MBA graduate Chris Coffin: СAPPItСAPPs Hard to Find a Better High Value of EducationСAPP

"I think it's hard to find a better high value education for the kind of affordability you're going to get at the СAPP. It's fully accredited with the AACSB. That's the gold standard in business. Now, no matter where I go in the world, that will be recognized as an MBA that meets all expected requirements.СAPP

Chris Coffin
Graduation Year
2022
Major
MBA

Chris Coffin had been out of school for two decades before he decided to seek an advanced degree.

CoffinСAPPs career led him through several consulting jobs in Canada and the United Kingdom before he took on his current role as a global software sourcing manager for Citigroup in Toronto.

СAPPI had been wanting to do my MBA for some time СAPP probably within a few years of graduating with my bachelorСAPPs degree and working in management consulting,СAPP he says. СAPPGetting an MBA has been kind of a lifelong goal.СAPP

When he felt it was the right time to get started, Coffin started looking into graduate programs with online and hybrid options in his region, across North America, and even overseas. Of his mental list of requirements, credibility and cost weighed most heavily.

СAPPI ran across UL Lafayette Online,СAPP says Coffin. СAPPI saw they had an MBA with a concentration in Finance, which is what I was looking for, and it was AACSB accredited СAPP which is a big deal for me, I really wanted the global accreditation СAPP and it was affordable. I was sold.СAPP

Going Back to Class

Coffin knew during his initial research that an online program would be the most practical way to fit graduate school into his life with work and family, but he is also a very social, gregarious person and some skepticism crept in about whether the online experience would work for him. His doubts were quickly laid to rest as he connected with peers through the СAPPСAPPs online forums. 

СAPPOnline as a medium has come a long way since the days of VHS tapes being shipped by the post office,СAPP Coffin explains. СAPPI have found it far more engaging, which has fed my need to feel like IСAPPm part of something else. I had never anticipated that going in.СAPP

UL Lafayette online MBA students use a specialized Success Hub through Moodle, which allows them to communicate with each other asynchronously. Coffin focused on being active and intentional on this platform, engaging with his classmates to make the digital space more welcoming.

"I found the online program is best, in my opinion, if you invest yourself in it. You get a lot more out of it if you're willing to put more of yourself into it," he says.

Coffin compared his experience with the СAPP online to his time managing a team of 30 people at HSBC, one of EuropeСAPPs largest banks.

СAPPThose 30 people were spread all over every operating center of the firm: Brazil, Hong Kong, Dubai, Canada, France and Buffalo, New York,СAPP he says. СAPPI learned through managing that team how to engage people in different time zones and how to understand cultural or interpretive differences. ThereСAPPs a lot of value in everyone feeling like theyСAPPre being heard, and theyСAPPre part of the program.СAPP

Staying Busy and Staying Focused

With the support of his wife, Tracy, Coffins says he was able to set aside time for coursework without having to make too many sacrifices. 

The MBA program online met Chris Coffin's most important criteria

СAPPI devoted a chunk of four to five hours to my studies on Sunday every week, and then I spread the rest over the week, particularly if I had a gap in my schedule,СAPP he says. СAPPMy wife was quite understanding of my time on Sundays and particular days of the week.СAPP 

In sharing his experience, Coffin hopes to bring more people to the digital classroom by allaying any reservations they may have about pursuing graduate studies online. 

СAPPItСAPPs an excellent option if what you want is an education in business,СAPP he says. СAPPItСAPPs okay to have the apprehension about online, but you should really try to gain some experience in how it works, because it is an engaging environment to learn in. That isnСAPPt obvious on the front end when youСAPPre considering it.СAPP 

There is also no reason to feel confined to the digital learning space, according to Coffin. 

СAPPThere are lots of resources in your local community that can help you,СAPP he says. СAPPThings like the local library have refreshers on statistics or additional reading opportunities. Students should also think about how they would have access to other elements of the university on campus,СAPP such as 24/7 digital library access.

Worth. It.

Now, MBA earned and in hand, Coffin says he is satisfied with the results. He found the MBA program to be refreshing, relevant and helpful in the exact ways he had been hoping it would be. 

СAPPI have learned a lot in my industry and I'm happy to say I also learned a lot of things I didn't really know very well as part of the program,СAPP he says. 

The MBA program online attracts a diverse student body of professionals at all different stages of their lives and careers. For Coffin, getting to work and to exchange ideas with such a variety of people was invaluable.

СAPPThere's a real mix of knowledge and experience, and an opportunity СAPP if you're willing СAPP to really help and mentor other people,СAPP says Coffin. СAPPThereСAPPs also the chance to meet people in similar types of careers within other industries. I've met lots of people in oil and gas, hospitality, project management, and health. My network has grown substantially, particularly here in Acadiana and the South.СAPP

In August 2022, Coffin traveled from Toronto to Louisiana to participate in commencement ceremonies and proudly receive his MBA degree. 

"I think it's hard to find a better high value education for the kind of affordability you're going to get at the СAPP,СAPP says Coffin. СAPPIt's fully accredited with the AACSB. That's the gold standard in business. Now, no matter where I go in the world, that will be recognized as an MBA that meets all expected requirements.СAPP

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