“Strengthened from military service, cultivated by failure, nurtured by great leadership and supported by the family.”
home town: Oscoda, Michigan
Interesting facts about yourself: I sang karaoke in 7 countries. Received various reviews.
Faculty and Major: Northern Michigan University, Bachelor of Business Administration
Latest Employers and Job Titles: US Army (now), Department of Military Intelligence
What is your favorite part of Twin Cities so far? Why has it become such a great place to get an MBA? The Minneapolis / St. Paul area is arguably my favorite Midwestern metropolis, unlike other places I used to live in. In spring, summer and autumn, there are greenways and bike paths along the Mississippi River and across the Mississippi River in all directions. In winter, there is a skyway system that allows you to move essentially from one end of the city to the other without facing any elements. The city has all the major sports, not just theaters, parks, breweries and food. Carlson School is located on the edge of the city on the west bank of the Mississippi River, so you can live downtown, walk or take the light rail to class. With so much to do, the city makes it easier to balance study and leisure.
The Carlson MBA spends a year on practical enterprise programs in consulting, branding, ventures and funds. Which program do you plan to enroll in? What is the most exciting thing about enterprise programs? I chose a fund company. It’s mainly because I believe it’s my weakness and want to challenge and improve myself with the highest return on investment. The great thing about Funds Enterprise is that it manages a huge portfolio and a real business that real investors answer. You can’t think of a better motivation to learn than when your stakes are real!
Aside from classmates, experiential learning and location, what was the key part of Carlson MBA programming that inspired you to choose this business school? And why was it so important to you? The presence of a large veteran at the Carlson School, an Army veteran, was an important factor in my decision making. One of the things I want to gain from this experience is a non-military approach to problem solving, but having an immediate network of veterans with common experience navigates this new environment. Useful for.
What are the most enjoyed courses, clubs and activities you’ve ever had in Carlson? I enjoy serving on the board of sports and business clubs. The main responsibility is planning and managing Carlson School football tailgating events, but it’s also the most fun. Returning from the limits of COVID-19, this was a great opportunity to gather people in a relaxed environment with some delicious food and adult drinks. In addition, the Sports and Business Club is planning several group events for local professional sports events and guest speakers in the field of sports management.
Please explain the greatest achievements in your career so far. I have served in a highly responsible position where many stakeholders depend on my performance for the success of the organization. That said, my greatest achievement is the growing list of young soldiers and officers who are honored to teach me. The Army is basically one of the tasks of training and developing its own alternatives, and one of its main goals is to foster an organized learning culture. To be honest, there are dozens of former subordinates who are confident that they will be more successful than I am. My little part of their growth is my greatest achievement.
Please explain your greatest achievements as an MBA student so far. Having a bachelor’s degree in 2007 and having been primarily a manager, I was concerned about my ability to handle quantitative topics. In the first quarter, we began to focus on quantitative classes such as accounting, statistics and economics. I am very proud to have achieved 3.7 in the first quarter with the help of some excellent coaching.
What advice would you give to help potential applicants enroll in the Carlson MBA program? Be your own sophisticated version, but be yourself. Look back at some of the key responsibility or leadership challenges you have experienced and learn how to explain them in a STAR format (situations, tasks, actions, results). This is still your story, but preparing and practicing this way will allow you to better communicate your story in a shared format. Look back on your experience, identify the different types of challenges you face, and enable Mental Rolodex to respond when asked.