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.
Shawn McCall
Area President
U.S. Foods
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR COMPANY.
I am an Area President for US Foods, a $26B foodservice distribution company. I am responsible for the P&L and oversight of our Metro New York Area, which consists of over 1,000 employees, two distribution centers, and nearly $1.2B in revenue.
HOW HAS THE JWMI CURRICULUM HELPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
Previously I was an Area President for our Lake Erie area, overseeing $700M in revenue. I received a promotion and increased responsibilities once I embarked on my journey with JWMI.
My JWMI experience enhanced my leadership skills and bolstered my executive presence, which helped me gain the promotion to Area President Metro New York, our largest and most prestigious area.
HOW APPLICABLE IS THE CURRICULUM TO YOUR CAREER?
While I found the curriculum immediately applicable to my current role and career, my most significant takeaway from the journey was the self-confidence it instilled. I have had a leadership role in my company for several years, and I have always been confident in my abilities and knowledge. However, the JWMI program enhanced that foundation and transformed me into the leader I am today.
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, JACK CALLS, FACULTY ETC.
My view of an online degree programmed has changed due to my experience at JWMI. I previously viewed these programs as a solitary journey one took on their own. JWMI is a community of learners that challenge and encourage each other throughout the educational journey. The professors did an excellent job in modeling and promoting weekly activity within the Discussion Question Boards. Through this moderation, students could not only learn from the professor but also their peers.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCE IN THE PROGRAM?
Developing a community of professors and fellow students who are rooting for you was the most rewarding experience in the program. I built lasting relationships with these classmates through our candid discussions.
HOW DID YOU NAVIGATE JOB, FAMILY, AND WORK? WHAT STRATEGIES DID YOU IMPLEMENT TO GET IT DONE?
I thought the biggest obstacle to my education was going to be the time; imaging navigating an MBA with job and family commitments felt like a daunting task. In reality, and with proper planning, my education was able to fit seamlessly into my life. I believe that the relevance of the material to my career and job helped make this navigation effortless. My strategy was not to view the individual tasks each week (readings, videos, assignments) but to focus on the outcomes and learnings. I believe this not only helped manage the workload, but it also led to better retention and subsequent recognition in the workplace.
Connect with Shawn McCall on Linkedin
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