CTK Alum's Educational Journey Continues in Master's Program

When Jerome Phillips CTK ’22 walked across the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) graduation stage in May, he and his family were proud of his accomplishment of earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing & Business Administration from the prestigious Gies College of Business. Jerome knew, however, that his educational journey wasn’t over. In August, he will move to Texas to begin a two-year master’s program at Texas A&M University in management information systems and business analytics. He is looking forward to continuing his academic journey and growing his independence while living in a different part of the country.

At UIUC, Jerome enrolled in the Gies School of Business without a declared major. He initially took prerequisite classes in accounting, finance, and computer science. He faced early struggles with his rigorous coursework and the larger lecture hall-style classes. To improve his grades, he needed to adjust his study approach and make use of all of the academic resources at his disposal -  tutors, office hours, and teacher assistants (TAs). It was also critical to maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain eligible for his scholarships and university grants, including the Chris Perry Scholarship he had been awarded as a Cristo Rey Network school graduate.

After persevering through a challenging freshman year, Jerome’s classroom performance continued to improve in part due to the opportunity to take courses in his chosen major, marketing and communications. “I found joy in marketing as it combined aspects of psychology and business. Understanding and influencing human behavior and consumer decision-making interested me.” Through networking, he was able to secure a paid marketing communications strategy internship at UIUC’s Research Park. He worked with a marketing professional who conducted research via online surveys, panels, focus groups, and in-person interviews, primarily with college students and their families. “I enjoyed seeing what it’s like to do the research and gather information to help develop marketing campaigns. We researched students’ feelings towards the college environment and overall college experience. We also looked into how they are getting their information and how useful it is to them.” Not only did the position provide valuable experience, but the money he earned from the internship and from his job as a shift leader at a nearby Walgreens combined to help cover Jerome’s living expenses while in Champaign. He was grateful that his scholarships and grants covered his tuition while a student at UIUC.

It was the unique opportunity to get professional work experience while in high school through the Corporate Work Study Program that attracted Jerome to Christ the King. He credits his experience working for four years at Fifth Third Bank with helping his growth. “Working at Fifth Third provided insight into what it’s like to work in a corporate environment. It definitely helped me to overcome shyness and develop my communication and networking skills. I still keep in touch with my supervisor, Tony Calhoun. He was a mentor, contributed to my work ethic, and provided guidance for working in a corporate setting as a minority.” Jerome’s leadership abilities also grew during his time at CTK through his involvement in peer ministry, National Honor Society, CTK’s Culture Committee, and as a Student Ambassador. 

His openness to growth and new experiences continues as he heads to College Station, Texas, this summer. He had decided that getting an in-person master’s degree before entering the full-time workforce was the right next step for him. He sees the management information systems program as a bridge between the business and “hot” tech worlds. It was important to him to “spread my wings” and live in another area of the country. His research led him to the Texas A&M program, and his two visits to the school convinced him that it was the right fit for him. He will be part of a 70–80-person program cohort and has secured an apartment nearby. He eventually plans to explore career options in IT, business analytics, and marketing analytics. He is open to working in Texas but will also look in Chicago, depending on available job opportunities. “I’m excited about living in a new environment and continuing to grow. The Jesuit Grad at Grad of being ‘Open to Growth’ definitely applies to me. I feel my growth has often come from putting myself in uncomfortable situations. It hasn’t always been easy, but every experience helped shape me into the person I am today.”

Wishing Jerome continued growth on his journey!