Holand spent nine years as a commissioned officer and aviator in the U.S. Army. His positions ranged from commanding 100 soldiers in Operation Iraqi Freedom to serving as the senior logistics and supply officer for a 600 personnel, 20 aircraft, and 100 vehicle aviation task force.
He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and now works as an Associate Brand Manager for a large consumer packaged goods company.
Why did you choose to get an MBA?
I felt strongly that the military had prepared me very well for any job in corporate America that was geared towards leadership. However, the business acumen of the non-military post-MBA graduates who were competing for the same jobs I wanted was greater than mine because they had the added experience of already working in corporate America. I knew that to be truly competitive for certain jobs I would need an MBA.
Additionally, many companies aggressively recruit Junior Military Officers (JMO) departing the service. Many JMOs, if not most, do not leave the military with an MBA. I believed that having my MBA would provide an advantage over the other officers that would be interviewing at the same hiring conferences that I was to attend. Companies realize that an officer who is willing to work towards an MBA truly has the desire to work in and excel in corporate America.
Why does the type of school you attend matter?
I knew when applying that I would be deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for an entire year of the two year education. I needed a great school that understood my situation and was willing to adapt the program to ensure I was set up for success. The University of Tulsa never wavered in its commitment to me and my pursuit of an MBA. The 10 hour time zone difference was a non-factor at all times. The professors were willing to receive phone calls at any and all hours and to waive certain requirements if operational security prevented my participation. I was never penalized due to circumstances out of my control and was always encouraged along the way.
How did your military background help in your job search?
My military background provided an experience base that no other individual can attain without serving in the military. The greatest leadership challenge most non-military MBA graduates have faced revolves around leading a team of only a handful of people. I went into each and every interview knowing full well that not even the interviewers could provide leadership examples that matched mine. I leaned on my experiences as a deployed commander of nearly 100 soldiers over and over during the interview process.
The challenges of leading in the military do not stop with the deployed soldier, but also include being concerned about the welfare of the now single spouse and young children whose mom or dad will be gone for a year, if not longer. There is no position in corporate America that demands this type of leadership, so when a company has the opportunity to hire someone who has faced these challenges, it will usually take advantage of it.
How did you present yourself to prospective employers?
I presented myself as a completely different type of employee. I tried to sell my leadership experience as an incomparable benefit, not available in other MBA grads, while proving that I could develop whatever business experience I may have been lacking.. I found that most of my interviews did in fact revolve around my leadership experiences rather than business principles.
Companies that actively recruit Junior Military Officers do not recruit them for their business expertise. They want an individual that will lead their company to long-term profits by motivating others to excel during times they might otherwise fail.
