Pegah Janpak

Baylor University Online MBA Program

“Pegah is pursuing her MBA degree focused on Cyber Security from Baylor University.”

Age: 33

Hometown: Tehran, Iran

Fun fact about yourself: Love to dance Tango and has Sheltie dogs.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration from University of Texas at Austin

Where are you currently working? I work as a Federal Field Marketing Manager at Dell Technologies.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I was selected as a Top Talent at my current company and had the opportunity to share my background and passion with the executives at my company. Also, I received a Certificate of Appreciation for my contributions when I was interpreting as a contractor at U.S. Army. Being able to give back to this beautiful country was a valuable opportunity for me. Additionally, I was accepted to the All-Texas Academic Team of 2014, receiving medallion and honor certification for my successful academic background, community service, and leadership. All-Texas Academic Team is a highly competitive award.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I chose Baylor University because the program offers a concentration on Cyber Security. Also, Baylor University’s close-knit community and reputable professors were significant factors.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? I enjoyed the flexibility of the online MBA program. I was able to choose the hours that I wanted to study, and I could save time on commuting.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? The same professors who teach traditional classes teach online classes. The professors, TAs, and staff at Baylor University have been very attentive and responsive to my questions, needs, and feedback. The responsiveness of the faculty and staff was above my expectation.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? The learning quality in both environments is the same. The same professors are teaching the same materials. However, the traditional experience allows more human connections as you meet other classmates in person and engage in group assignments. In an online environment, you still have lots of group assignments, but students can be located anywhere in the world, so students need to make a conscious effort to develop relationships with their peers. Also, the online environment gives more flexibility and autonomy to the student.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Good time management, self-motivation, and discipline are required to complete an online MBA Program successfully. I also recommend that students put effort into networking and building relationships by attending in-person events whenever possible. 

What would you change about an online MBA Program? Probably, less group work would be better as a part of the class requirement.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? Yes, it significantly helped me improve my negotiation and leadership skills.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? Yes, I was promoted twice. First, I got one in-role promotion when I was in the B2B Campaigns organization, and later was promoted to Field Marketing Manager role in Field Marketing Organization at Dell.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential program? I have a busy schedule. Therefore, I needed a program that would allow me to manage my time without having to attend a class at a particular time. In addition, I have always worked productively from home at Dell Technologies, so studying at home was very attractive to me. Given that I was able to study at a reputable university, focusing on Cyber Security was a dream that came true.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: 35-40 hours per week.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I want to be a marketing leader in my organization, making strategic data-based decisions.

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