Rachel Booth

Baylor University Online MBA Program

“Enthusiastic, ambitious professional who thrives on a challenge and a chance to make positive change.”

Age: 35

Hometown: Austin, TX

Fun fact about yourself: I had the opportunity to move a lot when growing up, including spending a few years in Belgium, which instilled a love of travel. On my short list of places, I’d like to go next is Machu Picchu!

Undergraduate School and Degree: The University of Texas, BS Public Relations

Where are you currently working? The Rise School of Austin, Director of Development & Marketing

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Throughout my professional journey, I have taken on many challenges, including tackling ambitious sales goals, developing new growth opportunities, forming strategic plans, and improving business operations. The achievement I am most proud of is the transformation I’ve helped create in my current organization. I work at a nonprofit organization that serves children of diverse abilities and have had roles in events, marketing and fundraising. Now, I am the director of development and marketing. From my start to now, I have helped the organization grow from having 72 students and struggling with enrollment to now having 96 students with a full waitlist. I am leading an expansion project to continue our growth, guiding us to become the largest program of our kind in the nation. I’ve shaped the development department and led a team that has improved our donor relations, enhanced our marketing, and shaped our message to tell the incredible stories of the lives forever changed by our mission. I’ve also been able to support and lead projects across the organization, including developing salary and compensation scales, overseeing an IT overhaul, identifying asset management needs, and more. It has been an incredible opportunity to support the needs of a growing organization and help solve complex problems alongside a dedicated team. I have seen vast improvements throughout the organization from my start to now, and I am proud of the difference I have been able to make to support the needs of the company and community.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I chose Baylor’s online MBA program for its flexibility, strong reputation, and emphasis on faith, service, and leadership.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? I enjoyed the flexibility to work around my professional and family life and the opportunity to connect with classmates from all over.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? I was surprised to find that, despite learning online and from different locations across the U.S., I could still feel connected to the students and staff.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? My online MBA provided more opportunities to connect classroom subjects to real-world experience. Additionally, despite not being in a physical classroom together, I was able to learn more from my classmates’ experiences due to the online dynamic of posting, reading and commenting about our own and our classmates’ experiences. It also provided the flexibility to learn when and how I needed to.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? The best piece of advice I can offer is to manage your time carefully to balance the needs of your career, family, and online graduate program. There is a lot of balancing required, and the best way to thrive is to set clear expectations and a weekly timeline for yourself to keep yourself on track.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? I have used lessons learned from every class I’ve taken in my current job. This includes analyzing financial documents, developing negotiation strategies, and implementing marketing tactics. It has been beneficial in every facet of my career. I’ve become better at strategic thinking, planning and analyzing and I have improved my communication and leadership skills because of the MBA program.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? My title remains the same; however, I have taken on greater responsibilities and a more distinct director position within the organization.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential program? I pursued an online program so that I could continue to work and balance time with family.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: 20 hours per week.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My ultimate goal is to transition into an executive leadership role and continue to create positive change. I like challenges, and I enjoy the opportunity to be involved in cross-functional problem-solving to identify operational improvements. I am driven by the opportunity to manage new and difficult projects, and my goal is to continue to tackle new opportunities and apply my skills to lead an organization.

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