Geno Malaty

Arizona State University, W. P. Carey School of Business

“Enthusiastic lifelong learner with an unbridled passion for tackling complex challenges and building new connections.”

Age: 33

Hometown: Chandler, AZ

Fun fact about yourself: I speak three languages and am working on learning many more!

Undergraduate School and Degree: Arizona State University, W.P. Carey School of Business – B.S. in Business Data Analytics and a B.A. in Business Sustainability.

Where are you currently working? I am a senior forecasting analyst at Salt River Project, Arizona’s electric and water utility. My main focus is developing our Corporate Energy Forecast, helping SRP understand how customers use energy, with an emphasis on large commercial and industrial customers. Another part of my role is working as an internal consultant, supporting other teams within our organization by lending my expertise in all things related to analytics and data.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am most proud of my commitment and ability to help those around me. This may not be the most exciting thing, but in all aspects of life, whether work or personal, I give my all when others are in need. Professionally, I’ve received 17 Special Recognition Awards (what we call SRA’s internally) over the past five years. Recipients are nominated for these awards when they go above and beyond their roles, usually by another employee or manager. I have made it my mission to lend the knowledge and skills I’ve gained throughout my career to help build up others around me, and I’ve reaped many rewards.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? After evaluating many different MBA programs nationwide, I decided to stay true to my inner Sun Devil and apply to ASU’s W. P. Carey School, as it has always been competitively ranked — especially in the Online MBA category. Having two undergraduate degrees from W. P. Carey, I know the caliber of their instructors and how committed the faculty is to student success. They’ve always given me the tools I need to be the best I can and have supported me as I continue my learning journey. It was a bit of a no-brainer to choose ASU’s online program.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? Having the flexibility to learn whenever and wherever is incredible. I’m naturally an early riser, so I often started schoolwork around 5 a.m. before work. Working early allowed me to enjoy a free night or two per week, spending time with my family and pursuing my hobbies versus working on coursework each night. I’ve also enjoyed being able to travel without it negatively affecting my schooling; I’ve taken 10 trips throughout my two-year MBA program, including separate trips to Disneyland, Hawaii, Washington, D.C., and Japan.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? I initially thought an online program would not be conducive to building a solid network, but I was wrong. Throughout the program, I’ve forged deep bonds with new friends I know will last a lifetime. I’ve also enjoyed meeting new people and expanding my network more than I imagined. The most surprising thing was the quality of the connections I made — these aren’t just passing acquaintances that I have added on LinkedIn, never to talk to again; they’re friends I’d grab a beer with in a heartbeat.

 

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? The most significant difference is the amount of discipline needed to do well. Because we don’t have a structured in-class schedule, we must set our hours and make sure we spend enough time with each subject to build a good foundation and understand what is being put in front of us. This less structured online approach helped me become a more organized person.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? It has given me a huge leg up. Not only have I been able to develop more advanced skills in analytics, but I’ve also exposed myself to many of the essential business concepts that managers should know. I know that when I inevitably choose to transition to management, having this deep understanding of many different facets of the business will be indispensable.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? Yes, I was promoted to senior analyst a month before graduation.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential program? Flexibility was the main reason. While I would have loved to pursue a full-time program, I chose to continue working because my wife and I are expecting our first child very soon, and I am the sole breadwinner for our household.

The number of hours per week spent on an Online MBA…depends on the class; 15 to 25 hours a week, depending on how familiar I was with the subject before starting each class.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? Ideally, I would love to work in a strategic role. This likely means getting into upper management — director or C-suite level. My favorite subjects were those that taught strategic thinking, management, and negotiation. The thought of solving strategic challenges every day sounds very fulfilling to me. I would also love to start my own business on the side — not sure what it would be yet, but I know that I’d like to build something from scratch.

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