Interview with Jessica Cronin, Graduate Certificate Student

The Graduate Admission team interviewed certificate student Jessica Cronin, who currently works for the Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation as a Project Manager. Jessica spoke about her experiences with the program, how she chose her particular certificate to pursue, and the skills she has gained that have already benefited her career.

Why did you choose to pursue a graduate certificate? What was going on in your career that made you want to improve your skills? 

Concerns about my ability to manage school with my full-time job and the years-long gap in my education following my undergraduate coursework led me to be unsure about committing to a graduate program. The graduate certificate program offered an excellent alternative to help me figure out my future at an affordable price for the first class. It presented the perfect opportunity to expand my knowledge base and allowed me to “test the waters” before fully committing to a graduate degree program. 

Why this particular certificate? Why at Bentley? 

I chose to pursue the Managing with Analytics certificate program to support my interest in expanding my business data analytics skills. I have previous exposure to business analytics through my current role, but the certificate program offered an opportunity to expand this knowledge base and to understand data from a different perspective.

I specifically chose Bentley for its highly regarded business program. The Bentley certificate program fits perfectly in my budget and provides courses closely related to my area of interest. I also appreciated the seamless application process and access to the career counselor who helped me quickly join the program.

Can you please talk about specific skills or insights you have gained so far from the program? 

Through the certificate program, I gained a better understanding of business practices, from my course lectures as well as interactions with my fellow classmates. The coursework showed me how to consider and analyze datasets and problems from a different perspective. I gained a new approach and understanding of alternative ways in presenting data to better communicate a clear story. This has allowed me to make smarter, more meaningful uses of data to design and deliver impactful presentations in my professional life. 

How have these skills helped you in your career or how will they help you in your career? 

The skills I developed in the certificate program have provided me with a greater understanding of the data itself and how to turn data findings into impactful insights. Additionally, the skills I gained regarding intentional data presentation have made an immediate impact on my career as I have received recognition from my manager for my commitment to further developing my skills outside of the office. 

How did the certificate program influence your decision to pursue a graduate degree? 

By enrolling in the graduate certificate program, I have gained both the confidence to pursue an MBA and a clearer vision of my future career path. My certificate coursework proves my ability to successfully balance both the demands of night school and my career. As my curiosity to learn more about different aspects of business continues to grow, I hope to continue engaging with the Bentley community and connect with like-minded professionals. 

You can visit Bentley's Graduate Certificate site to learn more about how your career can benefit from a certificate.