John C. Barnes, Foster MBA Class of 2022
Age: 29
Hometown: Westfield, NJ
Undergraduate Institution and Major: United States Military Academy at West Point; Mechanical Engineering with a focus in Aeronautical Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 7 Years, US Army Aviation Officer
Why business school? Why now?
As an Active Duty Army Officer, I had just completed commanding an Aviation Troop and I qualified for a unique program in the Army that allows me to attend a graduate-level education program full time while maintaining active service. Having just completed this command position as a junior officer, this is an optimal time for me to take a break from operational military positions to earn an advanced degree. Based on the leadership experience that I have accrued as a Junior Military Officer, I am most interested in pursuing operations and logistics management when I get out of the Army, and an MBA will make me competitive in this future career pursuit.
Why Foster? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2018 when I got stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state. Since I have been in Washington, my spouse and I have grown to love the Pacific Northwest, so location played a great role in my selection of a graduate school program. Aside from location, I admired the accreditation Foster has as a Top 20 Business School in the United States, as well as the values of community and teamwork that Foster exemplifies. Additionally, I was attracted to Foster for the small class size, something that I feel allows a more intimate connection between students and educators.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2022?
Foster has a small, close-knit community of veterans that I have found comforting. What separates me from this group, though, is that I am one of the few students that are not transitioning out of the military, but rather continuing active service upon graduation. Because of this, my goals and outlook in this program greatly differ from the large population of students that are pursuing a career transition. I feel that this aspect has relieved the stress involved with recruiting for a job immediately following graduation. I am still looking forward to networking and building lasting relationships throughout my time at Foster, though!
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I have lived in a total of five states and three continents over a six-year period. This has cultivated my love for traveling and experiencing different cultures and cuisines, both in the United States and abroad.
Post-MBA career interests?
After I get out of the military, I would like to pursue operations or logistics management in the Technology or Manufacturing industry.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Start Early! Research MBA programs early, understand what you want out of a program, and target the programs that fulfill your needs and desires the most (location, class size, values, reputation, etc.). Apply as early as possible, but not before you are ready.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
If possible, try to visit as many campuses and their surrounding cities as possible!
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Because I attended a military academy and have served only in the military since my undergraduate education, I had very little experience interviewing prior to Foster, so I felt a lot of anxiety with interviewing for different programs. At the end of the day, I knew that schools consider much more than an interview in selecting students for admittance, and I found solace in the idea that as long as I portrayed the truest version of myself to interviewers, I could have nothing to regret.
What is your initial impression of Foster’s students/culture/community?
Foster is an extremely welcoming and accepting community. I have been blown away by the hospitality demonstrated by the instructors, administrators, and students of Foster. It is a community that truly accepts and embraces all cultures and identities.
One thing you have learned about Foster that has surprised you?
I was surprised and impressed to learn about the sacrifices that many of my classmates have made to attend this full-time MBA program, especially during a time with so much volatility and uncertainty in the world market due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Many of my classmates left well-respected and promising careers to attend this program to pivot or advance their current career path.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I haven’t been in school for over seven years, and jumping back into academics in an unfamiliar field (I have no prior business experience or expertise) was intimidating. This anxiety was heightened by now having to grasp these new academic concepts in a virtual room of classmates that have much more business experience than me.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Because of the pandemic, I still have not formally met any of my classmates in person. I look forward to the day when we are able to interact in person!
