Field of Vision Expands with Distance MBA

By Karen Crow

Photo by Beth Wynn

Earning a Master of Business Administration degree in 2015 has helped David Garraway meet the challenge of his new position as Director of Mississippi State University’s Television Center. Garraway had quickly climbed the ladder of success after he started his career at MSU in 2010 as a senior video producer.

Garraway had years of television experience and two liberal arts degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi but lacked the business skills needed for his new role. With the MSU Distance MBA, he found the respected, formal online curriculum he sought.

“The Distance MBA provided the educational knowledge I sought with the rigor I needed,” he says.

No two days at the University Television Center look the same.

“There’s creative problem-solving and work on and off campus to produce short and long pieces,” he shares.

The Distance MBA gave Garraway more confidence in his decisions at work. By combining his critical and technical expertise with financial and business knowledge, he built a solid foundation for making decisions to benefit the Center and Mississippi State as a whole.

“It can be very difficult when taking on a new role at work, adding to your family and taking classes,” comments Garraway, whose Distance MBA journey began in 2013. “Whether it’s 2 o’clock in the afternoon or 2 o’clock in the morning, you can find time to work on your studies because the program is so flexible.”

Garraway is quick to point out the value of a Mississippi State MBA.

“I had partners in Japan, California and Germany on a group assignment. That’s practical, real-world experience in today’s global economy,” he says. “That’s one way education is mirroring and adapting to today’s workforce.”

In 2017, Distance MBA students represented 36 states and three countries. The greatest numbers came from Mississippi, Texas and Alabama, respectively.

“The Distance MBA takes discipline and time management as well as the ability to work independently and with teams,” says Cindy Smith, Director of Distance Learning. “We emphasize teamwork and the development of team skills, so one of the biggest challenges for working professionals can be coordinating projects with members on the other side of the world.”

Ranked No. 18 this year by U.S. News & World Report, the 30-credit-hour program has been completely online since 2004. Many students are working professionals who complete the program from all around the world because in-state tuition extends to distance students. The program is typically completed in two years. In addition to the Distance MBA, the College of Business also offers the Master of Science in Information Systems and MBA Project Management degrees via distance.

Garraway stresses that the Distance MBA program is not easy but worth the effort.

“The hardest decision is convincing yourself it’s time to start,” he says. “Once you do, you’ll find MSU and its people are welcoming. The program will challenge you. It will make you better in business. But it is designed to respect your time and gives you flexibility.”

For more information, visit www.distance.msstate.edu/mba.