Stern Faces of Change: Taylor Thompson, Langone Part-time MBA
NYU Stern’s Langone Part-time MBA is designed for working professionals looking to advance their careers across a wide range of industries. With four flexible formats—Weeknights, Accelerated Two-Year, Saturday and Online/Modular—students can complete their degree in as little as two years or extend it up to six. Stern’s faculty, coursework, and professional network provide a competitive edge, while 27 specializations and 200+ electives allow for a highly customizable experience.
Part-time MBA students benefit from the vibrant community Stern is known for, with access to 40+ student clubs and a range of extracurricular activities. They can also tap into Stern’s Careers team, which offers career counseling, workshops, networking events, and panel discussions. After graduation, they join NYU Stern’s 114,000-member alumni network.
Meet NYU Stern Langone Part-time MBA student Taylor Thompson
Stern Faces of Change: Taylor Thompson, Langone Part-time MBA
Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA currently living in Atlantic Beach, FL
Current company and role: Sportfive, VP, Women's Golf & Strategy
What made this point in your career the best time to pursue an MBA?
Over the past five years, the worlds of professional golf and finance have become increasingly interconnected. I felt confident in my knowledge of the golf industry, however I wanted to enhance my financial acumen to capitalize on this new frontier in professional golf.
What made NYU Stern’s Part-time MBA Program the best fit for you, and specifically the Online/Modular option?
My role as a golf agent involves significant travel, and the flexibility of the Online/Modular option within Stern’s Part-time MBA is ideal for my lifestyle. I often join class from a hotel room, yet I am still able to maintain strong connections with my professors and peers. The Online/Modular option offers the same world-class education as the in-person format, making it a perfect fit for my needs.
Who has been one of your favorite faculty members so far? What was the course they taught and why was it impactful?
Over the past year, I have been consistently impressed by the quality of faculty at Stern, and I firmly believe that one of the Program's greatest strengths is the depth of expertise and professional experience that professors bring to the classroom. Professor Joseph Foudy was particularly impactful in making a complex subject like economics both relevant and engaging. His Global Economy class provided a timely and thought-provoking opportunity to explore the potential implications of various economic policies in the news in real time.
Describe how you’ve been able to apply learnings from the Program into your current role.
Last fall, I took Professor Jay Hewlin's Collaboration, Conflict & Negotiation course. I was able to immediately implement negotiation strategies taught in his class to a brand partnership negotiation the following morning! Having the opportunity to learn strategies and techniques from a proven industry professional and not simply read it from a textbook was invaluable and an experience uniquely found at NYU Stern.
Can you speak a bit to the Stern community and how you’ve been able to connect with your classmates? How would you describe the community, and what impact has it had on your experience in the Program?
In full transparency, I was worried that as an Online/Modular student I would not have as many networking and community building opportunities. I am pleased to say this has not been my experience at all! The online format is well designed to encourage participation and engagement in classes. I also made several friends at orientation and have stayed close with them through the Program. I have made many NYC weekend trips and attended Stern events where I’ve met even more fellow students. The network is what you put into it, and regardless of the Program format, there are several opportunities to increase your network while at Stern. The friends that I’ve made at Stern are one-in-a-million, and have made my experience not only educational, but enjoyable and enriching.
Stern’s brand call to action is all around embracing change. How do you see this Program changing your future?
I can say with confidence that Stern has changed the trajectory of my life. To me, the Program’s educational value is not only the concepts you learn, but in the way you learn to think about challenges and opportunities in business and life. It’s given me a sense of confidence and belonging in important rooms and has also given me a deeper understanding of how the world works.