Ever Wondered if an MBA is Worth It? Here’s My Take
When I tell people I earned my MBA from WGU, the reaction is usually the same: a pause, a raised eyebrow, and then the question: “Didn’t you already have a PhD?” I did. I also had a master’s degree. So, on paper, another degree didn’t seem necessary. But this wasn’t about collecting more credentials. It was about growing in a different way.
I’ve spent the last decade working in higher education. At WGU, my role is to help determine which programs we offer and ensure that those programs align with high-value, industry-relevant skills. I think constantly about the intersection between what individuals need and what employers expect. I work across teams to shape strategy, evaluate market signals, and inform academic offerings that are both meaningful and sustainable.
But even with all of that, I started to notice something. I had a strong academic foundation. I understood policy, strategy and program design. What I wanted was a sharper toolkit for making decisions across finance, operations and leadership. I wanted to move more confidently between strategic vision and practical execution. I wanted to speak the language of the entire organization, not just the part with which I was most familiar.
That’s when the MBA started to feel like the right next step. And I didn’t consider going anywhere else.
I already knew the WGU model. I had seen firsthand how powerful it can be for working professionals. I believed deeply in the mission. If I were to invest time and energy in going back to school, I wanted to do it in a way that reflected my beliefs about learning. I also wanted to experience it myself, from the perspective of a student. That mattered to me.
Enrolling was exciting and a little humbling. I hadn’t been a student in years. But from the very beginning, I felt like I was in the right place. The competency-based structure allowed me to move at my own pace. I could accelerate through material where I already had experience and take more time where I needed to learn something new.
Some weeks, I made rapid progress. At other times, when work or life was intense, I stepped back and picked it up when I had the space. That kind of flexibility made the program not only doable, but genuinely engaging.
What surprised me the most was how relevant the coursework was. I expected it to be useful. I didn’t expect it to show up in my day-to-day work so quickly. Concepts from finance, operations and strategy became part of how I thought about projects at WGU. I would finish a module and immediately find myself applying it during a planning session or budget discussion. The learning felt real because it was immediately usable.
And here’s something I truly didn’t see coming: I found accounting pretty interesting. I had assumed it would be one of the more technical, less exciting parts of the program. But once I got into it, I realized how much insight is hidden in financial statements. Accounting isn’t just about numbers. It’s about how decisions are reflected in those numbers. It’s about the health and priorities of an organization. Understanding that helped me engage in new ways across the university and added a layer of confidence I hadn’t had before.
The MBA also gave me time to reflect on my leadership. I’ve led teams for years, but the program provided me with new frameworks to consider how I lead, make decisions and create clarity for others. It reminded me that leadership is both personal and situational, and that continuing to grow as a leader requires intentionality.
One moment sticks with me. It was a late night, and I had just wrapped up a long day of meetings. I was tired, but I sat down to finish an assessment I’d been working on. I wasn’t sure if I’d nailed it, but I submitted it anyway. When I passed, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a while: a quiet but deep sense of accomplishment. Not because I had checked a box, but because I had earned it. That moment reminded me of what our students experience. The mix of pride, relief and forward momentum is something I’ll never forget.
Being a WGU student while working at WGU gave me an entirely new level of empathy. I saw just how powerful our support model really is (shoutout to my mentor, Leslie Jensen!). I felt the value of flexible pacing, strong mentorship and relevant coursework. And I gained a better appreciation of what it takes to keep going when life is already full. That perspective has shaped how I think about everything from programs to policy. It made me more grounded and more aware of what truly matters for adult learners.
Looking back, earning my MBA didn’t drastically change my title or trajectory. But it absolutely changed how I think and lead. I have a deeper understanding of the systems that drive organizations forward. I ask better questions. I see connections across teams and functions more clearly. I gained practical skills, but also a renewed sense of curiosity.
So yes, I earned my MBA from the same university where I help shape what we offer. I did it because I believe in what we do. I did it because I wanted to keep growing. And I did it because I knew, without a doubt, that the model would work for me.
It did. And I would do it again.
If you’re ready for your next step and want a program that fits your life, this might be the right move for you, too.
