Alumnus Credits Online MBA as “Instrumental” in His Professional Success

Thura K. Aung, MBA ’20 is a passionate financial professional who had a clear vision of his career path. From the beginning, Aung was focused on becoming a Wealth Planner — a role where he could leverage his expertise to guide clients through their financial journeys. He began his career in retail banking, which he saw as a strong foundation for his long-term goals. However, he knew that advancing in the competitive financial industry would require an additional edge — an MBA.

“The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business gave me the skills and network I needed to elevate my career,” says Aung. He chose the Smith School’s Online MBA program for its flexibility, which allowed him to continue working while expanding his knowledge base and forging relationships with classmates from diverse industries and stages of their careers. “One of the major advantages of the online program was the opportunity to learn from my peers. The diversity of experiences they brought to the table enriched my own learning.”

The MBA served as a critical stepping stone in Aung’s career trajectory. Upon graduation, he was accepted into a prestigious Leadership Development Program at Truist, where he had the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge gained from the MBA program to real-world challenges in financial planning and management. The connections he made during his time at Truist paved the way for his current role as a Wealth Planner at The Atlantic Group of Rockefeller Global Family Office — a role he has excelled in for the past two years.

Aung emphasizes that the relationships and resources provided by the Smith School were “instrumental” in his professional growth. “The projects we worked on with professionals from a variety of industries truly broadened my perspective,” he says. “The mentorship I received from faculty and classmates alike was invaluable — not just for academic insights, but for the personal support and encouragement as well.”

Now, as a Wealth Planner, Aung is able to leverage his MBA to help high-net-worth clients navigate complex financial landscapes with confidence.