2024 Best & Brightest Online MBA: Elizabeth Garrett, Rice University (Jones)

Elizabeth Garrett

Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business

“Houston native, talent management / HR professional with 17+ years experience, wife and mom of two.”

Age: 41

Hometown: Houston, TX

Fun fact about yourself: I have a personal goal this year to read every Pulitzer Prize-winning book starting from the year I was born.

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of Texas at San Antonio; Bachelor of Psychology

Where are you currently working? I am in the process of making a career pivot and am currently taking a short sabbatical while I identify my next opportunity. I aim to shift to either social impact consulting or academia, where I can apply my many years of workforce management and organizational behavior experience to make a positive impact on a broad scale.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am exceptionally proud of my work leading enterprise-wide change management efforts for a $90M workforce and business process transformation over a 2.5+ year span during my time as Director, HR for a privately-held company in Houston, TX. I had the opportunity to resource the team and lead the strategic change management vision, in close partnership with executive leadership. Ultimately, we had over 90% user acceptance prior to “Go-Live”, which is a huge achievement given the complexity of the implementation and the broad impact of the change.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I chose the Rice University online MBA program for its renowned faculty and tight-knit community. Its emphasis on innovation resonates deeply, aligning with my passion for driving transformative change. The flexible format allowed me to pursue my aspiration of earning my MBA while balancing my role as a dedicated mom and professional.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? I enjoyed meeting and working with people from all over the world. The online format allows for broader geographical inclusion, which brought a richness to the perspectives shared in class.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? The most surprising thing about an online learning environment is the depth of connection and collaboration achievable, despite physical distance. I made life-long connections that will continue to be meaningful for me as I continue on with my journey.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? The online format provided flexibility and autonomy that was next-level in comparison to my undergraduate traditional classroom experience. I considered this a positive, given the many demands I have in my current phase of life. However, it did require a great deal of discipline to stay on top of the rigorous coursework, while balancing family and work demands.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Get into a study routine early, establish the non-negotiable times for family, for work, and for school. Be realistic about the support you need, and make it a priority to engage others early (tutors, babysitters, family, friends) to help you through the day-to-day. Stick with it through the hard days, and the prize at the end will be so worth it!

How has your online education helped you in your current job? I am in awe of the new perspectives I’ve gained. I now have many different lenses to see challenges through, whereas before I entered the program my perspective was much more limited (although I didn’t realize it at the time). When I approach a problem now, I pause to look at it through different frames before moving forward. The tools I’ve gained allow me to solve bigger problems and think more deeply and broadly, arriving at better solutions.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? I did. I was promoted from Senior Manager, Human Resources to Director, Human Resources.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential program? The flexible format allowed me to pursue my aspiration of earning my MBA while balancing my role as a dedicated mom and professional.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: Depending on the course-load, approximately 20 hours per week.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I’ve never been one to have a specific title in mind, but I would like to be in a position where I can solve problems that impact people positively on a broad scale. My goal is to position myself toward my highest and best use by applying my 17+ years of workforce and talent management experience, combined with my recent MBA achievement.

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