Alexander Dayton leveraged the flexibility and depth of the Iowa MBA program to explore a new career path in business analytics and earn a promotion—all while continuing to work full time.
From aspiration to action
Alexander Dayton wanted to elevate his career. In his mind, the best way to do it? Get an MBA.
A leader at John Deere Financial where he works encouraged him to pursue the degree at Tippie, pointing to its strong reputation and career-boosting benefits.
“The name is well-known around the nation.”
Another deciding factor was convenience: the Iowa MBA offers in-person classes in Des Moines, where Alexander is based, along with flexible online options. He found it to be the best of both worlds.
“I really enjoyed the experience online. We weren’t so regimented and could watch lectures at our own leisure. I also got to meet more classmates across the nation and from around the world, which helped me learn new perspectives.”
New ways of thinking
For Alexander, one of the most valuable outcomes of the Iowa MBA was a shift in mindset.
“I think differently. I think more critically. I have different perspectives and approaches to problems I’m trying to solve.”
Balancing work and school wasn’t easy—but it was doable. He credits Tippie faculty for their understanding of students' full lives and busy schedules.
During Alexander’s time in the program, Tippie shortened its courses from 11 weeks to 8 weeks, a change he appreciated.
“Tippie is really good at listening to feedback from the students and implementing it to make a better program so we can graduate sooner or align our schedules better.”
The commitment of his classmates also made a difference.
“Everyone is on the same page that we want to get an MBA.”
Career in action
While earning his MBA, Alexander added a concentration in business analytics—and it’s already paying off. He was promoted from customer account specialist to business intelligence analyst.
It was Tippie’s data-focused courses that sparked his interest in a new field.
“When I first started the program, I didn’t know much about data or even if I was capable of doing it. It was through the analytics classes that I realized how cool it was, and that I could do it.”
Today, Alexander feels the impact of his MBA daily … and knows it’s been a catalyst for growth.
“Without Tippie and the Iowa MBA, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”