Sam Wallingford

University of Washington, Foster School of Business

“Analytical at heart with a customer-centered mindset and a passion for sustainability.”

Age: 29

Hometown: Maple Valley, WA (originally from Glen Allen, VA)

Fun fact about yourself: I moved across the country in a road trip, hauling everything I owned in the back of a van.

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of Virginia, Aerospace Engineering

Where are you currently working? The Boeing Company, Regional Director – Sales Support

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? It was being part of a very small, passionate team that sold up to 100 aircraft to Allegiant Air, which had never purchased new Boeing aircraft. We had to be incredibly agile and responsive, using unique messaging and hard work to demonstrate we were the right company with which to partner.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? The hybrid format was perfectly aligned to my needs: an opportunity for in-person instruction, combined with a format that was compatible with business travel requirements. More than that, the program uses a cohort- and team-based structure that lets me learn from my classmates as well as world-class professors at a highly regarded school.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? The best part of the program was the camaraderie and support structure that exists within my team and the cohort as a whole.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? I’ve been surprised how strong the connections with my classmates have been, in spite of the fact that we missed an entire year of in-person classes due to the pandemic and have limited formal chances for in-person interactions.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? The unique value of the UW Hybrid MBA program was the ability to deliver world-class instruction in a mixed instruction format: in-person, asynchronous, and live online. The relationships and camaraderie developed in the online MBA program have been as strong as those in my undergraduate program.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Build a support structure early, both with your classmates and your family and friends, to prepare you for the times when real-life and school conflict.

What would you change about an online MBA Program? Personally, I would always prefer more live classes as they offer the best opportunities to learn from both the professors and your fellow students.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? I was able to codify many of the concepts I had seen in my job and build upon them. The MBA also helped improve my ability to think strategically in complex business situations.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? I received a new role during the program.

Did you earn a raise during the online MBA program? Yes

Number of Hours Per Week Spent On Online MBA: 20-25 hours

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long-term goal is to take on a leadership role that allows me to focus on bettering the planet in meaningful, scalable ways.

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