There are many ways to network during your Online MBA—so make sure you don’t miss the opportunities
Online MBAs are great for busy professionals. Pursuing a degree around your job and family life means you have more flexibility to create a balance between work, family, and education. However, many students still worry that not opting to study on campus means they will lose a significant part of the business school experience—networking opportunities.
Just because you’ll be interacting with your cohort and professors virtually doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the chance to build strong connections that will benefit your career.
It really comes down to how proactive you are during your Online MBA, and how much you leverage the opportunities to collaborate with your classmates on projects or connect with your business school's alumni network.
Here are five ways you can network successfully during your Online MBA.
1. Build personal connections with your Online MBA cohort
Networking doesn’t solely have to be focused on what you can gain from one another professionally. Often, creating personal connections with the people in your cohort can make a big difference in increasing the strength of your personal network and its longevity.
Shilah Jenkins is a current Online MBA student at the University of Oklahoma (OU) Price College of Business. She decided to study the program to enhance her skills in her current role as sales department manager at Pioneer, a telecommunications company based in Oklahoma.
While studying for an Online MBA, Shilah realized how important it was to make a concerted effort during live virtual classes to connect with her cohort.
“Reach out during sessions to ask your classmates questions or find similar personality traits,” she advises.
By making the effort to know her cohort, Shilah has connected with peers from diverse professional backgrounds.
“The people I’ve worked with [on the MBA] have taught me so much more about all the different sides and levels of the business world,” she says.
Shilah adds that working hard to build these more personal, empathetic connections with her cohort eases any challenges she faces when balancing her studies with her work and caring for her three children.
“My peers have been very patient with me. If my kids are sick, then I can choose how I work, which could involve getting the spreadsheet ready ahead of the meeting, instead of meeting my classmates virtually,” she says.
2. Take advantage of the alumni network
Your business school alumni network is a gold mine.
Reaching out to the right people will give you insider advice about how to get your foot in the door in your dream industries and companies, what the culture is like, and the skills you need to be attractive to recruiters.
The University of Oklahoma has a 250,000-strong alumni network, while the Price College of Business boasts over 40,000 alumni.
Current Online MBA student Javel Gramling is confident this network will benefit him throughout his career as he pairs his technical skills as a software engineer with a connection to and understanding of the business world.
“I know the network represents individuals who live all across the world working for a variety of organizations, who are more than willing to assist and help me to join their company,” says Javel.
3. Attend a mix of online and in-person networking events
Online MBA students can still take advantage of in-person networking, with many schools running an extensive networking events program for alumni and students across different countries and regions.
Javel lives in Dallas, Texas—not exactly local to the University of Oklahoma. However, when the school held a local networking event in Dallas, Javel got the chance to meet OU alumni and forge professional connections.
“I was able to meet with individuals from companies such as Charles Schwab and Deloitte, who were able to give perspective on their experience on the program and how it helped them get to where they are today,” he says.
The flexibility of OU’s Online MBA program also means students who live close by can take advantage of all the on-campus facilities, including the gym, student health center, and joining student organizations.
“I have the option to go on campus and even sit in the class. I can still utilize all the resources that an on-campus student would have,” says Javel.
4. Reach out to career services
Even in an Online MBA, students have full access to the school’s career services. This can be a lifeline when it comes to knowing how to effectively map the pathway to your dream career and make the right connections to get there.
At OU’s Price College of Business, the Center for Graduate Student Success helps Online MBA students connect with the right people to accelerate their careers. This can include alumni and recruiters at target companies.
Students can also work with the career team to gain training in vital skills like developing a LinkedIn presence, and preparing for interviews.
However, careers services don’t focus solely on what happens after university. At OU, the careers department also offers virtual coffee chats for remote students to help guide them through their studies.
“I try hard to jump on those because sometimes it's about stress and anxiety or planning out your month—you do feel like you walk into a storm sometimes,” says Shilah.
5. Find like-minded people in your Online MBA cohort
When studying for an Online MBA, you’re all in the same boat. You’ve committed to the challenge of juggling your studies around your professional and personal lives, and want to get as much as you can from the program.
Both Javel and Shilah emphasize the strength of the Online MBA community at OU's Price College.
“Part of what helps us stay connected is that we share that similar belief and that similar drive to not only get by but to thrive,” says Javel.
Sometimes, you might be surprised by how strong connections with your Online MBA peers can help you professionally—as Shilah has found.
“There's one student who works at my company’s competitor, but we're able to relate and ask: ‘What do you guys do at your office?’ If you’re not open-minded, you wouldn't see all the benefits everyone brings to the table,” says Shilah.
Interacting with your cohort and professors virtually during an Online MBA can be just as effective for building a strong network as studying in person. Make sure you take advantage of all the opportunities your business school offers, be proactive in group projects, and connect with a diverse group of people.
