- Online MBA
- Executive MBA Online
Melanie Wood
“The decision to TRY was my greatest accomplishment.”
Online MBA, Class of 2023
Director of Microsoft Solutions, Washington
“My journey with the Washington State University (WSU) MBA program was nothing short of transformative.”
Melanie Wood was four years into her career at Microsoft when she made the decision to pursue an MBA.
Eager to leverage her employer’s tuition reimbursement program, and motivated to invest in herself personally and professionally, she was on the hunt for a program that would set her up for success.
Choosing WSU
Melanie’s search for the right business school started with Microsoft’s list of approved institutions, where WSU stood out as a ‘preferred choice’.
Digging deeper into research about WSU’s Carson College of Business and its Online MBA program, she was impressed with the program’s credentials, and the flexibility of the distance learning format.
“The fact that 96% of students are already employed upon enrollment spoke volumes about the program’s relevance and impact,” she says.
“The flexibility of recorded and archived online classes, combined with AACSB accreditation, positioned WSU as the gold standard for business education. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, WSU consistently ranked among the best online MBA programs according to U.S. News World and Report.”
My journey with the Washington State University MBA program was nothing short of transformative.
Experiencing international markets first-hand
Convinced of the program’s benefits, Melanie took the leap and enrolled in the MBA in 2018.
Beyond the rigorous academics of the program, she describes how it opened doors to new friendships, an expanded professional network, and opportunities to travel the world.
“In 2019, I had the privilege of participating in WSU’s Online MBA Study Abroad program, which took me back to Finland and Estonia,” she says.
“Having previously lived in Finland during my undergrad years, this was a dream fulfilled. I recently shared my story in the Finlandia Foundation Seattle Chapter’s March newsletter, and if not for WSU, none of that would have been possible.”
“The cultural immersion, networking opportunities, and exposure to international business practices enriched my perspective. I also traveled to Prague with WSU after the pandemic.”
Balancing life, work, and study
Although Melanie was determined to earn her MBA, she knew it wouldn’t be easy – particularly as a working parent with an already packed schedule.
“In retrospect, the decision to TRY was my greatest accomplishment,” she explains.
“Despite the challenges of balancing the role of a solo parent and that of a full-time career professional, I believed that I could strike the right equilibrium. Somehow, I did—emerging with a stellar 4.0 GPA to boot.”
Academic achievements aside, Melanie’s return to university brought unexpected moments of joy into her personal life too.
“Bonding with my son over shared homework sessions created unforgettable memories. Some of our best road trips were to Pullman, to cheer on the Cougars at thrilling WSU football and basketball games. These moments became part of our family legacy.”
Now Director of Microsoft’s Surface Solutions division, Melanie’s career has reached great heights. She attributes her online MBA experience as a key driver of professional growth and expresses a great sense of appreciation for the opportunities it’s afforded her.
“Thank you, WSU, for an extraordinary journey—one that has shaped not only my career but also my life.”
A portion of this story was originally published in eDividend (March 2022).
