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For Joel Lindsey (PMBA '99), the SMU Cox experience provided more than just an education-Lindsey found inspiring professors, diverse classmates and challenging class work. All this helped create a well-rounded experience that provided Lindsey with the confidence and leadership ability he has maintained throughout his career.
Prior to attending SMU Cox, Lindsey graduated from Texas Tech with a BBA in information systems. After developing an interest in finance early on in his undergraduate studies, he saw the promise of technology and decided to change majors.
"I was not interested in pursuing technology for technology's sake; I wanted to use it to make a business impact, Lindsey said. "When I heard about integrating technology with business for all different kinds of clients, all over the world, my eyes were opened to a broader career."
Lindsey decided to attend graduate school because he saw the opportunity to advance his career and also knew that the leaders in his industry had graduate degrees. The decision to enroll at SMU Cox was easy for Lindsey; he was impressed with Cox's reputation-both locally and nationally. When Lindsey found out he could pursue the Cox Professional MBA program part time in Plano where he worked, his decision was made.
At Cox, Lindsey learned that it wasn't just the classes that made the school, but also the students and the environment.
"I had a fantastic group of classmates from many different backgrounds," he said. "The class dynamics really taught me to look at business from a bigger picture. In the world of IT, it is very easy to focus on specific trends or technologies and lose sight of the bigger picture. My professors and classmates taught me that the world of business is broad, and there are many ways to make an impact,"
The PMBA program was beneficial for Lindsey because it allowed him to interact in an environment with classmates who were there to learn and network. The opportunity to advance his education and career was something he greatly enjoyed.
"It was great to be able to leave the office, throw a backpack over my shoulder and head to campus for more business learning with people who were as interested in learning as I was," he noted. "That's the thing with the PMBA program, the people who are in it are very dedicated. They are giving up the extra time at the office, or their family life, all to come to learn."
For Lindsey, the learning and relationships have extended beyond his years at Cox with a network he says is one of the most valuable assets one can obtain.
"I would suggest that the network the school provides is even more valuable than the courses themselves," he remarked. "The benefits of the Cox network go beyond those you enjoy when looking for a job. It's really about having ties with very driven, very intelligent and very 'globally' aware people who can challenge you throughout the rest of your career."
In many ways, he noted, the network becomes a family. "If you take advantage of the opportunities, then there is always someone to learn from. No matter where you are in your career. The network provides you an opportunity for continued mentorship and learning. The Cox experience doesn't end at graduation."
Today, several years after graduating from Cox, Lindsey is senior director for Corporate Strategy and Planning at EDS, where he is responsible for the global development and execution of business strategies, including planning mergers and acquisitions to service line strategy development. With his role at EDS, Lindsey is a leader, and he has the opportunity to shape the future of the company and really make a difference-something he valued at Cox and maintains today.
Lindsey says that his ambition is to make a difference wherever he is. Thanks to the lifelong value of his Cox education, he will be able to do just that.
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