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Q&A with Mark Stiles, entrepreneur and 2018 graduate of the Online BBA program

Q&A with Mark Stiles, entrepreneur and 2018 graduate of the Online BBA program

Why did you decide to complete your bachelor’s degree? And what specifically led you to choosing the Georgia Online BBA program?

I’ve always viewed education as a never ending and continuous process. After graduating from the Harvard Graduate School of Design’s Advanced Management and Development program, I set my sights on finishing my BBA. With the advances we’ve made in technology, I realized I could finish my degree online more easily than attending a traditional classroom setting.

The University of Georgia made sense, as I actually started my university education in Athens. I knew it was a great university, but the flexible course offerings plus the helpfulness of the team really set their program apart. I was able to visit campus, have a face-to-face discussion with my advisor and even got to meet the dean of the Terry College of Business.

How do you believe this degree will help you in your career or professional life?
The BBA Online courses complemented and refined my real-life work experience in the U.S. and overseas. Also, the program helps students stay up to date with the latest thoughts, trends and methods relevant to the modern businessperson. For someone like myself, these are crucial to running your own business and running it successfully.

What has been your favorite thing so far about the program? 
I have really appreciated the ability to have flexible classroom hours and to take exams from locations anywhere in the world. I usually do my classwork from my home office late in the evening and sometimes in-flight on an airplane. The program has kept pace with my busy schedule.

Do you have any final thoughts you’d like to share with others interested in the program?
Since starting the UGA Online BBA I have run 155-mile self-supported ultra-marathons in the Gobi Desert, China, the Namib Desert, Namibia, Patagonia Desert, Argentina. I’ve summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania and Mt. Vinson in Antarctica. To top it all off, I’ve started a big box warehouse development company with a project in Savannah and one in Atlanta,  on a site purchased from a fellow US Marine. It’s doable to complete this program without drastically altering your lifestyle. And through all of those incredible experiences, it’s also a nice feeling to receive that final course grade. 
 

The Georgia BBA Online degree completion program helps you take control of your career by teaching you the essential skills needed for business success. We designed the program for those of you with busy schedules, offering a flexible online format. Learn more about our program by visiting online.uga.edu/bba