Student Reviews
University of Oklahoma - Price College of Business
an Unregrettable choice of university
The University of Oklahoma has been a great experience for me. The professors are all very knowledgeable and willing to help where needed. The campus is also very beautiful and there are plenty of activities going on all the time. The student body is also really friendly and I have made a lot of new friends here. Overall, I'm really glad I chose OU and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great college experience.
It is a life changing experience for me.
I am enrolled in a Ph.D. program that is research-intensive. I get continuous guidance from my supervisors that help me to conduct my research skillfully. I will gladly recommend students to study here.
Good institution
Good institution for in class courses. Online classes are pretty hard because the instructors are most of the time not available. The student has to do everything on their own without any assistance.
Best school ever
This has been the best experience. of my life! Freshman year completely changed my life in so many ways! Through club’s organizations and social events the university of Oklahoma became my home. I loved being there
Amazing Univeristy
OU is an amazing university. Love the athletic department so much. They have so much hype and love for their athletes and students typically maintain a healthy lifestyle. I’m engineering student and OU has one of the best teachers and facilities I had so far. I know their engineering program is prestigious but I don’t know much about the other departments. Beautiful campus and amazing social events. Diversity is enormous. LOVE IT SIMPLY.
Getting the best at OU
I am a current student at the University of Oklahoma and I must say, I am extremely impressed with the quality of education and resources available here. The professors are knowledgeable and truly care about their students' success. The campus is beautiful and there are always events and activities happening. The community at OU is welcoming and diverse, making it a great place to grow and learn. I highly recommend this university to anyone looking for a well-rounded and fulfilling college experience. Boomer Sooner
Everybody is really helpful over here
The university has beautiful buildings and scenic fields with benches for enjoying the weather. There are a lot of nice students, so it's a pleasant experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the classes and gained valuable knowledge from the professors. It was a pleasure to work with my professors during my first year, as communication was easy and they consistently made themselves available during office hours, accommodating any scheduling conflicts. I had a smooth academic transition into college thanks to the great faculty.
Oklahoma
I would say it is the best university in town. The education, knowledge, curriculum, extra curriculum activities, modern laboratories, big grounds, and spacious classrooms. I would say everyone who can should study here.
well maintained facilities
The OU campus is truly breathtaking with its vast green spaces and modern facilities. These facilities are contemporary and meticulously maintained, housing state-of-the-art science labs, a vast digital resource library, and cozy study areas perfect for late-night cram sessions. As someone from Oklahoma, attending this university has been a dream come true and has provided me with the most fulfilling years of my life. My freshman year was incredibly enjoyable, filled with fantastic friends and daily adventures. The friendships I've established here are lifelong, and I feel immense gratitude for my time at OU.
a home far from home
Attending the University of Oklahoma brought back nostalgic memories for me. My sister graduated from this university in May 2019, and while she had spoken highly of it, she hadn't quite captured how much I would come to adore this school. It has become a home away from home, with its welcoming atmosphere, kind professors, stunning campus, and impressive football team that resonates with my high school football experiences. I am grateful for the chance to study at the University of Oklahoma and receive an exceptional education.
psychology major
Honestly, I was not expecting to enjoy the University of Oklahoma (OU), but I ended up falling in love with it. Your college experience at OU largely depends on what you invest in it. While it was sometimes challenging to build friendships and step out of my comfort zone, the university offers numerous clubs and opportunities to engage with new people. As a psychology major at the University of Oklahoma, I firmly believe that the professors and the quality of education surpass those of any other university psychology program. This enables students to connect with professionals globally and fosters personal growth. In terms of academics, I find that professors are highly accessible to students, and there are abundant resources available to support academic achievement.
great support
The campus offers a wide range of dining choices and excellent accommodation. It is reasonably affordable and offers support in locating scholarships and financial advisors to help students manage their finances. My overall experience has been far more positive than I anticipated, and I am completely satisfied with my decision to enroll at OU.
Beautiful campus scene
The University of Oklahoma has such a large and diverse population that you can't help but find your place here. There are many colleges, courses, and professors to choose from. I grew to love the environment, social life and community. The school has an amazing and breathtaking campus with many clubs and ways to get connected.
architecture program
I have been able to explore a wide variety of academic subjects during my studies. The university's dedicated faculty members have been crucial in fostering my intellectual development and providing guidance. I have always felt supported by the staff and my professors, especially in the field of architecture. My experience so far has been a positive journey.
passion for literature
The University of Oklahoma created a fantastic educational setting that blends a passion for classical works with modern research. As a student at the university, I observed a diverse array of opportunities available not only to myself but also to other postgraduate students. I appreciate the variety of campus events and the vibrant nightlife.
