What can one more year do for your career?

When Rachel Kelley accepted an internship with the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C., she expected it would confirm her interest in government work. Instead, it changed the course of her career.

"I'm really glad that I did that because I absolutely hated it," Kelley said with a laugh. While she loved living in Washington, D.C., she quickly realized the pace of government work wasn't the right fit. The experience gave her something just as valuable as a great internship; it helped her discover where she didn't want to build her career.

That willingness to explore different paths became a defining part of Rachel's experience at Central Michigan University. Through internships, close faculty mentorship and the accelerated Master of Arts in Economics program, she graduated with a clearer understanding of her strengths and the confidence to apply them in the workplace.

Today, Rachel is the director of operations for a company that consults with mortgage companies, banks and credit unions, helping clients navigate complex regulatory requirements. Although her career looks different than she first imagined, she credits CMU with preparing her to solve real-world problems and adapt as her interests evolved.

Rachel first discovered economics in high school through an Advanced Placement course. What drew her in wasn't a specific career but the flexibility of the discipline.

"I really like this," she recalled thinking. "The interesting thing about economics is that there are so many different facets to it."

Unlike some majors that lead students toward a narrower set of careers, economics gave Rachel the freedom to explore business, finance, government and other industries while developing analytical skills she could apply almost anywhere.

That mindset continued throughout college. Rachel intentionally pursued internships in banking, insurance and government, using each experience to narrow her interests rather than rushing into a permanent career choice.

"It's important for students to understand that internships aren't just about getting experience," Rachel said. "They're also about finding the things that aren't the right fit."

During her junior year, economics faculty member Jason Taylor introduced Rachel to CMU's accelerated master's program. She hadn't planned on earning a graduate degree, but the opportunity made sense. By beginning graduate coursework while completing her bachelor's degree, she could earn her master's in less time while taking advantage of undergraduate tuition for eligible credits. Her scholarship also covered many of those courses, making the decision even easier.

Her parents encouraged her to continue while she was already in the rhythm of higher education.

"My dad said, 'I got my bachelor's and said I'd go back someday.' Thirty years later, he still hadn't," Kelley said. "He told me to do it now while I was already in the routine of being in school."

The transition into graduate coursework wasn't without challenges. Undergraduate economics focused heavily on theory, while the master's program emphasized mathematical modeling, statistics, and applying data to solve complex problems.

"I wish I had brushed up on my math skills more," Rachel said. "The bachelor's program was a lot of theory. The master's program was a lot more math, data-heavy, and statistics. You're using a different part of your brain."

Although the first semester required an adjustment, Rachel says the experience ultimately prepared her for work in ways that classroom theory alone could not.

"The master's program made it easier for me to apply things in the real world because I had actually done it," she said. Rather than simply learning economic principles, she practiced using them to solve problems, identify relationships within data, and support real research projects alongside faculty.

The small size of the program also created opportunities to build meaningful relationships. Rachel worked closely with faculty members, served as a graduate assistant, and collaborated with both domestic and international classmates, whose diverse mathematical backgrounds often strengthened everyone's learning.

"They know your name," Rachel said. "It's much more of a working relationship than just turning in your work and being done."

Looking back, Rachel says economics prepared her for far more than a single job.

"Economics can be applied to anything," she said. "It gives you really great tools that you can use anywhere."

That flexibility continues to benefit her career today. Whether analyzing regulations, managing projects or solving complex business challenges, she draws on the same analytical mindset she developed at CMU. And for students considering the accelerated master's program, her advice is simple: think about your long-term goals, but don't be afraid if the journey helps you discover a different destination than the one you first imagined.