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Student Spotlight: Carla Sosa, MBA in Marketing, Class of 2022

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Wanting to ensure a bright future for her and her husband while still being able to balance her day-to-day commitments and a job, Carla Sosa decided that online education would be the best fit for her lifestyle.  In the fall of 2020, she chose Florida Tech because she wanted to continue working full-time, and she had heard great feedback from acquaintances who had pursued degrees at Florida Tech.

Carla began her academic journey in pursuit of a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. “I wanted to expand my knowledge in marketing and hold a management position in the future. I also wanted to start my own business one day.”   

An MBA in Marketing equips graduates with a deep understanding of contemporary marketing principles, and also nurtures their leadership skills and business acumen. This powerful combination prepares individuals for high-level marketing roles such as chief marketing officer, brand manager, director of client services, and business owner.

Throughout the MBA in Marketing program, Carla learned how to identify marketing opportunities and develop successful strategies in customer behaviors, market research, multinational business policy, product management and legal responsibility, all while gaining core skills in business fundamentals.

Please tell us about yourself: Where you’re originally from, your occupation, family, and personal and professional interests.

I’m originally from Lima, Peru. My family and I moved to the United States 20 years ago starting from zero and only knowing basic English. My early years here were challenging, trying to adapt to a new culture and learning a new language while attending high school and figuring out my future. As the years went by, I began my higher education journey at Seminole State College (former Seminole Community College). I continued to complete my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University of Central Florida.

My undergraduate degree took me about eight years due to financial challenges to afford four classes per semester. I worked full-time cleaning houses to afford college. I never gave up and worked towards my goal of earning my degree. While I was in school, I had a couple of internships, but my first professional job out of college was at age 29. I currently live in Sanford, FL, with my husband, and I work as an Associate Manager of Communications at CareerSource Central Florida. I manage our public relations efforts to ensure our message reaches people in our community. When I am not working, I enjoy writing on my blog about things to do in Central Florida, hiking outdoors, running 5Ks, and traveling.

Summarize your experience in the MBA in Marketing program.

My experience with the program has been fantastic. Even though it was a fast paced learning experience, I received the tools, knowledge, and resources to learn and succeed. I enjoyed the [marketing concentration courses]. The professors were engaging and constantly interacted with students through the [discussion board], sharing links to articles to learn about the topic based on current events.

What challenges did you face as an online student and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge was balancing family, work, and school. I began the program about six years after completing my undergraduate degree and adjusting to school after so long was challenging. It took me a couple of months to find my routine and get organized to incorporate school into my life. My husband was a great support system while I was figuring out how to organize my time and responsibilities.

How do you hope to apply your degree in your career?

I plan to apply my degree to advance my career in a leadership position. I would like to lead a communications and marketing team in the future. While I reach that point, I am applying what I learn in my current role and how I interact with my colleagues.

Would you recommend Florida Tech to others who want to pursue an MBA in Marketing?

The program has helped me expand my knowledge to advance my professional career and take my career journey to the next level. I recommend this program to anyone looking to reach new career goals while pursuing a degree that is demanding but flexible to be attainable at your own pace.

What practical advice would you give prospective students?

My advice to prospective students is to have a clear goal in mind before starting any program. A clear goal will help you navigate the journey’s challenges and remind you of your commitment to reach that goal when things become challenging.

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