Student Perspective on Utah's MBA Programs Guide

STUDENT PERSPECTIVE

ON UTAH’S MBA PROGRAMS

Making the decision to go back to school and pursue an MBA can be difficult. You may be worried about whether or not graduate education will fit in your busy schedule, if it is worth the investment, or what type of MBA program is right for you. Luckily, many busy professionals have gone through this same dilemma. Read through this guide to hear insights from the University of Utah’s MBA students and learn more about what it means to pursue an MBA at the U.

THE MBA AT THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH ONE DEGREE; FOUR FORMATS

FULL-TIME MBA

Designed for individuals with at least one year of post-graduate work experience seeking an immersive, hands-on solution to achieve career goals

PROFESSIONAL MBA

Designed for early- to mid-career professionals seeking career advancement or an industry change; hybrid format; one night in person and one online

MBA ONLINE

Designed for working professionals seeking an innovative, online solution to achieve career advancement or change industries

EXECUTIVE MBA

Designed for senior-level professionals seeking executive-level strategy and leadership skills; classes held on campus every other weekend.

The Robert H. and Katherine B. Garff Building, home to the University of Utah’s MBA programs

DECIDING TO PURSUE AN MBA

There are many factors involved in deciding to pursue an MBA, from wanting to pivot careers to seeking growth within your organization. Hear why our students made the return to education.

Tom Varghese, Ph.D. Executive MBA

“I’ve been an attending thoracic surgeon for 14 years, and I’m constantly surrounded by outstanding individuals in health care. I wanted an opportunity to start picking the brains of classmates and talents beyond the same people that I see each and every day. I wanted to learn the core principles of business, but more so, I wanted to engage with people beyond health care.”

Stacie Lupo MBA Online

“I had been contemplating getting an MBA for years, and with the onset of the pandemic, I realized there would never be a perfect time to go back to school. Knowing that my long-term goal was to continue in leadership and transfer my skills to the biotechnology industry, I knew that an MBA was my only and best opportunity to bridge that skill gap.”

Jake Edelman

Full-Time MBA

“I got to a point in my career where it was time for a change. It clicked in my head that the only thing stopping me from doing an MBA was the GMAT; I knew I would regret it if I didn’t take the test and apply. As for change, an MBA was the opportunity for me to pivot out of consulting and get into something new.”

CHOOSING THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

While deciding to pursue an MBA is difficult, so is finding the program that is right for you. There are many programs across the U.S. and world; learn why our students chose to get their MBA at the University of Utah.

Corey Blanchet Professional MBA

“I got accepted into MBA programs at Utah and BYU. In my experience, what allows a company to globalize and stay agile is a diverse range of thinking... What I’ve found at the University of Utah is that there’s a passion in the faculty that I have not found anywhere else; the program is gaining momentum and rankings year after year.”

Linton Crockford-Moore MBA Online

“Living in Dubai and being very busy, I needed a program that worked with long-distance learning and aligned with my particular values. I did a lot of research on many universities in the U.K. and the U.S. and came across the University of Utah. A lot of my choice was about the reputation, so I decided to attend this program online and am enjoying it tremendously.”

Yuan Ji, Ph.D. Executive MBA

“When I was deciding on my program, I noticed that Utah’s faculty is hand-picked by the deans and were recruited from some of the best business schools in the country and world. I didn’t feel like the program was just trying to attract me, it actually delivers the quality with its faculty.”

THE CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE

At the heart of the MBA degree is the learning that takes place in the classroom and the professors that direct it. Whether in-person or online, hear what our students have to say about their time in class.

Natasha Eldridge MBA

Online

“I still feel very connected with the staff and with my classmates. I found professors to be absolutely phenomenal; they do a good job preparing you for webinars each week and then add even more when students come together with a wealth of knowledge and exchange of ideas. Class leaves you so uplifted and inspired and makes you want to do better the next week in any way.”

Chance Murray

“From administration to faculty, everyone is open to questions, new ideas, and new opportunities. The University of Utah was initially not on my radar, but I came and met with professors, the Director of the MBA program, and students and fell in love with what’s happening here. They have an interest in my education and they will do whatever it takes to help me succeed.”

Aaron Call MBA

Online

“When you think about lectures, you think of sitting for a few hours and glazing over something. Instead, I’ve had the flexibility to watch lectures wherever I want, whether that’s on my phone or my computer. I’ve had professors that I really look up to and see as role models. They aren’t just academics, they bring their high-level work experience and provide so much to draw from.”

Full-Time MBA

FITTING AN MBA INTO A BUSY SCHEDULE

One of the most common concerns about pursuing an MBA is whether or not the program will be compatible with a busy work schedule. Hear from students who have worked while completing their degree.

Nicole Kimball MBA Online

“I chose Utah’s MBA Online program because I was traveling all the time. The program allowed me to stay on schedule and still attend my webinars while I was traveling, whether it was from the hotel room or the airport. It offered the flexibility that I needed to maintain my full-time career.”

Jenny Prescot Executive MBA

“The EMBA program is designed to help busy professionals succeed. Everything that can be done for you is done, and it really makes it so you get to focus on what you want to achieve from the program and what you need to be more successful and grow. ”

Bryce Brinkman Professional MBA

“Some choose to do a little bit of work each day and some choose to hammer out the work over the weekend. With the PMBA schedule, I’ve been able to work my job throughout the week and finish school work on weekends. This is also because I have an amazing team that’s willing to help get work done.”

NETWORKING IN THE PROGRAM

An incredible benefit of pursuing an MBA that is often overlooked is the networkbuilding opportunity the degree provides. Hear what our MBA students have to say about their cohort and the connections they formed in the program.

Jordan Hernandez MBA Online

“My cohort had a very diverse group; I have a finance background, so I found it interesting working with people from operations and HR backgrounds. It caused people to answer questions and do projects in different ways and allowed me to see the same issue from different vantage points.”

Mike Rogers Executive MBA

“When I got matched with my team at during the intensive week that starts the program, I had no idea who these people were. We were given exercises that allowed us to get to know each other, and within two hours, I got to know them very well. My experience with my team throughout the program really re-laid the groundwork for how group work is supposed to happen for me.”

Evan Urbina MBA Online

“I typically like to do things myself, but the group work in the program has been awesome. Everyone has different skills — I’m not that good at spreadsheets and am better at writing, so our group helps each other accordingly. It’s a huge part of why we’re all doing this: for the networking and to see how other people think in different industries.”

THE CAREER IMPACT OF AN MBA

The impact an MBA will have on your career is what the degree is all about; it is designed to propel individuals into leadership roles and allow them to pivot industries. Hear what an MBA helped our students accomplish.

Mellanie Page

MBA Online

“The program has closed gaps in quantitative and financial understanding, areas like communication and leadership, and has really helped me advance my professional network. I recently got a promotion to senior VP of Clinical Operations and I’ve also had the opportunity to extend my reach through some entrepreneurial efforts that I’ve made and other things I enjoy.”

Brant Whitehead

Professional MBA

“I was able to accept a new position with Cambia Health Solutions; it was a great pivot for me that allowed me to blend the MBA and the MHA degree. It was a great opportunity to have [the help of career coaches] and put forward my best effort in getting a new job. I know that I can still go back and talk to them about negotiating raises or advancements.”

Tom Burchill Professional MBA

“I received a promotion, and a large part of that was the skills I had gained from the PMBA program. Before I started the program, I didn’t really feel ready to take on leadership roles in a way where I really owned it. Now, I feel like I can comfortably be in that position and lead teams.”