Skip to content Skip to Programs Navigation

Perspectives

From military to MBA

Dan FinkWhen I decided to make the transition from the Marine Corps to business school, there were a few factors that stood out in importance when it came to choosing an MBA program. I wanted a school that emphasized collaboration, collegiality and, most importantly, would provide me the opportunity to obtain an internship at a top investment bank. UNC Kenan-Flagler did all those things and more.

UNC Kenan-Flagler will provide you with an excellent foundation for success in whatever path you choose to pursue, just as it has for me and my fellow veterans at the School.

It goes without saying that the leadership and other intangible skills you acquire in the military are invaluable. The million dollar question, however, is how will you transfer these skills to the business world?

>> Learn more about resources for military students in the Full-Time MBA program

Having spent the prior two years as a company commander, this was a large concern of mine when I started school in August 2014. The key, I learned, was to find the right environment that recognizes these skills and further develops them to become more compatible towards a leadership position in corporate America. UNC Kenan-Flagler not only has the faculty and student-led organizations to help with this transition, it also has an entire leadership development program devoted to helping you hone these skills.

Without question, the biggest concern of mine coming in to business school was landing a top notch summer internship and full-time post-grad job. I had never taken a finance or business related course in my life and was somewhat intimidated by the prospect of navigating my way to an internship on Wall Street. UNC Kenan-Flagler is superbly positioned with access to both an excellent alumni network and Career Management Center (CMC) that helped alleviate these stresses. With the help of these support networks and the CMC, in addition to lots of networking with fellow veterans, I was able to secure an investment banking summer internship at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Through the combination of your lessons learned as a wartime veteran and a UNC Kenan-Flagler education, your future business prospects are bright. UNC Kenan-Flagler will provide you with an excellent foundation for success in whatever path you choose to pursue, just as it has for me and my fellow veterans at the School.

By Daniel Fink (MBA ’16)

I’m interested.

Complete the fields below and we’ll be in touch with more information.  Fields marked with “*” are required.


11.5.2021