(gentle music)
-: My name is Ross Barron.
I graduated in May of 2019.
I lead the Bridge Design Team
for the Nebraska region here at Olson's.
I would say that in my career,
I found that my education instructional engineering
was lacking for what I actually needed.
That there was some skillsets
that I really needed to focus on
and learn a little bit more about.
I went out and started looking
on whether I wanted to get an MBA.
And then I stumbled on the MEM program
and it seemed to offer the skills
that I thought were valuable for my career.
I like having access to local professors,
even though it's an online program.
I really wanted to make some connections with people.
I found that that was something I missed in my undergrad.
That looking back was very, very valuable.
So I wanted something local
yet provided me the freedom to study at my own pace.
I think cost played a key role as well.
Again, the MBA program was just a little bigger
and I needed something smaller and more focused
and I wanted to get through it quickly.
And so it was an economical decision.
It was cheaper than the MBA program.
And I liked that and I was able to get through it quicker.
So for those considering it,
I would say get some context.
Go out and expand your career a little bit.
And then you can always come back,
particularly with the online environment.
For those who are actively applying to the program,
I would say take it seriously.
It's going to be a little uncomfortable,
but jump in and really listen
to what the professors are providing.
Because they know what they're talking about.
(gentle music)