Her friend went for the pizza. Catherine Fruehling opted for an MBA.
Catherine Fruehling has spent her entire career at the University of Iowa, a lifetime really, first on the healthcare side and now as the compliance manager for the Human Subjects Office.
What at first glance appears to be a simple career path was less than conventional.
“I went to school as a non-traditional student,” she says. “I started at an area community college when I was 25 and had a 2-year-old at home. I took a combination of online and night classes while staying home during the day with my daughter.”
In 2003, she transferred to Cornell College in nearby Mount Vernon, Iowa, where she received her undergraduate degree in 2005.
Jump ahead to 2018 and University of Iowa Health Care.
“I'd been in my role for 15 years and really felt like I’d gone as far as I could with my education, background, and skillset. I was really interested in moving up the ladder and taking a leadership role.”
Enter a Tippie Lunch & Learn at The Airliner in early 2019 that a friend convinced Catherine to attend.
“I went with somebody who was going for the free pizza. I actually wanted to learn more about the program. At the end of the session, I thought, wow, this is doable.”
She started at Tippie in May of 2019, quickly pivoting to online classes due of the pandemic, and finished in May of 2021.
Learning from leaders
Catherine remembers her very first MBA class was with Amy Kristof Brown (before she became the college’s Dean).
“Prior to starting the MBA program, I had zero background in business administration. My undergrad was in psychology and sociology. It was all just completely new to me. I was really anxious, and Amy made it such a great experience. That put me at ease. She made me excited to continue with the program.”
Catherine also had an impactful, month-long intensive leadership class with Gale Mote.
“That class was just phenomenal,” she says.
“I just learned so much. It seemed impossible that I would take away as much knowledge as I did. She was outstanding.”
Catherine was able to get a leadership certificate at the same time as her MBA, and directly credits both with helping her land the role she has now.
“Not only do I oversee research compliance for the research studies that take place at the university and at the hospital, but I also lead the team. I don't think I would’ve been given that opportunity or had the skills that I needed, had it not been for the MBA. It opened the door for me. It also helped me become a successful leader and gave me the confidence I needed to lead a team and program.”
Inspiration abroad
Part of that confidence came from a study abroad experience Catherine took to the United Arab Emirates. While there, she and her classmates met business leaders in the region, from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They spent time with several different companies, talking to leadership and learning how they did business in that part of the world.
“Having the opportunity to travel to a distant place was so great for me. Being able to make it part of my education and to learn from prestigious leaders was amazing.”
End of story? Hardly.
“I'm now in the Master of Science and Business Analytics program. I just started that this semester.”
Just started…and just getting started.
“I feel great about where things are now. I work with data, and technology changes so quickly. I don't feel like I know enough. So, this time around I'm not really looking at my degree as a career steppingstone, but as another way I can be better at what I do.”