presenting the findings. My group visited Pharmacy and Supply Chain, and noticed how cross-training and having a patient-orientated perspective keep these departments productive.

Rounding out the end of the month will be Spring Break. I am looking forward to having some time off to see my family and to get a little rest. Most importantly my good friends, Emily and Travis, will be having their couple shower in Dallas over the break, and I am excited to get caught up with them. They will be getting married at the beginning of April so stay tuned.

-Katie Cummins

Welcome back readers! I had such a peaceful break with family and friends. I spent the last month catching up with my family, catching up on sleep, and just enjoying some time off. More importantly, I am excited to be back at Baylor and starting a new semester.

The highlight of the break was getting to go the Bahamas for the first time. I spent a good chunk of the vacation resting on the beach, reading a good book, and checking out the lazy river in Atlantis.

Having a young heart, we also spent most of our evenings at shows or exploring the marine habitat. Atlantis has one of the largest aquariums in the world by encompassing over 250 species and 8 million gallons of water. If you head down to the lower section called “The Dig” you can see Moray Eels, Stingrays, and various types of Caribbean fish. Across from the twin towers you can see the ‘Predator Lagoon” that is home to Smalltooth Sawfish, Barracudas, and Great Hammerhead sharks.

We just returned back to school on Monday and we are already in full swing of the new semester. Compared to last semester, we all seem a little more laid back and understand what the next few months will look like. I think the comfortable feeling also come from having more of a focus on Healthcare. Out of the 8 classes we are in, 6 of them are related to our specialization.

Additionally, we are starting to narrow in on our Residency. Part of the MBA Healthcare program we take a 7-month paid residency where we follow a CEO around, and gain as much knowledge as we can. I think we all are starting to get excited as a few of us are interviewing for internships and beginning to narrow down the search for our first job. For me, I am most excited about the prospect of learning from amazing leaders. I know wherever we end up will lead to a great experience- the preceptors and location have been very thought out, and I cannot wait to see what June will look like.

-Katie Cummins

“The holiday season is the perfect time to reflect on our blessings and seek out ways to make life better for those around us.” -Terri Marshall

Just like that we are done with the semester!!! It seems like just yesterday we were moving to Waco and starting Business Foundations. One part of me is so excited to be another step closer to graduation, but the other part of me knows I will never get this time back. I am trying to enjoy every second of it because there is no turning back. Before we know it, we will be in our internships- the only time in our lives that we are paid to learn. Then, sooner or later we will be out in the real world.

There are so many things from this semester that I am thankful for: good friends, opportunities, and new adventures. Thinking back, I think my favorite experience so far has been our visit to Texas Children’s Hospital and the 18^th Annual Chronic Illness and Disability Conference: Transition from Pediatrics to Adult-based Care in Houston, Texas. I really enjoyed being able to engage with other administrators and doctors from Children’s, and to just simply learn about transitioning medicine-a new topic for all of us. If you want to read about our experience, check out my previous blog post by clicking here.

Moving forward, I am excited to have some time with family. I got to quickly see them over thanksgiving break, but I had to hurry back to Waco to study for finals. It will be wonderful to be around good company and having some time to relax. I still have a ton of Christmas shopping that is not done so braving the malls will most likely be my next two weeks.

As we are getting closer to another done-in-a-day for applying students, I wanted to remind readers that they are more than welcome to reach out to me. I had tons of questions walking into the application process at Baylor. Thankfully, I reached out to current students who took the time to share their own experience with me. I am always happy to help out interested students so if you think of any questions over the break, you can email me at katie_cummins1@baylor.edu.

-Katie Cummins

“……find what it is that inspires you, go and find what it is that you love, and go do that until it hurts. Don’t quit, and don’t give up. The reward is just around the corner. And in times of doubt or times of joy, listen for that still, small voice. Know that God has been there from the beginning—and He will be there until” – Chip Gaines

After meeting with a few undergraduate students who are interested in the MBA program, I realized some repetition in the questions I get asked. I think the question I get asked most often is: “Is this program doable?” In undergraduate, I was a Liberal Arts major and was not exposed to the math intensive classes I have experienced over the last 6 months. My first advice will be to take Business Foundations. The summer courses are intended to get you caught up and gauge your ability to pick up on new information. My second advice is to believe in yourself. I have always been told that there will always be someone smarter than you, but never let there be someone that will outwork you. So if you put in the work, I promise the program is doable.

