Cristina Maldonado

The skills that help students succeed in school aren't always the same skills that help professionals stand out in industry. In school, success is often built around learning the material, following instructions, and finding the right answer. In industry, the problems are rarely that clearly defined. Professionals are expected to navigate ambiguity, identify problems, work across functions, take ownership, and continuously improve how work gets done. The ability to ask the right question can...

Career advancement requires more than strong performance. It requires learning to think, communicate, and lead at the next level. As professionals progress in their careers, the nature of their work changes. Early in a career, success may be defined by personal expertise and the ability to deliver results. As responsibilities grow, however, the expectations change. Leaders must connect organizational goals to the work of their teams, remove barriers, solve increasingly complex problems,...

Featured by NC State University Jenkins MBA NC State’s Jenkins MBA highlights the story behind the Operational Excellence Network and its mission to strengthen connections across North Carolina’s life sciences ecosystem. The article explores OEN’s origins, the need to bridge academic learning with practical problem-solving skills, and the opportunity to bring students, professionals, and organizations together to advance continuous improvement. Read the full article →