Tom Fail’s journey through higher education is deeply personal and rooted in a clear sense of purpose. With two degrees already under his belt and a successful career in Ed Tech, Tom explains why he made the decision to pursue his third degree credential.
His story explains his personal connection to higher education and how the online iMBA from Gies College of Business program has been a key part of that. From online coursework to in-person networking, Tom is ready to graduate this August and couldn’t be happier with his decision to enroll with Gies.
“With this program, you get to blend the benefits of networking and having a hands-on experience that you’d get from an in-person program, with the flexibility of an online program. That said, it wasn’t easy. Like I’ve told my wife, this is something I’m actually very proud of. I could have quit 50 times, but I didn’t, and I’m really happy I didn’t.”
A Lifelong Belief in the Power of Higher Education
Tom Fail is a lifelong learner with a deep sense of the value higher education can bring. Admittedly not the best student in high school, Tom kicked things into gear upon entering his first higher education experience.
“Growing up, I saw the need to go to college and figure out what you want to do with your life. My parents did a lot for me, the best that they could, to allow my sister and I to go to college, so once I was in college, I knew that my parents had worked their whole lives so that I could do this. I thought to myself, ‘I can’t mess this up.”
After proudly completing an economics undergraduate degree and graduating with a master’s in management, Tom entered the workforce, embarking on careers with, as he says, “some of the least enjoyable organizations that exist: the IRS, the US Senate, and a student loan agency.” Eventually, Tom found his footing in ed-tech and has yet to look back.
“I wanted to have a career that was purpose-driven, so that I could actually have an impact on people’s lives.”
So, why, with all of his business experience and now a career he was impassioned about, did Tom decide to pursue another master’s degree?
“When I got my first degree, I hadn’t yet had any real-world experience. It’s really important to understand the inner workings of your business: the way the business model works, finance, marketing, and being able to understand the concrete ways the business grows. It’s cliche to say, but I wanted to blend academic rigor and understanding into my specific role now.”
Seeking out Relevant Means of Upskilling
Not originally seeking another full degree program, Tom searched on Coursera for ways to upskill his management style. With two new direct reports, he wanted to refine his skillset and make sure his leadership toolkit was up to snuff.
“The first course that I took was because I had two teammates reporting to me, and I wanted to brush up on leadership skills. Managing Teams by Illinois was one of the best ones I found to help me figure out how I wanted to show up as a leader. This course actually stacks into the iMBA, and it was my first exposure to degree material.”
The iMBA program came as a natural next step, given that the courses he was taking actually counted towards the full degree.
“It was a great first experience, and that first course hooked me into the degree. I took that course, loved it, and figured that was probably a good starting point for what the online degree would be.”
The Flexibility to Balance Life, Work, and Learning
With a full-time job and other personal commitments, he knew a traditional, on-campus MBA wouldn’t fit his life. Managing the workload was a challenge, but Tom was grateful for the flexibility that the program brought.
“Illinois has a lot of flexibility. You can speed up or slow down depending on what’s happening in your life. They have really great curriculum plans for 2, 2.5, and 3 years as starting places. Then, you can meet with your online advisor to talk through what makes the most sense for you.”
The asynchronous content and flexibility to learn on his own terms meant he could work at his own pace, while still making meaningful relationships with faculty and peers through networking events and online connections.
Learning You Can Use the Next Day
For Tom, the most powerful part of the Gies iMBA was its immediate relevance.
“As I was taking classes, I was immediately trying to apply what I was learning in class to what I was working with on a daily basis. It was common for me to be in class one day, and the next day, be using what I had just learned,” he says.
Whether he was studying statistics, marketing, or business strategy, the coursework never felt abstract. Instead, it was built to be applied right away, inside real organizations, with real results. This direct link between learning and doing kept him motivated and made the late nights and full calendar worth it.
A Familiar Community Built through Virtual Connections
Despite being fully online, the iMBA offered something rare: a genuine sense of belonging.
“They go out of their way to make you feel as though you’re part of the Gies community, even though you’re an online student.”
From responsive support teams to in-person meetups and alumni connections, every interaction reinforced the idea that online didn’t have to mean impersonal. He even participated in the well-known in person event iConverge, which he described as an unbelievable event that allowed him to meet his peers face-to-face.
“There’s also local alumni networks all over the place. I went to a few in the DC area and met people at basketball games, football games, and it was great to meet people who are local here. We even have a Teams channel where we all chat to support each other and plan meetups.”
That welcoming atmosphere continued throughout the program, making him feel like more than just a name on a roster.
“Thousands of students never stepped foot on campus. But I consider myself an Illinois alum. I have a little sign of Illinois next to my desk, and that’s my college sports team now. I have an unnatural amount of orange clothing at this point, to be honest.”
Support That Goes Above and Beyond
One thing that stood out from day one was the responsiveness of the program staff.
“Every time that you would write for support, they responded almost immediately. It was shockingly fast.”
It wasn’t just about answering questions. Faculty and staff were deeply engaged, passionate, and present. The people behind the program, including leaders like Dean Brooke Elliott and Associate Dean Nerissa Brown, left a lasting impression.
Words of Wisdom for Working Professionals Seeking a Degree
Tom’s advice for others in his shoes?
“Make a plan and take action. If you’re not ready to get the full degree, try the open content like I did. It’s a great way to get a feel for the program and what you’ll like about it. It allows you to understand the rigor of a program, and it helps you gain the confidence to go back.”
He admits that there were times of impostor syndrome in his pursuit of higher education, namely with Illinois recently being named one of Forbes’ 2025 public Ivy League schools. However, he encourages others like him to give it a try.
“Why not you? Other people can do it, so why not you? If you have the commitment and the dedication, you can do it.”Join others like Tom who are proudly adorning their resumes with a Master’s in Business Administration (iMBA) from the University of Illinois Gies College of Business.