In this Alumni Spotlight, we catch up with James Brooks, a 2024 graduate from the online Master of Business Administration program offered by the John Chambers College of Business and Economics. He shares his experience as an online student at West Virginia University and discusses how he's applying the knowledge he gained in the classroom to his current role.
Photo: Alumni James Brooks
What’s your current job title and where do you work?
I am currently a senior contracts manager (Contracts Management, Sr) at Lockheed Martin.
What drew you to WVU’s online MBA program?
I was born, raised, and currently live in Southern California so it’s always surprising
to people when I tell them I completed my MBA at WVU. However, I initially looked
into WVU’s online MBA program because my sister attended WVU (she graduated in
2021).
What ultimately drew me to WVU’s online MBA program was the emphasis on
experiential learning. I knew I would be doing an online program, so I wanted
one that would challenge me to read and analyze case studies and work through real-life
scenarios and business models that I could take with me to my work at Lockheed
Martin.
What skills or lessons from the program have been most valuable in your current role?
The most valuable and applicable skills I have gained from the online MBA program are leadership and communication. Although I am not in an official leadership position at work, these skills have enhanced my ability to influence and motivate others by communicating effectively. The program emphasized strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making, all of which help me be proactive and contribute to team projects. Additionally, learning about organizational behavior and teamwork has improved how I collaborate with others, allowing me to work more effectively with colleagues across different functions. Overall, the MBA has strengthened my confidence and ability to lead by example, regardless of my official title.
Share a favorite memory or meaningful experience from your time in the program—perhaps with a professor, classmate, or project.
The most meaningful experience during my time in the program was participating in various group projects. Finding ways to connect and collaborate with my peers and classmates in an online environment was incredibly rewarding, as it fostered a sense of solidarity and community in a setting that can feel isolating. While group projects can sometimes be intimidating, I found that everyone was consistently professional and committed to shared success. These experiences not only enhanced my teamwork skills but also reinforced the importance of effective communication and collaboration in a virtual environment.
How did the online format work for you? How were you able to balance work, life, and school? What tips would you give others trying to do the same?
I ended up starting the MBA program at a time in life that most people would not consider the best time to start a master's program. I was not only working full time in a rigorous three-year leadership development program, but my wife and I also found out we were pregnant and expecting in December 2022.
I was nervous to have so much change at once between my work, personal, and academic life, but the MBA program’s asynchronous approach to learning made it extremely manageable. It was such a privilege to work at my own pace each week (as long as I completed all my work) as opposed to having to sit through lectures at a set time. Even with an asynchronous format, there was still the need to make sacrifices like staying up late after my wife and daughter went to bed or not hanging out with friends on some weekends.
My advice for someone going into an online program with WVU is to manage your time on a ‘week to week’ or ‘module to module basis’. Don’t get ahead of yourself. Take it one week at a time as your weeks and availability may look different. Obviously, if you have a project due at the end of the course don’t wait until the last minute. As long as I managed my time on a week to week basis, it helped me avoid getting overwhelmed.
How has your career evolved since completing the program?
It’s been about eight months since I completed my MBA, so the evolution is happening continuously. My leadership development program wrapped up around the same time that I finished the MBA program, so I was able to transition into my current job as a senior contracts manager on Lockheed’s F-35 program where I manage a multitude of contracts totaling over $2 billion. It’s been a great opportunity that challenges me on all the various skills I developed during my MBA such as time management, negotiations, financial analysis, and presentation skills and I’m looking forward to continuing to grow in this role and whatever roles I can take on in the future.
It's easy to find reasons not to do something, but my advice is to take the leap. WVU is a fantastic place to do it. James Brooks, MBA '24
What advice would you offer to prospective students who are considering studying WVU’s online MBA?
I'm a big believer in this: if you've done your research and due diligence, and the only thing holding you back is timing, then there's no better time than now. It's easy to find reasons not to do something, but my advice is to take the leap. WVU is a fantastic place to do it.