Jonathan Lee, Harvard Business School MBA Class of 2024
Age: 30
Hometown: Charleston, SC
Undergraduate Institution and Major: United States Military Academy, economics and operations research
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 8 years, military
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I transitioned out of the military in June of this year and business school was the best opportunity for me going forward. Transitioning from the military is a very difficult time. I wasn’t exactly sure what career path I wanted to pursue and I lacked some of the hard skills required to succeed in career paths that I am interested in. The opportunity to learn from peers with a variety of different backgrounds – and from amazing professors – is a huge reason that I chose to attend business school. Business school also gives me the opportunity to explore my interests and choose the right career field for me post-Army.
Why did you choose Harvard Business School? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I absolutely love the case method as a form of instruction and I really like the Boston area as well. As an economics major in undergrad, I wrote my thesis on the importance of peer impact in human capital development. Learning from one’s peers is a vital part of the HBS experience as the case method is grounded in that methodology. I am incredibly excited at the opportunity to learn from a diverse group of professionals on a daily basis, so HBS was the logical choice for me.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Harvard MBA Class of 2024?
I spent most of last year as an apache helicopter troop commander deployed to Afghanistan and Kuwait and learned a lot about leadership during that time period. Having led 35 people through difficult situations while maintaining proficiency as a pilot was incredibly challenging and should allow me to make differentiated contributions in the classroom. I am excited to share my experiences – and the mistakes that I made as a leader – with my classmates. The two years I spent prior to separating from the Army were formative for me and the wealth of knowledge that I gained from those experiences should allow me to contribute something different.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I still own over 10,000 baseball cards that I purchased in high school. Growing up, I used to buy and sell cards on eBay instead of working a normal job. I really enjoyed it and I think it helped me develop an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. I managed over 1,200 transactions before turning 18.
Post-MBA career interests:
I am interested in a career in real estate, aviation-based logistics, or consulting. I have a pretty broad range of past experiences and limited exposure in a number of industries so I am excited to explore all of the opportunities post-MBA.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Prepare early! I took the GMAT and worked on drafts of my resume well before applying so that I could focus on the rest of my application when the application window opened.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have tried to manage my stress better. I spent a lot of time on the applications ensuring that every last thing was perfect. In hindsight, that was a good thing, but also added an additional stress component that I didn’t need. Ensuring you take some time for self-care during the process is important and I don’t think that I did it enough.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have skipped the standardized testing if I could. I took the GMAT and GRE twice each. It was a nine-month process and I was up at 5AM for a while studying on a daily basis. I set an initial goal and worked towards it and that kept me going. Having that goal helped me stay focused and work through the process despite working every nearly every day of the month prior to my final GMAT.
What is your initial impression of the Harvard Business School students/culture/community?
I’ve been incredibly impressed with everyone that I’ve met so far. Everyone is very kind, accomplished, and comes from a very diverse background. The culture is incredibly friendly and the community is very inviting. The professors are also amazing, thoughtful, and incredibly helpful.
What is one thing you have learned about Harvard Business School that has surprised you?
The school’s focus on self-reflection and being vulnerable through “my takes” and through our START program surprised me. I think both programs are a great way to spend time reflecting on previous experiences and really getting to know your classmates. I didn’t expect there would be such an emphasis on reflection and sharing, but it has helped me a lot as we’ve started school.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I’m most anxious about trying to ensure that I allocate my time appropriately. There is always something to do and between class, clubs, social activities, and day to day life so it can be overwhelming sometimes. Ensuring that I balance all of that the next two years will be a challenge.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m most excited about making new friends while starting a career outside of the Army. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve really enjoyed spending time with everyone that I’ve met so far and I can’t wait to start new friendships and a new career. It may be cliché, but I’ve already met some amazing people and look forward to spending the next two years with them.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
The use of Zoom actually helped me because it made the application process more accessible to me while I was in Kuwait. Being able to interview remotely and attend virtual events was incredibly helpful given my geographic location.
