Saint Louis University: Vincent Teglia
Vincent was deployed to Kuwait with the U.S. Army and he was also part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He worked as a field artillery officer and was on jump status from December 2001-May 2004. Vincent received a bronze star medal for meritorious service.
As an undergraduate, Vincent earned a Bachelor’s degree in political science. Currently, he is studying for his MHA/MBA.
Why did you choose to get an MBA?
I left the military on shorter notice than is typical. My peers had a four-year commitment and I was committed for three years. The Army didn’t realize how close I was to getting out; I found out that I was finished three months before it was time for me to leave. I had a political science degree, but no specific experience in industry, so I had a hard time finding employment. After some research, I decided that I wanted to get into health administration. I looked into Master's of Health Administration (MHA) programs. I thought that getting an MHA combined with an MBA would round out the health administrative background, and help broaden my career down the road.
Why did you choose to attend a GMAT® requiring school?
I looked at schools recommended by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Business Schools), and I wanted to go to a school that was accredited by this agency. You know that schools accredited by AASCB are concerned about the caliber of students. Saint Louis University cares about each student's character and potential to perform. The GMAT provides a snapshot of those things.
How was your transition from the military into the school environment?
In the army we'd joke about how we would rather be in school. We'd say school was a piece of cake compared to [the army]. Now when I’m stressed about school, I wish I was in the military. There, the future was certain—I'd work, get promoted, and retire. School seems less certain.
I wish I'd known more about the types of quantitative skills that are required. I only took one math class in college. You need math not just to do well on the GMAT but for the business curriculum. I did take accounting and statistics before business school, though.
Going back to school after five years took some adjustment, but the fact that I am more mature helped. In the military you are held to a higher level of accountability than in civilian organizations. The level of responsibility I had as a 23-year-old lieutenant is akin to what professionals face after working 15-20 years in the business world. Military personnel bring with them the military's open and efficient manner of communication. This, along with the military's culture of respect, molded me into someone who can perform well as a civilian.
