Poets&Quants' recently released the seventh annual Best and Brightest Online MBAs and included two Huskers, Scott Holweger, '97 and '24, of Spring Hill, Kansas, and Megan O'Brien, '24, of Charlotte, North Carolina. Selected for their "strong academic performance, critical and consistent contributions, striking personal narratives and innate potential," the students joined others in the list of the world's top-ranked online MBA programs.

As part of a feature in the Poets&Quants Class of 2024, Holweger and O'Brien answered questions about their experiences in the online MBA program. Both shared they chose the online MBA@Nebraska in part due to its reputation and rankings, which currently include No. 3 and No. 16 online MBA among public institutions by The Princeton Review and Poets&Quants, respectively.

“When researching MBA programs, I found MBA@Nebraska was very highly ranked for value for the money. It also has a great veteran’s discount,” said Holweger, who serves as the design engineering team leader for Garmin International and designed the Motorola PEBL 2005 cellphone featured in a Super Bowl commercial. "As an engineer, having a better understanding of business helped me when making decisions that affect not only the design but also the financial side of the business."

They found the program's fully online, mobile-optimized classes enabled them to earn their degrees while continuing to work and fulfill family and life commitments. The eight-week courses use the Canvas platform and feature guided video overviews and live group discussions.

"My favorite part was the flexibility to continue working full-time while advancing my education. I enjoyed the opportunity to learn in the classroom again and not have to pause my career," said O'Brien, who is a business consultant in supply chain planning at EY. "It was beneficial to apply the concepts from class to my role."

She highlighted her favorite classes, which included Strengths-Based Leadership (GRBA 896). The course helps MBA students learn ways to incorporate CliftonStrengths® into their leadership style and professional role. As a strengths-based business school, the college offers one-on-one coaching with Gallup-Certified Strengths Coaches for MBA students.

"The [classes with the] biggest impact were the two courses I took that discussed positive psychology and the happiness advantage. The classes discussed how to change our mindset to improve our mood which in turn improves productivity. I have already established some of these habits for myself, and I plan to install these routines with my team as well," she said.

For Holweger, the opportunity to specialize his MBA in international business and improve communications with his clients and partners worldwide led to enjoying the Leadership in a Global Context course (MNGT 828) taught by Elina Ibrayeva, associate professor in management and three-time recipient of the college’s Online Graduate Programs Teaching Award.

"I communicate on a regular basis with people from a very wide range of countries, including Germany, England, Spain, Croatia, Romania, Japan and countless others," Holweger said. "I deal with globalization on a daily basis, and that is why I wanted to specialize in international business with my MBA."

O'Brien, who got her undergraduate degree at Purdue University, shared how she built relationships with peers in the online program.

"I met so many students with diverse backgrounds in different parts of the world, including people from California, Oregon, Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina and many more. In my classes, I heard experiences from people in pharmaceuticals, nonprofits, engineering, the military and so much more," she said. "I have been able to stay in touch virtually since our interactions were all virtual to begin with."

During their time in the program, both students pursued their career goals. O'Brien transitioned from the supply chain industry to supply chain consulting. Holweger set his sights on his next career goal.

"The skills I’ve learned will serve me as my career progresses. I would like to be a director of engineering at a major U.S. corporation," he said.

Those looking to advance their career by earning an MBA@Nebraska should complete an application by December 1, April 15 or July 15. 

Read the Poets&Quants article or their profiles on Holweger and O'Brien.