2021 Best & Brightest Online MBAs: D’Onior Felton, George Washington University

D’Onior Felton

George Washington University School of Business

“Wife, physician, Naval Officer who is counting her blessings on the way to new challenges.”

Age: 39

Hometown: Clarksdale, Mississippi

Fun fact about yourself: My favorite educational experience was studying at the University of Alexandria in Egypt.

Undergraduate School and Degree: The University of Maryland University College, Psychology

Where are you currently working? Anne Arundel Medical Center

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? It would be my new role as a perioperative medical director. I stepped into this role as I was completing my MBA. It is a great, new challenge.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? Choosing an online MBA program is difficult. There are a lot of unknowns. I went to medical school at George Washington University so I trusted the institution. I also knew the university provided a diverse educational experience. As an online MBA student, I had access to internships and study abroad programs that in-person students could access.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? I liked the diversity of the students in the program. An online program really attracts students from different professional backgrounds. The diverse backgrounds of the students enhanced my learning experience.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? The professors were involved a lot more than I expected. They were accessible and passionate about the courses they taught.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? I completed the majority of my undergraduate degree online while serving on active duty. The experience was similar but the MBA experience was more rigorous.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Time management. Learning the MBA coursework is more important than completing the degree program. I preferred to decrease the number of courses I took than to skimp on learning the material.

What would you change about an online MBA Program? I am a physician so I was interested in healthcare finance. I had to go outside of my MBA program core curriculum to take these courses. MBA programs should offer elective courses in line with a students profession. Potential students should also seek MBA programs that offer graduate level classes within their professional interests that can supplement their MBA coursework.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? I am a practicing anesthesiologist but I have a new role as perioperative medical director because of my MBA. This is a job that I wanted but the knowledge I gained from my MBA gave me the confidence to apply for the job.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent On Online MBA: ~10-20 depending on my course load

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? It is too early to tell. I have only been in my current role for a few weeks. My growth in this role will dictate my next step and long-term goals. I am interested in hospital growth and operational efficiency within healthcare systems.

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