Alumni from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign detail how the online MBA program — known as the iMBA — helped them sharpen business skills and develop professional acumen.
Leading in today’s world calls for more than intelligence and business savvy. It requires wisdom and discernment. It means proficiency in communication, diplomacy and relationship building.
Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is shaping these skills in the next generation of leaders. Three alumni share their experiences and the real-world lessons that helped them grow and succeed.
Building a professional ecosystem
Before entering the online MBA program at Gies – known as the iMBA – networking had always felt transactional to Samantha Dascomb.
“[It was] a task I approached only when I needed something, whether it was a job lead or a professional favor,” Dascomb says. “It was a means to an end.”
The iMBA program changed her mindset. It taught her to value every relationship for what it is – not just what it could offer her.
“Networking isn’t just about career advancement,” she says. “It’s about expanding perspectives, creating meaningful connections and contributing to a broader professional ecosystem.”
Dascomb sought out mentors and reconnected with former colleagues. In her classes, she worked with engineers and managers from architecture, engineering, and construction firms. Investing in these relationships built rapport for long-term partnerships.
“These people will be part of the future of my business as I stretch into new regions and expand my business,” says Dascomb. “They know my work ethic and support my business growth as I do for them.”
The art of diplomacy
Jakob Wiig was in contract discussions with the cleaning company he uses for his rental business when he discovered it had been overcharging him. Instead of getting frustrated and confrontational, he employed the negotiation skills he learned in his iMBA program.
“I took a tactful, collaborative approach,” he explains. “By clearly outlining our expectations, sharing data on competitive pricing, and emphasizing the value of a long-term partnership, I was able to secure a fair price while also clarifying service expectations.”
Wiig’s shrewd diplomacy paid off. “This not only improved our bottom line but also strengthened the working relationship, leading to better service quality moving forward,” Wiig says.
Developing global perspectives
Collaborating with peers on group assignments was among the most valuable aspects of Rawan Elshair’s iMBA journey. She worked with students from across the globe, all with unique backgrounds, knowledge and expertise. Hearing others’ experiences gave Elshair a new perspective and inspired her to think differently about challenges and options in her career.
“This taught me the importance of building connections across diverse industries and cultures,” says Elshair. “These connections have become an invaluable part of my personal and professional network, and I plan to maintain and leverage them long after graduation.”
The power of listening
Negotiation is not just about presenting a strong case – it’s about listening first, according to Dascomb.
“Before beginning my MBA, I was an avid storyteller, which made me engaging in conversations, but I wasn’t always persuasive in a way that genuinely influenced outcomes,” she says. “One of the most potent lessons I’ve learned is that effective negotiation starts with understanding the other party’s needs, priorities and motivations before making your case.”
Dascomb gives the example of her drone company working with a client who did not understand how drone technology could help its business. She set aside her sales pitch and applied the negotiation techniques she learned in her business courses.
“I listened first,” Dascomb says. She identified the customer’s issues, discovered their most challenging areas, and then addressed those pain points directly. “By shifting the discussion from a product pitch to a collaborative problem-solving session, I turned the initial hesitation into enthusiastic buy-in.”
Negotiation is not just about salary or deals, according to Dascomb.
“It’s a leadership skill that reaches far into the business world,” Dascomb says. “It’s how I influence teams, manage stakeholders, and resolve conflicts in a way that aligns interests and creates shared value. [It requires] temperance, patience and strategic communication – not just assertiveness. It’s learning balance that helps communication be successful.”