Matthew Stelmach

In fall 2017, I was stationed at the University of Michigan Naval ROTC Unit while serving as an Infantry Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. I had been planning to transition out of the military and began my Evening MBA at Ross while still in the Marines. With the support of Ross, I began working with a partner to launch a startup. In 2018, I left the Marines to pursue my MBA and work on the startup full time. I transitioned to taking classes during the day to accelerate completion of my MBA and worked closely with the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurship. Also in 2018, I was selected to take part in the Zell Entrepreneurs Program at Ross. This 12-student cohort of entrepreneurs from across the University receives close mentorship, training, and funding in preparation for launching their ventures full time upon graduation. Ultimately, my partner and I decided to fold the startup, but the skills, education, and networks I made at Ross allowed me to secure an internship in Real Estate Acquisitions for the summer of 2019. I plan to recruit full-time in the Fall of 2019 and graduate in December. I hope my story shows you all the opportunities you can take advantage of at Ross within the Evening MBA program. Whether you're looking for a promotion in a current job or a transition to an entirely new industry, the Evening MBA program gives you the flexibility to chart your own course and pursue the career of your dreams.