36 years of experience and still studying online MBA at Illinois Institute of Technology
After 36 years in the workforce, Belgium-based Laurence de Raet has established a dynamic dual career as an employee of the university and freelancer as a psychologist, consultant and organizational expert. She has received her Master of Psychology, completed professional certification in business leadership, emotional intelligence and HR analysis and HR assessment, and has collaborated extensively in career development, motivation and testing tools.
But for Lawrence, learning is a lifelong pursuit.
“I have a mindset of growth. I need to keep learning. I think it’s important to build expertise when you’re passionate. I’m really interested in leadership and motivation in the work environment because people often quit, not organizations! Building leadership in the management field is a challenge; it’s a real problem. It’s my passion. It’s my passion.”
When she decided to pursue an MBA, she had three key traits and she knew she needed: Online, Affordable and AACSB accredited. This is how she found an MBA at Illinois Polytechnic
Choose Illinois Technology: Flexibility to Quality
For Lawrence, finding the right MBA program is more than just a course. It’s about practicality.
“My research includes “MBA,” “online,” and “AACSB accreditation.” Of course, the benefit of Illinois technology is that you can take three courses, which are people from Europe.
She started her MBA in January 2024 after completing two pathway courses in advance at Coursera in January 2024.
Challenges along the way
Lawrence admits she is not confident in every subject area and notices that she is particularly concerned about her finance courses.
“I’m not good with numbers. It’s not my field. When I see courses like predictions and financial analysis, I say, ‘OMG, what should I do, from psychological science?!’!”
But her determination was rewarded. Laurence spent some evenings studying, working with professors and TAS during office hours, and learning about the benefits of showing the thinking process on exams, doing well even the toughest courses.
“I thought I would get 70% of the last financial analysis assessment. It was the biggest challenge of my life. But I worked hard and put in my effort and got 92% of the effort. I got all the advice from TA to be the best prepared advice.”
Real-time engagement and true flexibility
Lawrence points to Illinois Institute of Technology Flexible course design and active teacher engagement As a key reason for her success.
“I love live events. Every class has them and they help us link to our real experience. I remember a lot of conversations, one-on-one, two of us or three of us, and we can communicate ideas well.”
She also values the plan to set her own pace.
“It’s amazing because you can work on a break that works for you. In the MBA program, most of us have work and family, and you can separate your time as you wish. You can also be strategic on Coursera and take non-academic courses on Coursera and let that substance challenge you.”
She is particularly excited about the new tools Illinois Institute of Technology adopt.
“The new ‘coach’ on Coursera is amazing. Of course, we have in-depth explanations, but the coach links to the video. You can ask direct questions, in other words, summarize and practice. It’s incredible. It’s incredible.”
Suggestions for prospective students
Laurence will graduate at the end of 2025, with her Illinois Polytechnic MBA, adding a degree to her already impressive academic background. But for her, the greatest achievement was to prove to herself and others that learning will never stop.
Her advice to prospective students focuses on her commitment to durability, perseverance and the value she sees in further education:
“If you are motivated and do what the professor says, it doesn’t matter. The more you put in, the more you get out of it. Perseverance is important.”
For anyone who may doubt themselves or hesitate to enter higher education in life:
“It will be hard, but you can do it. Even if you have never worked in the field before, you can do it. You never know how much potential you have. No matter age, at Illinois Institute of Technology, everyone has the opportunity to find motivation on their own, get their own motivation and get great professors and get the best quality, and I’m so grateful.”
