Ethan Siegel is an MBA Candidate in the Class of 2022 at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management. In addition to serving as an MBA Admissions Fellow, Ethan has also served as an MBASchooled Ambassador for the past two years. In this interview, learn about Ethan’s career journey, why he chose Vanderbilt Owen, and his advice to those who are considering an MBA to achieve their career goals
MBASchooled: What did you do before business school? How did you discover that an MBA could be a good career option?
I attended Drake University, graduating with a degree in health sciences. Prior to Vanderbilt Owen, I was a health solutions consultant at Aon. In advising executives on healthcare and employee benefit strategy for the past number of years, I had the opportunity to learn and observe how these professionals conduct business. WIthout an undergraduate business degree, I began to realize I fell short in my business knowledge. I knew I needed a strong foundation if I were to advance and accelerate my career going forward and a graduate business degree was the logical answer.
MBASchooled: Ultimately, why did you choose to go to business school and get an MBA?
I went to business school to pivot out of employee benefit consulting and explore general strategy consulting and brand management/brand strategy. The MBA allowed me both the opportunity to explore, pivot, and gain practical business knowledge.
MBASchooled: Talk about the MBA application and admissions process. What was that experience like?
My journey began by identifying a small set of schools I felt offered a mix of an engaging community, plentiful career opportunities in consulting and brand, and strong academics. At each school, I spoke with current and former students to paint a clear picture of what the experience was truly like. In deciding which school to attend, it came down to a combination of factors including professional opportunities, leadership development programming, the location of the school, and the financial aid package. Owen checked each of the boxes.
MBASchooled: Think back to the MBA application process. What’s something you know now, that you wish you knew then?
As an admissions fellow at Vanderbilt Owen, I’ve come to learn that the application committee genuinely wants to admit you to the school. At Owen, we look for potential in each student. Try to make it easy for the committee to admit you – clearly outline who you are as a person, what you’ll bring to the community, and why an MBA will help you in your future career goals. Do research on the school and showcase the ways in which you’ll be a leader on campus – be specific. Those that provide detailed answers will stand out. Use your prior experiences to sell your value and future potential both on campus and as a professional.
MBASchooled: What were the most important criteria to you when selecting MBA Programs to apply for?
There were five criteria with which I evaluated which programs to apply for: geography, school academic reputation, professional opportunities, financial aid, and class size/community. I was looking for a combination of these criteria in whichever school I ended up enrolling at.
Q: Why did you choose Vanderbilt?
It was for a combination of the above criteria that Vanderbilt was my choice for MBA programs. The class size (~180 students), city, professional and academic opportunities, and financial aid package made the decision easy. I visited campus and loved the look and feel. After connecting with current and former Owen students, I knew I would both fit in well with the culture and have plenty of opportunities to pivot and grow.
When I visited campus, I met several current students – each was welcoming, engaged, and eager to interact. The smaller class size here at Owen allows us to get to know and interact with our entire class. The community is driven, passionate, and collaborative.
MBASchooled: What’s been the most interesting/impactful/meaningful experience you’ve had so far?
This past spring, I secured an in-school internship with Sorbie Group, a start-up consulting firm founded by an Owen alum which focused on developing extensive business plans and financial models for global startups. I worked with eight startups during the three months at the firm across various industries including retail, med. tech., entertainment, and food/bev.. I was inspired by these clients, each an entrepreneur working to make their dreams become a reality. In helping each business think through their business strategy, I saw the tangible impact I was having in helping these businesses gain footing on their way to securing seed funding.
MBASchooled: What advice do you have, for students who are considering applying or applying to MBA programs right now?
Have in mind clear goals of what you’d like your time in business school to look like. Business school is an excellent opportunity to pause your life for two years, soak up as much knowledge as possible, and pivot into your dream function or industry. It all starts with defining your goals from the moment you decide to apply