Why did you pursue an MBA during your military service? 

“For me, pursuing an MBA during my military service was about timing, alignment with my personal goals, and finding the right program that fit my needs. I reached a point in my career where I wanted to broaden my perspective and develop skills that would complement my military experience. The timing was also ideal for my family, allowing me to focus on my education while still managing my professional and personal responsibilities. I chose the Raymond A. Mason School of Business because of its reputation for teaching excellence and its emphasis on students truly understanding the material and its application in the real world. I was confident that this program would equip me with the tools I needed to think critically and strategically in a way that would enhance my contributions to the Army and beyond.”

What parts of the Raymond A. Mason School of Business MBA program did you enjoy most and why?

"What I enjoyed most about the Mason MBA program was the broad exposure to multiple disciplines and the unique learning opportunities it offered. Coming from a military background, I wouldn’t ordinarily encounter fields like marketing or accounting in my day-to-day work. These courses not only expanded my knowledge but also deepened my appreciation for how different aspects of business, such as finance and marketing, interplay to influence management and operations. Another highlight was the access to the Executive Partners program. Being able to have candid conversations with seasoned professionals gave me invaluable insights into career development and allowed me to leverage their experience to chart my own path. The combination of diverse academic exposure and mentorship created a transformative experience that I’ll carry with me throughout my career.”

How was the Mason MBA helped in your career path? 

"The Mason MBA has profoundly impacted my career, equipping me with tools and frameworks to approach problems with a broader and deeper perspective. It enhanced my ability to tackle complex issues and navigate uncertain situations using structured frameworks and methodologies I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Moreover, the program provided the time and intellectual space to reflect on my military career and think through where I wanted to take it into the future. This self-reflection ultimately led me to specialize in the data science field as an Operations Research/Systems Analysis officer. To further facilitate this pivot, I pursued a second master’s degree in business analytics independently from the military. The combined skills from both programs now influence my daily work as an ORSA, where I apply advanced analytical techniques to help Army senior leaders navigate difficult, multifaceted questions. Beyond that, my Mason MBA (and MSBA) experience also enabled me to take on the role of adjunct professor, through which I pay-it-forward by instructing the next generation of graduate-level business students while continuing my full-time military duties.”

MBA Grad Year: 2020

Military Service: U.S. Army

Undergraduate University: The United States Military Academy at West Point