Aidan Carroll with his teammates on Georgetown's men's lacrosse team and his classmates in the MS-GRA program
Student Experience

A Balancing Act: A Graduate Student-Athlete’s Perspective on Juggling School and Sport

This story is part of the Student Voices series, which provides a firsthand perspective of the student experience at Georgetown McDonough.

Aidan Carroll (SFS’24, MS-GRA’25), a McDonough Student Ambassador, is pursuing an M.S. in Global Real Assets (MS-GRA) at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business. Originally from Milton, Massachusetts, Carroll graduated from Georgetown’s Walsh School of Foreign Service in May 2024. Outside of academics, he is the captain of Georgetown’s Men’s Lacrosse team. 

Here, Carroll reflects on his Georgetown journey and lessons learned from balancing a rigorous academic experience with his athletic commitments. 

Aidan Carroll headshot

Aidan Carroll (SFS’24, MS-GRA’25)

Why Georgetown? 

After four years at Georgetown, I can say with confidence that any student would embrace the chance to spend one more year on campus. My interest in real estate and infrastructure drew me to the MS-GRA program, but the opportunity to spend another year immersed in the Georgetown community ultimately sealed my decision. That said, this opportunity warrants reflection and articulation. 

When deciding to pursue an M.S. in Global Real Assets, I thought back to our first lacrosse team meeting each fall. Every August, we return to the Thompson Athletic Center’s second-floor film room as a team. Freshmen, still finding their bearings, sit in the back row to avoid scrutiny while the rest of us fill in the rows. Assistant Coach David Shriver (C’11, S’20), who has coached the team for eight years, gives a speech each year about what it means to play lacrosse at Georgetown. This year, Coach Shriver added, “92% of your time will be spent preparing — practices, lifts, film, meetings, and travel. Only 8% of your time will be spent in games.” Despite the hundreds of hours spent in preparation, people inevitably focus on two letters separated by a hyphen: “W-L,” wins and losses. It’s a reductive metric that you hope reflects how you spent the 92%. 

Academics can be similarly reductive. Every semester is distilled into a single line on a transcript: three numbers separated by a decimal point. But behind that line are late nights with peers in the Hariri Building, hours in “Lau” (Lauinger Library) studying for finals, energizing discussions during group projects, and dedicated rehearsals for a 10-minute marketing presentation — experiences made invaluable by the people surrounding me at Georgetown. 

As a student-athlete, time outside of school and sport is limited, which makes Georgetown’s dynamic location in the nation’s capital and the exceptional caliber of its community even more impactful. These factors ultimately drove my decision to pursue the MS-GRA at Georgetown McDonough. There is nowhere else like Washington, D.C. — a city defined by its role as the center of policy, innovation, and global impact — and Georgetown stands at the heart of it, drawing individuals uniquely driven to lead, collaborate, and solve the country and world’s most pressing challenges. 

My Journey on the Lacrosse Field

Carroll and his lacrosse teammates

Carroll and his lacrosse teammates

In high school, I vividly remember watching Jake Carraway score on the run during Georgetown Lacrosse’s Big East Championship, with the bench and Coach Warne erupting in celebration. I knew then I wanted to be part of that momentum. Overlooked at recruiting tournaments, I often struggled, going entire weekends without scoring. Eventually, I earned an opportunity to join Georgetown Men’s Lacrosse, not as a star recruit but as someone expected to contribute and grow within the team. 

My first year was during the COVID-19 pandemic, with no fall season and strict restrictions, but we were fortunate to play in the spring while living in Arrupe Hall. I spent that year and the following on the scout team, running plays in practice to prepare the starters but rarely seeing the field. During those two years, we won Big East Championships and competed in the NCAA tournament. By my junior year, I earned a spot on the second midfield line, and by senior year, I was starting at attack and serving as team captain. 

What I value most about my experience with Georgetown Men’s Lacrosse — besides the relationships I’ve formed — is the journey from backup to starter and the unwavering emphasis on the importance of every role, especially the scout team. The belief that a team is only as strong as its last player on the bench is often discussed, but rarely achieved. At Georgetown, that standard was not just talked about — it was strived for every day. 

Transition to the MS-GRA Program 

Deciding to pursue a master’s degree was a natural extension of my Georgetown journey. As an undergraduate student, I chose Georgetown because it offered me the flexibility to explore a wide range of opportunities. As someone unsure about my career aspirations, whether in government, the private sector, or even on a global stage, Georgetown stood out for offering exceptional opportunities to explore all three. 

Carroll and MS-GRA students in the classroom

Carroll and his MS-GRA classmates

As I progressed through my undergraduate studies, the idea of contributing to the energy transition became increasingly appealing. With the momentum of the Inflation Reduction Act and its focus on infrastructure, I was drawn to gaining a deeper understanding of real estate and infrastructure. The MS-GRA program’s focus on real estate fundamentals and hands-on learning made it the perfect fit. Georgetown’s location in Washington, D.C., was equally compelling. From studying on the fifth floor of Lauinger Library with views of the Potomac River and Washington Monument to attending events with policymakers or real estate walking tours of M Street, Georgetown offers a unique combination of academic depth and practical experience. 

Community and Key Influences 

In my Urban Economics course this fall, we learned that the core foundation of any city is its human capital. Washington, D.C., thrives on this and Georgetown has a way of attracting some of the most well-rounded individuals. 

At Georgetown, human capital is its greatest strength. As a student-athlete, I’ve benefited from a close-knit community of professors, coaches, and peers who constantly challenge me. Two individuals in particular have exemplified this: Professor Matthew Cypher, director of the Steers Center for Global Real Estate, and Al Latell, executive director of the Cooper Athletics Leadership Program. 

Professor Cypher’s dedication to real estate education is unmatched. From his insistence on punctuality (just ask anyone who’s been late to his class) to his commitment to bringing in top industry leaders, he has turned the Steers Center into a hub for real estate excellence, always focused on preparing students for the professional world. 

Latell has been a transformative mentor for student-athletes. Through leadership discussions and co-curricular programming, he creates space for athletes to grow beyond their sport. These two individuals stand out not because they are exceptions, but because they embody Georgetown’s values — a deep commitment to student growth and a care and concern for others. 

Sights Set Forward

Outside of my studies, I am interning at the Endowment for the Carnegie Science Research Institute in D.C., researching investments in the infrastructure sector. It has been exciting to utilize the knowledge gained from courses like Infrastructure Finance and Social Infrastructure during my internship. After graduation, I plan to leverage my MS-GRA degree in New York to contribute to the real assets space.

-Aidan Carroll (SFS’24, MS-GRA’25)

Tagged
M.S. in Global Real Assets
McDonough Student Ambassadors
Steers Center for Global Real Estate
Student Voices