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Alumnus says taking advanced classes paid off in the long run
When Nathan Blizzard ’20, ‘21 arrived at CMU, he expected to pursue a career in pharmaceuticals. Within weeks, however, he discovered economics was the subject that truly excited him.
"Why not just do the thing I actually like and not have to jump through all the hoops getting a pre-degree and then going to more school after that?" he said.
That change in direction eventually led him to earn both his bachelor's degree and an accelerated Master of Arts in Economics at CMU’s College of Business Administration. Today, he serves as a regulatory specialist and analyst with the Michigan Public Service Commission, where he analyzes utility rate filings, reviews cost-of-service studies and helps administer regulations governing the sale of electricity and natural gas.
Although he knew early on that economics was the right fit, Blizzard didn't learn about the accelerated master's program until his junior year. By then, he had already decided graduate school was part of his future, making the accelerated option an easy choice.
"I had made the determination near the end of my undergrad that I did want to go to grad school. So, that made the accelerated program a no-brainer," he said.
The opportunity also made financial sense. Between double-counting graduate credits toward his bachelor's degree and earning a graduate assistantship, Blizzard was able to significantly reduce the cost of completing his master's while staying on track to graduate. For Blizzard, though, the biggest benefit wasn't simply saving time or money. It was the opportunity to keep challenging himself instead of filling his final semesters with electives.
"I had already completed the coursework for my major, so I had a choice. I could take electives that weren't really connected to my career goals, or I could take more challenging classes in a subject I was passionate about," he said.
Blizzard admits the transition into graduate coursework was intimidating at first, but he credits the program's structure and collaborative environment with helping him build confidence. Working alongside classmates in the same position made the jump into graduate-level expectations feel manageable.
"You're set up in a way that you have people to lean on. It kind of helps alleviate your concerns," he said.
Looking back, Blizzard has one piece of advice for students considering the accelerated program: don't shy away from the difficult coursework. Instead, prepare for it.
"I would strongly recommend that you take more math classes than you would think you would need," he said. Blizzard emphasized that the advice comes from hindsight, not regret. He successfully completed the program but believes a stronger math foundation would have made the transition to graduate coursework even easier.
For Blizzard, that's what made the accelerated program worthwhile: it challenged him to grow in ways that continue to shape his career today.
"The professors are there to help you. Grad school is not designed to crush you. It's there to make you better," he said. "What you put in is what you get out."
