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Studying an MBA and attending business school is a fantastic way to take your career to the next level, but the costs and commitment required for a full-time MBA can be intimidating.
For Anu Fanegan, a more flexible alternative to a two-year MBA programme was essential, so that she wouldn’t have to sacrifice her current job or spend time away from her family.
After researching options for studying an online MBA at an American business school, Anu applied to The University of Illinois’ Gies College of Business where she is now studying in their online MBA programme.
We spoke to Anu to learn more about her experience of the online MBA so far and to discover what attracted her to studying at Gies College of Business.
Please can you summarise your academic and professional background before the iMBA
I started out with a bachelor's degree in agricultural technology, then I got a master's in risk management because I wanted to better understand credit risks.
My first role was at a pan-African commercial bank, where I analysed and underwrote credit. Afterwards, I got interested in digital product management, specialising in credit and financing products before moving to other type of financial products.
What were your key motivations for pursuing an MBA?
I decided to pursue an MBA because I knew it was not just enough to build products; I needed to understand the business and management side of the products I was building and how it ties into generating revenue for my company.
I really wanted to acquire skills and experiences to scale products into full-fledged business lines.
At what stage in the process did you realise an online MBA was the best fit for you?
I realised this after researching the cost and time commitment required for an on-site MBA in the US. I didn't want to leave my job and family for two years to study, so I started reading up on flexible options.
How did you learn about the iMBA at Gies Business?
I went online looking for schools with a flexible schedule, but with all the perks of being there physically. A friend that lives in Illinois suggested I look up MBA schools in the region, and that's how I found out about Gies Business.
What aspects of the iMBA programme at Gies Business appealed to you?
I’d say the live sessions and the capstone projects. I have met and interacted with students from all continents through the capstone, and we get to work on some cool stuff like a business podcast, which I really enjoyed making!
The live sessions give me direct access to the professors, so I join in live almost all the time.
What have been the biggest surprises of the programme so far?
The flexibility of it all, such as the fact that I can email professors if I'm confused about a concept, and they respond quickly which is awesome.
My biggest surprise is the weekly assignment. I assumed that since it was a not-so-linear programme, I'd just have to do exams-. The weekly assignments have actually been really helpful because I now have to commit to learning weekly and be disciplined so I do not miss assignment deadlines. I have been able to build a routine out of this.
Can you give an example of how the flexible nature of the iMBA programme has had a positive impact for you?
I think one major positive impact is meeting people that I would not have interacted with in the regular course of my life. I met the deputy director of the ministry of trade in South Korea in one of my team assignments!
This is only possible because the iMBA programme integrates people from every walk of life. I have been able to build meaningful connections with people, such that I can travel to their city and ask for a meet up.
What electives and specialisations have you chosen and how will these be useful in your future career?
I opted for the entrepreneurship and strategic innovation specialisation as this really aligns with my purpose of attending business school, namely being able to scale my products into standalone businesses.
I also did the mergers and acquisitions specialisation because the courses helped me understand the complex world of business capital structure, financial modelling and the use of financial information to gain insight into how businesses are doing.
I wanted to understand the quantitative aspect of business to be able to apply it should the occasion demand.
How would you describe the iMBA experience to prospective applicants?
I would describe it as innovative and eye-opening, because there are so many different parts merging into one here. The global network, the interactive learning, the robust yet affordable curriculum, and the personal growth through critical thinking and problem-solving makes it all worthwhile.
As Head of Content, Craig is responsible for all articles and guides published across TopUniversities and TopMBA. He has nearly 10 years of experience writing for a student audience and extensive knowledge of universities and study programs around the world.
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Why the flexibility of an online MBA was perfect for my personal and professional goals
Craig OCallaghan
Updated May 16, 2025Save
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Sponsored by Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Studying an MBA and attending business school is a fantastic way to take your career to the next level, but the costs and commitment required for a full-time MBA can be intimidating.
For Anu Fanegan, a more flexible alternative to a two-year MBA programme was essential, so that she wouldn’t have to sacrifice her current job or spend time away from her family.
After researching options for studying an online MBA at an American business school, Anu applied to The University of Illinois’ Gies College of Business where she is now studying in their online MBA programme.
We spoke to Anu to learn more about her experience of the online MBA so far and to discover what attracted her to studying at Gies College of Business.
Please can you summarise your academic and professional background before the iMBA
I started out with a bachelor's degree in agricultural technology, then I got a master's in risk management because I wanted to better understand credit risks.
My first role was at a pan-African commercial bank, where I analysed and underwrote credit. Afterwards, I got interested in digital product management, specialising in credit and financing products before moving to other type of financial products.
What were your key motivations for pursuing an MBA?
I decided to pursue an MBA because I knew it was not just enough to build products; I needed to understand the business and management side of the products I was building and how it ties into generating revenue for my company.
I really wanted to acquire skills and experiences to scale products into full-fledged business lines.
At what stage in the process did you realise an online MBA was the best fit for you?
I realised this after researching the cost and time commitment required for an on-site MBA in the US. I didn't want to leave my job and family for two years to study, so I started reading up on flexible options.
How did you learn about the iMBA at Gies Business?
I went online looking for schools with a flexible schedule, but with all the perks of being there physically. A friend that lives in Illinois suggested I look up MBA schools in the region, and that's how I found out about Gies Business.
What aspects of the iMBA programme at Gies Business appealed to you?
I’d say the live sessions and the capstone projects. I have met and interacted with students from all continents through the capstone, and we get to work on some cool stuff like a business podcast, which I really enjoyed making!
The live sessions give me direct access to the professors, so I join in live almost all the time.
What have been the biggest surprises of the programme so far?
The flexibility of it all, such as the fact that I can email professors if I'm confused about a concept, and they respond quickly which is awesome.
My biggest surprise is the weekly assignment. I assumed that since it was a not-so-linear programme, I'd just have to do exams-. The weekly assignments have actually been really helpful because I now have to commit to learning weekly and be disciplined so I do not miss assignment deadlines. I have been able to build a routine out of this.
Can you give an example of how the flexible nature of the iMBA programme has had a positive impact for you?
I think one major positive impact is meeting people that I would not have interacted with in the regular course of my life. I met the deputy director of the ministry of trade in South Korea in one of my team assignments!
This is only possible because the iMBA programme integrates people from every walk of life. I have been able to build meaningful connections with people, such that I can travel to their city and ask for a meet up.
What electives and specialisations have you chosen and how will these be useful in your future career?
I opted for the entrepreneurship and strategic innovation specialisation as this really aligns with my purpose of attending business school, namely being able to scale my products into standalone businesses.
I also did the mergers and acquisitions specialisation because the courses helped me understand the complex world of business capital structure, financial modelling and the use of financial information to gain insight into how businesses are doing.
I wanted to understand the quantitative aspect of business to be able to apply it should the occasion demand.
How would you describe the iMBA experience to prospective applicants?
I would describe it as innovative and eye-opening, because there are so many different parts merging into one here. The global network, the interactive learning, the robust yet affordable curriculum, and the personal growth through critical thinking and problem-solving makes it all worthwhile.
As Head of Content, Craig is responsible for all articles and guides published across TopUniversities and TopMBA. He has nearly 10 years of experience writing for a student audience and extensive knowledge of universities and study programs around the world.
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