In pursuing MBA, Jacobi Wright’s career takes flight

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—After graduating from Western Michigan University, Jacobi Wright, B.S.’22, is back as a graduate student in the Haworth College of Business MBA program.

Having already achieved an undergraduate degree in aviation management and operations, Wright decided to pursue a master’s degree in business to help his career in aviation take off.

“Ideally, I hope that obtaining this master’s degree will better position me for a managerial role at a major airline. When I interned at Alaska Airlines, I learned that there was much more that I wanted to do at an airline than to solely fly; moreover, I realized that there were so many other areas where my knowledge could be impactful,” Wright says.

Through his second year in the MBA program, Wright’s relationship with education has evolved.

“As I pursue my graduate degree, it is very rewarding to be in classes where students are going more in depth with subject matter and everyone is engaged through real-world applications,” he says. “I also love being in classes with people from different stages of life because it contributes to a well-rounded and accurate educational experience.”

Not only has the MBA program provided Wright with personal insight, but he has also gained experience that is relevant in his professional life today.

"I chose the MBA program because of its broad applicability,” he says. “I love that it has few areas of limitation in everyday use. As a person with managerial and marketing experience, I like how I can easily take what I am learning and apply it the next day.”

Having been a part of the MBA program for two years now, Wright has learned many influential lessons along the way.

 "The most important thing that I have learned in my program so far is the breakdown of how people receive and emit information differently,” Wright says. “Having this understanding allows for the best work environment for everyone involved, and it also improves efficiency and morale.”

Staying motivated as a full-time student proves its own challenge, not to mention Wright’s ability to balance being a graduate assistant and staying involved on campus. Luckily, he has some encouraging mentors to look up to. WMU alumni Randall Rochon, B.S.'03, and Greg Sumner, B.S.'97, have become great inspirations for Wright as they are both now professional pilots and have paved the way for students like Wright himself.

“These individuals have helped me succeed simply by being an example to look up to,” says Wright. “That is all the motivation I could ask for!”

Wright’s hard work and dedication to his education has not gone unnoticed. He is a recipient of the Thurgood Marshall Fellowship. This fellowship fully funds Wright’s MBA program costs. The fellowship both honors Wright’s educational accomplishments to date and helps him make an impact as a graduate student.

From his initial start at WMU, Wright has made sure to be involved on campus. He held board positions in a few registered student organizations (RSOs) such as Western Student Association, the National Gay Pilots Association and the Western Poker Club.

Through his involvement in RSOs and in his own educational experience, Wright reflects on what being a part of the WMU community has taught him.

“Every experience has value. I think one thing that a lot of people often overlook is that all experiences provide insight into what you like, don’t like, or can improve on, and that is something my time at WMU has taught me.”

Learn more about WMU's MBA program.

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