Grace Powers is so excited about her new job as a regulatory affairs specialist for cardioMEMS that she didn't want to leave to enter a full-time MBA program.

But to continue shifting her career from the laboratory to business operations, she knew she needed to gain the skill set provided by an MBA. So Powers was happy to learn that Georgia Tech's high-caliber MBA program would be available in an evening format for the first time starting in fall 2007.

After earning her bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from Vanderbilt University in 2000 and then a master's degree from the University of California at Los Angeles in 2001, Powers didn't want to be a full-time student again.

With five years of work experience under her belt, she recognized that the Georgia Tech Evening MBA program was the right option for her.

She'd already heard great things about the school from her husband, Richard, who's earning a dual MBA along with his master's in electrical engineering through Georgia Tech's Technology Leadership Program. "His experience was very encouraging to me," says Powers, whose husband also works for cardioMEMS, serving as IT director.

A medical device company, cardioMEMS is commercializing wireless implantable blood sensors that are designed to improve the management of severe chronic cardiovascular diseases. Powers worked at the company for several years as a biomedical engineer until recently moving to the regulatory side. "As an engineer, I had a very specific focus on the delivery system," she explains. "I wanted to have a higher-level business overview, looking at the product life cycle from beginning to end."

She believes that he MBA will help her advance much further by expanding her knowledge of all functional business areas. "Taking classes while working is especially beneficial because I can apply the latest management theories and insights directly to my current workplace," she says, noting that her employer has been very supportive of her decision to return to school.

The Evening MBA Program is flexible by nature. Classes are offered Monday through Thursday evenings, beginning at 6 p.m. Most students will take two courses each semester (attending classes two nights per week), completing the program in approximately three years.