Chris graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1997. He spent over seven years as a Field Artillery Officer with overseas assignments and deployments to Kosovo, Korea, and Iraq. While in the Army, Chris held various jobs including: fire support officer at both the company and battalion levels, fire direction officer at the battery, battalion and brigade level and a stint as a battalion intelligence officer while in Iraq.
As an MBA student Chris was heavily involved in student activities. He served as Student Body President and helped start Project Pyramid, a curriculum based around using business as a vehicle to alleviate global poverty.
Why did you choose to get an MBA?
The typical jobs available to JMOs [Junior Military Officers] just leaving the military are pretty limited and generally fall into the general management genre. I wanted a good blend between management challenges and technical challenges in a job--something I just didn’t see available in the marketplace at the time I was considering leaving the military. There is also the consideration of compensation. With an MBA from a reputable school, I will likely earn considerably more over my professional life than I would without one.
Why does the type of school you attend matter?
If your need is to merely be able to say you have an MBA then any school will do. If, on the other hand, you are looking to launch yourself into very competitive fields of employment, then you need to limit your search to high quality business schools that have a solid reputation with the employers you think you might want to work for.
What do you wish you had known before applying?
I did not realize how heavily many schools rely on your GMAT score when it comes to determining your eligibility for scholarships. This knowledge would have impacted the amount of time and money I invested in the test prep process.
Why did you choose to attend a GMAT® requiring school?
I wanted to advance my long-term earning potential, secure the best job possible and put a name on my resume that would garner respect in the future...those demands will only be met by a high quality institution and those institutions are going to require a GMAT score.
How was your transition from the military into the school environment?
It was really weird only being responsible for yourself and your contributions to group work. Being back in a classroom and putting myself in the “receive mode” was a bit odd at first, but after a while I acclimated to the environment.
Project management comes pretty natural to most military officers with a few years and assignments under their belt. Working in groups is a big part of the b-school experience and if you can make major contributions in getting your team from start to successful finish on a project then you can really set yourself apart in a positive way. The self-discipline and work ethic that I honed during my years in the Army have definitely served me in a positive manner as well.
Everybody is smart. That is a given. The variety of cultural and professional backgrounds positively impacts the quality of in class discussions, group productivity and social interaction. If I were to go into business for myself with a few partners I could comfortably team with several of the classmates I have worked with over my business school career
How did your military background help in your job search?
The military experience garners a great deal of respect from potential employers, and rightfully so. They see that and automatically know that you aren’t afraid of hard work, can communicate well, function well within a team environment and that you have a high degree of integrity. These are big concerns for employers.
How did you present yourself to prospective employers?
I attempted to present myself to employers as someone who had a solid grasp of who I am, where my strengths were and where my weaknesses were. I conveyed confidence in my ability to translate my military experience into workplace success. I also conveyed confidence in my ability to grasp the complex technical skills I was in the process of mastering in business school. In the end my approach served me, well as I was able to secure a great internship that led to a full-time offer.
