Casey McLynden

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

“Results-oriented professional in the nuclear energy sector helping to modernize the industry to ensure safe, reliable and carbon-free power generation for years to come.”

Age: 31

Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois

Fun fact about yourself: My wife and I both hold dual citizenships (her with Poland/U.S. and me with the Netherlands/U.S.)

Undergraduate School and Degree: The Pennsylvania State University, B.S. Nuclear Engineering ‘13

Where are you currently working? Constellation Energy (Formerly Exelon) – Nuclear Fuels Project Manager

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Personally, I’m most proud of my adaptability. In the past 10 years I’ve worked at 3 different companies, which is rare in the specialized nuclear energy sector. Each move forced me to start new, re-build relationships, and learn the highly technical processes of the new company. In all three instances, I managed to build a strong personal brand and excel in role in short order, proving the ability to adapt to complex changes in processes and personalities when taking on new roles.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? After researching several online MBA programs, the University of Nebraska consistently ranked strong in the Top 10-20, the coursework structure was very flexible, and the program offered incredible value with total tuition 2-3 times less than comparable schools.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? Competitive group assignments, while dreaded by some, proved to be the most rewarding part of the MBA program. Utilizing business simulation software (i.e., CapSim and The Fresh Connection) to compete against other classmate groups forced us to tap into all of our previous MBA coursework and really helped cement the concepts through practical application.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? The quality and organization of the online learning portal (Nebraska used Canvas) were very impressive. The ease of use of the portal really allowed students to focus on coursework rather than navigating or finding material.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? While online learning certainly has its drawbacks with respect to the social/networking aspects of an MBA program, the “on-demand” access to coursework material is far superior to in-class. After going through a self-paced online program, I couldn’t imagine myself structuring my schedule around in-person lectures. Aside from the convenience factor, knowledge retention is better in an on-demand setting as I was able to customize my pace of learning, quickly pull up references, take digital notes, and rewatch lectures. Now compare this to in-person lectures, where I would be faced with the mutually exclusive decision to either (1) attentively listen and understand or (2) take quality notes, leading to far less retention and internalization

What would you change about an online MBA Program? One key downside to an online MBA program is the limited ability to build your professional network. While online programs do a great job with group assignments and discussion boards, they fall short of matching the in-person experience a full-time MBA program offers. To combat this, I would promote more “all-hands” events within an MBA class. These would be a blend of remote or in-person events through regional hubs, and meet-and-greet team-building events, with the goal of getting to know your fellow classmates. Additionally, I would encourage online programs to create digital yearbooks with short bios, headshots, and contact information to encourage the sense of “team” rather than the feelings of individually navigating the MBA program. The combination of more all-hands events and class yearbooks would help supplement in-person networking and create a sense of group inclusion.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? My MBA experience has helped me grow and develop in several different areas, the culmination of which provided the perfect complement to my quantitative engineering background. The specialization in Finance provided a richer and more integrated understanding of my company’s financial operations, which has helped most directly during upfront business case evaluations for project viability. The coursework in supply chain management has made me more aware of the complexities and risks when sourcing from vendors and the importance of a diverse supply chain, which is vital for ensuring the security of nuclear fuel supply for reactors. Finally, the managerial leadership coursework equipped me with several pragmatic tools for leading, motivating, and overcoming interpersonal challenges when managing a team. For those of you, like myself, who do not have extensive educational or professional experience in business operations, I cannot recommend an MBA program enough to prepare for a future in management.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? Yes, though not directly due to the MBA program.

Did you earn a raise during the online MBA program? Yes, multiple…though not directly due to the MBA program.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent On Online MBA: Ranged from 4-8 hours on slow weeks to upwards of 20 hours.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? Continue advancing along the management track with the goal of eventually overseeing a department of employees. Being responsible for setting long-term planning, establishing strategic initiatives, and making key business decisions for an entire department is extremely appealing to me and, I believe, aligns with my personal strengths.

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