2024 Best & Brightest Online MBA: Marcus Brown, USC (Marshall)

Marcus Brown

USC Marshall School of Business, OMBA

“Value-driven leader, focused on working at the intersection of purpose, passion, and profit.”

Age: 46

Hometown: Stockton, CA

Fun fact about yourself: I absolutely love Lululemon clothing. They make the most comfortable dress pants and shirts.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Colorado State University, Global Campus Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with a specialization in project management.

Where are you currently working? Apple – Product Manager for Environment and Supply Chain Innovation.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The work I accomplished on Apple’s very first Carbon Neutral product – The Apple Watch. There were several challenges that required cross functional collaboration across several teams. I was able to work with multiple stakeholders to help maximize the recycled material used for Apple Watch. The Apple Watch really taught me what it meant to have purpose and product align with each other. It’s amazing how hard you can work when you believe in the mission.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I chose USC because of the professors teaching both online and in person on campus. To me, it was critical that I received as similar as possible of an education as a Full-Time on campus MBA student. USC was one of few schools that had professors that taught both in-person and online. This allowed professors to understand the needs of online students while being able to accurately represent the on-campus culture.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? The residential immersion week. The learning was intense and the bonds created with my cohort during that time are unshakable. We are a close cohort because of the residential immersion, regardless of the miles and time zones that separate us. Also, one small moment that was an amazing highlight for me was when I received a Student ID card in the mail. Receiving the Student ID let me know that I was a fully-participating student and not an afterthought in an online program.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? The amount of engagement and collaboration required to succeed in the program! So many people think online learning and instantly think of independent or solitude learning. This program is way different. The medium of communication may be different, but there is an expectation that you collaborate as much as you would in a live learning session

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? Honestly, and I don’t know if it’s my age or the method of learning, but I found myself more focused and engaged online than with learning experiences in my undergraduate on campus. Also, so many lessons applied directly to my role at Apple and I was able to take those and relate it to my job.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Pick a program where you get a good feel of the campus culture and build lasting relationships with your cohort. Don’t settle for a less connected experience because you are not physically on campus. USC does an excellent job of creating moments so you can connect with your cohort. Maximize those opportunities to really see the true value of obtaining your degree!

How has your online education helped you in your current job? Yes. The language of business is universal. I found myself understanding a lot more of the conversations that were happening around me. I also look at business problems with a totally different lens. The program helped me understand the underlying drivers to various company decisions.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? No, but only because I had started in this role right before jumping into the MBA program. I am extremely confident that the MBA will show career growth benefits in the near future.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential program? I would have loved to be a part of the Full-Time MBA program, but there is a need to support my family with my current role. Additionally, there is something magical about being able to take a lesson and immediately implement it in a work environment. Working while doing the MBA puts you in a place where you are learning in school and implementing concepts at work. The Online MBA was best suited for this type of experience

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: 20-25

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? A Leader within the Human Rights division of Apple’s environmental team. At this point of my career, it is all about purposeful work. When I come home to my wife and kids, I want to make an impact that I can proudly share with my kids. In the right place, it is imperative that profitability and purpose co-exist.

DON’T MISS: BEST & BRIGHTEST ONLINE MBAS: CLASS OF 2024