What were your professional goals when you started the MBA program? How did the Seidman MBA program help you achieve your goals?

I started the MBA program because I was joining my husband’s business that he started and ran as a solopreneur, and we wanted to grow it together. Coming from a nonprofit background, I knew that in business, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I wanted the broad foundation of an MBA to allow me to grow and run the business effectively. Over the course of my two-year program, we tripled the size of our business in revenue and number of employees, and it has continued to grow since I finished the program. I believe that my MBA contributed to that success in many ways.

What content or skills did you learn in the MBA program that you regularly use today?

The MBA program is very high level, so it is the larger concepts, principles, and awareness that I bring to my everyday work. I feel more confident leading a business and a team with all the knowledge I gained in the program under my belt. I also have a much better ability to tie together all the pieces of the business puzzle rather than getting siloed into one department or business function and not recognizing how a tweak in one area impacts the entire machine.

What was the most rewarding part of the Seidman MBA program?

I really enjoyed the cohort model. I was able to build relationships with my groupmates and classmates in a way that allowed us all to dive much deeper in discussions and collaborations and learn from each other as well as the professors. The program was challenging, but getting through it was rewarding not only in the sense of accomplishment but also in the way it impacted my career.

How were you challenged during the MBA program?

The MBA program has a demanding schedule when you have a full-time job on top of it – and the program is designed to go through while working. The structured two years made it much more predictable and easier to stay on track and finish on time. However, it also means that even when life throws you surprises like a pandemic or a parent experiencing a health issue, you must maintain your momentum to avoid falling out of the program altogether. Of course, these are challenging but important lessons to set up MBA students to succeed in the workforce, and the cohort model provides built in support from your groupmates.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering a Seidman MBA?

Only do it if you really want to learn and are invested in the subject matter. You’re going to get out of the program what you put in, and it requires a lot of discipline and initiative. If you’re just in it for the letters after your name, you probably won’t have a great experience.

Did your Seidman MBA change how you approach business and if so, how?

I see my business as a much more cohesive and holistic unit than I would have without the MBA program. Seidman really centers the program around strategy and how every area of a business is a different spoke of one wheel that needs to be aligned. Every business needs to have clear strategy as its north star.

How was your Seidman MBA helpful to you in advancing your career?

It helped me to know what I didn’t know. That may sound unhelpful, but in business, it’s incredibly helpful to be aware of potential pitfalls and legal ramifications. It’s helpful to know how different areas of business fit together and how they tie into an overall strategy. I would have had to learn a lot more things the hard way without the program.

How did your Seidman MBA shape your leadership style?

Having a clear strategy to tie everything back to makes leadership much more cut-and-dry. Our team has developed strong core values around our business strategy, and now we can make decisions much more confidently about whether a client, employee, partner, service offering, etc. fits our business.

If you were talking with someone today who is evaluating MBA programs, what criteria would you recommend they weigh the most in making a decision and why?

Are you just looking for credentials on your resume, or do you have an interest and passion for learning business? If you are excited about what you’re learning, it will carry you through. If you don’t have that genuine curiosity, you’ll struggle to motivate yourself to stay on top of the program and stay engaged.