Is an MBA Worth It? 3 Success Stories to Inspire

You've likely been weighing the pros and cons of pursuing a post-graduate degree for some time now. While it seems like a master's degree could unlock a lot of potential in your career pursuits, it's normal to feel a bit apprehensive about the investment of time and money when you don't fully know what to expect.

In your research, you'll come across a number of different statistics that support the ways a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree can help expand your career trajectory, from the specialized and transferable skills you'd gain to the all-important networking opportunities it could yield. But one of the best ways to learn about what awaits you in graduate school is to hear from those who were once in your shoes.

As you analyze your own personal and professional goals and wonder, "Is an MBA worth it?" consider the stories of these three business professionals who found success after earning their master's degrees.

Should I get an MBA? 3 graduates share their stories

The MBA program at Bellevue University is known for equipping graduates with critical business leadership skills and the knowledge to leverage them in ways that will drive results for their organizations. Many business professionals gain the specialized knowledge they need to drive their careers to the next level. Here are three of their stories:

Bringing real-life business experience into the classroom

Bellevue University alumna Christy Hayduk began her higher education endeavors by earning a bachelor's degree in advertising and public relations. But when she found herself working in human resources after graduation, she saw the value in increasing her qualifications and decided to go back to school.

That's when Hayduk found the Bellevue University College of Business. "I went back to get my MBA and take some additional courses that focused on human resources," she explains. One element that stood out about Bellevue University's MBA program was that its flexibility suited her busy lifestyle. "This particular program allowed me to work at my own pace, which was critical since I continued to work full-time and take classes in the evenings."

Hayduk completed her MBA while working at Valmont Industries, where she now serves as the Vice President and HR Business Partner of Global Infrastructure. Valmont has partnered with Bellevue University to offer employees the opportunity to pursue an MBA to build upon their leadership skills, awarding participants tuition reimbursement.

In addition to the flexibility it afforded, Hayduk enjoyed the MBA program at Bellevue University because of the emphasis placed on the practical application of business leadership skills. She wanted to be able to immediately put her newfound knowledge to work, and she found that Bellevue University allowed her to apply her real-life career experiences to what she was learning in her courses.

"The program was very relevant to what I was working on daily, so I was able to apply my learnings as I went through the program," Hayduk says. Today, she continues to apply the knowledge and skills she gained in the Bellevue University MBA program as she progresses in her professional life. "Having my degree has assisted me in furthering my career opportunities."

Transitioning from budding business professional to CEO

When Mark Mathia decided to pursue a post-graduate education with an MBA, one of the key elements he sought was flexibility. He was a young professional and a new father, so he needed an MBA program that could accommodate the demands of his busy life.

Mathia earned his master's degree from Bellevue University in 1999, having completed a combination of online and in-person classes. This blended learning format was rare at the time, but it offered the flexible dynamic he sought.

While it was the hybrid format that drew him in, Mathia was most impressed by the hands-on expertise of his instructors. "I was thrilled to discover that my professors were also actively participating in the business world," he says. "Not only did they bring real-world scenarios to the classroom, but their teaching was also relevant to the work I was doing in the business community. As a result, I quickly applied my learnings to my job and accelerated my career."

Mathia is now the Chief Executive Officer at Signature Performance, Inc. in the Greater Omaha area, a company that provides administrative services for the healthcare industry. "The skills I learned while earning my degree and the confidence I gained in business led to a robust career as an entrepreneur that integrated seamlessly into my role at Signature Performance," he notes.

Looking back, he maintains that an MBA is a great starting point for any professional. "I highly recommend the Bellevue University MBA for anyone who wants to kick start their career and grow professionally," Mathia encourages, adding that with education and the constant pursuit of knowledge, anything is possible in your career.

Leveling up while learning online

General Manager of the Union Omaha Soccer Club, Peter Marlette, was no stranger to educational pursuits. He holds a bachelor's degree in public policy and law, as well as a master's degree in sports management from the prestigious AISTS program in Lausanne, Switzerland. But there was still more he wanted to accomplish.

Marlette began to consider the idea of pursuing an MBA, but he wasn't sure he could fit it into his schedule. His role within the United Soccer League (USL) requires a lot of him, so if he was going to make the commitment to earn a master's degree, he'd need a program that would work for him.

That's when he found Bellevue University. Marlette was thrilled to learn that the MBA program was offered fully online. "Being able to knock out my assignments during the random hours I have available in my schedule is really the only way I was going to be able to pursue another degree," he says. "My admissions counselor and adviser have been helpful from the beginning, making getting started at Bellevue University that much easier."

As the United Soccer League's Official Education Partner, Bellevue University actually awards scholarships to players and provides tuition assistance across the entire USL ecosystem to include club and league employees, as well as family members of staff, coaches, and players. Marlette maintains that this is an opportunity that's hard to pass up.

"I think anybody who qualifies in the USL should be seriously exploring this educational opportunity with Bellevue University. This is a great partnership and a phenomenal opportunity for League employees to pursue a degree they might not have been able to obtain themselves," he says. Marlette is grateful to have been given the chance to continue working in a role he loves while he expands his skill set to become a more informed, better-prepared employee of the United Soccer League.

Start writing your own MBA success story

As you seek to determine whether an MBA is worth it, the stories of other professionals achieving their career goals after their own post-graduate pursuits can serve as a source of inspiration. And it's clear that Bellevue University is well-versed in partnering with busy professionals to provide the knowledge and skills they'll need to level up in their careers.

If you're eager to learn how you can set yourself apart in a competitive market, learn more by visiting Bellevue University's Master of Business Administration page.