A First-Generation Graduate’s Journey to an MBA

Contributed by: Tayah Fazzino-Little ’23, ’26 M.B.A.

If you had asked me years ago whether I would earn my master’s degree, I don’t know that I would have imagined this moment. As a first-generation college graduate, I had already made higher education a milestone. Completing my Master of Business Administration means even more. To my knowledge, I am the first person on my father’s side of the family to earn a master’s degree and only the second on my mother’s side.

Every generation has someone who changes what’s possible for the next. By earning my MBA, I’ve become that person for my family.

After earning my undergraduate degree at Albertus Magnus College, I felt it was the right decision to return for my MBA. During my undergraduate years, I felt welcomed, supported, and encouraged every step of the way. I never felt like a number. I always felt like a student whose success mattered. That same sense of community carried into the MBA program. Even though my classes were online, my professors remained approachable, always willing to answer questions and offer support whenever I needed it.

Balancing graduate school while working full-time wasn’t always easy, especially with frequent travel for work. The biggest challenge wasn’t the coursework itself but finding enough time to spend with family and friends while keeping up with my responsibilities. Looking back, every late night was worth it.

What motivates me most is my future. I believe in enjoying the present while making choices today that create opportunities tomorrow. Earning my MBA has opened doors to opportunities that may not have been available to me otherwise.

More than anything, I hope my journey encourages my family and anyone who reads this to believe that higher education is within reach. If you’re considering the MBA program at Albertus, my advice is simple. Go for it. The support, knowledge, and confidence you’ll gain make the journey one you’ll never regret.