Stacey Humphrey is your typical New Yorker—she’s on the go and her schedule is packed. She works for Coty, a beauty company that includes the women’s skincare line Philosophy. “I manage analytics and CRM for the website, and assess how enhancements impact the customer journey at various points,” she explains. “It’s a strategic role. I help personalize communication to drive loyalty and repeat purchases by tailoring our communications.”
Although she is passionate about her position, she knew she could create opportunities for herself to grow, which is why she enrolled in UOnline’s MBA program. Initially hesitant to enroll in an online program, the fact that she’s a 'Cane assured her. “I knew I could expect high-caliber students and faculty since I earned my undergrad from the University of Miami,” she says.
In addition, Humphrey feels strongly that earning her MBA is an asset in her male-dominated field, noting, "It's a huge credibility boost, especially as a woman in the workplace. Having those credentials, my MBA will go a long way in my field of analytics."
Her wager has already paid off. Each course she’s taken has positively impacted how she operates as a professional. In her Fundamentals for Finance course, she learned about the net present value and making investments. “I learned how I can justify buying new technology at work. I selected a new vendor for our CRM and used calculations from the course to share my reasoning with executives, which helped me get the funding I needed to implement the tool,” Humphrey says. “What I learned gave me the confidence to write and make a stronger, successful pitch.”
When asked what's next for the Manhattanite, Humphrey shares that the MBA has introduced her to opportunities she would never have considered previously. "I’m really keeping an open mind with this program. Through the MBA, I'm realizing that I’m interested in so much more than I knew, like cybersecurity," says Humphrey. "One day, I want to possibly even run my own business, which I’ve never had a desire to do before."
How can you find similar success at UM? Here, Humphrey offers a few pieces of advice to take control of your career and coursework:
Retune your schedule frequently. Although she’s almost a year into the program, she’s constantly searching for balance. “I'm always working through what’s normal. It changes class by class,” she explains. Write a new schedule (day by day or hour by hour) each semester. Revise it if needed once you’re a few weeks in to maintain a good rhythm.
Store your files so you can access them anywhere. Humphrey personally relies on Dropbox, but you can use any document-sharing tool. “I work on so many devices,” she explains. “I write essays on my home computer and revise them during lunch or on a tablet when I commute. Dropbox enables me to keep all of my work centralized and pull it out of the cloud at any time.”
Carve out time to focus. Humphrey tries to schedule most of her reading and coursework on the weekends to stay ahead of (or prepared for) assignments throughout the week. She also completes coursework each evening after work and exercise. “The schedule is definitely taking a toll on my social life, but has given me a lot of focus,” she says. “I pick and choose what’s most important to me socially. Plus, I’m enjoying my courses because I’m passionate about what I’m studying.”
Front-load your calendar with study time. “Not only does that help me mentally compartmentalize when I need to do school work, but it also helps me learn when to stop,” she explains. “I could easily stay up until 2 a.m., but that’s not healthy or productive.”
Remember that each course has ongoing rewards. “Every week, I learn new ways to tackle problems, develop strategies, and hone my overall business skills,” Humphrey says. “A few years ago, I didn’t envision myself going back to school. I didn’t think I had the time, money, or desire. I felt intimidated. Enrolling in the MBA program has given me overall confidence in the workplace. I’m excited for what’s next.”
