Emily Wissinger

Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business Online Hybrid MBA

“Spontaneous, dedicated, love to have fun, eternally curious, and empathetic.”

Age: 32

Hometown: Norwalk, CT

Fun fact about yourself: I used to play women’s tackle football.  I love challenges and working with a team so this sport was a perfect fit.  I retired when I started my MBA.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Pennsylvania State University; B.S. Supply Chain & Information Systems, Minor in Economics

Where are you currently working? Unilever; Director of Procurement

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? It would be the relationships and meaningful connections I have made along the way. It’s so important to bring our authentic selves to work and to create an atmosphere that encourages the same from our colleagues. I think I have done this and have made lifelong relationships as a result.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I wanted a challenging course load, the flexibility to continue pursuing my career, and the ability to still interact face to face with my professors and classmates. Tepper’s part-time online hybrid program offered all three. Half-way through my MBA, I was offered a promotion based in Switzerland. I was able to continue my degree while living abroad. I would not have been able to achieve this professional success while also completing my degree had it not been for the flexibility of Tepper.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? I was able to have an enriching MBA experience while not taking a pause on my career. It was incredibly difficult at times to balance the classroom and work commitments. As I look back now, I feel pretty accomplished knowing I was able to advance in both areas.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? There are very few limits to the amount of group work and interactive learning that can still take place in an online learning environment.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? I went to a large undergraduate school, so in comparison, Tepper’s PTOH offered a more intimate experience. I feel like I know my classmates and my professors better at Tepper than I did as an undergraduate

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Look for a program that encourages and facilitates peer interaction. These relationships will last you far beyond your MBA and really make the experience.

What would you change about an online MBA Program? I would like to see even more elective classes offered for online learners. I hope that in the wake of all classrooms turning to Zoom to facilitate learning, there will be even more courses available to be shared in an online format.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? I found my MBA incredibly relevant at my current job. I was able to select electives that focused on topics that I was specifically dealing with at work: Optimization when I struggled to understand an industrial study I was supporting; Corporate Finance when I needed to manage my first P&L; and Distributed Teams when I moved abroad and had to support a global team. These classes were a life-saver in a lot of ways when I encountered new challenges at work. Both my professors and classmates were willing to support me by answering work questions relevant to the topics we were studying.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I want to make a difference in the world and be a leader who recognizes the importance of corporate responsibility for social and environmental change. Whether this means being the head of an NGO or executive at a socially responsible corporation, I don’t know, but it will be the North Star in my decision making for future career opportunities.

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