Joseph Thierry Fanfan

University of Florida, Warrington Online MBA

“Passionate Haitian immigrant with an interest in fostering global synergies through finance.”

Age: 30

Hometown: Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Fun fact about yourself: When I am not busy working or studying, I like to practice digital art at my local Foxtail Coffee shop

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of West Florida, BSBA in Marketing and Sales

Where are you currently working:

• Thermo King of the Southeast, Marketing Manager
• Summer Associate, Evershore Financial Group

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? It was graduating with an MBA from Warrington in one-year because of the intensity and the rigorous course of study, and the world-renowned faculty like Gary McGill. 2024 was the most challenging year as the program made me reckon with the sacrifices necessary to achieve success at a high-level

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I chose this program because of a childhood friend of mine, Karl McCatty, who is a graduate from the engineering school. He would always boast about how great it is to be a Florida Gator. Surely enough, it is great to be a Florida Gator.

My alma mater, UWF, got a football team just when I graduated, so I never got to experience the school’s spirit. Last year, Warrington made that dream a reality as I’ve immersed myself in every student engagement opportunity that I could.

Lastly, Warrington has a global brand that is well recognized everywhere. I knew partaking in the MBA program would provide access to resources and a network that could help me achieve my goals at the next level.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? The state-of-the-art technology and availability of staff and faculty made the experience synonymous with that of an in-person one. It is important to note the residency programs the school offers, at a discount rate, makes the experience wholistic as it provides students with the opportunity to have in-person engagement while navigating their demanding schedules.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? I am a bit more intentional now that I have gotten the opportunity to earn some real world-experience. Beyond that, Warrington take initiatives in making sure students get what they want out of the program. A special kudos to Kim Beach and the entire student services staff who helped set-up a virtual consulting cohort last summer. This gave the opportunity to learn about the profession, expectations, and exit opportunities. I never got to experience something like that during my undergraduate years, and Warrington has been the catalyst that gave me the insight for a successful career pivot.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? There is a legend that states that one is only three connections away from meeting someone that could help you achieve your goals. I would say enjoy the time, become a sponge, and reach out to any and every person that you meet in the program. The time goes by FAST! Be intentional about your next step after graduation by connecting with folks like Jared Rizzo and other members, as they are committed to YOUR career success.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? While I am gearing for a career transition, in my current role, the online program really paid dividends in helping establish credibility within the organization. Because the University of Florida is a leader in the artificial intelligence space, I got to somewhat position myself as an expert on topics that were not common knowledge just yet. I got to provide insights to my managers and leadership on various topics, such as audience segmentation and industry expansion, which were concepts that were derived directly from some of the courses I was taking in real-time.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? I did not earn a promotion, but a large portion of the program was covered by my employer, Thermo King of the Southeast, which I am grateful for.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential or executive MBA program? I think the market is changing rapidly. For me being in my late 20’s approaching 30 at the time, I started to yearn for a program that would give me the professional boost and boost and visibility to navigate this tough job market pretty immediately. Due to the competition, I felt intimated to compete for roles in companies that recruit solely at the T-20 business programs. Fortunately, a year later, I can confidently say Warrington is allowing me to compete and I feel as though the program is in the ranks of a Wharton, Columbia, and so on.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? There was an entire course designed specifically on AI, which was one of the motivators that sold me on the program. AI for Managers gave me the insights on how MBA’s can work with internal teams at organizations to make efficient use of AI and be responsible while doing so. The world of AI is complex, and it is difficult to become an expert if someone does not have a background in computer or software engineering. However, the course gave us exposure to prompt engineering, discerning when it is appropriate to use AI, as well as the ethical implications to factor in one’s use of AI.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: Between 15-20.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I recently completed my coursework in a Finance-focused MBA program at the Crummer School of Business at Rollins College and I am gearing to take the SIE exam to make a transition in the high-finance/ advisory sector.

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