Why I Chose an MBA | Penn State Smeal Hybrid MBA | Desiree Barbaro

Why It Matters

The story shows how a hybrid MBA can fast‑track senior leaders’ strategic influence while modeling continuous learning for future generations, prompting firms to support executive education.

Key Takeaways

• MBA pursued to deepen strategic perspective and scale businesses
• Hybrid program fits CPG leader’s schedule and learning needs
• Goal: become higher‑level strategic leader and mentor future talent
• Personal motivation includes modeling lifelong learning for her daughter
• Immediate enrollment reflects belief that “now” outweighs “someday.”

Summary

Desiree Barbaro, a strategic transformation leader in the consumer packaged goods sector, explains why she enrolled in Penn State Smeal’s hybrid MBA program. She cites a career inflection point where she was steering high‑investment initiatives and mentoring emerging talent, prompting a need for deeper business fundamentals to scale operations and develop future leaders.

Barbaro emphasizes three pillars of success: operating at a higher strategic level, cultivating the next generation of leaders, and serving as a role model for her daughter. The decision to pursue an MBA now, rather than “someday,” reflects her commitment to lifelong learning and the urgency of acquiring new skills to drive growth.

She highlights the hybrid format’s flexibility, allowing her to balance a demanding CPG role while engaging in rigorous coursework. “I didn’t want to wait for someday,” she says, underscoring the proactive mindset required to stay competitive in fast‑moving industries.

The narrative illustrates how an MBA can accelerate a professional’s strategic impact, enhance mentorship capacity, and signal to organizations the value of investing in continuous education for senior talent.

Original Description

Desiree Barbaro shares what motivated her to invest in herself through the Penn State Smeal Part-Time Hybrid MBA.

As a strategic transformation leader in the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry, Desiree reached a point in her career where she wanted to deepen her business knowledge, expand her leadership capabilities, and make greater impact within her organization. Through the Smeal Hybrid MBA, she’s gaining the skills needed to drive business strategy, scale organizations, and mentor the next generation of leaders.

The Penn State Smeal Hybrid MBA is a flexible MBA program designed for working professionals, combining virtual learning with in-person residencies to deliver real-world business impact.

Learn more about the program: https://hybridmba.smeal.psu.edu

Start your application: https://hybridmba.smeal.psu.edu/apply