How an MBA Helped Kevin Bucardo Grow as a Leader

When Kevin Bucardo '25MBA started at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), his career in finance was already underway — but he said he wanted to keep going.

He earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Finance, becoming the first in his family to graduate with a master's degree. And according to Bucardo, this won't be his last 'first.'

"I have a five-year plan right now, which is to just reach higher levels at where I work," Bucardo said, noting that his employer offers ample opportunities for advancement.

Along the way, Bucardo said he believes it's important to challenge himself. "If we don't pursue things that make us uncomfortable, we get complacent," he said.

Earning a master's degree was another challenge conquered.

Why an MBA?

Bucardo said his MBA with a concentration in Finance from SNHU proved to be immediately applicable in his role. "There's a lot of information I use on a daily basis," he said.

He noted that the finance concentration helped him further develop his skills in financial management and analysis. But Bucardo said he was primarily drawn to earning an MBA to strengthen his leadership skills.

"I wanted to understand how I can lead people better," he said. "How can I have better conversations with them?"

Throughout his program, he learned that and more.

"It allowed me to just understand a little bit more about how people work in those corporate environments," he said, "but also — how can I adapt those particular skills into my everyday life and also my work?"

According to Bucardo, good leaders can properly accept feedback and opinions, synthesizing that information to create a plan of action. He said leadership is also about inspiring others.

"I love what I do — it doesn't feel like a job," he said. "It was the same with getting my master's."

Schedule and Support

The online structure and environment at SNHU was a good fit for Bucardo as a working adult. "What surprised me was how easy it was for me to adapt," he said.

With SNHU's flexible course schedule, Bucardo noted that he was able to work, spend time with loved ones and keep up with the gym while in courses at SNHU. "Being able to do school while doing all those things — that was surprising," he said.

That isn't to say he didn't experience uncertainty along the way. "I believed at some point that maybe I could fall short," he said.

But Bucardo said reading and practicing self-talk helped quiet his doubts. His support system made a difference, too. For instance, he said his academic advisor reached out along the way with helpful reminders and encouragement.

"You've got to have some sort of support," he said, noting that even small gestures from family and friends can go a long way while you're earning a degree.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor’s and master’s, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon’s short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on LinkedIn.