University of Missouri: Daniel Sewell

Daniel is earning a dual degree at the University of Missouri. He has begun coursework toward his MBA while completing his BS in Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering. The self-described traditional guardsman joined the US Air Force in 2003. He served for nearly three years as a munitions technician at Spangahlem AFB, Germany, before completing a tour as munitions inspector at Bagram AFB, Afghanistan. In 2006, he was promoted to staff sergeant. In that capacity, he served as munitions inspector at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, and now as munitions systems specialist with the Missouri Air National Guard.

Daniel says you should definitely highlight your military experience when applying to an MBA program. “It’s the one best piece of advice I can give. That experience is of value. And also understand that an MBA gives you skills apart from those that you learned in the military.

Why did you choose to pursue an MBA as part of your dual-degree program?

When determining what undergraduate degree to pursue, I originally thought that engineering was the best career fit for me because of my technical aptitude and analytical ability. Once I started my education, even though I really liked the technical concentration that engineering provided, I felt that I wanted something more from a career. I wanted to learn how an entire business functions and how management makes decisions. That’s when I decided to finish my undergraduate degree in engineering and pursue an MBA—so I could find out the answers.

Has school offered unanticipated benefits or surprises?

Yes. Working with many types of people from lots of different educational backgrounds is rewarding. My engineering background gives me a certain approach, so I know how I process information and try to solve problems. But interacting with others who approach problems differently is interesting and helps me see things from a different perspective.

What do you wish you had known before applying?

I spent hours researching which program would be the best fit for me, so there wasn’t much I didn’t know about my school before applying. But it would have been nice to know more about what other students with a military background had experienced in their MBA programs … what they encountered and what helped them overcome challenges and make the transition.

What was your experience like with the GMAT exam?

It was unlike anything I had ever prepared for before. I not only had to practice the subject matter, but I also had to practice strategy for completing the exam as efficiently as possible. I didn’t find the subjects all that difficult.

How did you prepare?

First, I read a book that gave an overview of the GMAT as well as strategies for answering questions. Then, I decided my best approach was to practice as many exercises as I could for each subject and question type. I focused on the problems I had difficulty answering quickly, and I also took a few computer-based exams to prepare me for the real thing.

How did it compare with exams you have taken as part of your military training?

The GMAT is computer based and since most, if not all, of the exams I took in the military were computer based, I was used to that.

Why did you choose to attend a school that requires the GMAT?

I think that requiring the GMAT helps schools identify the type of students they want. With so many degree offerings and schools that grant them, it must be difficult for schools to determine the quality of their applicants. I chose to attend a school that required the GMAT because I wanted to study with students who were at—and above—my level. I wanted to ensure that I was getting an intellectual challenge.

What expectations did you have about your school experience based on the fact that your program required the GMAT?

That my school was not only bringing in the top students, but also that I would be held to a standard that I was expected to rise up to meet—and to maintain.

In what way did your program live up to those expectations?

I find the classes challenging and my fellow students to be exceptionally intelligent.

How did your military background help you with the rigors of school?

In the military, either the success of a mission or the health of people is at stake. So, you have to learn to adapt to change. I think knowing that I had to adapt back into civilian and academic life—and then adapting as quickly as possible—helped me get over the initial hurdles I faced.

From your perspective, what is the value-added of your military background combined with the MBA?

The military gave me the opportunity to work with people from all over the world and develop a good understanding of how to communicate with people from many different backgrounds. Combining that with the education I’m getting through my MBA program should set me up for future success wherever that may be.

How do you think a military background will help with a job search or advance a military career?

I think employers highly favor military experience because they have seen the value that that experience brings to their companies. For instance, the experiences you gain in the military are different than the norm, and that gives those with military backgrounds added diversity. As for advancement in the military, higher education and advanced training outside of the military is always looked upon favorably, especially at promotion time.

What advice can you give others about translating their military background so that it makes sense to school or job recruiters?

Keep to simple, understandable terms that anyone can recognize. Most school and job recruiters are aware that the military has its own language, culture, and structure. Still, saying that, “I commanded a squad during Operation XXX,” may sound impressive. But you have to describe that experience so that someone outside the military can understand what it entails and why it’s valuable.

What resources at your school or elsewhere helped in that regard?

The Veterans Center and the Career Center at my school have been collaborating for years, and the advisers in these offices have a good grasp on what employers, as well as others, want.