How an Online MBA Opened New Doors for a Working Mother 

After nearly a decade away from the classroom, Megan Brickley was ready for a new challenge. With seven years of experience in the financial services industry, she enjoyed her work but wanted to explore new opportunities for professional growth. 

Today, the Vancouver, Washington, resident is pursuing a fully online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Finance through Washington State University Global Campus, balancing her education with a full-time career and raising her daughter. 

For Brickley, a first-generation college student, returning to WSU is about more than earning another degree. It’s also an opportunity to show her daughter the importance of continuing to learn and pursue new goals. “I want her to grow up knowing that it’s never too late to invest in yourself, pursue new opportunities, or change the direction of your career,” Brickley said. 

Returning to WSU for a Flexible Online MBA Program

Brickley’s connection to WSU began at WSU Vancouver, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing and a Professional Sales Certificate. Nearly 10 years later, she returned to school to pursue new career opportunities. After initially considering leadership-focused programs, she chose an MBA with a concentration in Finance to build on her experience in the financial services industry.

She also needed a program that fit her busy schedule. “When deciding to pursue further education, I was looking for a fully online program that offered the flexibility to balance my responsibilities as a full-time employee, student, and mother,” Brickley said.

WSU Global Campus provided that flexibility through online lectures she could access and revisit as needed. Beyond the convenience of online learning, Brickley emphasized the quality of instructors. “I’ve also really appreciated the faculty and the experience they bring to the classroom,” she said.

An Online Business Degree with Real-World Applications 

About a year into her MBA program, Brickley made a significant career move, leaving her longtime employer to become a financial analyst. After seven years in the financial services industry, the transition marked an important step in her professional growth. “Once I settled into my new position, I found it incredibly rewarding to apply what I was learning in the classroom directly to my daily responsibilities,” she said.  

In her new role, Brickley analyzes financial performance and identifies trends to help inform business decisions. “One of the biggest takeaways from my MBA coursework has been learning to look beyond the numbers and better understand how financial information supports broader business decisions,” she said. 

Looking ahead, Brickley hopes to continue developing her leadership skills and potentially pursue a management role in financial planning and analysis (FP&A). But her education has also sparked an unexpected interest in entrepreneurship.  

A former barista during her undergraduate years, Brickley has begun exploring the possibility of opening a mobile coffee cart, combining her love of making coffee with her growing business knowledge. “This program has given me the skills and insight to research whether this is a viable business model and then execute it if it is,” she said. 

Balancing Work, Family, and an Online Graduate Degree 

For Brickley, pursuing an MBA means finding time for coursework amid an already full schedule. Her weekdays begin early, often with a workout before getting her daughter ready for school. She starts working from home around 8 a.m. and finishes around 5 p.m., followed by daycare pickup, dinner, household responsibilities, and homework. Weekends often include study sessions squeezed between family and social activities. 

While the flexibility of online learning has made pursuing her degree possible, managing everything hasn’t always been easy. “The biggest challenge I have faced is balancing competing priorities, which has sometimes meant sacrificing time with family and friends to study or feeling guilty about not being fully present with my daughter,” Brickley said. 

Seeing the impact of her education on her career has helped her stay motivated, particularly during moments of stress and self-doubt. “As I near the end of the program, I know these sacrifices are temporary and that earning this degree will empower me to continue advancing in my career,” she said. 

Setting an Example for The Next Generation

With graduation approaching in December 2026, Brickley is completing her final MBA courses and looking forward to participating in WSU’s spring commencement ceremony. As a first-generation college student, Brickley sees her educational journey as an opportunity to create new possibilities for herself and her family. Returning to school after nearly a decade has reinforced her belief that professional growth doesn’t have to follow a predetermined timeline. She hopes her daughter will recognize that pursuing new opportunities, even when they require difficult decisions and sacrifices, can lead to meaningful rewards. 

For other working parents and professionals considering returning to school, Brickley emphasizes the importance of planning ahead, setting realistic expectations, and dedicating consistent time to coursework. “On some days, my calendar looks like a brightly lit Christmas tree with family, work, and school events competing for time, but staying organized ensures I don’t miss a beat,” she said. 

Above all, she encourages prospective students to recognize their progress and celebrate their accomplishments, even when balancing multiple responsibilities feels overwhelming. “Most importantly, remember to give yourself grace and take pride in every milestone. It is an incredibly rewarding and exciting journey!” 

About the Author

Emily Oliva is the Assistant Director of Digital Content for WSU Global Campus, with over a decade of experience in higher education marketing. She loves telling student stories and highlighting the journeys behind the degrees. She’s currently based in Miami, Florida—very far from Washington State, but fully committed to the Cougs.