Conor Rentz, Vanderbilt Owen MBA Class of 2025
Conor Rentz, Vanderbilt Owen MBA Class of 2025Age: 35
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: United States Naval Academy – B.S. in Information Technology
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): Supply Officer, United States Navy – 8 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Business school has been a dream for quite some time now. Having had the opportunity to attend the Navy’s Insights Into Industry Management course, my desire to attend a top business program was reaffirmed. In the following years, I was fortunately tapped for a spot in the Navy’s Supply Corps’ Civilian Institutions 810 Program. Career timing lined up with my dream, and I was able to pursue an MBA while remaining on active duty.
Why did you choose Vanderbilt Owen? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
First and foremost, the human connection. Vanderbilt was the most willing to understand who I was, understand my story, and to walk the journey of application to graduation with me. I knew exactly what Vanderbilt offered, but I was impressed that they truly wanted to understand who I was and what I would contribute to their community.
Smaller class sizes were my number one priority. I wanted to form deeper connections with my classmates and professors. It also meant these interactions were all on a more personal level, and there truly is a sense of family being cultivated here. Another important factor was location: Geographic location (who doesn’t love Nashville?), location/position on economic growth charts, location in the real estate market, location in startups, and the private equity market. Everywhere I looked, Nashville was trending positive in growth metrics, and everywhere I looked, Vanderbilt was at the crux of this growth.
It can be difficult to commit to an unknown. Having never had the chance to visit before committing, Vanderbilt, and Music City, have both exceeded my expectations.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Business MBA Class of 2025?
Through my work experience, I have traveled all over the world and been exposed to a multitude of different cultures. Additionally, I have had a long streak of interest and performance in the arts. These both facilitated well my desire to understand people and their motivations, and to build successful teams. My worldly experiences and personal creativity are integral to who I am and are arguably my most valuable contributing factors.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I am a classically trained violinist and pianist. Music has always been my outlet, and my favorite memories are performing in the pit orchestra for the San Diego Ballet’s Nutcracker and performances in Carnegie Hall. Hopefully I’ll be able to take a fiddle lesson or two now that I’m in Nashville.
Post-MBA career interests:
Operations and Venture Capital
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would filter schools based on location. What geographic location is seeing your flavor of economic growth, where do you want to live, or where are you willing to live for the next two years? Quality of life matters, and exposure to the people and environments that motivate and interest you matters!
Additionally, I would keep a journal of thoughts that would come to me during the day to help me craft my story. Without this, I would have spent much more time on coming up with the story, and it might not have been true to who I am and of substantial quality.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
First, it would have paid dividends to thoroughly research more post-MBA career paths to determine how each school really did, or didn’t, align with my career goals. Second, start on essays earlier.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Virtual interviews. Due to my geographic location, I had to do everything virtually. This created tricky time-zone management issues, and I often found I was waiting alone in virtual meeting rooms at odd hours of the night. Patience, persistence, and understanding pays off. Understand everyone in the process is a human being.
What is your initial impression of the Vanderbilt Owen MBA students/culture/community?
After you get over the imposter syndrome, I sought the “do I belong here” in Vanderbilt’s culture. The students and community far exceeded my expectations of welcome, and this investment will prove rewarding, both personally and professionally, far beyond the two-year investment.
What is one thing you have learned about Vanderbilt Owen that has surprised you?
I would have never expected the professors to take such an active role in their student’s success. They go above and beyond to ensure every student is given the opportunity to succeed, and often meet on their own time outside of class to provide assistance. It is clear student development and success are the focus.
We are the first class that has full utilization of the brand-new management building!
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Missed opportunities. There is so much to get involved in here at Owen, and so many opportunities to get involved with the community, and opportunities to network in the industries of greater Nashville. There just isn’t enough time to do it all.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Exploring and pursuing any career path I want, especially those that are foreign to me. I just finished recruiting for a venture capital company and I’m extremely excited for the work experience. It is also nice to run into country music legends at the most unexpected events nearly every weekend!
