Jordan Lopez

USC Marshall School of Business, OMBA

“Simple lifestyle but high personal expectations.”

Age: 29

Hometown: Glendora, CA

Fun fact about yourself: During my daily commute, I taught myself how to play blues harmonica. Bonus: I got pretty good at driving with my knees.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Bachelor’s Degree from Paul Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine

Where are you currently working? Business Analyst at Black Knight, Inc.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The professional achievement I am most proud of is being one of the first team members to work on a start-up product which was recently acquired by an industry-leading fintech company.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I chose USC’s online MBA program for its prestige, flexibility, and network. My initial concern with online MBA programs was the lack of opportunities to network, but USC’s program. in particular both in how its structured and its strong alumni, offered more in this area compared to other online programs.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? My favorite part about being in an online MBA program is the overall flexibility. Not only does it provide the opportunity to maintain a full-time job and to continue to develop a professional career, but it also offers the freedom to travel and attend class essentially anywhere with an internet connection.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? In my experience, students are overall more engaged in an online structure versus in-person. Not only were professors better able to monitor and inspire broader class participation, but I believe having the ability to attend class from a familiar setting made others more comfortable and willing to be active in discussions.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Be deliberate in building relationships with your classmates, manage your time intently, and capitalize on opportunities to relax when you can. There will be moments throughout the program where you will either be well ahead of deadlines or in-between semesters, and I would encourage future students to take full advantage of those moments!

What would you change about an online MBA Program? Understanding that 2020-2021 would have been particularly challenging years to do this, I would suggest that online MBA programs aim to facilitate and host at least one in-person event each year.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? I credit the online structure for the confidence and comfortability I now have speaking in a virtual setting. Virtual meetings have always been important in my role, as the organization I work for has both offices and clients across the U.S. with whom I regularly interact. I noticed an immediate improvement in how I handled myself in these meetings after participating in online class sessions.

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

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long-term professional goal is to grow and manage my family’s real estate investments.

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