April Oliver built a successful and rewarding career in laboratory science after graduating from Arkansas State University
in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in the field. She played a critical role in healthcare for two decades, performing and supervising hospital lab functions and serving as a medical laboratory scientist.
As she moved up in the profession, she was proud of her contributions to research and patient care. But the long hours required and lack of control over her schedule were challenging, especially when it meant missing important moments with her two children. “I wanted to be able to spend more time with them instead of working holidays, weekends and night shifts in the hospital,” April explained.
By 2022, she knew something had to give. She also felt ready to explore new fields where she would have greater earning potential and her management experience could prove valuable. Although the prospect of a mid-career pivot was daunting, April was excited by the possibility. “I decided going back to school would be a great step in the right direction,” she said.
That spring, she returned to A-State and enrolled in the Master of Business Administration – General online program, continuing to work full-time while earning her degree. In addition to the convenience and affordability, she liked having the freedom to learn on her schedule. “The accessibility of the online program was amazing. I could even log in from an app on my phone,” she said.
“I could read my textbook anywhere that I was. I could listen to lectures more than once if I needed to,” she recalled. “That made it doable and manageable. I fit my studies into my everyday life.”
Taking the Graduate Business Fundamentals course at the beginning of the program set her up for success as well. “You get a little bit of accounting, economics, finance, marketing,” she noted, “so that it brings everyone from all the different backgrounds into the business arena.”
As April kept working closely with her online MBA professors and expanding her knowledge, she loved the sense of accomplishment she felt with each new class. “The self-confidence that was built every time I finished an assignment or did well on a test, that positive feedback that I got just kept me motivated,” she said.
The program’s capstone course—Strategic Management—was among April’s favorites, due to the research, collaboration and planning involved in the final team project. However, she says an elective internship opportunity with Edward Jones Investments was her “turning point” in the program.
“From the minute I walked into that office setting and saw the interaction, the culture, it was soothing to my soul,” she remembered, thinking “this is where I belong.’” The internship gave her the chance to test her growing skillset in a new context and see herself in a different role. “I had to do a final report at the end, a presentation to Dr. Hudson and Dr. Hill, and I told them, ‘This is life changing,’” she said.
April was hired as a full-time financial advisor for the brokerage soon after graduating from A-State with her MBA in December 2023.
She is grateful for her experience in the online program, which helped her redefine what success looks like. “This opened up a door for me where I can have a career that I love, that’s flexible, that allows me to do the things that I want to do,” she said. “It’s a worthy investment.”
Prepare for Promotion or Your Next Exciting Career With an A-State Master of Business Administration Online
If you are ready to advance in your current company or considering a career change, a master’s in business administration from Arkansas State University will help you achieve your goals. Our AACSB-accredited online MBA programs prepare you for leadership roles requiring expertise in management, strategy and innovation. An MBA can also give you a competitive advantage when applying for top positions in public administration or consulting.
In addition to a solid foundation in business principles and practices, the MBA provides you with the next-level skills and confidence to succeed. Whether you are an emerging leader or a seasoned professional, A-State has the right program to meet your needs.
Choose the comprehensive MBA – General online program or tailor your degree to fit your goals with a concentration in one of the following fields:
- Management
- Marketing
- Human Resource Management
- Financial Planning & Analysis
- Supply Chain Management
- Business Analytics
- Healthcare Management
- Agricultural Business
Affordable MBA online programs at A-State feature accelerated coursework so you can learn on your budget and timeline. Speed your progress or pause your studies as life dictates—you never have to worry about missing work or time with family and friends.
Core online MBA courses will enhance your ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex business processes. Concentrations provide specialized knowledge and practical experience you can apply right away as you master new tools and technologies shaping the future of business.
You can also customize your degree to align with your interests by choosing electives that help you build on your experience in areas such as:
- Advertising, sales and customer service
- Digital marketing and social media
- Data-driven decision-making
- International business
- Domestic and global logistics
- Financial forecasting
- Product development and production
With multiple start dates and no GRE or GMAT required for admission, you don’t have to wait to begin earning this valuable degree. Find your A-State MBA program, apply online and make your next bold career move today.
Learn more about Arkansas State University online Master of Business Administration programs.