A Master of Business Administration (MBA) program can be a catalyst for career advancement — and Oluwatobiloba “Tobi” Seriki is a prime example. Already thriving professionally, Seriki enrolled in the USC Marshall School of Business online MBA program in 2024 and has quickly seen the impact on her leadership capabilities, strategic thinking and long-term career trajectory.
Seriki began her academic journey at the University of South Florida, where she studied finance before joining Home Depot as a merchandise planner. While the role was not part of her original career plan, she soon recognized how well it aligned with her strengths.
“I really didn’t know what merchandise planning was when I first moved into it,” she told USC Online. “But it turned out to be amazing because it allows me to use both sides of my brain. I’m very split analytically and creatively, and in merchandising you’re able to draw on both — thinking through the products, what belongs on the shelf and what consumers are looking for.”
Seriki’s career progressed steadily at Home Depot, gaining experience across the business by serving as a senior analyst for strategic initiatives and later in the e-commerce team. Ultimately, she transitioned into the grocery industry, joining a major grocery retailer as a national category manager — and now a director.
“Working in groceries is so gratifying,” Seriki said. “You’re helping to put food on people’s tables and bring joy to their homes. It was exciting to tackle this role.”
As at Home Depot, her strong performance led to new opportunities, including an invitation to participate in USC’s Food Industry Management program — a five-month experience that strengthened her understanding of the industry she had come to love.
But the program offered more than academic enrichment. It also connected her with USC faculty who encouraged her to pursue an MBA, an idea she had been considering since completing her undergraduate degree.
“It was something I always wanted to do, but I needed the timing to be right,” Seriki explained. “Once I finished the Food Industry Management program, I was already in ‘school mode.’ I wasn’t sure I could stop and then start again — so I decided it was the right moment.”
Now enrolled in the USC Marshall School of Business Online MBA program and on track to graduate in spring 2026, Seriki has already seen meaningful benefits.
“The MBA program has reshaped the way I think and approach situations,” she said. “I’m taking a more holistic, strategic view. I’m thinking more like an executive — considering the entire business, analyzing information differently, asking the right questions and digging deeper.”
Seriki has been surprised by the range of subjects that resonate with her, citing operations, marketing and entrepreneurship courses as standouts. Each has given her new tools to bring back to her work.
While graduate school can be challenging, Seriki has found that the program’s flexibility is crucial, especially while working full-time in Dallas.
“When you’re an online student, it puts a lot of power in your hands,” she said. “I’m able to continue working, which is essential for me. Being remote allows me to balance school and career in a way that would not be possible in person.”
Of course, balancing multiple responsibilities is not always easy — her first semester was the most difficult as she learned to manage competing priorities, but the experience strengthened her time-management skills.
“My advice is to give yourself grace to adjust,” she said. “It may feel jarring at first, but over time you adapt. I never realized how much time I truly had in a day until now. If you were accepted into the program, you’re there for a reason. You’re capable.”
As Seriki faces her final year of the program, she’s reflecting beyond the coursework, emphasizing how much she values the connections she has built.
“The network you build within the program is wonderful,” she shared. “The group projects and sessions help you get to know your classmates so well. I’ve learned so much from people in industries very different from mine. Those conversations broaden your thinking in invaluable ways.”
She is also deeply appreciative of the greater Trojan community and the strength of USC’s global network.
“I haven’t seen anything like the Trojan network before,” she said. “People talk about it all the time, but experiencing it is surreal. USC was a school I dreamed of attending as an undergraduate, and being part of the Trojan Family now is truly an honor. I feel the impact every day.”
When it comes to next steps, Seriki is clear about her ambitions: the USC Online MBA is preparing her for the highest levels of leadership.
“The end goal for me is to be in the C-suite one day,” she concluded. “This program is helping me get there. I want to keep growing, keep learning, and I never want to stop.”
Learn more about the USC online MBA today.