Hear from Sleeping Giant Capital CEO in Residence, Mitch Brownell, discussing his EMBA experience

We heard from Mitch Brownell, CEO in Residence at Sleeping Giant Capital and a 2022 EMBA alum about how he was able to apply his course learnings in his work.

As an engineer by background, the EMBA program gave me the skills and confidence to be a well-rounded business leader. Since I entered the program, I moved from a technical engineering manager to an operations manager, and then to a senior manager position with nearly 250 employees. I was genuinely able to apply what I was learning on the weekends, put it to the test at work, take the broader knowledge from lectures, and hone it specifically to my role as a leader. I have since moved on from the corporate world and into the adventure of buying a manufacturing business.

This EMBA program gave me the skills and confidence to do this – along with the support and advice of many I met along the way. Honestly, the biggest hurdle I had to overcome was merely the decision to actually embark, put my deposit down, and commit. I had the most apprehension pre-program, just due to the assumption of how much time and commitment would be. I overestimated that and underestimated the enrichment I was able to experience during the program. Yes, there are challenges and ‘gives and takes’ during the program, but all of it is manageable, and life can be balanced.

I would recommend really understanding the goal of why you want an MBA and what you’re trying to do. Do you just want to check the box and have something on your resume? If so, this program is not for you. Don’t focus on the grades and the space this will take on your resume. Focus on the learning, the applying, and the networking. This program will give back as much as you’re willing to put in, and the majority of the value and remembrance you’ll have is the time you spent in the classroom, learning from talented, experienced people and putting that into your daily life and work.

For current students, build relationships! With our class beginning in the thralls of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was harder to naturally network with mainly the other cohorts just due to the natural barriers that the pandemic brought. You have 100 very skilled, networked people with you along this journey. Utilize them and build a foundation that will last – this is one of the program’s biggest assets. You will leave, at a minimum, with lifelong friends. The Class of 2022 Team 11 – we still have a group text, plan dinners and tailgates, and have even reconvened at weddings!