After starting his career in online marketing and transitioning into financial services, Deion Doubledee knew he wanted to level up. With professional experience across consumer banking and retail consulting, he set his sights on product management—and chose the NC State Jenkins MBA program to help him get there.
In a recent conversation with Vikas Anand, associate dean for academic programs at Poole College, Deion reflected on how the MBA helped shape his career pivot, build lasting connections, and manage the demands of work, school, and family.
“To advance my career from project management to product management, I commenced my MBA studies at NC State,” he said. Deion began the program in Fall 2023 and graduated in 2024—all while working full-time and raising a young family.
Why Jenkins MBA?
“I knew I wanted to get more into the technology consulting space,” Deion explained. “And when I started doing my homework on what was the best fit, NC State really stood out.”
His passion for developing products and creating positive end-user experiences led him to seek a deeper understanding of the financial management side of product work. “This will enable me to effectively connect feasibility, viability, and reliability to the benefit of the company and end users,” he said.
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Making the Most of Career Services
Looking back, Deion described the Jenkins MBA Career Center as one of the most “underrated and undervalued” parts of the program.
“The first classes you take when you become an MBA student, you have to build your LinkedIn profile and resume,” he said. “Funny enough, the job I currently have today, I started after I started the MBA program. I met my hiring manager at one of the networking events that the career services were hosting.”
Overcoming Challenges
Balancing work, school, and family was no small feat. “At the program’s outset, I was the head of a family of four while working full-time; upon completion within two years, my family had grown to five, and I was still working full-time,” he said.
His wife and professors formed his core support system, and he relied on meticulous planning to stay ahead. “I created Gantt charts at the start of every semester to keep everything organized.”
Highlights and Takeaways
Two program experiences stand out the most: Raleigh Residency and being part of the McLauchlan Leadership Series.
The Raleigh Residency helped him build lasting connections early on. “I entered the program without knowing anyone and emerged with seven close friends,” he said.
As a McLauchlan Fellow, he had what he describes as a transformative leadership experience. “It expanded my understanding of leadership beyond theoretical concepts, encompassing aspects like public speaking, professional demeanor and leadership.” He expressed appreciation for the support and guidance of Russ and Cara, who helped shape that experience.
Learn more
To learn more about the Jenkins MBA program, including tuition, curriculum, career opportunities and more, please submit the form below.
