06/05/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/05/2025 17:29
Monica Monteros knows something about climbing ladders-not just the metaphorical ones that lead to career advancement, but the real challenges that come with balancing motherhood, full-time work, and pursuing an MBA. As she juggles the schedules of three children-a high schooler, a junior high student, and a kindergartner-while working full-time and completing her MBA at National Louis University, Monica embodies the determination that defines so many NLU students.
Her journey began in the manufacturing industry as a Shipping & Receiving Coordinator, but Monica had bigger aspirations. "I climbed up the ladder at my previous job," she reflects. "Slowly but surely, I began growing." That growth wasn't accidental-it was fueled by education and an unwavering commitment to personal development. Three years into her shipping role, armed with a BBA from another institution, she was promoted to Area Supervisor. Two years later, another promotion landed her in HR, a field where she had previous experience but hadn't known how to navigate toward her desired career path.
"My education handed me the tools I needed," Monica explains, highlighting how her academic foundation became the key to unlocking professional opportunities she had been seeking.
Four years into her role as Talent Acquisition Coordinator, Monica heard about NLU and their programs. The financial accessibility, program offerings, and time considerations drew her to the university-she was particularly attracted to what she understood would be a one-year program instead of two. "At half the price, and in shorter time I knew would be able to acquire my MBA if I worked hard, and that is exactly what I did."
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The timing proved perfect. Just months into her MBA studies at NLU, an opportunity arose for an HR Generalist position at another company. "I felt like NLU was helping me prepare for that," Monica says. She applied, interviewed, and landed the job-a testament to how her NLU education was already transforming her professional trajectory.
When asked to describe National Louis University in one word, Monica doesn't hesitate: "CHALLENGING." But for her, this isn't a complaint-it's praise. "NLU has challenged me to think outside the box, to read between the lines, to use not just knowledge but also common sense, and to use every opportunity I get to benefit not just myself, but others as well."
This challenge extends beyond academic rigor to innovative teaching approaches. Monica recalls one professor who offered mandatory weekly office hours conducted via Zoom, where students discussed course topics instead of submitting traditional written assignments. "That made it easier, and we were still getting graded on our participation," she notes, appreciating how NLU adapts to meet students where they are.
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The biggest obstacle in Monica's educational journey isn't the coursework-it's time. Between her three children and full-time job, more than 50% of her time is already spoken for. Yet her "constant determination to complete what I start" drives her to work harder than hard, pushing through the exhaustion and time constraints that might deter others.
For students considering NLU, Monica's advice comes from hard-won experience: "We are the only ones who can limit ourselves. Don't let a job, or your family limit your goals and dreams. Work hard until you've accomplished what you have set yourself to do."
Monica's story is one of strategic growth-using education as a tool for personal and professional development while managing the complex realities of adult life. Her journey from shipping coordinator to HR generalist, powered by her ongoing MBA studies at NLU, demonstrates that with determination and the right educational partner, career transformation is not just possible-it's inevitable.
As she continues her MBA studies at NLU, Monica Monteros exemplifies the spirit of NLU students: ambitious, resilient, and committed to growth that benefits not just themselves, but their families and communities as well.