University of Missouri: Jerrod Appenzeller
Jerrod joined the service right after high school and spent three years as an Infantryman with the 101st Airborne Division. In 2007, he was deployed to Iraq where he served for 14 months at Mukashifa and Samara. In all, Jerrod was awarded two Army commendation medals and three Army achievement medals during his time in the military.
Jerrod earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Missouri, Columbia, in 2010. He is interning at a wealth management firm while pursuing his MBA in Finance from the University of Missouri.
Why did you choose to get an MBA?
After leaving the service, I felt I needed to catch up to those in the business world who have more experience in their fields. I believed that the skills I’d learn with an MBA could help me close the gap with those who went straight from high school to college, and then to the workplace.
Has school offered unanticipated benefits or surprises?
Yes, I was surprised by the number of veterans on campus. You can’t tell just by looking at someone, but in talking with classmates I’ve found people who I share similar experiences with. We’re sort of an informal club.
How did you prepare for the GMAT exam?
First, I relearned a lot of rudimentary math principles, especially in geometry because I haven’t worked with it since early in high school. Then after reviewing the quantitative and verbal topics on my own, I used the downloadable software on mba.com to practice the tests and find out where my weaknesses were.
Why did you choose to attend a school that requires the GMAT?
One of my biggest concerns was getting an MBA that had legitimacy. I believe that the GMAT requirement is another way a school can show that its program holds itself to a higher standard.
What expectations did you have about your school experience based on the fact that your program required the GMAT?
That the program holds itself to a high standard, and that admissions personnel have a way to gauge potential beyond a resume. Many programs I looked at wanted business-world work experience. Because I didn’t have substantial work experience outside the military, the GMAT helped me stand out to schools.
How did your military background help you with the rigors of school?
Whenever I hear classmates complain about their courses or a hard professor I try not to smile. By applying a fraction of the effort that was required in the military to my education, I have been able to achieve a high level of academic success.
From your perspective, what’s the value-added of your military background combined with the MBA?
The MBA tells an employer that I have technical skills that can benefit them right away. In addition, I feel that my military background gives me the advantage because it shows employers that I have the drive to finish out a difficult task. Employers know that I have business acumen, but more importantly, they know that they can take a chance on me.
What advice can you give others about translating their military background so that it makes sense to school or job recruiters?
You have to speak their language. The hardest part of interviewing for me has been helping interviewers understand my experience as an infantryman in terms they understand. I have to tweak everything I say. “Conducted patrols,” becomes “tasked with engaging the public, establishing lasting communication channels, and maintaining a safe environment.” It sounded odd to me at first, but when the blank stares turned into understanding nods I knew I was making sense to them.
