Role & Company: Client Insights Analyst, IRi
Location: Greater Seattle Area
1. Please describe where you were in your career when you first considered getting an MBA. What were you looking for in an MBA program?
When I first thought about getting my MBA, I had just found out that I was going to be in the market for a new client. The transition period between my clients was about six months, and I spent the first two months of my transitional period thinking about where I saw my career five years down the line. I have always been interested in being a brand manager, and in order to do so, I would need to get my MBA.
In an MBA program, I was looking for flexibility because I don't always know who my next client is going to be and I wanted the opportunity to be able to move if needed. When applying to undergraduate schools, SCU was at the top of my list, but at the time it didn't work out. When I found out that SCU had an Online MBA program, I knew that this was my opportunity to fulfill my dreams of becoming a Bronco!
2. Please describe your experience with the SCU Online MBA program.
I have had a great experience with this program, and what I have enjoyed most is being able to collaborate with others. Since joining the program, I have been able to network with other classmates that work at various Silicon Valley companies. The program has facilitated my networking experience by providing multiple group projects where you get an opportunity to work with someone you may not have worked with before, and learn more about them and their background.
I recently moved out of Silicon Valley, and I still feel very involved with my cohort. Group projects and collaboration with others happens in every course, and the camaraderie between the professors and students really shows how engaged the professors are and how dedicated they are to students' success.
3. How have you been able to incorporate learnings from the program into your work?
Learning in this program is very hands-on, and I think being able to absorb something from a PowerPoint in class and then later that week actually apply it in a project or assignment at work really helps the modules come full circle!
For example, in one of the marketing classes that we took at the beginning of the program, there was a case study provided every week. We had to read the study and come up with a solution to the problem that was posed. This was great practice for my everyday role, and I found the different case studies helpful for understanding how to brainstorm solutions and propose them to my clients.