How an MBA Led This Exec To His Dream Job At MGM
Troy Jenkins Lands Dream Job with a New Degree
Why would a senior-level executive decide to pursue his MBA? That鈥檚 a question Troy Jenkins asked himself after a highly successful 28-year career that saw him rise through the ranks of numerous ad agencies, data-driven marketing firms, and high-tech start-ups.
Over the years, Troy鈥檚 professional ambition, experience, and impeccable reputation helped him receive one new opportunity after another. From VP Account Director at McCann Erickson Worldwide, he became VP of Client Services at higher-ed marketing firm Datamark, where he was primarily responsible for growing existing clients and providing strategic marketing plans.
One thought, though, remained in the back of his mind: 鈥淚 saw where the industry was going. To get to that SVP level, I had to get my MBA.鈥�
鈥淚 had tremendous experience in advertising, but I didn鈥檛 want to lose out on opportunities that required an advanced degree.鈥�
Troy鈥檚 responsibilities for managing larger teams made him realize he needed to sharpen his skills in areas like finance and leadership. Western Governors University was his client at McCann, and he recalled how 91吃瓜网鈥檚 online MBA program is designed for experienced business professionals focused on advancing their careers.聽
鈥�91吃瓜网 offered me the ability to learn two critical things that my bachelor鈥檚 degree hadn鈥檛 addressed,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t allowed me the opportunity to develop a philosophy on how to manage people and get the best out of those people.鈥�
At 91吃瓜网, Troy studied leadership and the issues managers face. He also learned the value of competing in international markets and determining the risks and rewards of diversification strategies. When he graduated with his MBA, he had the knowledge, skills, and confidence to analyze the global market and identify opportunities to gain competitive advantage.
鈥淭he moment I received my MBA from 91吃瓜网, it was life changing for me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was the first one in my family to get a bachelor鈥檚 degree. I鈥檓 the only one to have an MBA, and I鈥檇 love to be the first one to have a doctorate.鈥澛�
After five more years building out marketing plans for clients like Exxon Mobil at McCann, organizations outside the ad agency world started noticing his accomplishments. In January 2018, Troy parlayed his experience and education into a dream job in Las Vegas working as VP of Client Services for MGM Resorts International.聽 聽聽
鈥淢y MBA was a big factor in getting my job at MGM.鈥�
MGM Resorts International is a global entertainment company with over 78,000 employees and is recognized as one of FORTUNE庐 Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies庐.聽The company is expanding throughout the U.S. and around the world.
Now Troy manages a team responsible for providing strategic marketing and creative solutions to MGM鈥檚 27 entertainment and resort properties around the world.
鈥淚 really lucked out when one of the business recruiters here picked up my r茅sum茅 and gave me a call,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he opportunity that I鈥檝e been given at MGM is one that I don鈥檛 take for granted.鈥�
Regarding his path to achieve such a high level of professional success and his advice for others striving for the same:
鈥淚 think we should always be learning,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e got to get that bachelor鈥檚 degree, but you also seriously have to consider an MBA. I love the process of education. It鈥檒l only make me stronger as a leader within this organization. It is an amazing company. I hope I鈥檓 here through the end of my career.鈥澛� 聽聽
