Megan Roberts

Q: “First, we’d like to know a little more about yourself.”

A: “I am 30 years old and live in Northeast Ohio with my husband and dog. As a family, we like to ride motorcycles, attend car shows, support charity fundraisers for the local dog shelters, and set off on unplanned adventures. I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Playwriting from Ohio University in 2011 and found myself working in a financial planning firm in 2014. Since then, I have steadily climbed the ranks of my organization, having started as a client service associate to now acting as the Director of Operations for W3 Wealth Management in just six short years. I hold Ohio Insurance licenses for accident, life, and health, as well as FINRA Series 7 Securities license.

What motivated me most to pursue a degree in Organizational Leadership is that I felt there is an abundance of professionals in the world, in finance especially, who are worried about the numbers of a business. I wanted to focus on the people of a business. Learning how to support people through change and conflict is an incredible skill, and I am honored to bring that focus to my organization and community.”

Q: “Now we’d like to know how you came to choose Norwich and what makes it unique.”

A: “I chose Norwich because I wanted a challenge that would allow me to implement the course content in my organization immediately. Norwich also provides great emphasis on personal development, with an understanding that learning never ends, it just progresses. Pursing an online degree made sense for me because I wanted to continue working full time through my education. I learned a lot about myself as an employee and student as I learned how to prioritize and manage my time. Giving your all to two different endeavors (work and school) is challenging, but Norwich’s program allowed me to immerse myself in my work through my schoolwork, which has been phenomenal for my career development.”

Q: “What is one piece of advice you would give to future students enrolling in one of Norwich’s online programs?”

A: “I would offer to future online students that it is imperative to practice self-discipline in your time management. Set a schedule for yourself, including some time to rest, just as you would in a traditional schooling environment. I would also encourage online students to seek opportunities to connect with their peers via video chats or social media. Knowing you have peers to rely on, vent to, bounce ideas off of, and share an experience is incredibly valuable and will help get you through the hardest days of your program – and the most exciting ones!”

Q: “How do you plan to use your degree in your career?”

A: “For my immediate future, I plan to use my degree to facilitate and support change in my organization. I understand now how to assess organizational inefficiencies, propose a solution, communication the change, and make it stick. For my long-term future, I am well on my track to obtaining a COO role within my company. I love what I do and feel better prepared than ever before to push myself to reach my goals while supporting others to achieve theirs as well.

My most significant personal success has been the amount of confidence and resilience I developed over the past 18 months. I know that I can balance my personal, professional, and educational commitments while achieving the high standards that I set for myself. I am immensely proud to have earned straight A’s in my program while working full time and maintaining fulfilling personal relationships. My fellow cohort members helped me to realize my potential, and I value those friendships that I am confident will last a lifetime. The discipline and integrity that I witness in all of my fellow Norwich alumni is truly inspiring, and I will carry that with me every day of my life.”

Q: “What aspects of your Norwich experience will you carry most strongly with you?”

A: “My time at Norwich, though virtual, has changed me for the rest of my life. As a civilian, I feel especially privileged to work alongside and study under many military superiors. The discipline, high expectations, ethical convictions, and empathy of my cohort peers has made me a better person. There is no going back to who I was before this program began, and I am forever grateful for that. ‘Norwich, forever!’ means exactly that.”