My MBA Helped Me Climb the Ladder in Human Resource Management

I am a proud working dad and an MBA graduate of University of the People. I am currently based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and for the last two years, I have been working as an Organizational Development and Training Manager at a premier gaming and entertainment organization.    

I had a wonderful upbringing in small-town Michigan with my parents and two brothers. My parents were both educators, and they instilled a passion for lifelong learning in my siblings and me.  

I graduated from Caro High School in 2010 and earned my Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from Grand Valley State University in 2013. I feel very fortunate and blessed to have had the opportunities life has afforded me. Growing up, I had the rare opportunity to be a three-sport athlete and participate in community and high school theater. I could attend a university I preferred for my undergraduate studies, and my parents supported me throughout. How fortunate I am to have grown up under these conditions is not lost to me.  

Discovering UoPeople and Committing to a Full-Time MBA  

I found out about UoPeople in 2018 while working as a recruiter. The university appeared on a candidate’s resume, and I looked it up because I had never heard of it. The idea of a “tuition-free” university intrigued me. I had spent years considering the next step in my academic journey, but no path ever truly felt right. Entrance exams, high tuition costs, and the geographical and time commitments required to pursue traditional programs made a graduate-level degree seemingly unattainable for me. Also, I did not want to sacrifice in other areas of my life. I was happy in my job and with my family. In short, I was unwilling to compromise that to further my educational journey.  

To complicate things further, I planned on moving abroad to Scotland with my wife in the summer of 2019, who would pursue a Master of Public Health, Epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh. So, that move made studying at an American university almost impossible for me until I discovered UoPeople. The more I dove into the course catalog and the MBA program structure, the more I fell in love with the idea of a tuition-free online university. Ultimately, I concluded that the rewards far outweighed the risk—two-time assessment fees at UoPeople for two MBA classes was still more affordable than a single credit hour at any university I could attend. 

Juggling Life, Work, and Online Studies   

I enrolled as an MBA candidate in April 2019 and took the full-time student approach, taking two classes per term. I juggled my coursework with full-time work in the United States (April-July 2019) and then in the United Kingdom (August 2019-April 2020).  

Being a full-time student and full-time worker while living abroad came with a barrage of challenges. Time management, prioritization, and sacrifice became the norm for me. I often stayed back at work to complete my schoolwork, said “no” to many evenings out, and took my laptop to Ireland, the Netherlands, and Denmark on my official trips to to make sure my assignments were turned in well ahead of their deadlines.  

When the COVID-19 pandemic brought the whole world to a halt, my wife and I managed to move back to the United States in early April 2020 while international travel was still possible. I was fortunate to be able to focus solely on my studies upon my return, completing the MBA program with a 4.0 GPA in August of that year. 

Candidly, the experience was challenging. The work and dedication needed to excel in the program cannot be understated. I would say, it is possible to do it all, but you must learn to balance your time and prioritize smartly.  

That being said, the sense of accomplishment and empowerment I got from completing the program is one of the most joyful experiences of my life. 

Looking for Professional and Emotional Growth? Earn an MBA from UoPeople!   

I recommend UoPeople to anyone who is seeking to grow and make progress. I found the learning experience at UoPeople to be the most accessible I’ve ever come across. The structure of the courses and the curriculum allow you to pursue your studies when it best fits your schedule. With asynchronous lectures, I could jump into class when it best suited me and learn and contribute at my own pace.  

I also loved the diversity of my classes. I attended classes with students from all over the world. Studying complex concepts with peers from backgrounds that starkly contrast mine boosted my emotional and cultural intelligence. UoPeople made me more emotionally perceptive and empathetic, which has impacted me just as significantly as the content I studied. 

MBA Jumpstarted My Career in Human Resource Management 

Thanks to UoPeople, I have evolved significantly in my career. After graduation, I began to grow in the field of Human Resource Management. In my current role, I oversee training and learning programs for front-line team members of the company. I am also building a leadership academy for our management team and growing a Tribal Development Program which creates unique professional, personal, and cultural growth opportunities for citizens of a federally recognized North American Indian tribe. My vision for relationship-driven leadership was developed through the insights I gained through my MBA studies at UoPeople. 

About the Author 

Based out of Michigan, Thomas V. is an Organizational Development and Training Manager at Gun Lake Casino, Wayland. He is committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and organizational growth via his work. He holds several years of experience in accounting, human resources, and general administration. In his spare time, he can be found at the baseball park, golf course, or at a music concert. At home, he loves spending time with his wife, daughter, and their three rescue dogs. Cooking, reading, and taking long walks are some of his other interests.