KENNETH’S STORY
His artistic talent earned him a place at the Art Institute of Boston, majoring in illustration. However, Kenneth left after a year because he was disappointed with the course content and did not want to waste his time on a course that did not fulfill him or develop his talents and aspirations. After some self-reflection, deliberation and research, he eventually decided to go to CUNY to study business and entrepreneurship to learn how to turn his artistic skills into “a business not a just passion.”
Upon graduation from the CUNY program, he took a break for a year to evaluate his next step. He experimented and explored different areas, starting a number of innovative art ventures and productions. He also took hospitality jobs to help finance his ventures. Yet Kenneth still felt as though he were missing something and, while he was contemplating joining the Peace Corps, his mentor advised him to look at DMGS.
He is well aware that many may not immediately make the connection between the study of Intelligence in conjunction with Business Entrepreneurship or Art.
Consequently, Kenneth goes on to explain that there are many areas in the private sector that require intelligence skills, describing it as an underserved field that is wide open for graduates. As time has progressed, Kenneth’s eyes have increasingly been opened to the niche positioning that a Master’s in Intelligence could bring to him to make him highly marketable in his fields of interest.
“I realized that being adept at intelligence-gathering in Business Arts and Media would be a specialized niche. I wouldn’t have to start my own business but instead would instantly have differentiated value upon graduation.”
To explain this further, Kenneth describes how intelligence is a key factor in making effective market and business decisions since being competitive requires knowing what competitors are doing in the marketplace. Even coming up with the title to a song can be amplified by intelligence gathering techniques as that information strengthens all strategic decision-making.
‘The Fundamentals of Intelligence course really taught me how to gather human intelligence – not just as it applies to spies – but to effectively make “informed decisions” using competitive intelligence. I learned how to craft a market analysis through public information. Knowing where to look and how to search things out it essential in all areas of business.”
Kenneth then turns to the subject of his professors. Like all the other students at DMGS, Kenneth cannot help but comment on how exceptional members of DMGS’ faculty are. In his opinion,, compared to other professors who “speak much but say little,”DMGS’ professors really deliver what he calls “the bottom line of knowledge in their subjects,” adding that there is “no fluff or wordiness” as they simply and clearly present relevant information in a succinct and pertinent form.
“They have years of experience and can therefore distill down what really matters in a real work setting. They then communicate the essence of each topic in a way that sticks with the student. Educators like this are few and far between. It is amazing to be in such small classes with such great professors.”
At DMGS, one can’t help but feel the warmth and camaraderie amongst the students. This is something that Kenneth clearly feels very deeply himself.
“I also admire my fellow students who have all done such amazing things before coming here. They inspire me to up my game and it humbles me to break bread and to study alongside people who have experienced even greater challenges than I and who ensure that I always keep an open mind.”
Pressed for an example of this, Kenneth talks about a couple of his fellow students: one who is a Kurd from Iran and one from Georgia who has lived in the shadow of the Soviet Union.
Before ending the discussion, Kenneth says that he must also stress two other things: DMGS’ speaker series and the school’s founder, Abby Moffat. The events, he says, have been hugely important to the learning environment because they reinforce what students are taught in the classroom and they also provide great networking opportunities, as students have the chance to engage with a number of prominent people in their fields of interest.
In describing Abby Moffat, he recounts how much she adds to the positive culture of DMGS. Kenneth also mentions that Abby has been particularly inspiring and encouraging to him on a personal level and that has made a big difference in his life.
“Abby Moffat brings a nurturing and compassionate entrepreneur spirit to the school. Her strength, kindness and insights drive the organization, just as my grandmothers’ strengths and courage drove the successes within my own family.”
