Nick graduated from West Point in 2000 and served for five years as a field artillery officer in the U.S. Army, where he held the positions of battery fire support officer, battery fire direction officer, and battalion logistics officer. He was deployed overseas for 17 months on two assignments: Operation Desert Spring in Kuwait and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

At UCLA, Nick concentrated in finance and was a member of the Student Investment Fund. As part of his studies, he had the opportunity to intern in the investment banking division at Goldman Sachs. He now works as a research analyst covering the financial sector for Marsico Capital in Denver.

Nick says the diversity found in business school is truly remarkable and that one of the unique opportunities b-school presents is the ability to learn about others’ pasts.

Why did you choose to get an MBA?

It was the perfect transition between my years in the Army and my future goals. I had studied chemistry at West Point, but I developed a strong interest in finance and capital markets during my time in the Army. I knew that I wanted to pursue a job in finance after completing my service obligation. Getting an MBA allowed me to develop my knowledge base and gain the accounting and finance skills I needed to be competitive in my desired career path.

How was your transition from the military into the school environment?

It was fairly simple for a couple of reasons: because of the preparation I had done while in the Army (I had spent free time learning about different programs, speaking with former officers I had served with who were getting an MBA, and, most importantly...and because the leadership experience the military provides right out of undergrad is truly one of a kind. 

The perspective on life gained through military service, especially overseas service, prepares you for any challenge ahead. The military is very different from what most students have experienced. But the other students had tremendous respect for my military background and were curious to learn what that experience was like.

What is the value of an MBA combined with military experience?

Through my job search in the finance industry, I have found that employers are looking for individuals with a strong work ethic, good teamwork skills, well-developed organizational and time management skills, and the desire to be the best. You learn all these skills while serving in the military, and the MBA is the perfect complement—because it allows you to develop the knowledge base in your area of concentration so you can be ready for the workforce.