Olin student says Flex MBA program ‘fit perfectly’ with his plans

Joshua Groft is beginning his second year in WashU Olin’s new Flex MBA program. A US Air Force veteran and current healthcare consultant for the Air Force, he explains the benefits of the Flex MBA, which combines classroom experiences with online course availability.

I realized that the Flex was the best for me, especially at the point where I was in my career.

—Joshua Groft

How did you come to WashU and Olin?

I grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, and joined the Air Force, where I became a medical technician; I did ambulance services and air evac, so I would transport patients from overseas. I was stationed at Scott Air Force Base here in Illinois.

I recently retired from the Air Force. I've always been interested in getting an MBA and I was looking for a military-friendly, VA-friendly school. And WashU kept popping up. I knew about its great reputation, and when I saw they had a Flex program, I was really interested because I had just gotten a full-time job. So I applied.

What makes Olin’s Flex MBA a good fit for you?

I would say the flexibility is the greatest advantage, especially if you have a full-time job. I love the Flex program because I like going to class in person, but I also like having the ability to do a little of the work online. It just kind of worked out that the Flex was there for me when I needed it, and it fit perfectly in place.

What’s your schedule like?

I am at my job from 7 a.m. to about 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. I usually have my elective on Mondays from 6 to 9 p.m. And then I do my core classes on Tuesdays, also from 6 to 9 p.m. The days can be long, but it’s not that bad.

How does Flex allow you to individualize your MBA experience?

I’m really interested in Olin’s Business of Health initiative. Because of my years in healthcare in the Air Force, I want to pursue something in the healthcare realm — from managing, to administration, to credentialing. I’ve taken Olin Grand Rounds (a course that focuses on challenges in the business and practice of medicine) and Healthcare Management. There’s also a Center for Experiential Learning opportunity in healthcare that I’d like to do next year. Dr. Patrick Aguilar (managing director of Olin’s Health Initiative) has given me great insights. I've been able to ask him a lot of questions about healthcare administration, to get a physician’s perspective. He’s helped guide the path of how I should do this.

Are you able to connect with other students in the Flex program?

Yes. We are assigned to teams at the beginning of each semester. And this past year, for our Flex class, we created a WhatsApp group with two parts: official school questions and social questions. We’re trying to get the Flex 1 and Flex 2 cohorts to get together more often, especially on weeks that we don’t have class. I've noticed that as we're getting further into the program, more and more people are coming out of their shells and getting together more. I’ve become good friends with several people in my cohort.

What has the Olin experience been like as a veteran?

Everyone has been very friendly, especially the WashU Veterans Affairs coordinator. I haven’t had any problems with my VA benefits or my Post 9-11 GI Bill. They just say, “Put down the classes you’re taking, and we’ll do the rest” — It’s seamless. Also, I’m part of the Olin Veterans Association and that’s been a great help. This is my first time in person on a university campus since 2010, so it’s great knowing there is a place I can go to talk to somebody who’s gone through it before. We have happy hours, we do meet-ups and we have a big event every fall, a dining-in, so I get to meet more than just my cohort. It’s been a great support system and network.

Learn more about WashU Olin’s Flex MBA program and how to take the next step.

Veterans: Your experience and leadership abilities are great preparation for an Olin business degree. Learn more.