Brooks Jones, Vanderbilt Owen MBA Class of 2024
Age: 28
Hometown: Monticello, AR
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Arkansas State University, Accounting & Finance
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 6, Accounting & Financial Reporting (EY & OneOncology)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I decided to attend business school to pivot from my accounting and financial reporting background into strategy consulting. Business school is a bridge to that career, which will provide opportunities to think about business more strategically while maintaining characteristics I enjoyed most about previous roles – serving clients and bringing structure and problem-solving to complex issues.
Why did you choose Vanderbilt Owen? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I fell in love with Nashville during the five years I lived here prior to business school, so Owen was naturally at the top of my list. I was drawn to Owen because of the world-class business education it offers on a personal scale, and it would have been an appealing option for business school whether it was in Nashville or not. The fact that it is situated in Nashville, a vibrant city and frankly a fun place to spend two years, made this a relatively easy decision.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Vanderbilt Owen MBA Class of 2024?
This one is difficult to answer. Anyone who knows me well knows that I am a proud Arkansan. As the only member from my class who hails from The Natural State, let’s go with that.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I am an avid hiker and am attempting to climb to the high points in all 50 U.S. states (or as many as feasible – thinking about you, Denali).
Post-MBA career interests:
My goal is to pivot from my accounting and financial reporting background into a consulting role at a management consulting firm.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Be authentic to yourself and highlight characteristics that set you apart from the typical business school
candidate. Don’t try to “fit the mold.” In most cases, the unique aspects of your background or skill set will make you an asset to your future class and serve as an advantage in the admissions process.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I wouldn’t begin by trying to craft my story and application to a certain narrative or candidate profile. Reframing the objective of the application as simply putting forward an authentic version of myself
relieved a great deal of pressure and significantly strengthened my application.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
My GMAT study period was heavily condensed, as I decided to apply to business school in early December of 2021. I wanted to apply in round 2, so this amounted to a 3-week sprint of after-hours GMAT study while working full-time. I saw the clock roll past midnight nearly every evening during that stretch. What got me through it? Coffee. Lots of coffee.
What is your initial impression of the Vanderbilt Owen students/culture/community?
Business schools are inherently competitive environments, but the culture within the Owen community is overwhelmingly collaborative and supportive. We are fiercely competitive and ambitious at Owen, but we also want to see everyone succeed. We reject the notion that someone one of us must be set back for someone else to move forward. This lends itself to an attractive culture, where we compete in the classroom and at recruiting events throughout the week (cheering each other on along the way) but still look forward to coming together on Thursday nights for Closing Bell (our weekly happy hour in the Owen courtyard).
What is one thing you have learned about Vanderbilt Owen that has surprised you?
I knew coming into business school that my class size would be smaller at Owen than at other peer programs. I’ve been surprised, though, at just how small it feels – in a good way. It’s big enough that you are exposed to a wide range of students from diverse, unique backgrounds, but small enough that you can know them all personally. It’s the best of both worlds.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I am most anxious about balancing the academic workload of business school with recruiting and social activities. Adjusting to a full-time MBA schedule which includes work outside of class, recruiting information sessions and events, coffee chats with other Owen students, and social events seemingly every night of the week can be challenging. It is overwhelming for sure, but Owen has fantastic structures and people in place to help students balance all the above.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited about getting to know my classmates and adding relationships to my personal and professional network. I had a great experience at my undergraduate institution, but that network is mostly regional in nature. My class at Owen includes people from across the country and all over the world, and I look forward to forging relationships during my first year that will last a lifetime.
