A little change along the way.

The MAB Class of 2010 came into the program in January 2008 with one common goal: earn a master's in agribusiness from Kansas State University. Some people wanted the accomplishment for personal growth; others were hoping to improve their career options or to sharpen job skills. But no doubt, all were wondering what it would take to accomplish that major task.

The short answer is -- a lot. For the remaining twenty of us, it's been a blast, albeit challenging. It's been tough, but manageable. We've suffered some setbacks and probably had to compromise more than we anticipated, but we've learned a lot. Hopefully, by this time next year, I can tell you that we all accomplished our goal.

So what does a year and a half in the program seem like? Well, busy for starters. But I don't want anyone to think it's not worth the investment. It requires some life changes, but isn't an impossible venture and does end up teaching you a lot.

In my class, there are some great examples of life changes and side notes that prove MAB's program is well-designed for the working professional.

Two of my classmates married their sweethearts during the last year. One got engaged and is now planning a ceremony. Several of us have had children. Even more have changed jobs, and a few even changed their career paths entirely (myself included). Some have earned promotions, moved cross-country and still others have traveled various parts of the world.

Proof enough for me that enrolling in a graduate program like this is an investment and it pays off, with some change along the way.

The time is flying by.

Before we know it, my cohort group will be sweating the edits, tearing into data and pouring over research as we work through the thesis requirement of the MAB program. Time is passing by, and we're now less than a year from the expected graduation date.

Courses in the second year have gone smooth. We've covered policy, econometrics, organizational behavior and are swiftly moving through the elective (most of us are doing the MAB-offered Comparative Food & Ag Systems course).

Still to come is the marketing course, taught by the head of K-State's marketing department, over in the College of Business Administration. We've also got the more thesis-specific coursework down the road, like ag. economic analysis.

I think we've rounded the corner. We can't quite see the finish line yet; but we know it's just over the horizon.