Motivated Professionals: Meet the Newest Members of the Michigan Ross Online MBA Program

The OMBA students live and work in 27 U.S. states, with 78% based outside of Michigan. They are participating in live, interactive class sessions utilizing the digital education studios and will come together on campus and around the globe for three in-person residencies.

This new group of students come to Michigan Ross with undergraduate degrees in a wide range of disciplines, such as engineering, business and economics, and social sciences/humanities, bringing valuable perspectives and insights. Additionally, 30% already hold an advanced degree.

Their average seven years of work experience spans diverse backgrounds, including internet and software services, finance, healthcare, and the military. Most students will continue to work while pursuing their MBA, maximizing the flexibility of the online program.

Below, meet four members of the newest class of Online MBA students.

Megan Cote

Hometown: Woodinville, Washington
Current job: Staff electrical design engineer, Stryker
Undergraduate school/major: University of Bristol, electrical and electronic engineering
Graduate school/major: Tufts University, master of science, biomedical engineering

What is your greatest professional accomplishment so far? 
My master's thesis and defense were a huge accomplishment for me. My thesis was titled "Development and Characterization of a Bioelectronic Scaffold for 3D Tissue Integration." This work allowed me to apply my electrical engineering background to the healthcare industry, which I was interested in and ultimately joined as a professional. I completed my degree and thesis during the pandemic while working full-time, learning how to fabricate devices in the cleanroom, and mentoring undergraduates in the lab. I am proud of how I managed both school and work during this time to ensure I performed to the best of my abilities for both. This was the most challenging period of my career, but I learned the most during this time, and I am proud of the thesis I produced. 

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross OMBA Program?  
I wanted to learn about business and strategy in decision-making because I want to be involved in the discussion surrounding my projects and have the business tools to advocate for my work. I chose the Michigan Ross OMBA Program because I wanted a world-class education but wanted to continue working full-time without needing to move. The OMBA Program was perfect for those needs and offers me the flexibility I need for my life. I chose the University of Michigan in particular because I am a fourth-generation student and have heard cheers of "Go Blue!" for as long as I can remember. I want to be part of this great university and my family's legacy here.

What are you most looking forward to in the OMBA Program and at Ross? 
I am most looking forward to growing as a professional and meeting all my fellow students. I have already met some of the cohort, and there is so much diversity among us. I am excited to get to know my cohort better and learn as much as I can from them.

How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career? 
This MBA will give me the tools to speak the same language as the business-focused decision-makers at my company. I want to have a voice in decision-making and business strategic planning to be able to advocate for our patients and help improve healthcare through projects I am passionate about, but I do not currently have the background to do that. This MBA will give me the skills I need to be more impactful at my company and champion projects or products that are important for our patients.

What has been your first impression of Ross? 
Everyone is very friendly and helpful! I have been impressed by how much other students want to learn about and from each other. I was also surprised by how seamless the classes and connections with fellow students have been in a virtual forum.

Anything else you'd like to add about your experience so far? 
Michigan Ross does a great job of making us online students feel connected and supported. There seem to be a plethora of ways to get involved with the university, even from a virtual capacity. I feel lucky to be a part of this amazing cohort and I am excited to see what this program brings. Go Blue! 

Trent Fields 

Hometown: St. Cloud, Florida; currently Raleigh, North Carolina
Current job: Senior Sales Engineer, Snowflake Inc.
Undergraduate School/Major: University of Florida, electrical engineering
Graduate School/Major: University of Florida, electrical and computer engineering

What is your greatest professional accomplishment so far?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we enabled healthcare organizations nationwide to swiftly adopt new data practices, empowering hospitals to treat patients more efficiently and insurers to provide proactive support for their members. Since then, we’ve enhanced these models with artificial intelligence, allowing us to predict industry trends and develop more prescriptive health plans for patients.

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross OMBA Program?
Starting my career in a more traditional engineering role and transitioning into a customer-facing position has broadened my understanding of the large-scale issues that organizations face. My decision to join the Ross OBMA Program was driven by a desire to connect with peers in similar roles who are also addressing these complex problems and collaborate with them in developing a broader, more strategic approach to solving future challenges.

What are you most looking forward to in the OMBA Program and at Ross?
The coursework! I didn’t have the opportunity to take many business-related courses during my previous undergraduate or graduate programs, so I’m excited to learn new skills and collaborate with fellow students from diverse disciplines.

How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career?
The Ross OMBA Program will offer me a unique opportunity to broaden my perspective by collaborating with professionals from various industries and immersing myself in unique problem-solving approaches.

What has been your first impression of Ross?
It’s been inspiring to hear from fellow students about their personal and professional experiences and the methodologies they use to break down problems in class. Even though I’m still early in my time at Ross, I’ve already gained valuable insights from both students and faculty that I’ve been able to apply in my career.

