Frequent Flyers & Road Warriors: Commuting for Your Executive MBA

Introduction

When Tim Kelley was in the Executive MBA (EMBA) program, he drove seven minutes to the Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. every other Thursday to hop on a four-hour direct flight to Salt Lake City, Utah. Like many other students in the program, Kelley felt the commute across state lines was worth it.

Students at the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business travel far and wide to obtain their Executive MBA, including across the state and even the country. The return-on-investment students receive from their education means a long commute across the nation is worthwhile.

EMBA classes are held every other weekend, allowing students to gain skills and increase their work performance without interruptions to their current careers. In this guide, you will learn from EMBA students why they chose to commute great distances for their Executive MBA and why they believe the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business made their MBA journey worth it.

“I would take the 4:45 p.m. flight Thursday evening, to get to Salt Lake City around 7:15 p.m. to have a team meeting the night before class, and then I would go back Sunday morning. Some of the readings that weren’t part of group work I would leave until my flight.”

Tim Kelley University of Utah Executive MBA

Make the Most of Your Commute

Don’t let flights and long drives deter you from pursuing a top-quality MBA. For many EMBA students, the commute provides them time to catch up on homework and readings, get ahead of assignments, or discuss course work and group projects with colleagues in their cohort.

A long commute time doesn’t always have to be burdensome. Using downtime during the commute allows students to enjoy extra time outside of school to stay connected with family and friends and commit to other important responsibilities.

John Abreu, EMBA alumnus and CFO and COO for Portneuf Medical Center, commuted two-and-a-half hours by car to the University of Utah from Pocatello, Idaho. Abreu took advantage of this commute by traveling with another classmate in the area.

“[My classmate and I] would debrief on Saturday driving back home,” said Abreu. “We would discuss what we learned in class and how it impacted our life. We were in the same group so that we could talk about group-related issues along with class-specific issues.”

“It’s a top-20 school, and I am an executive, so the schedule was super important. I can’t go to class three times a week. The quality of the program was worth it to me.”

John Abreu University of Utah Executive MBA

Create a Travel Plan (and a Contingency Plan, Too)

Planning out a commute can be difficult for anyone, but it is especially true when that commute requires you to travel across state lines. The best way to alleviate the stress of traveling is to plan as much as you can ahead of time. For students flying or driving long distances for their MBA, preparation has included checking the weather, checking flight schedules, arranging to carpool with another classmate, and booking hotels or other places to stay well ahead of time. With a plan, long commutes don’t have to be stressful.

Now an EMBA alumnus and project manager with the Army, Tim Kelley commuted across the country after relocating to the east coast. During his coursework, Kelley moved from Riverton, Utah to Virginia. This move meant a four-hour flight from Reagan National Airport to Salt Lake International Airport every Thursday night. Like other EMBA commuters, Kelley planned his commute ahead of time to ensure he could address any issues that came up while traveling.

“I make sure I have a contingency plan,” said Kelley. “Some things are out of your control, like nasty weather or situations that could delay travel plans. These things can have an impact, so having options to mitigate and address challenges is something to think about.”

“My friend in Idaho Falls would get up an hour earlier, drive to Pocatello, leave his car at my house, and we would drive together. We would always leave at 5:00 a.m. and get in at 7:30 a.m. I would grab a bite to eat and be in class by 8:00 a.m.”

John Abreu University of Utah Executive MBA

Remain Connected with Your Team and Cohort

Commuting to campus from out of state can reduce the amount of time you socialize or work in person with your cohort of colleagues. However, there are ways students can work remotely with classmates and not lose any valuable relationships or networking opportunities.

Executive MBA students created strategies to remain organized and connected with their colleagues while commuting across the country by:

• Arranging time to meet in-person with their cohort

• Using video conferencing

• Strategizing and delegating assignments ahead of time

Maintaining contact with your cohort helps avoid confusion, frustration, and anxiety regarding group work. This solution can come through various outlets, but arranging in-person meetings is also vital to building networks and success in the program.

“Try to have in-person meetings,” said Abreu. “Come up Thursday night and have a group meeting in person. It is better for the group from a team perspective.”

“My group worked out a rhythm at the beginning of each new class in which we knew exactly who would do what throughout that particular course, which helped me plan out time commitments several weeks in advance.”

Katrina Holt University of Utah Executive MBA

Use Time Management Skills to Meet Family Obligations

Furthering your education is crucial in building your career, but it can also stress your relationships. Although the EMBA program is already designed to accommodate these priorities through a weekend format, students can take steps to ensure further their responsibilities are not neglected.

For some students in the program, this means setting aside designated time to spend with family. For Katrina Holt, EMBA alumnus, this was especially important, as she was raising two young children while commuting to school.

“At nights and on weekends, I would have to purposefully plan out my time to ensure that I was spending quality time with them whenever possible,” said Holt. “This meant I was often doing homework early in the morning or at night after they had gone to bed. Sometimes, my son and I would sit and do homework together, which still felt like quality time.”

When traveling becomes more frequent during the program, it is helpful to take advantage of your support systems, especially in your work and family. Prioritize the time you have at home so that you can make the most out of your MBA experience.

“It’s 16 hours of class time, plus five hours of driving, and assignments they give you for outside of class. You have to have a good support system or else you will start having problems at work and home. Time management: that is the secret.”

John Abreu University of Utah Executive MBA

Remember Why You are Commuting

Commuting is a stressful process in general, so why do some students embrace commuting for their Executive MBA? It’s simple; the University of Utah’s EMBA program is worth it. The Financial Times ranks the Eccles School’s EMBA program:

• #1 in the state of Utah

• top 3 in the West

• top 20 in the United States

Out-of-state commuters also have the opportunity to apply for an EMBA scholarship. Designed to help support travel costs and increase geographic diversity, this scholarship offers students an award of up to $10,000. Contact the Executive MBA office at EMBA@Utah.edu and indicate your interest in the Outof-State-Admit Scholarship to see if you qualify.

Students also gain a strong return on investment for their participation. Students see an average 50 percent salary increase three years after graduation, with 33 percent receiving a promotion while in the program.

The EMBA program provides a high-level general management curriculum with an international focus. You will be learning from world-class faculty and renowned colleagues who often have extensive real-world consulting experience.

“I thought those relationships and resources were too valuable to transition to a different option. I wanted to retain access to the EMBA professors, curriculum, support staff and most importantly, my fantastic team and cohort.”

Tim Kelley University of Utah Executive MBA