Besides meeting interested students and studying for finals, we have had a little bit of time to enjoy Waco. A few of us recently went to the Men’s Basketball game against Wichita State and got to meet Chip Gains from Magnolia Market.

Another big monument for the Core 1’s is that we have almost finished our first semester of the MBA program. Looking back, I have realized the growth we have had as leaders. I have noticed the development of new ways to approach problems, presentations, and conflict. I see the excitement of stepping closer to the hustle and bustle of the business world. I see the realization that time is flying and before you know it we will be graduating.

-Katie Cummins

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” – Hamilton Wright Mabie

Thank goodness for Thanksgiving! A much needed and well-deserved break sounds wonderful as I am sitting in Starbucks finishing up an analysis of Johnson and Johnson, preparing for two presentations, a case, and a research paper. I can’t wait to celebrate with my family who I haven’t seen since July. My little sister will be coming in from OSU and my little brother will have a week off from high school. This year we will be missing my oldest sister because she will be in Disney World for Thanksgiving. She and her husband coach select soccer and will be at a tournament with their girls.

Of course, I am also looking forward to eating. Turkey, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, green bean casserole, and too many desserts to count. My mother does a wonderful job making all of us feel loved by cooking our favorites for the holidays. When I get back to Dallas, I will be put to work finishing the desserts. Trust me, I am not complaining.

I also have the job of putting up my parent’s Christmas decorations. Yes, I am the type of person who puts up decorations a little early. I did my own Christmas decorations the day after Halloween this year and have yet to regret that decision.

Besides getting ready for the holidays, we are finishing up the year and starting to get ready for finals. For our marketing class we have been researching how to help a local medical clinic in the area raise brand awareness and bring in. We have spent the last few weeks surveying the community and finding out how to develop a productive marketing program for the health center. Towards the end of the month we will be presenting our findings to the CEO and, hopefully, provide some insight on how to gear their social media, website, and other community outreach.

-Katie Cummins

Time is sure flying here in Waco. Just one more quick month and we will be done with our first semester of school. Some of the big things we have recently been involved with was Homecoming, our bible reception with Bill and Mary Jo Robbins, attending the Baylor vs. Texas football game, and even a quick trip to the Cameron Zoo in Waco.

Currently, we are participating in the 12^th Annual Hankamer Ethics case competition. We received the case on Wednesday and had about 24 hours to provide ethical recommendations to a panel of executives. The case competition falls under the Business Ethics Form that is taking place on campus from November 1^st to November. Some of the amazing speakers include Jeb Bush, Harold R. Loftin Jr., Bill Simon, Debra Coffey, David Sibley, Chet Edwards, Cecilia Ochoa Levine, John Allison, and Baylor’s current President Linda A. Livingstone. It has been a wonderful experience to meet some of the speakers and to continue to grow our understanding of ethics in the workforce.

Besides school, my core has been spending a lot of time together. Whether we are attending an on-campus ministry called Vertical or grabbing a pizza to binge watch Netflix, you will constantly find us having a good time. We are currently watching the newly released Netflix show Stranger Things 2. Give us a few more weeks and I will be happy to share all about one of my favorite series. Trust me, so far it is a must watch!

Additionally, I am looking forward to start putting up Christmas decorations in my apartment. It is my goal to be done by the end of the weekend so I can fully enjoy the holidays (even if it is just a little early). My hope is to be able to throw a Christmas party in a few weeks before finals start. Who doesn’t love holiday tunes, good food, and a fun round of secret Santa. I can’t wait!

“To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe”- Marilyn Vos Savant

This weekend we went to the 18^th Annual Chronic Illness and Disability Conference: Transition from Pediatrics to Adult-based Care in Houston, Texas. It was a joy to be at the Texas Medical Center and to help host the conference. Getting the opportunity to meet with administrators, physicians, and nurses from across the nation and to listen in was a wonderful experience. Additionally, we got to tour Texas Children’s Hospital and learn all about the facility. One of my favorite parts of the tour was being able to read the stories and see the pictures of premature babies that are flourishing due to Texas Children’s Hospital.

This weekend I also got to go back to College Station to watch the Texas A&M vs. Alabama game. Of course I am still a little bitter about not winning, but it was great to be back in Aggieland. I have missed the atmosphere and the roar of the crowd, but it is always sweet to return back to Waco. This upcoming week is a little hectic. Besides school work, Baylor MBA is putting on the 3^rd Annual Robbins Case Competition in Healthcare Management. The case competition consists of 12 teams and they complete a financial heavy case in one day.

