Marketing student, Justin Moist, shares his advice on funding a Graduate Degree in Business Administration and what it’s like being a GA (Graduate Assistant) for the Marketing Department!
Justin Moist is the Marketing Department’s Research Specialist. He works alongside the Department Head, Dr. Anitsal, to assist in research and various related projects. In this Q&A interview, he shares some advice for Marketing Research and MBA students, why he loves being a GA, and the details of his work with Dr. Ismet Anitsal. Thank you, Justin, for all your hard work! #WeAreMoStateMarketing
Q: What is your name, where are you from and what are you studying/what degree are you getting?
A: “My name is Justin and I’m from Springfield, MO. I’m graduating this semester with a Masters in Business Administration.”
Q: Why did you decide to apply for a GA position?
A: “The paid tuition part is nice, but I really saw it as an opportunity to grow professionally and develop my research skills, which is what I want to do in the future.”
Q: What kinds of things do you do in your position?
A: “I mainly work with Dr. Anitsal, the Marketing Department head, on research. I started working with him in my undergraduate Marketing Research capstone class.”
Q: Tell me more about your research with Dr. Anitsal
A: “We did a study on the customer value model and how it relates to mobile banking. We identified some service gaps and later published the paper. As a GA, I have continued working with him on cross-cultural research and we have published several papers together. One paper is regarding the connection between Hoffstede’s cultural dimensions and the ServQual dimensions. This semester, we have been working on a qualitative study, interviewing international students and faculty about their restaurant experiences both in their home countries and in the United States. We are currently writing a paper on that.”
Q: How has being a GA helped prepare you for the professional world?
A: “Being a GA has prepared me for the professional world by allowing me to be in constant communication and working on many projects at the same time. Most of what I do is research, but I always have several other projects going at the same time. Meeting with various people at specific times and keeping everything organized has helped me feel like I can work in a professional environment no matter what is asked of me.”
Q: What has been your favorite part of being a GA?
A: “My favorite part is the research. It’s hard and a lot of work, but it’s very rewarding. Especially this semester, interviewing a lot of students and faculty has helped expand my network and has helped me connect with individuals I otherwise would not have been able to connect with.”
Q: Do you have any advice for students who are planning on pursuing an MBA?
A: “I think it’s definitely worth it. Especially if you’re someone who got your undergrad degree and are considering going straight into the MBA program—It’s a long term investment. In my job search I haven’t seen a lot of companies that immediately require an MBA, but ultimately speaking, if you have an employment opportunity that requires an MBA, you will not have to go back to school in the future to seize that opportunity. It also makes you more marketable to companies right-off-the-bat.”