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.
James Ifediata
Operations Manager II
Amazon Logistics
Program/Concentration: Jack Welch MBA
TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AT AMAZON LOGISTICS.
As an Operations Manager at Amazon logistics, I work with a team of about fifty associates responsible for delivering packages to the homes and businesses of our customers. It’s a time-sensitive role with many moving parts and tracking metrics to ensure compliance and customer satisfaction.
Outside of the day-to-day running of my team, I am involved in executing performance-improvement projects for my station and, most importantly, ensuring our staff is working safely and having fun.
WHY WERE YOU LOOKING TO GET AN MBA?:
I was at a stage in my career where I knew I needed management skills to take me to the next level. Getting an MBA was a part of my bucket list of things and was a must for my professional life. When I reviewed JWMI’s curriculum, I was convinced to commence my studies with the institution.
I wanted to advance in my career, and I knew that the skills I would gain from the course would contribute to that quest. Also, I intended to use the program to gain access to the network of colleagues in my class who work in other companies and industries. Finally, I wanted to learn the skills needed to start a coaching business that I worked on for quite some time.
HOW HAS THE JWMI CURRICULUM HELPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER? (What measurable differences or recent promotions have you seen/had?):
I started my MBA journey in April 2020. A few months later, I had the opportunity to interview for a dream role. I got the job and negotiated a salary that was more than double what I previously earned, an essential factor being that I was a part of this MBA program.
At the moment, I am also a few months from landing a promotion with my current employer. The MBA courses have taught me many skills, including improved effective communication, decision-making, and collaboration.
DID YOU FIND THE CURRICULUM WAS IMMEDIATELY APPLICABLE? PLEASE EXPLAIN.:
Yes. I understood the importance of effective communication when I took the Business communication class (JWI 505) and Leadership in the 21st century (JWI 510). I understood the deeper significance of body language in effective communication. These skills have aided me as a leader in my organization in earning the trust of my team. I enjoyed every course and found that I was able to implement the learning points each day at work and in my personal life.
LOOKING BACK AT WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT AN ONLINE PROGRAM WHEN YOU FIRST EMBARKED, WHAT WAS YOUR OVERALL IMPRESSION NOW? DID IT MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS VIA DQ BOARDS, EOP VIDEOS, FACULTY ETC?:
Initially, I was skeptical about any online MBA program, but I started with JWMI due to the high level of customer service I got from the admin team. They answered all my questions, putting any doubts to rest.
I enjoyed the weekly DQs as they were always very challenging. The assignments always needed deep research and gave me lots of sleepless nights. In the end, I ended up referring many friends and colleagues to start their MBA journey at JWMI.
HOW DID YOU NAVIGATE JOB, FAMILY, AND WORK? WHAT STRATEGIES DID YOU IMPLEMENT TO GET IT DONE?:
The first thing I did before I started my MBA journey was to get my spouse’s consent. I then pledged that I wouldn’t be on social media during my studies. Also, I reduced TV time to the barest minimum. I learned the importance of time management because I knew I would need every minute of my day to research and complete my weekly discussions and assignments. These strategies worked for me. I am not sure it would for others, but in the end, I came out with a perfect 4.0 GPA, which I believe is a testament to the measures I implemented.
WAS THERE A PARTICULAR PROFESSOR OR MEMBER OF THE STAFF THAT YOU FELT HELPED YOU TO EXCEL? PLEASE ELABORATE.:
I enjoyed learning from all the professors in the program. I particularly enjoyed working with Professor Brenda Geer-Frazier in the Entrepreneurship class. Our interactions were fun, and there was much to learn from her class.
I also enjoyed the Capstone class as it was the melting pot of all the courses. Professor Steve Griffith was very patient in explaining the concepts. I particularly enjoyed the weekly podcast sessions and executive briefings in the class. These were exciting avenues to learn about real-life experiences and how we can put our classroom ideas to work in the real world.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCE IN THE PROGRAM?:
I enjoyed the learning experience and camaraderie in our different classes. I got the support of my spouse, who was also going through the MBA program a couple of semesters ahead of me. Ultimately, I am happy to have completed the program and started using the skills I learned from all the classes.
PLEASE SHARE ANY ADVICE FOR NEW STUDENTS EMBARKING ON THE MBA JOURNEY.:
The Jack Welch MBA will be the most challenging two or three years of your life. You will have many ups and downs along the way, and there is no doubt that the inevitable life will happen along the way (mine was the birth of my first child). If you have a spouse or partner, you must get their agreement before you enroll. You must also learn time management because it is one critical skill that will help you succeed in the program.
Finally, please focus on learning all you can from each course; you will be pleased that you did.
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