Upskilling in a time of transition

August 26, 2025

Headshot of Mary Hurd MS'25Mary Hurd MS’25 pursued a Brandeis Online degree to make the most out of her new career.

For Mary Hurd MS’25, 2022 was a year of great change. Not only did she transition from a decade-long career in theatrical costuming to academic support services, but she also embarked on a major educational journey: starting an MS in Project and Program Management with Brandeis Online.

Mary had developed strong project management skills through her time in the theater. After all, no show can go on without careful budgeting, project planning and time management.

However, that doesn’t mean that jumping head-first into a new industry was easy.

“When I took my first class with Brandeis Online, I had a steep learning curve,” Mary admitted. “There was a lot of new (to me) language specific to project management that I had to learn quickly. It was also the first class I had taken in 20 years, so I had to get used to studying, taking notes, writing citations, writing papers, and more… all over again!”

Luckily, the Brandeis community was there to provide personalized support. “What helped me the most was reaching out to Student Accessibility Support for assistance managing my learning disability while taking online courses,” Mary told Brandeis Online. “They were incredibly helpful with providing resources and options for me.”

 

“What helped me the most was reaching out to Student Accessibility Support for assistance managing my learning disability while taking online courses. They were incredibly helpful with providing resources and options for me.”

Mary Hurd MS'25

Due to Brandeis Online’s commitment to flexibility and personalized support, Mary had the freedom to learn at a pace that worked for her. “The online classes allowed me the flexibility to work around my full time schedule, and the ability to take course sessions off when my life got too busy was a huge perk,” Mary said.

The flexibility to continue working while earning her degree also meant that Mary could see immediate results in her day-to-day job.

“In my current role, I am in charge of budget tracking and reconciliations for our department and all its units, and I assist the Dean of Academic Support and Advising with managing her calendar, planning events, and general communications,” Mary explained. With relevant courses like Project Scheduling and Cost Management, Mary could easily incorporate new strategies and techniques into her work offline.

 

“The online classes allowed me the flexibility to work around my full time schedule, and the ability to take course sessions off when my life got too busy was a huge perk.”

Mary Hurd, MS'25

Now that she’s completed her degree, Mary is eager to explore what comes next. Her Brandeis Online education has opened the door to new opportunities and responsibilities in her current role.

“My boss and I are looking for ways to integrate my new knowledge and improved skills with my current position,” Mary told Brandeis Online. “I’m excited for the possibilities ahead.”

Learn more about flexibility and personalized support at Brandeis Online.