Fox EMBA’s newest graduates of 2017 are turbocharging their careers to reach even greater future professional successes. One reason Fox EMBA alumni outperform the rest is their ability to anticipate and adapt to changes in the workforce. Once students master their skills during the EMBA, they carry those skills over into their next positions, promotions, or projects.

We asked recent graduates Steven Pan, Shannon Connolly, and Carlos Chavarria to detail how their EMBA experiences are translating into their upcoming steps.

Their Thoughts Post Graduation…

Steven’s new firm and new perspective

Recent Role
I formed a consulting joint venture firm, called Hubway, and was appointed as the COO of the firm. Hubway helps Chinese manufacturers establish business in the U.S., and provides consultation, logistics, warehousing, fulfillment, and marketing, a to whole line of B2B and B2C services.

Latest Discovery
Was made by reaching out to the prospect firms after the Disruptive Leadership Class. The course provided a good framework and way of thinking between me and my suppliers.

EMBA Impact
The Disruptive Leadership class provided a whole new perspective on how to manage my current business. In class, Anat shared her experience at Mckinsey Consulting on how they successfully helped IBM to sell off their PC business to Lenovo, including strategy generation and key business decision making. It provided a good framework and way of thinking between me and my suppliers.

Advice for Future Students or Colleagues
Bring your questions to the classroom, be a good listener, and learn from the cohort.

Shannon’s transition from sales management into account management

Recent Role
I spent my first four years with MetLife in a Regional Sales Manager position. I was responsible for selling our global employee benefits product within a defined geographic territory.

About halfway through the EMBA program, I took on the role of Director of Account Management, in which I became responsible for a team of ten individuals, two of whom manage our implementation process, and eight of whom manage the ongoing client relationships for our overall book of business.

Latest Discovery
I was approached by two of the leaders within our business about the opportunity to take on the new role. This was my first time leading a team, as well as my first experience of becoming part of the leadership team at MetLife Expatriate Benefits.

Personal Growth
I have really enjoyed leading a team for the first time. I have never been directly involved in growing and developing the human capital in our business, so that has been a very rewarding experience.

EMBA Impact
I gained insight into change management and leadership strategy, which have helped me think differently in my new role. I have been able to apply many of the concepts I learned during our program to my discussions at the leadership table and with individual members of my team.

Advice for Future Students or Colleagues
Make your intentions around growth and career goals very transparent to those in your business, both at the peer and leadership levels.

Carlos’s uncovering new professional development

Recent Role
Within the first three courses in the Fox EMBA program I realized the company I was with just wasn’t the right fit for me.

Latest Discovery
Taking the skills, I learned I was able to locate a new job, with a higher salary, more responsibility, and overall better cultural fit. A close friend saw a new position open up, and immediately recommended me for the position.

Personal Growth
Being in a less toxic environment, under good leadership. It affords me the opportunity to demonstrate my capabilities and really grow professionally.

EMBA Impact
I can 100% say I use all the skills and knowledge the program. It helped me to develop and discover.

I have a greater appreciation for truly building good, professional, interpersonal relationships and I understand the value of those “soft skills” people talk about. It’s been a fundamental transformation in how I view the world, both professionally, and personally.

Advice for Future Students or Colleagues
Think about what goals you really want to achieve, take ownership of those goals, and get after it. It’s nobody else’s responsibility to push you or drive you to accomplish those goals so it has to come from within. Even when there’s external pressure from family, or your boss, or just life, the drive and motivation to be successful has to come from you. Climb the mountain.