Dawn Edgerton (MBA, ’10) Thriving in New Role at Rho, Inc.
Edgerton chose NC State University’s Jenkins Graduate School of Management at the Poole College of Management because of its technology focus and because her full-time job was based close to the RTP campus. The Jenkins Graduate School was also affordable for her. “I didn’t see any big difference in the quality between the business program at NC State University and its local competition, but Jenkins cost one third of the price.”
A Bioscience Management-Focused Degree
Edgerton chose a double concentration in Biosciences Management and Services Management because it perfectly matched her experience in the biopharmaceutical space. Her favorite professor was Dr. Richard Kouri, director of the college’s Biosciences Management Initaitives. Through his course, Current Issues in Biosciences Management, she felt that she gained a much more complex understanding of current buyer issues, beyond what she already understood from the media.
“In this course we discussed topics such as the impact genetics is having on pharmaceutical development, why the blockbuster model is no longer viable, and what types of partnerships biotech and big pharma are exploring,” Edgerton says. “For me this was transformative.”
Also memorable was learning from Bart Queen, a visiting professor in the Jenkins MBA program who instructed the students on how to effectively communicate in business. One of his notions was illustrating your three points with clear subheadings and clear road signs. “I use this all the time, whether I am giving a formal presentation or having a conversation,” Edgerton says.
Applying her Studies to her Work
In her first semester, Edgerton applied for a programmer role with Rho, Inc., got the job and quickly progressed to become a manager. She was able to bring to her new position ideas based on what she was learning in the Jenkins MBA program and apply them at work. For instance, Edgerton is working with operational staff to match Rho, Inc., customer’s expectations with what her company is actually doing. She also helped create a career development program at Rho.
When Edgerton graduated with her MBA in 2010 she, her husband and three teenage children were immensely proud. “It was a really big deal,” she says.
She still remains extremely grateful for all the Jenkins Graduate School has done for her professional development. In mid-July, she received a new job leading operations for nearly 150 people working with the delivery of services to Rho’s commercial and federal clients. “I would never have got up to speed on current issues and pharmaceutical management or been able to contribute to my company like I do without this program,” she says.
