Earning an M.B.A. While Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Meet Illinois Tech Student Janie Butler

Janie Butler’s passion for green chemistry began as an undergraduate student when one of the field’s co-founders spoke to her biochemistry program. Green chemistry aims to be “benign by design,” creating chemicals and chemical processes that produce less toxic waste. “That ignited a passion in me,” Butler says. 

She saw an opportunity to get involved in education. For the past six years, Butler has been working in the nonprofit sector, leading teacher professional development and curriculum creation around sustainable STEM. And over that time, she’s wanted to build on her leadership and business skills with the aim of making a meaningful impact on science, education, and sustainability. 

Butler enrolled in Illinois Tech’s Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), an online degree that emphasizes foundational knowledge with a more tech-focused approach. Thanks to the program’s flexible scheduling and mobile accessibility, Butler was able to keep learning while accomplishing her long-standing dream of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail—a 2,650-mile trek.

Butler spoke with Coursera about what drew her to Illinois Tech’s graduate program and how that education has inspired her to fight for a healthier planet. 

The transition from chemistry to business is such an interesting leap. What interested you about earning an M.B.A.? 

Butler: I’m always looking for ways to push myself and expand my impact, especially in advancing nonprofit missions. Earning an MBA was a strategic decision to sharpen my leadership skills, master financial management, and grasp the bigger picture of business operations. 

Having worked on small teams where I've taken on multiple roles, I recognized the value of proactively building expertise in areas where I could contribute even more. An MBA would equip me to not just participate but lead initiatives that propel our mission forward.

What felt right about an M.B.A. program as opposed to something shorter, such as a tutorial or certification?

Butler: Deep dives into strategic leadership and financial management have given me confidence. While I’ve enjoyed certifications in the past, I wanted something more substantial—a program that provided a cohesive learning experience and culminated in a degree, rather than just piecemeal components. It was important to me to develop a well-rounded skill set that I could fully integrate into my work.

Learn more: Is an Online M.B.A. Worth It? The Return on Investment

Why did Illinois Tech feel like a good fit?

Butler: I love their focus on innovation and technology. And the degree fits my lifestyle. It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, and the ability to have half semesters and to design the coursework to fit my lifestyle was a huge advantage. I felt like it put the power in my hands.

Did you get started with performance-based admissions? 

Butler: Yes, it was a great entry point as someone who doesn’t come from a business background. I got to learn both sides: Is this something I want to learn and am I capable of learning it? And I’m able to continue the program rather than wait a while to hear back about whether I’ve gotten in or not.

What’s it been like interacting with your peers?

Butler: That’s been great! It honestly wasn’t something I was expecting much of, knowing it was an online program, so all of it has seemed like an upside. Everyone comes from so many different places and so many different backgrounds And there’s been a lot of discussion and collaboration—that’s been a really unexpected highlight.

Do you have a favorite course so far?

Butler: My favorite course was the leadership and organizational design course. It went through analyzing what it takes to be a strong, empathetic leader. I called it my “dessert course” because I was like, “Oh, this is what I get to do when I get everything else done!” 

And then another one that was great was the marketing strategy course—about how to further these nonprofits’ missions through messaging and how to have applicable messaging that will resonate with the target audience.

How do you stay motivated?

Butler: I’m lucky because I genuinely love learning and enjoy being able to follow my curiosity and passion. The one-year timeline of the MBA program has also been a great motivator. It’s allowed me to dive in and keep moving forward without having to take breaks or step away when I’m eager to keep going. This structure has made it easy to stay focused and motivated throughout the entire program.

How do you balance it all?

Butler: Balancing everything can certainly be challenging, but the short semesters help keep me focused. It feels more like a series of sprints than a marathon. 

For me, I honestly find the information really interesting, so while it is pursuing an M.B.A., it’s also a bit of a passion project to learn more about these disciplines and get to learn from fantastic professors. If there’s a real desire to learn more, it makes the whole process easier.

And “balance” now includes hiking a lengthy trail! 

Butler: It’s fantastic being out here and doing something so physical, but there’s also a component of me that needs to use my brain. I did lighten my course load knowing it would be hard to find time to take exams. 

I took an artificial intelligence course while I was out here. I don’t think I’ve ever thought about a course as much as I’ve thought about that one. I would go into town, listen to a lecture, and then spend three days marinating on it.

What a fantastic image: Someone learning about AI as they spend a significant amount of time in nature.

Butler: The duality of it is really fascinating! There was a section of the course that discussed using AI drones to combat wildfires, and I happened to be hiking through a massive burn zone at the time. It really hit home—this is exactly the kind of technology we need to bring to life!

Speaking of, how are you navigating the wildfires?

Butler: I didn’t expect it to be so emotional: hiking through miles and miles of burn zone. It’s overwhelming to see the aftermath and realize how easily it could all be lost. It’s definitely invigorated me to go back to work that can help combat climate change. But yes, it’s hard with the fires.

What do you hope to do with your M.B.A.? 

Butler: I want to continue being able to support nonprofits and their missions, using an M.B.A. to help cultivate that skill set to be a more impactful leader in the business field. I’ll be excited to have that skill set and a degree to help symbolize it.

I love doing work to help teachers help students understand all the advancements that are happening within science—that they can be empowered to make change and help the environment through that change.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.