Paige Muttillo didn’t need to wait long to convert a job lead after earning a master’s degree. She needed one weekend, to be exact.
The Monday after she completed the online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Concentration in Marketing program at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in August 2022, she started a job as a marketing associate at the Catholic Cemeteries Association in Cleveland.
“The degree has definitely opened up opportunities for me,” Muttillo said. “When I was interviewing for jobs, every person I talked to commented about me having my MBA. It makes me more marketable.”
After completing her undergraduate degree, Muttillo went straight into the online master’s degree program to keep the higher education ball rolling.
“It became part of the plan my senior year of undergrad after I realized it would be much easier for me to stick with school after graduating,” she said. “It fit in better with my timeline. I was looking into different options, and BGSU’s MBA in Marketing program was the best one.”
The flexibility of the online format was big for Muttillo. She interned at Mayfield Village Parks and Recreation for four months while enrolled.
“This program allows you to work with a busy schedule and make it manageable,” she said. “I was also nannying while I was in the program, so it was kind of like I had a baby. The program wasn’t too much or too little work — it was the perfect amount.”
Optimizing Opportunity
Muttillo grew up in Cleveland. She planned to become a teacher when she enrolled in college after high school.
“I spent the first year-and-a-half in education before I realized that I didn’t want to be a teacher,” she said. “John Carroll is well known for its business school, which already was my second option. Getting into marketing was easy because it was a more creative outlet of business.”
Earning an online degree was the driving factor in Muttillo choosing Bowling Green State University’s MBA program. However, she did some online courses during her undergrad, as well.
“I didn’t have to meet with the instructors every day or stick to a specific class schedule,” she said. “It was more that I could do what I needed to do in a certain time period, then they would grade it.
“One of the biggest things that attracted me to BGSU was the flexibility that it allowed me to have. It was also because of the affordable tuition.”
The marketing-specific courses were especially beneficial to Muttillo and allowed her to hit the ground running at her new job.
“I didn’t necessarily have a favorite course, but the marketing specialization overall allowed me to do what I needed to,” she said. “It was helpful that I was able to specialize in marketing.
“I enjoyed all of those classes. The information I learned in the program was applicable to the internship and to my full-time job now. It was great.”
Muttillo said that the faculty and staff at BGSU were supportive — especially Connie Disbro, assistant director of online MBA programs.
“The faculty members were great about getting back to me when I had a question,” she said. “Connie was my adviser. I always emailed her to ask if I was on track for graduation. She was always so nice and made sure I was taken care of every time.”
Product-Market Fit
While in the online MBA in Marketing program, Muttillo had a strong support system with her loved ones, friends and classmates. She is the first person in her immediate family to earn a master’s degree.
“My parents were definitely proud,” she said. “A lot of people asked me why I would go back to school right after I finished my bachelor’s degree. I explained the benefits of it. They eventually agreed and were also very proud.”
Muttillo capped — and gowned — her BGSU experience by walking in the commencement ceremony a couple of days before embarking on her new role.
“Graduation day was a great experience,” she said. “I made friends through my online classes. We texted each other before commencement and met up and sat by each other. We were able to cross the stage together, which was cool.”
Although everything happened quickly for Muttillo, she has a plan for the future as she begins her career journey.
“I’d like to become a director of marketing, sooner rather than later,” she said. “Marketing associate is my first step. Hopefully, I can be a director of marketing in a couple of years.”
Muttillo enjoys reading, crocheting and spending time with her family in her free time. She is busy, but she believes that online is the ideal way for anyone considering a return to higher education for an advanced degree.
“You can do it despite having a busy schedule,” she said. “I got good value out of the program. Doing it online made it completely manageable and flexible. It worked out well.”
Learn more about BGSU’s online MBA in Marketing program.
