Devon Farrell, Cornell Johnson MBA Class of 2024
Age: 28
Hometown: Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Massachusetts Amherst, finance and economics
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): Six years in the aerospace and defense industry
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I was working at my prior company’s corporate headquarters while we were undergoing a merger with a large industrial conglomerate. The fast-paced and high-profile nature of that deal intrigued me, and I realized that I was more interested in the work that the bankers were doing than I was in my own role. That realization prompted me to consider researching investment banking, and I ultimately decided to go in that direction. From there, I understood that getting an MBA was the clear next step to bridge my skill gap and enable a career pivot.
Why did you choose Cornell Johnson? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The biggest draw for me was Johnson’s hands-on approach to academics via the career-specific immersion programs. As someone who learns best by doing, I knew I wanted to be at a school that prioritized practical experience. My decision was solidified after speaking with second-year students, who made it clear that their immersions thoroughly prepared them for their internships and helped them to make strong contributions to their teams.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2024?
The rotational nature of my previous company allowed me to hold four different positions in six years. Through these roles, I was exposed to both high-level strategic planning and extremely detailed financial analysis. I worked with all functions of the organization at every level and across multiple cultures and time zones. I was a part of some highly effective teams and navigated some difficult personalities. Overall, these roles have given me a solid background of experiences that I will be able to draw upon in the classroom and allow me to offer a unique perspective to my classmates.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I was part of a closing-bell ceremony on the New York Stock Exchange a few years ago. Our team had a tour of the exchange and then got to stand on the balcony with our CFO while he rang the bell.
Post-MBA career interests:
Investment Banking
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
List everything you want the admissions team to know — professional achievements, personal interests, personality traits, unique experiences, etc. — and map them to specific pieces of your application —essays, recommendations, resume, transcript, etc. Think about where it makes the most sense for things to come out; it is much more meaningful for a recommender to describe a time when you showcased your motivation and intelligence than it is for you to describe yourself in that way. This helped me to ensure that I wasn’t wasting application space with repetitive information and that everything I wanted to include was being communicated in the most effective way possible.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have started a bit earlier to avoid the eleventh-hour crunch. Researching potential schools, attending webinars and speaking with students sooner would have definitely taken some of the stress out of the process.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I felt like a burden when asking my recommenders for their letters. Obviously, everyone is busy, and it’s difficult to add work to someone’s plate, but at the end of the day, the people you are asking are going to be supportive and happy to help in any way. I did try to lighten the load by sitting down with each of them and discussing my application story. I think providing examples of projects or instances that I felt would demonstrate the traits I wanted to convey gave them a framework to build upon.
What is your initial impression of the Cornell Johnson students/culture/community?
I think it’s going to be a fun two years. It’s a great group of students from many unique backgrounds, and everyone seems excited to be here. We’ve only been in Ithaca for a few weeks, but it already feels like there’s a strong sense of camaraderie among us.
What is one thing you have learned about Cornell Johnson that has surprised you?
Each student has a locker on campus, which I think is funny and reminds me of high school. It’s actually really convenient though — and great for keeping an extra shirt, shoes, etc., on campus in case something comes up.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I am trying to be cognizant of how I prioritize things. I know the entire program goes by in a blink and that there are going to be a lot of distractions, and I would hate to look back and feel like I hadn’t used my time as effectively as I could have.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m hoping to go on the Patagonia Leadership Expedition — if not this year, definitely next!
