"In class, we brainstormed solutions to actual issues my company faces," says Lustig, who graduated with a 4.0 GPA in August 2009. "I have been able to use what I learned to better understand company acquisitions and business decisions, as well as to provide critical analysis of potential actions."

Another big benefit of his education has been on the change management front. His company, a provider of electronic data storage products, has been transforming the way it does business, including the outsourcing of design and manufacturing.

"From an organizational perspective, I now better understand why people resist change and how to steer people through the process as a manager," says Lustig, who leads a team of 12 engineers.

Essential Step

Lustig's professional mentor encouraged him to pursue his MBA, and his company supported him, paying his tuition. "When I looked at opportunities for career advancement, it became clear that the experience, education, and insight provided by the MBA would be essential to better understand the business environment and succeed in it," says Lustig, a native of Long Island, New York, who earned his bachelor's in mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Having earned a master's in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech in 1995, he felt confident that the College of Management would be the right fit for his educational needs. "Since I work in a high-tech arena, I liked the business school's focus on technology and management," says Lustig, who's recommended the program to two of his colleagues who are now enrolled.

During his studies, Lustig appreciated the professional level of his classmates and the diverse range of industries they represented. "There are plenty of opportunities to get to know other students outside of class, including weekly social events, intramural sports, guest lectures, and professional clubs," he says. "Networking is a key part of the program."

Lustig also was impressed by the quality of the faculty and the real-world experiences they brought to the classroom. "They take a practical, hands-on, business-oriented approach," he says.