Earning an MBA Without Pressing Pause on My Career

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I didn’t want to press pause on my career to earn an MBA. I wanted to accelerate it.

At the time, I was an associate benefits consultant supporting senior leaders and managing client work. I could see the next level by owning client relationships, shaping strategy, influencing bigger decisions, but I knew I was missing key business tools to get there.

Walking away from my job wasn’t an option. The real question was whether I could earn a top-tier MBA while continuing to work full-time, and whether the investment would truly change my trajectory.

That led me to start researching online programs, including the UC Davis Online MBA.

Like many professionals considering graduate school, I kept coming back to one question: Would the investment actually be worth it?

I didn’t want opportunities to be off-limits simply because I didn’t have an MBA.

My Biggest Concerns: Tuition and Return on Investment

Before applying, I had the same concerns many working professionals do: Could I realistically balance a demanding job with graduate coursework, and would the investment pay off?

One factor that helped was support from my employer at the time. After researching programs and deciding to pursue the UC Davis Online MBA, I spoke with my manager about tuition support. The request was approved, and the company agreed to cover half of the tuition.

Even with that support, I thought carefully about the time commitment. In the end, the structure of the program made it manageable. Most quarters involved one or two evening classes during the week. Once I built a routine and stayed disciplined with my time, balancing work and school became much more practical.

The flexibility of the online format also helped. Without commuting or campus logistics, it was easier to fit the program into an already busy schedule.

Once you build a routine and stay disciplined, balancing work and an MBA becomes surprisingly manageable.

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The Class That Changed How I Look at Business

One of the first courses that made an impact on me was Quantitative Tools for Business, taught by Lecturer Cyrus Aram. The class introduced analytical frameworks and quantitative tools used throughout the program and helped me strengthen my ability to analyze business problems with data.

Later, a business strategy course had an immediate impact. At the time, I had moved into a role at a publicly traded healthcare company, and I began applying the strategic frameworks we studied directly to what I was seeing at work.

The MBA also strengthened my ability to interpret financial reports and balance sheets. Before the program, I could review financial statements but wasn’t always confident in analyzing them. Today, those skills help me better understand the financial drivers behind business decisions and contribute more effectively in conversations with leadership and partners.

Applying What I Learned Immediately at Work

One of the advantages of completing an MBA while working is that you can apply what you’re learning right away.

Throughout the program, I often found myself connecting concepts from class to real situations at work. Strategy frameworks, financial analysis and decision-making models all became tools I could use in my day-to-day role.

The MBA also helped me communicate more effectively with leaders inside my company and with external partners. Having a broader understanding of business strategy gave me more confidence in those conversations.

The MBA gave me the confidence to understand strategy, not just execute my role.

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Building Connections Beyond the Virtual Classroom

Networking wasn’t my main motivation going into the program. I was focused primarily on building new skills and earning the MBA. But as the program progressed, I began to see how valuable the community could be.

The MBA residential experiences were especially meaningful. Meeting classmates in person after seeing them in virtual classes helped build stronger connections, and those conversations often continued beyond the program.

The MBA residentials were where the online connections really became real relationships.

Today, many of those relationships have turned into a professional network I can lean on for perspective and support.

Who Thrives in the UC Davis Online MBA

Looking back, the people who thrive in the UC Davis Online MBA program tend to be self-motivated and disciplined. The flexibility is a big advantage, but it also means you need to manage your time and stay focused.

During the program, my life changed quite a bit. I switched jobs and welcomed a baby while working through the coursework. Support from my wife and a consistent routine made it possible.

For professionals who want to keep growing while continuing their careers, the experience can be incredibly rewarding. Completing the MBA remains one of the accomplishments I’m most proud of. The knowledge, confidence and connections I gained continue to shape my career.

And honestly, without the online option, I probably never would have pursued it.

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