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Sarah Skerik, VP of Distribution Services for PRNewswire

Posted by Sarah Skerik - PR Newswire in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX on Apr 04, 2008

Sarah Skerik

Vice-president of distribution services for PRNewswire, an online media company that distributes press releases for marketing agencies and businesses. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame's executive MBA program in Chicago in 2005.

Why did you get an MBA?
Because basic financial concepts were going over my head at work. In one case, PRNewswire was interested in buying another online news distribution company and I wasn't able to determine its worth. I also didn't know how to determine the price of a product, a skill I needed to move up in my department. The MBA classes taught me how to determine price pretty quickly by using math and a demand curve.

Why an executive MBA?
I have a demanding full-time job I wasn't willing to leave. Also, I have enough experience — I didn't need the 100-level classes required for a regular MBA.

Why Notre Dame?
The school has an upper-echelon program comparable to Kellogg or U of C. It brought the crème de la crème of its professors from South Bend to Chicago, including the college's CFO. My classmates were high-powered executives from Sears, Motorola and Allstate. Its focus on ethics and the development of its students as leaders, not just managers, was very attractive, as well as its multidisciplinary MBA, which didn't force me to choose a concentration.

How has it affected your position and salary?
Halfway through the MBA program, I was promoted to vice-president. Before, I was managing three people; now I manage 20 and am responsible for 85% of the company's revenues. My salary also went up 20%.

Any other opportunities?
The fact I was able to graduate cum laude while working made an impression on management. I've been identified as someone to watch for future leadership. But I don't flaunt my MBA like some people, who even include the title on their business cards. When I do mention it, though, people are impressed.

Article By Christina Galoozis
Photo by Erik Unger