Mark Calendine, OMBA '26
Mark Calendine, OMBA ‘26, has always been someone who thrives on adventure. After completing his undergraduate studies in political science and international relations at American University, he entered the Air Force, where he was deployed to Korea and flew 150 combat missions over Iraq and Syria.
After completing his work with the Air Force, Mark joined Boeing Co. as an F-15 flight instructor based in Doha, Qatar. There, he works with the Qatari military teaching F15 pilot skills and navigating diverse corporate, government, and cultural dynamics. When thinking about his future career goals, he says, “Every day I see exciting opportunities to combine business and military expertise in the world of defense contracting.”
Pivoting with the Ross School of Business
During his transition to the private sector, Mark learned about online MBA programs through a colleague and was immediately interested. Mark had worked in an innovation cell during his time in the Air Force, and he knew that a business degree could be an important factor in getting further involved in military innovation.
Mark says that he wanted to continue working and progressing in his career while completing an MBA, and the convenience of an online program sounded perfect for him. Mark considered a variety of schools, but he says the Michigan Ross Online MBA Program really stood out to him.
Ross is one of only a few online programs that have a significant in-person component. I wanted to come out of business school with a personal network akin to one I would have gotten in an on-campus program. The residencies and other in-person opportunities in the Ross program convinced me that I’d make quality connections as an online student.
Maximizing Virtual and In-person Learning
Mark says the interplay between the in-person experiences, the online classes, and group projects has exceeded his expectations.
“I’ve been amazed by the caliber of students in the program. I’ve met people working in Fortune 500 companies, as well as doctors and lawyers. Whether we’re in a residency, a class, or a group project, we combine all of our different perspectives, and the learning is multidimensional.”
Mark says another big factor in his decision to go to Ross was the school’s reputation.
“I wanted credibility that could go anywhere. The Ross name is known around the world, and I knew the Ross MBA would open doors no matter what I choose to pursue in the future,” he said.
He also says the fact that Ross puts its online program on equal footing with its on-campus programs was important to him.
“Ross puts its best faculty in the program and includes OMBA students in on-campus recruiting. These things told me that I would be an important member of the Ross student community.”
Now about half-way through the program, Mark says it’s a lot of work, but he’s having a blast.
“I join the live sessions in the middle of the night from Doha, which is the early evening in Michigan. The Ross digital learning studio is awesome and makes virtual learning really come to life.”
He also says that work/life balance can be tough while in the program, and that “to get the most out of it, you really need to manage your time.”
Taking What He’s Learning to the Real World
Mark says he’s already using knowledge he gained in the program in his everyday life. “The faculty teach you to think in new ways, and they make every topic relevant to the real world. I see the world differently now, and I understand the business components of everything I do. I can now speak the same language as decision-makers I work with and influence how we approach tough problems.”
After graduation, Mark wants to work with a defense technology startup in a business development or strategy role.
“There’s so much opportunity in robotics, artificial intelligence, and analytics to transform defense work. There’s an important role that I can play connecting new technology to military applications. I’ve been on the front lines, and I can work on the business side of things to make products in development better for actual use,” he said.
Mark also wants to start a small business for himself one day. During the innovation residency, he developed a concept for a recruiting company for transitioning military personnel.
“With the resources at Ross, I know I can launch it. It would be very rewarding to help others making the same military transition that I did.”
Setting Priorities
Mark offers this advice to incoming students:
In the Online MBA Program, the sky’s the limit on opportunities to get a great education, make a career switch, have once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and travel, all while working. It’s important to think clearly about your goals, so you can prioritize your time and focus on what is really going to help you the most.