I got into Georgia Tech! Here’s why I’m going back to college.

It’s time for me to go back to school. After a three-decade hiatus from academia, I’m excited (and a little nervous) to announce that I’ve been accepted into Georgia Tech’s Master of Science in Analytics program, with classes beginning next week (as I write this in August 2024). It’s been a long time since I last sat at a desk in graduate school, having earned my MBA from Georgia State University (GSU) back in 1993. Yes, I’m going to be a working student—running my marketing agency full-time while also attending graduate school. I was a working student before in the ’90s, and we’ll see if I can do it again.

A lot has changed in the academic world since then—the Internet, online learning, faster computers, new degree programs and fields of study, and pervasive technology like the iPhone. See my previous article about my 45-year love affair with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Despite all the changes, one thing remains constant: my passion for learning and my desire to grow both personally and professionally.

A few years ago, my wife Mary Catherine decided to go back to college and finish her bachelor’s degree at Clayton State University. She put aside her studies in 1994 so that we could get married and raise children. With our kids grown and an empty nest at home, she re-enrolled in college. I really admired how hard she worked and the excitement she felt finally completing her bachelor’s degree (even though the commencement had to be virtual due to COVID).

Seeing how much she enjoyed the experience, I thought about pursuing some of my own unfinished academic business. Last year, I began the process of “getting up to speed” on various degree programs and fields of study. I started taking some non-credit online courses to see what that was like, and I really enjoyed it. At the beginning of this year, I decided to take some concrete steps to re-enter the academic world.

Thank you, Dr. Alvetta Thomas, Dr. Tim Hynes, Mrs. Carlotta Ungaro, Dr. Jacob Chacko, Dr. Sam Khosravi, and Dr. Charles Davis, for the encouragement and support. Thank you to Dr. Joie Hain (CSU) and Mr. Matt Bramblett (GSU) for giving me the opportunity to be a guest lecturer in your business and marketing classes this year. Doing that really increased my excitement about pursuing further academic dreams. Thanks also to my younger brother, Dr. Chris Domaleski, who pursued his academic dreams years ago and encouraged me to finally follow through on mine. With all that awesome support, I decided to apply to Georgia Tech last spring.

Even though a lot has changed on college campuses, the admissions process has not. I had to submit letters of recommendation, send college transcripts, and complete lots of digital paperwork. I will say that the Georgia Tech graduate admissions office did an excellent job guiding me through the complex process. One thing I didn’t have to do was take another standardized test, nor did I have to submit a FAFSA form for myself (thank goodness).

I nervously waited all spring to see if I had been accepted. That nervousness was compounded by seeing all the social media posts about my friends’ children being accepted to various colleges. On May 10, 2024, I received my acceptance letter from Georgia Tech. I don’t mind telling you I got a little misty-eyed with excitement about that letter. My “love language” is Words of Affirmation. That letter was big-time affirmation.

Last week, I went up to Georgia Tech to get my student ID, aka the “Buzz Card.” When I went into the ID office, I told the young lady that I was there to pick up a student ID. She asked me, “What’s your student’s name?” thinking that I must have been a parent picking up for their kid. I replied, “Domaleski, that’s my last name, and the ID is for me. I’m going back to college.” All the kids in the office cheered. The girl at the desk said, “Congratulations on the acceptance, Mr. Domaleski. We love our non-traditional, senior students.” Did you ever see the Rodney Dangerfield movie Back to School from the ’80s? If you saw the movie, you know how I feel (although I don’t have enough money to endow a business college like he did in the movie).

So why did I decide to go back to college and get another master’s degree? There are three main reasons I’m doing this:

To Learn More About Data Science, Analytics, and AI to Better Help My Clients

In the years since earning my MBA, I’ve enjoyed a thirty-year career helping businesses and nonprofit organizations with their marketing. Even though my career started out focused more on technology, my focus shifted more to marketing, sales, and strategy in the last twenty years of my career. That’s a pretty common career trajectory for a middle-aged executive like me. However, as the landscape continues to evolve, so too must my skills. The growth and importance of data science, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) have created new opportunities—and challenges—that I’m eager to tackle.

Even though I’ve tried to keep current with everything, I feel like it’s time to see what the academic world has to say about these topics. Not everyone agrees, but I’ve always found that an effective leader of something must also have the ability to be a practitioner of whatever skill or topic they’re leading. When I was in the Army, everyone had to carry a weapon and know how to use it. In like manner, I need to broaden my expertise in these new tools of business. It’s important to ensure that the strategies I recommend are grounded in the latest technological advancements.

So why another master’s degree and not a PhD? Several reasons, actually. First, I’m not a young man anymore. It requires a lot of time and energy to get a terminal degree. I need to make sure this is something I’m really committed to doing. Also, I don’t think I’d be successful in a modern PhD program without freshening up my academic credentials, especially in the areas of math and data science. Yes, I know more about those topics than many of my peer business executives—but not enough to get a doctorate. Regardless of degree program, most graduate programs are heavy on quantitative skills, and I’m eager to catch up to what’s new. A lot has happened in 30 years. Assuming I complete my MS program, I can decide later whether or not to keep going with more studies.

