Engineering

What inspired you to pursue an MBA while continuing to work full time?  

I knew I wanted an MBA to progress my career in operations and transition into strategy and leadership roles. I was happy with my current employer and knew it was the right industry for me. Ultimately, I decided to continue working and do the Evening MBA program. My employer helps sponsor a portion of the program tuition, which was another big selling point for the Evening MBA.   

What challenges did you encounter balancing work responsibilities with the demands of the MBA program? 

So far, it hasn’t been too difficult balancing work and school. However, I continue to have open dialogue with my manager and team about my MBA responsibilities and have set boundaries to ensure my work responsibilities don’t get in the way of my classes. Since there is not as much time to work outside of normal business hours, I have had to be more efficient during the workday to ensure I meet both my work and school responsibilities.   

How has your engineering background shaped the way you approach your MBA coursework and class discussions? 

I have approached my MBA coursework with an open mind and curiosity. While some of the topics have come naturally due to my engineering background, like data analytics, a lot of the course material is new for me. Unlike many of my engineering courses in undergrad, the lecture topics and class discussions are relevant to everyday life and are applicable to my job in industry.    

Are there particular concentrations, electives, or certificates that you’ve found especially valuable as a working professional with an engineering background? 

Both finance and accounting were valuable to me as an engineer, as it enabled me to gain a different perspective about the work I’m doing.  I’m taking an elective called Negotiation and Conflict Management, which I believe is very valuable for engineers. It has given me more confidence in the workplace when dealing with conflict.   

Which engineering-based skills (analytical, technical, or problem solving) have been most beneficial during your MBA studies? 

Both the analytical and problem-solving skills I have developed in engineering coursework and work experiences have been beneficial during the MBA. While problem-solving is typically more strategic and less technical in business classes, these skills have been applicable in every class I’ve taken so far and have helped me succeed.   

Were there any knowledge gaps that you wish you had strengthened before starting the program? 

During my undergrad at UIUC, I took introductory business classes in finance, accounting, and marketing. These helped provide a baseline understanding of the material. The professors do a great job tailoring the material to both people who have business experience and those who don’t.   

How have you built and expanded your professional network while managing both work and school? 

Being engaged in class discussions and chatting with peers before, during, and after class have been the main ways I’ve networked with my peers. I’ve also developed friendships with other classmates through activities outside of class, like sporting events and hobbies, like running.   

What types of career paths or advancement opportunities are you considering as you combine your engineering experience with your MBA training? 

I am interested in a career in operations management, so my goal is to utilize both my engineering experience and MBA training to transition into more of a leadership or strategy role within operations.   

Based on your experience so far, how do employers view candidates who bring an engineering background into business focused roles? 

Having an engineering background in business-focused roles is valuable due to our training in problem-solving and our understanding of the technical aspects of the business, whether it be the specific product or service or data analytics. Many of the operations and manufacturing leaders that I’ve come across have an engineering background.   

What advice would you offer to other working professionals in engineering who are considering part-time or executive MBA programs? 

1. Discuss with your current employer about any tuition reimbursement programs available.
2. Find mentors who have similar backgrounds who earned an MBA and have careers you are interested in pursuing. 

Have any specific resources (books, podcasts, courses, mentors, or professional groups) been particularly helpful in your journey? 

Mentors within my company who pursued MBAs have been helpful in all parts of my journey so far. The friends I’ve made in the program have helped make the transition back to school smoother. I have also found it helpful to be up to date on business current events, so I listen to the “Morning Brew Daily” podcast every day.   

Which emerging trends in the engineering or technology sectors do you think MBA students — especially working professionals — should be aware of? 

The obvious answer here is AI; it is taking over all the tech news recently. Having a good understanding of it and how to best utilize it personally and professionally is critical.   

In what ways are you leveraging your engineering expertise in your current role as you grow your business leadership skills? 

My role as a manufacturing engineer is inherently technical, especially since we are manufacturing an implantable medical device. However, I have been able to utilize the knowledge I’ve gained through my MBA classes to be more effective in the role. Through learnings in both managerial accounting and finance, I am better able to identify cost-savings opportunities and discuss the benefits with site leadership.