Each week, JWMI profiles students and alumni in its new featured series “Winning Voices.” Learn about our diverse community and what sets our program apart from those who have experienced it. For more great “Winning Voices” content, click here.
Catrina Crutcher
Project Consultant/Scrum Master
Brinks Home Security
Program/Concentration: Jack Welch MBA with Human Resources Concentration
TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AT Brinks Home Security.
I currently hold a role that allows me to be a facilitator/liaison for the business’s needs to drive positive change across the organization.
HOW HAS THE JWMI CURRICULUM HELPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
The JWMI curriculum allowed me to master skills to enhance my career beyond other programs available. I was able to advance my communication, leadership, strategic planning, analytical, process improvement implementations, and build relationships through external/internal partners.
The knowledge obtained from the curriculum allowed me to enhance my role and responsibilities quickly by incorporating and applying those learnings immediately within my career.
My career growth has been impressive since joining this program. I started my JWMI path as a Customer Service Representative in 2017, then transitioned into Team Lead in Customer Service in 2018, to Business Analyst in 2019, to Project Manager and Scrum Master in 2019, and currently to Project Consultant in 2020. I wasn’t aware the application of my learnings with the Jack Welch MBA program would aid in so much growth so quickly.
WHY WERE YOU LOOKING TO GET AN MBA?
I was looking to accelerate my career within the competitive business industry. My goal was to obtain a firmer grasp on communication, leadership, and other skills that would allow me to be marketable. When my Strayer University advisor explained the magnitude of the JMWI program and curriculum, I knew this was a program for me. My Jack Welch MBA allowed me to excel and achieve the goal set forth for myself professionally and personally.
DID YOU FIND THE CURRICULUM WAS IMMEDIATELY APPLICABLE? PLEASE EXPLAIN.
The curriculum was immediately applicable. I am a living testimony to the growth awarded to me! I could have never imaged the production of five new roles/skills within the short timeframe given in my career. I was under the impression that after learning the skills, it would be years before any changes could/would happen to me, but I was so wrong. The curriculum exemplified the “Learn today. Apply tomorrow.” motto.
HOW DID YOU NAVIGATE JOB, FAMILY, AND WORK? WHAT STRATEGIES DID YOU IMPLEMENT TO GET IT DONE?
Prioritization was crucial for navigating career and family throughout this MBA journey. I shared my course material with friends and family, so they were involved in my endeavor. I shared that I had a goal and needed their support. Yes, at times, that meant missing family events, birthdays, anniversary’s, traveling endeavors, but sharing the priorities in my life allowed everyone to know what was at stake for me to succeed in my journey.
Please share any advice for new students embarking on the MBA journey.
New JWMI students should come into the program with an open mind. Allow yourself to soak it all in, find your voice, build strong relationships, and notice how your leadership skills expand beyond your initial expectations. Push through it when you want to stop or become tired. We’ve all been there, but the finish line is right around the corner, and the success you will find is worth it all.
Connect with Catrina Crutcher on Linkedin
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