To Expand My Personal Network Within the Georgia Tech Community

When I graduated from high school back in 1985, I applied and got accepted to several universities, including Georgia Tech. Many of my friends went to Tech, and I almost did as well. In the spring of 1985, I ultimately decided to accept a Georgia Military Scholarship to attend North Georgia College (now the University of North Georgia – UNG). It was one of the best decisions of my life, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the lifelong friends I made. Joining the military and being in the Corps of Cadets helped me develop leadership skills. Believe it or not, I was quite introverted in high school, but North Georgia helped me “come out of my shell.” My UNG family continues to play an active part in my life and personal network today.

When I decided to go back to graduate school for an MBA in the ’90s, the logical choice was Georgia State University (GSU). It was and still is known for its business program, the award-winning Robinson College of Business. My father had attended GSU, and one of my economics professors had actually taught my dad back in the ’70s! Towards the end of my degree program, I was working downtown (that’s where I met my wife, Mary Catherine), so it was very convenient. My daughters, Alex and Tori, both graduated from GSU, and my younger brother, Chris, has a PhD from GSU. We are a three-generation Panther Family. I still consider GSU home.

My UNG and GSU connections continue to help me professionally and personally. Without taking away from those networks, I felt it was time to expand my circle even more. The Georgia Tech community offers an outstanding network of professionals, academics, and students who are deeply involved in the world of technology and innovation. By immersing myself in this environment, I’m not only gaining knowledge but also creating new connections that could lead to exciting collaborations and opportunities. Last week, I shared about going to Georgia Tech on my personal social media feeds. The amount of support and encouragement from my Tech friends was overwhelming—in fact, I’ve already made new connections through my affiliation with Georgia Tech. It’s not just what you know, but who you know that enables you to move forward in the business world.

To Complete My Unfinished Academic Business and Cross Off a Bucket List Item

Perhaps the most significant reason to go back to school is to finally cross off a bucket list item and return to academia. My undergraduate work was in math and computer science, fields that have always held a special place in my heart and still do. I’ve often felt that I have some unfinished business in STEM-related pursuits, and this program at Georgia Tech offers the perfect opportunity to explore those interests further. I love helping people through the work we do at my company, Country Fried Creative, but as any small business owner knows, the “running the business” part can be tiresome. There’s not a lot of joy in paying taxes or calling clients who are past due on invoices—just patience and persistence.

Here’s a personal opinion that’s probably unpopular, but it’s truly how I feel: I am really tired of working with people who have closed minds, feel like they don’t have anything else to learn, and act like they have a monopoly on the only “right way” to do things. That probably seems strange coming from a middle-aged white man like me. Over the last ten years, I’ve learned more from young people than I have from any other source. I love working with students and adults who have an open mind and enjoy learning new things. As I’ve grown older, I realize how much I enjoy sharing with others and also learn for myself.

There’s something incredibly exciting and fulfilling about being a student again. When I was up at the Georgia Tech campus last week, it was like a homecoming for an introverted math and science geek like me. You mean there’s a special college for people like me? Apparently, there is. Fellow nerds – rejoice! I got my picture taken with the Albert Einstein statue. Did you know the Georgia Tech library has a special science fiction lounge? Tech also has an amateur (ham) radio club. Honestly, I didn’t know what I was missing all these years. If you can’t already tell, I’m pretty excited to be a Ramblin’ Wreck.

Going back to school and attending Georgia Tech at this point in my life is a big step. While it’s definitely going to be a challenge, it’s one I’m excited to take on. For me, it’s about leaning in to my passion for learning, building new relationships, and tackling the next level of what I do. I’m eager to see how this experience will shape my work, my thinking, and my future. Learning is a lifelong journey, and this is just another chapter in that story.

When I first posted about going back to school on social media, a few people messaged me about wanting to complete their unfinished degrees. Others asked what it’s like to be an older learner. Although there’s a lot of youth on campus, there are also plenty of gray-haired students. Let me encourage you to chase your dreams and finish school.

I look forward to sharing what I learn along the way and seeing where this new adventure at Georgia Tech will lead. Okay, Swarm, sound off in the comments section below—what’s the good word?

[Joe Domaleski, a Fayette County resident for 25+ years, is the owner of Country Fried Creative – an award-winning digital marketing agency located in Peachtree City. His company was the Fayette Chamber’s 2021 Small Business of the Year.  Joe is a husband, father of three grown children, and proud Army veteran.  He has an MBA from Georgia State University and enjoys sharing his perspectives drawing from thirty years of business leadership experience. Joe is a recipient of the Peachtree City Rotary Club Business Leader of the Year Award for 2024. Sign up for the Country Fried Creative newsletter to get marketing and business articles directly in your inbox. You can connect with Joe directly on LinkedIn for more insights and updates.]