John Behrens

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign – Gies College of Business iMBA

“Servant leader focused on building high-performing teams, great cultures, and brands that improve people’s lives.”

Age: 41

Hometown: Originally from Crystal Lake, Illinois, currently living in Appleton, Wisconsin

Fun fact about yourself: I’m originally from the Chicago area and used to work as an extra in films that were shooting in the city. You can see me in several major movies if you know where to look.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Martin Luther College, BA, Studies in Pastoral Ministry

Where are you currently working? Heartland Business Systems, Brand and Communications Team Lead

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I’m most proud of my resourcefulness and resiliency. I’ve taken a non-traditional path to arrive at this point in my career—from initially studying for pastoral ministry, to advertising and marketing work at creative agencies, to corporate marketing and brand strategy. I’ve managed to create a niche as a problem-solver who helps others articulate value, connect with customers, and drive business growth. In this context, I’m most proud of recent work I’ve done to engage cross-functional teams to solve business problems quickly and effectively, by designing and facilitating workshops that bring diverse perspectives together, create order and alignment around ideas, and result in output the team can put to use immediately to drive better results.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I had three criteria I was looking for in an MBA program: It had to be fully online, a high-quality program from a reputable institution, and affordable. Although it felt like I was looking for a unicorn, I found that the iMBA program from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois checked all three boxes. The program offered incredible affordability, while also delivering a top-quality MBA education from one of the most respected Universities in the world. As a bonus, Illinois is where I was born and raised, so having the opportunity to earn a degree from the University of Illinois also brought a great deal of home-state pride.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? Being part of a truly global MBA program has been my favorite aspect of the online experience. I’ve had a wealth of opportunities to meet, interact with, and collaborate with fellow students from all areas of the U.S., as well as countries that include Spain, Germany, Australia, Egypt, Morocco, India, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, Costa Rica … the list goes on. The diversity of the program brings perspectives and ideas I likely would not have been exposed to otherwise.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of feeling connected to the University and other students in a fully online program. However, Illinois does a fantastic job of prioritizing connection with other learners and with the University. Whether it was through online social platforms, live sessions, office hours, online or in-person meetups, there were countless opportunities to immerse myself in the program and build community. The network I’ve been able to build is incredible.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student?
I’ve felt more connected to more people in the online MBA program than I ever felt during my undergraduate experience. Likely this is partly because I’ve grown a great deal since then in skills and attitude toward network building and engaging in learning. Certainly, the technology platforms that exist to foster connection have played a part, as well. There’s also something to be said for the value of learning and collaborating with others who have been in their careers for some time and are eager to share and learn from each other’s experiences.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? It may sound cliché, but you really do get out what you put in. To thrive in an online MBA program, I believe it’s critical to make the effort to be actively involved, meet your fellow learners, attend online and in-person meetups, organize some meetups of your own—find avenues for connection and take advantage of them. I’ve had the opportunity to serve as a student ambassador and executive board member of our Graduate Business Association, which have enriched my experience immeasurably.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? One of my goals in earning my MBA was to learn the language of business. Every day since I started the program, I have come to work with a better understanding of the needs of the business and the perspectives of executive leadership. I’ve learned to ask the right kinds of questions and gained a deeper understanding of how my role plays a part in the bigger picture of our company’s operations. I’ve also learned critical skills that have allowed me to step into leadership with confidence and the right set of tools to help my team and organization realize their full potential.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? The program gave me the skills and the confidence to make a job change prior to graduation, which allowed me to advance into a leadership role within a new industry.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential program? One word: Flexibility. In addition to working full time, I am a husband and father of three. Time is at a premium. I needed the flexibility of a program that could fit into our family’s schedule, not supplant it. A residential program that would have required pausing my career or relocating my family simply would not have been feasible. Because relocating was not an option, this also meant my selection of residential programs would have been extremely limited by geography. Considering an online MBA program opened up far more options and provided the flexibility to earn my degree without major disruption to our lives.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: 15-25 hours, depending on course difficulty and number of courses taken

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long-term professional goal is to be in the room where the biggest challenges are being tackled, the hairiest problems solved, the most meaningful change initiatives considered, and the most important strategies devised. I’d like to maximize the impact I’m able to have in the lives of others. As of now I envision this looking like an executive leadership role with a growing company or an entrepreneurial venture of my own.