Tobin Costen has had the good fortune of learning and teaching at his alma mater, Holy Names University. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in Communications and Marketing, his mother talked Costen into continuing his education. He was already making a successful living in the music industry, but he made the decision to earn an MBA anyway.
One of the reasons that Holy Names University caught his attention was the diverse amount of students and faculty at the private Catholic university. Another highlight was the amount of first-time family members who were attending the university, which was founded in 1868.
Three months after his graduation in 2008, a job opportunity in teaching became available. Costen knew teaching would be a bit of a challenge considering it wasn't in his background, but he had a passion for mentoring young people. So he gave it a shot.
Before graduation season ended that same year, he had the job. Costen started off as an adjunct professor and a basketball coach but quickly morphed into a regular professor. His background in marketing and finance worked to his benefit. Costen could use his real-world experiences to guide students in their careers.
Although his goal is to help students, Costen proudly admits that students have helped him as well. Their ideas and initiative have made him look at life in a different light. The sometimes strenuous process in the music industry doesn't work the same within an educational facility. In business, executives push the envelope. In education, professors have the opportunity to guide as mentors.
Patience is one of the strongest characteristics that Costen has improved on from being a business executive in his early 30s until now. While every student may not gravitate or understand a lesson the first time, empathy and endurance have helped him to work with a wider audience both in and out of the classroom.
For more of his thoughts on mentors and teaching, visit Consult with Costen.
One of the reasons that Holy Names University caught his attention was the diverse amount of students and faculty at the private Catholic university. Another highlight was the amount of first-time family members who were attending the university, which was founded in 1868.
Three months after his graduation in 2008, a job opportunity in teaching became available. Costen knew teaching would be a bit of a challenge considering it wasn't in his background, but he had a passion for mentoring young people. So he gave it a shot.
Before graduation season ended that same year, he had the job. Costen started off as an adjunct professor and a basketball coach but quickly morphed into a regular professor. His background in marketing and finance worked to his benefit. Costen could use his real-world experiences to guide students in their careers.
Although his goal is to help students, Costen proudly admits that students have helped him as well. Their ideas and initiative have made him look at life in a different light. The sometimes strenuous process in the music industry doesn't work the same within an educational facility. In business, executives push the envelope. In education, professors have the opportunity to guide as mentors.
Patience is one of the strongest characteristics that Costen has improved on from being a business executive in his early 30s until now. While every student may not gravitate or understand a lesson the first time, empathy and endurance have helped him to work with a wider audience both in and out of the classroom.
For more of his thoughts on mentors and teaching, visit Consult with Costen.
