Why I Chose an MBA as a Product Manager: My Quantic School of Business and Technology Experience

Hey there and welcome! My name is Anesi, I’m a Product Manager, and I’m often known as the “PM of Africa.” As a Christian, I wear my prophecies on my sleeve—literally! Sometime in 2022, I received a prophecy about being the “PM of Africa.” While I’m still discovering exactly what that entails, my goal is to make Product Management a massive deal in Africa by raising world-class PMs.

In this post, I’m sharing why I decided to pursue an MBA, why I chose Quantic, and what the experience was really like.

anesii experience quantic mba

Why an MBA for Product Management?

Product Management is the intersection of Business, Technology, and Design.

Coming from a Computer Engineering background, I had the “Design” and “Tech” elements down (though engineering is quite different from software programming!). However, I realized I needed to bridge the gap in Business.

I wanted to:

Make better business decisions based on company strategy and finances.
Understand how global and regional happenings affect a company’s leadership and strategy.
Elevate my career—many high-level job applications list an MBA as a “nice to have.”

It wasn’t a spontaneous decision; I thought it through, prayed about it, and set it as a goal to enable me to do better in my career.

Also check out: Beyond the Average: Real-Life MBA Salary Trajectories 5 Years After Graduation (Examples from IIM & ISB Students)

Why Quantic School of Business and Technology?

I chose Quantic for two main reasons: distance learning and self-paced study. I didn’t have to tune into live classes at specific times. Instead, I had access to a platform where the learning was completely gamified.

The Learning Structure

Gamified Education: This was my first time experiencing this, and it made learning so much fun and smooth.
Access to Professors: We had virtual meetings where we could ask questions directly to the faculty.
Success Groups: You are matched with a small group of peers to discuss projects, assignments, and notes.
Duration: The actual learning took about 14 months (16 months total if you include breaks in August and December).
Coursework: There were nine courses taken one by one, including Macro/Microeconomics, Supply Chain Management, and “Data and Decisions” (Statistics—my toughest one!).

Pricing and Scholarships

The standard price for Quantic is $950 per month, which is significantly more affordable than many US-based MBAs. You can pay monthly, in two installments, or all at once.

However, I applied for a scholarship and received a 60% partial scholarship, bringing my monthly payment down to $350.

The Catch:

$350/month: Access to a Region-Only Cohort (Slack community with peers from Africa).
$650/month: Access to a Global Cohort (Peers from America, Europe, Asia, etc.).

Note: I’ve known entrepreneurs who received full scholarships, so a strong application is key!

The Academic Rigor: Projects and Exams

Don’t let the “self-paced” label fool you—it is hectic! I managed this while working a full-time, 40-hour-a-week job.

Smart Cases: These are mini-tests within each course. You need at least an 80% to pass. You can retake these to aim for 100%.
Exams: These are open-book and occur at the end of each course. You have a 48-hour window (usually Wednesday to Friday) to complete them, but you must finish by Sunday. You cannot retake exams.
Projects: Most courses have projects (individual or group) based on real-life case studies.
Graduating with Honors: Only the top 10% of the class graduates with honors. To aim for this, you need near-perfect scores on Smart Cases and 90%+ on exams.

Final Thoughts: Is It Recognized?

One question I get often: Is Quantic recognized? Yes. It is certified by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). While it isn’t Harvard, it has a very reputable alumni network doing amazing things globally.

A Note for Canadian PR Applicants: As of February 2024, WES (World Education Services) does not currently verify the Quantic MBA degree. Keep this in mind if you are using it specifically for immigration points.

My Verdict

Quantic expanded my mind. Coming from an engineering background, it made me actually enjoy business. If you are looking for a top-notch, high-quality, and flexible MBA, this is your sign to register.

Today is my graduation day, and I’m doing it right from my house!

Have questions about the application or the courses? Let me know in the comments!