“UTPB was a great choice because of its affordability as well as its top-tier education. It was essentially a no-brainer. I couldn’t see myself anywhere else.” –Jorge Payen, online MBA graduate
As an online MBA graduate, leader of the university’s alumni efforts, and a born and raised “Odessan,” Jorge Payen can certainly speak with authority about the UTPB experience. But what was most striking as we discussed his program and resulting career was his deep pride and enthusiasm for the University.
Why Earn an MBA?
Payen had doubts about pursuing an MBA, but a few benefits won him over.
“Originally, a master’s in business was not in the plans,” Payen explained. “I just wanted to get ‘one and done’ with my bachelor’s and see how far I can go from there. But once I started the application process and research, I realized an MBA would help me further my knowledge in all aspects of business.
“I wasn’t doing it for any specific job. Both my mother and my sister have their degrees. My mother furthered her education by getting a master’s in bilingual education. And so my main goal was just to join her in that level of mastery.”
Payen also had an incentive: an employee benefit.
“I was working in the scholarship office when I started my MBA. Here at UT Permian Basin, our leadership encourage us to further our education. And there’s a program in which faculty and staff can continue their education, and UTPB pays for one class a semester.”
How an MBA Advanced Payen’s Career
Payen may not have had a specific job in mind when he enrolled in our MBA program, but it quickly changed his career trajectory.
“When I was a UTPB financial aid loan officer, the MBA helped me pivot over to an IT position. I became a business analyst there. A lot of the courses I was taking helped me in that position.”
Payen’s undergraduate degree in information systems helped qualify him for a business analyst position. But the finance and accounting skills he was developing in his MBA program were resume standouts that helped secure the role: “Those were my key areas with the University as a business analyst.”
“Once I graduated, it didn’t take too long for me to get recruited into annual giving,” Payen recalls. “[My degree] has helped me understand how finances work differently in the world of philanthropy. I’m able to jump in and help out because of what I learned in my MBA.”
Making a Difference With His MBA
Payen is now UTPB’s director of alumni relations and annual giving. In this role, he’s able to give back to the university that’s given him so much and interact with the community he loves. He connects with alumni; manages fundraising campaigns for scholarships, campus groups, and colleges; and arranges sponsorships with local businesses.
“We have so many things going on. We tell everybody about what we’re doing here in hopes that people will want to jump in and help us grow and offer more students an affordable education.”
What’s the Online Learning Experience Like?
Payen’s undergraduate courses were mainly campus-based. So, how did he adjust to the online format while earning his MBA?
As he progressed through his program, Payen found ways to connect with classmates, master the technology, and make the most of his online courses. Here’s how:
Making Lifelong Connections
“I was able to connect with my classmates. We had time where we could network. I built a group for two or three classes where we huddled together. Studied together. One of us would take the teaching role. I made a very close friend through this program, which was phenomenal. We ended up taking a lot of courses together and graduating from UT Permian Basin at the exact same time with an online degree!”
Navigating Technical Concerns
“Canvas was very intuitive and interactive. Very user-friendly. Everything was in reach or took maybe 30 seconds to a minute to [find]. And if needed, I could definitely reach out to my professors or the software support team to find exactly what I was looking for. But I didn’t have any of those issues.”
Learning That Sticks
“Our professors had weekly check-ins with us throughout the program. One professor reviewed all the topics we were covering in our coursework. He’d go into a whiteboard system and write down everything and we could follow as he gave his lecture.
“Everything was recorded, so we could always rewatch it to make sure we got all the information. That repetition sets it in the mind [so you’re] ready for the test. It’s something that stays with you through your academic and professional careers.
“In a couple of the courses, the professor would jump online, give their lecture, and then answer our questions in detail in real time. They provided that extra-mile service, which made us better able to understand the content and feel like we’re in a classroom setting in those synchronous sessions.”
Payen’s Advice for Prospective Online MBA Students
“I recommend UT Permian Basin’s online MBA program to any and all students that I speak to. I say, ‘Hey, if you’re looking for something online, UT Permian Basin has a great online program.’ If you want a quality education. If you want to be able to walk out with a degree and say that you’re ready for the workforce, or have people wanting to hire you, UT Permian Basin is a great start.”
Like Jorge Payen, you can learn valuable career skills, gain the attention and respect of employers, and enjoy advancement opportunities. Start with a prestigious online MBA from UTPB!