Following the case study I will be heading to Austin for the weekend. The regular Baylor MBA students will be flying out to New York, New York to have an experimental learning experience. The healthcare students, on the other hand, have the week off. It will be a much-needed break and probably the longest one I have had since spring break in undergraduate. Though we get a few days off, will be catching up on some homework and getting ready for exams.

 

“I told myself that I was going to live the rest of my life as if it were Saturday” -Chip Gaines

I couldn’t help myself from finally visiting Magnolia. I live in the downtown area of Waco and drive by the market a few times a week. I have already been two or three times before becoming a Waco resident, but my boyfriend Alex was in town so I thought we would check it out.

If you haven’t heard about Magnolia Market, it is a cute little shop created by Chip and Joanna Gaines. These two have been flipping houses on HGTV “Fixer Upper” for years and then decided to enter the business of selling household items. They have nifty decorations for your house, games, tons of food trucks where you can grab a bite to eat, a garden, an on-site bakery, and a lawn to relax on. If you would like to visit or learn more about Magnolia Market, click here.

After a little shopping and exploring we found a sweet little swing and just enjoyed spending some time away from school. Alex is a first year law student at the University of Texas, and is just as busy as I am. The size of his criminal law and property law books explain why he is constantly in the library, but I am extremely proud of his diligence and desire to change the world.

We both agree it is important to enjoy the little things in life so whenever he is in town (or when I go visit him in Austin) we try to step away from the books-at least for a few hours. I have learned in graduate school that studying is important, but don’t forget to pick your head up and out of the books every once in a while. We constantly receive opportunities as Baylor MBA students so trust me when I say take every chance you get to try something new or make a new connection.

To give you an update on school, we just finished our first five weeks, survived finals, and now have transitioned into Finance and Economics. I am looking forward to October because we are putting on the 3rd Annual Robbins Case Competition in Healthcare Management, we head down to Houston for a medical convention and to tour Texas Children’s Hospital, and I will be attending the Texas A&M and Alabama football game. As you can tell, I am loving being a graduate student.

-Katie Cummins

Wow, I cannot believe we just had our first round of midterms for the semester (Core 1). I understand that can sound a little confusing because we have only been in school for 3 weeks, so let me explain. Baylor’s MBA program puts focus on courses that are math heavy, and they have been created this way with great purpose. The structure of the program consist of 5 courses (Finance, Accounting, Economics, Operations, and Statistics)  that you will see every semester and these classes last for 5 weeks. Additionally, we take courses that are taken over the entire semester.  If you are still confused on the structure of a semester, click here. This is the degree plan for the MBA Healthcare program and can further guide you on what a typical class schedule looks like.

Now the real question you probably have after looking at the degree plan is, “Are we really taking that many classes in Core 1?” The answer is yes, you take 17 hours of classes in Core 1. Remember how I mentioned 5 week classes? They are alternated throughout the semester and help lighten the course load. Because of the unique design Baylor implemented into it’s curriculum, your typical week looks like 3 classes Monday and Wednesday, and then 3 different classes Tuesday and Thursday. I promise it is very manageable if you are committed to getting your work done when you have the time. Again, I treat the program like a job. My regular routine consist of waking up between 6am-7am, going to class for a few hours, and then studying until 6 or 7pm.

In other news, our program has already provided many great opportunities to learn, network, and grow as young business professionals. Baylor helped put on an alumni event where previous MBA graduates came and shared their experience. We enjoyed great views of Waco and the McLane stadium as we asked questions about internships. Additionally, the MBA Healthcare group had an etiquette training where we properly learned the tools for dining, dress, and interacting with professionals. April Rowsey and Emily Cayton did a wonderful job tailoring the evening to what challenges we will all personally face.

As we continue on in the semester, I am looking forward to volunteering at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center- Hillcrest. We are separated into groups and follow the administrators of a certain department (Cardiology, Trauma, ASC, NICU, etc.)  around- soaking in everything we can. At the end of the semester we present to the CEO Mr. Robinson our findings, what we learned, and how amazing the staff is at Hillcrest. We are beyond blessed to already have such a hands on experience, and I know we are all eager to start. If you are interested in learning more about the medical center, please click here.

Well, that is all I have. If you ever have questions, please reach out to me at katie_cummins1@baylor.edu.

-Katie Cummins