Abby Milne

Contact Abby

What inspired you to pursue graduate study in commerce, and what are your goals for the program?

I am pursuing the M.S. in Commerce to augment my academic background in the arts and humanities with tangible, marketable business skills. I joined this program to learn business fundamentals (like brand, data, and financial management), round out my education with quantitative coursework, and gain exposure to a broader range of potential career paths. I hope to apply my skills from this program to a career in marketing/public relations, human resources, hospitality, or nonprofit administration.

What courses or topics in commerce are you most excited to explore during the program?

Some of my favorite courses have been quantitative—I am embracing the challenge of taking classes outside of my academic comfort zone! Right now, I am enjoying learning managerial accounting in Professor Roberts’ Strategic Cost Management course and studying IT systems in Professor Lukyanenko’s Systems course. In the spring, I hope to take elective courses in data management and the impact of AI on the modern workplace.

What drew you to the M.S. in Commerce Program at UVA McIntire?

As a third-year UVA undergraduate, I realized it would be possible for me to graduate a year early. I applied for the M.S. in Commerce as a 3+1 student, which would allow me to trade a traditional fourth year for 10 months in McIntire’s intensive, cohort-based program. The M.S. in Commerce offered a business framework for applying the skills I built in my undergraduate studies, and I was excited to meet classmates from diverse academic backgrounds who would each bring a unique perspective to our cases and group projects.

What are you most looking forward to as you begin the M.S. in Commerce Program?

I am looking forward to starting my track-specific courses! M.S. in Commerce classes fall into three terms: the fall Integrated Core Experience (ICE), spring track and elective courses, and the capstone Global Immersion Experience (GIE). After building a broad foundation in ICE, I am excited to move into focused classes on marketing and management and, eventually, to travel and explore businesses abroad through the GIE!

What extracurriculars, clubs, or activities are you hoping to get involved with during your time here?

Outside of McIntire and the Ambassadors program, I plan to stay involved in student theater groups and check out the Salsa Club. (For the fall semester, I am in the cast of Spectrum Theatre’s production of “Falsettos.”)

What’s one place in Charlottesville (or on Grounds) you’re most excited to visit or explore?

I hope to spend more time studying and shopping on the Downtown Mall. Some personal favorite spots: The Beautiful Idea bookstore, the Tea Bazaar, and the farmer’s markets downtown and Ix Art Park!