Online MBA Programs are Booming. How Do You Choose The Right One?

2022 marked the first year that students in online MBA programs outnumbered their in-person peers. Those numbers are unlikely to shift anytime soon, as the number of accredited institutions offering online MBA programs has jumped 85% since 2017. That’s a significant shift, and it demonstrates the continued importance of an MBA program, but are full-time programs still the best option?

Ahmed Shabana, founder at Instapill and managing director of Parkpine Capital, urges prospective students to keep full-time MBA programs in mind. “There’s a huge advantage to getting it done in one year, as opposed to two years for online courses,” says Shabana, a graduate of USC’s IBEAR MBA program. “If you’re entrepreneurially-minded, you can get to work starting your business faster, without missing out the full value of an MBA education.”

In this interview, Mr. Shabana gives his perspective on the value full-time one-year programs provide, as well as his outlook on the state of crypto in 2023, the increasing importance of southeast Asia as a supply chain hub, and the power of networking in a renowned MBA program.

Why was it important for you to choose an MBA program that was one year long, as opposed to two?

If you’re over 30 and have industry experience behind you, you should consider foregoing the internship. I came into the IBEAR MBA program at USC after having launched the first ecommerce pharmacy, way back in 2006. That meant I held the industry know-how you can only gain through experience, but still had the drive to learn everything I could from my courses.

Even so, I knew I wanted to continue my entrepreneurship journey after graduating. A one-year program is certainly intensive, especially if you’re studying full-time, but I recommend it nonetheless. You’re at less of a risk of dropping out since you’re focused on the work, and the research habits you build will last a lifetime.

What were your biggest lessons learned in the MBA program when it came to launching Instapill?

The supply chain courses were invaluable for me, especially as an ecommerce founder. The business case studies for Zara’s “just-in-time” model, in particular, were a huge influence. It’s fascinating to see the ways the model has held up in light of supply chain disruptions since 2020, and how things have evolved.

Talk to me about those disruptions—how have they impacted the way you run your business?

We’ve seen a huge benefit from establishing supply chain contacts in southeast Asia to support our global and US operations. A lot of our inventory has been in high-demand over the past few years: PPE, medical supplies, sanitizer—making sure those essentials get into the right hands is easier when you have trusted supply partners.

Right now the growth in Southeast Asia is accelerating faster than China. Part of that has to do with trade limitations, but there’s also a huge draw for digital nomads to work from a place like Bali. It’s something we’ve seen first-hand.

At the Asia-Pacific Business Forum, correct?

That’s right. This was USC’s first in-person, international event since COVID, and they picked the perfect place for it. As the director of our program, Dr. Richard Drobnick, put it, “friendships were renewed, new business opportunities were explored, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their long-delayed, in-person conversations.” The networking opportunities you get from an MBA program are one of the most important parts of your education.

Can you give an example?

While I was at the forum I got to reconnect with some industry veterans in the Asia Pacific venture capital and supply chain markets. A networking experience like that teaches you a lot. One Indonesian colleague of mine in the glass supply chain industry said he saw his business quadruple because of certain trade limitations between the US and other countries in Asia. You’d be surprised at the impact an American president can have on markets across the globe. Understanding the impact of those disruptions is critical to making decisions.

Have you seen similar disruptions in the crypto market?

We’re still conservatively invested in blockchain and crypto investments at Parkpine Capital. We believe the funds that have failed or gone bankrupt due to poor operations or high risk don’t undermine the usefulness of the technology, which is why we’re expecting mainstream adoption before 2025.

What would you say to someone interested in starting their own business who’s considering an MBA program?

Don’t get too caught up in trying to customize your MBA experience. Obviously you can choose your own electives, but not every program can be tailor-made for every student, and that’s a good thing. I learned so much from the lectures delivered by film producers at the USC IBEAR MBA program, and I don’t even work in the film industry. There’s a level of insight you can gain from experts that makes being part of an MBA program memorable, and so valuable as an educational experience.