In business and in life, there really is no substitute for relevant, practical experience. Chris Murray, MBA 25, Vice President for JP Morgan’s business management group, learned early on that his journey with the Flex MBA program would differ from his previous educational experiences.
The program's practice-focused curriculum empowers students to lead confidently by providing the skills and knowledge to create a direct impact in their careers. Haas faculty encourage students to take theories and connect them to businesses around the globe. Chris's academic journey with the Flex MBA program challenged him to bridge theory and practice in his courses, step out of his comfort zone, find his voice, and gain confidence in his ability to lead and succeed professionally.
Learning by doing
The Flex MBA program stands out because of its strong emphasis on practical learning. This system equips students with skills they can immediately apply in the real world. The courses integrate concepts with practical applications, such as case studies and projects that link them to global business experiences.
During Chris’s first course in the program, Data and Decisions, he could apply the statistical theories he learned to his real-world job. His capstone project required him to analyze data sets and produce actionable insights for a business. With his company's approval, he studied actual company data, applying the statistical theories and concepts he learned from his course. He then took what he learned and used it to recommend an action plan for the company.
“It was cool to take some of the things I was learning in class directly that I probably wouldn't have applied because it wasn't part of my day job and put it right into work. I was able to take the presentation that we shared with our class, share it with our executive team, and walk them through some recommendations. After that, we had a bit of an action plan on what we could do as a business to take away from those conclusions. So it was a huge win for me, and I think it was great for my study team as well because I think they were excited to apply this to a real company that was organized and had an interesting business model."
Confidence to lead
The MBA Flex program is purpose-built to bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world. With the curriculum available both online and in-person, students in the Flex MBA program build confidence while cultivating their skills as leaders. “The Flex format has been ideal for me. When I started the program, I worked at a startup, and we were working on an exit. I've also had some personal things come up where, you know, being on campus multiple days a week just wouldn't have been a realistic ask. My mom passed away last year, and then just last month, my daughter was born.”
For Chris, the program was necessary for him to reach the next level in his career. He explains, “Early in my career, I always kind of felt like, alright, well, if you're the boss…you know everything, but as I've been working for over 10 years now, you realize that's not the case. Everyone's just figuring it out as they go. It does take some conviction to stand behind your opinions and bring them forward. I thought if I really wanted to make an impact and accelerate my career, I needed this badge of honor. I felt like there was a bit of a ceiling I was hitting regarding how much I could contribute. I was in many conversations and sometimes didn't follow the discussion. I did have the same strong opinions but not the conviction to speak up."
Chris also found ways to build his leadership skills by stepping out of his comfort zone. He applied to become an academic cohort rep, a role that made him a liaison between professors and students. He was responsible for communicating feedback and facilitating surveys. "The defining leadership principles spoke to me. I wanted to go beyond myself, and this was an opportunity to put in extra time. It was also to get some value from this, meet the insanely impressive professors, and do something for my classmates."
Being a cohort rep helped him foster friendships with his peers and professors, even those he didn’t have classes with, giving him a more robust network. "This was the best decision I made. It brought me closer to a few of my classmates and cohort reps. But it also allowed me to engage with the program office and the professors on a level I probably wouldn't have. I would have been more passive in the program had I not done it and not taken advantage of the time while I was here.”
Learning that yields real results
While all learners in the Flex MBA program seek to earn an MBA, each enters the program with different goals. The program's flexibility allows students to choose from courses and roles that help them develop practical skills that lead to career advancements. With the option to customize their learning journey, each student has the opportunity to curate their own unique learning experience.
Be kind to yourself and recognize that it's all a balance. Second, put yourself out there and step out of your comfort zone."
Chris’s pursuit of career advancement and development inspired him to expand his skills and confidence. He pushed himself to more challenging roles and courses, focusing on topics that were most relevant to his professional goals.
For Chris, the program's significance goes beyond the surface. UC Berkeley's Evening & Weekend MBA program has a strong alumni network that supports students through every stage of their academic adventure. Comprised of a diverse group from various industries and backgrounds, the Berkeley Haas alumni network provides helpful resources for every student. Along the way, his peers, professors, and alums each have each other's best interests at heart, fostering valuable professional relationships.
Excelling outside of your comfort zone
Chris’s academic journey exemplifies the program's focus on providing students with powerful tools for professional and personal growth. Building practical and relevant skills from his professors, classmates, and course projects has set him on the right course for achieving success in his career.
Chris has learned some things along the way and has some words of advice for future Flex MBA students, “Be kind to yourself and recognize that it's all a balance. Second, put yourself out there and step out of your comfort zone." The Flex MBA program encourages students to step out of their comfort zones and commit to challenges they may not usually take. For Chris, it was taking on the role of a cohort rep to challenge himself, give him practical experience with leadership and advocacy, and build a stronger network.
Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone? From theoretical exercises to real-world learning experiences, the Berkeley Haas Flex MBA program gives future leaders a strong foundation of knowledge and skills from wherever you are.
