Choosing a Full Life

In the midst of a global pandemic, agility, adaptability, and creativity are critical for companies and individuals in order to successfully manage a major disruption. For Melissa Beglinger, those traits have come to life at work, at home, and in the classroom.

As Target’s Director of Operations for Fulfillment, Beglinger oversees order pickup and delivery—vital services for the company’s operations during these unprecedented times. She is also a current Part-Time MBA student. The long-time Target employee says the coursework has helped her navigate some of the uncertainties on the job.

“There have been a ton of things I’ve been able to take from my coursework and then apply in my job,” she says. “The MBA program has helped me tremendously both in my professional and in my personal life.”

Beglinger’s pursuit of an MBA has required adaptability too. She officially enrolled in the in-person, part-time program in 2011. But, during her first semester, Target transferred her to a new role, based in Iowa. With no online MBA option at that time, Beglinger withdrew. Eventually, she returned to the Twin Cities as she advanced through the ranks at Target. In 2017, she re-started her studies, bringing a wealth of work and life experiences to the program that she feels gives her more confidence and makes the coursework more relevant.

“It wasn’t as challenging jumping back in as I thought it might be,” she says. “I’m learning so much from my professors as well as my cohort of peers. This is challenging me both professionally and personally in the best way possible.”

In addition to her demanding job and coursework, Beglinger and her husband are raising three children all under the age of six. So, it’s accurate to say that the traits mentioned earlier—agility, adaptability, and creativity—along with many more, are being carried each day on the home front. 

It has been challenging, Beglinger says, however, she’s doing what she can to manage it all. She views her schoolwork as a top priority and tries to carve out time every day to complete her coursework, typically after the kids go to bed. She’s always enjoyed learning so she doesn’t see this as a burden.

“My life is full and it can be difficult at times but I have to have the right attitude,” she says. “I approach it with the mind that I’m choosing to take these courses over things that don’t really matter—like TV—and that helps me. I’m choosing to improve myself in this way and this is how I want to spend my time because I know it will benefit me tremendously in the long run.

“Being at the Carlson School has challenged me both professionally and personally in the best way possible. From time management to the latest business knowledge, I’ve gained so much from this program.”