Sharon Cho

Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University

“Inquisitive and driven, collaborative and team-oriented, focused on solving problems while building trust and strong relationships.”

Age: 31

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Fun fact about yourself: I used to powerlift and compete during my undergraduate years

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of Texas at Dallas, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Where are you currently working? ATW, Product Manager

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? My most meaningful achievement has been transitioning from an engineering background into product management and sales. It required me to expand beyond technical expertise into customer-facing strategy, communication, and business development. This shift also led to opportunities to represent my company internationally, including traveling to Scotland and across Europe for work. I am most proud of this because it reflects both my adaptability and my ability to create value across different functions.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I chose SMU Cox because of its strong reputation and extensive network in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? It was the flexibility to travel for work while continuing my education and immediately apply what I learned in real time.

How did your online MBA experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? The online format required more intentional effort to build connections with classmates outside of class, but it offered significantly more flexibility through virtual learning.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Be disciplined with your time and proactive in managing your schedule to maintain balance.

How has your online MBA education helped you in your current job? My online MBA education has strengthened my ability to apply financial and strategic concepts directly to my role, including presenting insights and recommendations to senior leadership through presentations in my workplace.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? I transitioned into a new industry and took on a new role during the program.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential or executive MBA

program? My role required frequent travel, which made the flexibility of an online program the most practical MBA option for me.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? Some classes allowed the use of AI for research, while professors emphasized the importance of validating its accuracy. This helped me learn to use AI efficiently while still applying my own critical thinking and judgment, which are skills that I carry into my workplace, where fact-checking and reliable information are critical.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: Around 3 hours in class and 10-12 hours outside of class for coursework.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My ultimate long-term professional goal is to continue growing into a strategic leader by exploring new industries, developing expertise, and driving meaningful business impact.

DON’T MISS: BEST & BRIGHTEST ONLINE MBAS: CLASS OF 2026

© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.