“I took a strategy and leadership course and it changed my outlook on how I approached my work.”
Debbie Sands Online MBA, Class of 2020 Information Governance Sr. Analyst
For Washington State University Online MBA graduate Debbie Sands, the program enabled her to grow her network and become more competitive in the human resources market, as well as other fields she developed an interest in along the way.
“The company I’m with restructured and my job was on the line,” said Sands. “When you’re looking at a possible layoff you start looking at the quality of applicants out in the world. I knew I had a strong foundation and great education, but an MBA could put me one step above my competition.”
Sands had looked into earning her MBA before, but now she was driven—she had to accomplish it. She started researching and narrowing down the options based on statistics, rankings, and cost. Sands knew she wanted an online degree, but from a school with a physical presence—she felt it added a layer of security and credibility.
Joining the Coug Nation
“Washington State is very well known in Seattle, where I’m from,” said Sands. “I knew there would probably be a WSU Coug on just about every street corner. And for me, that was important. Networking and the support of the faculty were key pieces in my decision. I knew WSU would provide me with the best networking opportunities in this area.”
Sands knew she wanted to pursue a concentration versus a general track, and based on her experience and future career opportunities, she settled on finance.