Juan P. Lopez

University of Florida’s Hough Graduate School of Business Online MBA Program

“I am a determined and charismatic guy from Mexico that love languages and different cultures.”

Age: 37

Hometown: Los Mochis, Sinaloa, MX

Fun fact about yourself: I am an aviation geek. I know all types of commercial airplanes and all the tricks that airlines hide in their frequent flier programs. I love flying for (almost) free.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Arizona State University, BS in Industrial Engineering

Where are you currently working? I am currently working for the European division of Amazon Transportation Services. I am an Operations Industrial Engineer, but I am transitioning into a Product Manager role for the North American Expansion team within Amazon in Seattle.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am very proud of being able to make a career change after being in the workforce for more than 10 years. This is such an accomplishment given that this is very difficult to do when you have been an engineer your entire career.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I chose the online MBA program at the University of Florida for a few reasons. First, it was one of the best ones in the country. The program is structured in such a way that it is extremely convenient for people just like me to work full-time and still pursue our educational goal. Lastly, my manager recommended the program.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? My favorite part of the program was the people. First, my cohort was perfectly selected to support and challenge me in ways that I never thought possible. The caliber of the faculty made it so easy to learn and to understand the material. Finally, the staff that supports the online MBA program goes above and beyond to help you get set up and to make sure you get to the finish line. Even after graduation, the Career Services team helps you fine-tune your resume, prepare for interviews and elevator speeches.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? To be honest, I started the MBA because I wanted to move up in my career faster. A year into the coursework, my main motivation was not primarily my career anymore, but the wealth of information I was acquiring from not only the classes but also my classmates. I never thought I could possibly learn so much from my classmates.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? During my undergrad, I learned mainly by listening to the lectures and taking notes. I thought that most of the learning I will have to do by reading the textbooks. I was very pleasantly surprised when I learned that the faculty records lectures and some even give you lecture notes. I was able to efficiently absorb the material in a short time.

What would you change about an online MBA Program? Nothing.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? Yes, my MBA helped me to gain confidence on topics that I did not understand. Additionally, it helped me gave me a more well-rounded resume and I was able to get a job outside engineering.

If you had to do it all over again, would you? Why? Absolutely, the learnings that I got from the program are invaluable. I learned so much about myself and I learned not only from the faculty but also from my classmates. Additionally, thanks to the MBA, I was able to get a job that otherwise it would’ve been close to impossible to get.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I want to grow as a manager and develop people to achieve their potential.

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