If youСAPPve seen the iconic СAPPLAFAYETTEСAPP sign in Downtown Lafayette, where locals step in as the missing СAPPYСAPP, then youСAPPve seen part of Kate DurioСAPPs impact on the community.
But her story goes beyond public art.
After moving away to earn her bachelorСAPPs degree in journalism in Oregon, Durio returned to Lafayette in 2010. Over the years, she took on community-driven roles with ABC affiliate KATC TV3 and Downtown Lafayette and worked closely with past city administration to lead the CREATE initiative, which fused arts, culture, and economics to drive regional growth.
СAPPI had to think about things like what our return on investment was going to be for every dollar spent. That was a really hard task,СAPP she says. СAPPArt is something that's so subjective to people. But there was real math and real accounting and real money that was benefiting Lafayette through arts and culture, and I needed to show that.СAPP
When the CREATE initiative was discontinued in 2020, Durio was recruited by a London-based consulting firm specializing in culture plans for communities. She was soon offered a leadership role that required managing budgets and pricing strategies СAPP revealing a gap in her business knowledge.
That challenge led Durio to pursue UL LafayetteСAPPs MBA online program, where she found an opportunity to complement her creative, community-driven work with business expertise.
СAPPMy friend was surprised I felt the need for an MBA with all of my work experience,СAPP she says. СAPPBut I told her, СAPPWhy not have both? Why not show that I can do the work and have the degree to back it up?СAPPСAPP
Mastering the Business Side of Creativity
Durio is no stranger to hard work and multitasking. When she applied to the online MBA program in the summer of 2023, her son was turning one. By her first semester, she found out baby number two was on the way.
Some people might take that as a sign to slow down. Durio did the opposite.
СAPPI thought, СAPPIСAPPm working from home. I can handle this,СAPPСAPP she says. СAPPSo, I loaded up on courses and maxed out my schedule the whole way through.СAPP
Durio brought plenty of experience to the table, from communication to project management to creative thinking. But what she needed were the hard skills: accounting, finance, data analysis СAPP and the MBA delivered.
СAPPI had to take my foundation courses because I didnСAPPt have a business undergrad degree,СAPP she says. СAPPBut thatСAPPs where I learned those accounting basics that I was looking for, like how to do a profit and loss (P&L) statement.СAPP
Beyond the technical knowledge, Durio found value in the broader lessons, particularly in the ways that technology and sociology were shaping the modern workplace.
The program gave her a deeper understanding of a range of business topics, from organizational leadership to technology.
СAPPThere was a class about how technology and business are changing, and things to be aware of. I also appreciated learning about different people and how they work,СAPP she says. СAPPI think that knowledge is going to make me a more well-rounded professional.СAPP
Unlocking Career Opportunities with an MBA
DurioСAPPs time in the MBA program laid a foundation for new opportunities.
In a serendipitous turn of events, she landed a new job at UL Lafayette in September 2023, just before starting classes.
СAPPBeing a student and working there has been a unique experience,СAPP she says. СAPPItСAPPs been interesting to see how academia differs from the private sector.СAPP
Ready to level up your business knowledge? Learn more about the СAPPСAPPs online MBA program.