Anything else you’d like to add about your experience so far?
Transitioning back into the classroom after some time away can be an adjustment. I highly recommend pacing yourself during your first semester and focusing on gradually rebuilding your routines.

Kyla Chung

Hometown: Seoul, South Korea; currently living in Honolulu, Hawaii
Current job: Integrity program manager, Meta Platforms Inc.
Undergraduate school/major: Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan, international relations

What is your greatest professional accomplishment so far?
My greatest professional accomplishment has been my work at Meta, where I’ve had opportunities to manage operations for the integrity systems across the world’s biggest messaging platforms like Facebook Messenger and Instagram. I’ve been a part of successful teams designing and implementing various risk mitigation measures for large-scale messaging products that billions of users around the world use. Leading this effort has been incredibly challenging but also rewarding.

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross OMBA Program?  
I chose the Michigan Ross OMBA Program because it offers the perfect blend of academic rigor, leadership development, and flexibility at one of the top-ranked schools in the world. I recognized that to elevate my career into more strategy-oriented roles, I needed to expand my skill set in areas like business acumen, decision-making, and leadership. However, I also did not want to move far away from where I live (Honolulu) or leave my current role, which I enjoy. The flexible structure of the Ross OMBA, along with its emphasis on real-world application, made it the ideal fit for me and let me "have it all" (or at least try!). Also, as someone who's moved frequently across different countries, and plans to continue doing so, the strength of the U-M and Ross alumni network was also a major draw.

What are you most looking forward to in the OMBA Program and at Ross?
I’m most excited about participating in the action-based learning opportunities that Ross provides, such as the in-person residencies, Multidisciplinary Action Projects, and other hands-on initiatives. I also look forward to meeting and collaborating with peers from diverse backgrounds and creating solutions to real-life business challenges. The diversity of backgrounds and knowledge within the OMBA class has already impressed me, and I’m eager to learn and grow alongside such a talented group.

How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career?
Pursuing an MBA at Ross will equip me with the knowledge, tools, and experience to take on more strategic leadership roles within the tech industry. I want to expand my scope beyond program management and focus on developing long-term business strategies, especially in overseas markets like East Asia, where I’ve lived and worked. I believe the strong focus on leadership development, along with opportunities to explore global business, will help me refine these skills, building a solid foundation for my future.

What has been your first impression of Ross?
My first impression has been overwhelmingly positive, exceeding all my expectations. The synchronous lectures are extremely well thought out and engaging, thanks to the state-of-the-art studio technology as well as the active participation of students. It is clear that the professors and the school have invested significant time and resources to make this online program truly immersive, rather than simply putting up pre-recorded videos and one-sided Zoom lectures. I feel energized by the knowledge and the relationships I’m building, and I can already see how the program is shaping my decision-making at work.

Anything else you'd like to add about your experience so far?
I recently attended the Welcome Weekend and watched my first (big) college football game, which was an absolute blast! I already feel connected to my peer groups and am so glad that I took this leap of faith by joining Ross. Go Blue!

Jamil Rehemtulla 

Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan; currently Seattle, Washington
Current job: Acquisitions Program manager, Microsoft Corp.
Undergraduate School/Major: Michigan State University, supply chain management; 
Graduate School/Major: Michigan State University MSc. marketing research
 

What is your greatest professional accomplishment so far?
The accomplishment I’m most proud of is leading the exit of all Microsoft non-integrated acquired entities from doing business in Russia and Belarus. This helped support the sanctions levied by the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union against Russia and Belarus on the heels of its invasion of Ukraine.

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross OMBA Program?
As I researched Online MBA programs, it quickly became clear that the Ross OMBA Program is very unique. I learned that the OMBA Program is able to match the rigor of the full-time program by leveraging the same amazing U-M faculty and offers incredible learning opportunities like MAP and residencies that enable students to meet in person for hands-on learning. Overall, the Ross OMBA Program does an amazing job at getting as close to an in-person program as possible while still allowing me to have the flexibility to work in Seattle.

What are you most looking forward to in the OMBA Program and at Ross?
I am most looking forward to expanding my network, meeting individuals with similar career goals, and learning from their unique experiences. I’m also excited to apply my learnings from Ross into my role at Microsoft.

How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career?
Pursuing my MBA at Ross will equip me with the skills and network to elevate my career. The program’s emphasis on leadership and innovation is exactly what I need to stand out in any industry. Additionally, the connections I’ll make with classmates and alums will open up numerous opportunities. I’m confident that the experiences and knowledge gained at Ross will be invaluable for my professional growth.

What has been your first impression of Ross?
I immediately noticed how diverse the Ross student body is, not just when it comes to background but also industry, age, interests, experience, and more. So far, the incredible diversity of Ross has been instrumental in broadening my perspective and enriching the learning experience.

Anything else you’d like to add about your experience so far?
Go Blue! :)