Andrew Going, Emory Goizueta Business School MBA Class of 2026
Age: 30
Hometown: Peachtree City, GA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Georgia Tech, Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Nuclear Energy
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Pilot, Air Force, 6 years; Engineer, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, 6 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Coming from my previous jobs in the military and as an engineer, I knew that I wanted to make a career pivot. I enjoyed the problem solving and analytical aspects of engineering as well as the leadership, team experiences, and high-pressure situations in the military. I knew that Investment Banking was something I wanted to pursue, and I thought the characteristics from my previous jobs would pay off in that environment. Going to business school would prepare me with the financial knowledge needed to make that change, so I knew it was the right time.
Why did you choose Emory Goizueta? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The most important factor that led me to choose Goizueta was their small by design class size. Making connections and networking are key elements to business school, and getting more opportunities to interface with professors and faculty on a personal level is invaluable. It also allows for more of a tailored approach as a student in working with the Career Management Center that would not be as available at larger business schools.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
I would say that my background in engineering and as an officer in the military will be what I pull from most to help me make a contribution to the Class of 2026. Working in the Department of Energy at the Savannah River Site has taught me how to think critically as an engineer by managing projects that are critical to our national nuclear defense. I will try and combine that with the leadership skills I developed from my time as an officer in the military.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I have an identical twin brother, and we are one of the few sets of twins born on separate days!
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?
Reach out to the recruiting team and alumni who put themselves out there. They really want to help and are upfront and honest about trying to get you where you want to be.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I wish I could have visited for a welcome tour to sit in on a class.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The application process can be lengthy, and it was tough to find time to schedule an interview prior to the application deadline. However, the interview itself was a great experience, as it was my first touchpoint with the school.
What is your initial impression of the Emory Goizueta students/culture/community?
My first impression came from sitting in class the first week and realizing that the professors had already learned everyone’s names. The small class environment makes it easy to get to know everyone on a personal level, which has been great for group assignments.
What is one thing you have learned about Emory Goizueta that has surprised you?
The biggest thing that has surprised me so far is the sincere level of effort and concern the career center faculty and professors have for the students. It is very genuine, and they want to see that everyone is successful in their future careers.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I am most anxious about networking in parallel while going through classes. There is a time crunch, especially during core semester, which can provide a challenge.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited to really get to know my classmates. We have a lot of bright students in our class with some interesting backgrounds. It has been great to work in teams together and leverage what we know from our previous experiences.
