Graduate School

Master’s Student Profile: Marco Ma, Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship (PRIME)

Marco is originally from Beijing, China. He moved to Worcester, MA to attend high school, then completed his undergraduate degree at Boston University in Business Administration with a dual-concentration in finance and strategy.

Moving to a new city and a new school is always exciting, even with the hint of uncertainty that comes with it. I visited campus last April and also received a wealth of information during the summer months for a smooth transition. It’s been great to meet like-minded peers and learn from their vastly different experiences and backgrounds, as well as from the PRIME faculty who gave us a warm welcome.

I think of my decision to pursue a master's degree as an opportunity to reposition myself after a year of work in the consumer products market and to reflect on my progression, and ultimately to pursue knowledge at a higher level. Especially with PRIME, a unique program that combines “the best of both worlds” between business and engineering/science, I get to explore another secondary field that I’m unfamiliar with (engineering). This learning opportunity is challenging but rewarding.

In the increasingly technologically advanced economy of today, I am hopeful that the PRIME degree will open up different paths, including opportunities with large corporations and small start-ups. Both types of organizations need employees who have an entrepreneurial spirit and can utilize the full potential of modern technologies to create exceptional value. Regardless of career choices, the knowledge and methods I have learned at Brown will benefit myself and my peers in the long run.