Thomas Ostertag, Harvard Business School MBA Class of 2026
Age: 26
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Chemical Engineering, University of Kentucky
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Process Engineer, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, 2020-2024
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I knew that I wanted to utilize what I learned in school as a practicing engineer. However, I also knew that I wanted to build other commercial skillsets to prepare for a career in general management. Four years felt long enough to build a base in engineering, and business school seemed like a great way to pivot career paths and learn new things at the same time.
Why did you choose HBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The focus on preparing students for careers in management through the case study method was a big draw for me. I liked the idea of a first-year required curriculum with the same section, both to strengthen relationships with classmates and ensure a common base of knowledge. Also, Harvard was always a dream school of mine, and my wife and I appreciated how inclusive the school was toward partners.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
Per the directory, I’m the only first-year student coming from West Virginia. I also think that my experience working with refinery operators in Appalachia gives me a different lens through which to approach some of the cases that we discuss in class.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
My wife and I adopted two stray cats after finding them on the streets of Huntington, West Virginia. They made the 13-hour commute to Boston with no problems!
Post-MBA career interests:
I’m currently trying to land a summer internship. My interest is finding a company that allows me to utilize my engineering background but in a different role that will better prepare me for general management roles in the future.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
One thing I would definitely recommend is giving yourself plenty of time to reflect on the important questions that the schools will ask you: Why an MBA? Why now? Why our school? What’s next for you? It’s rare that we give ourselves time to reflect on major life decisions, and I enjoyed the process.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
At the beginning of my reflection process, I found myself going down two separate paths. First, why do I actually want to get an MBA and what are my next steps? Second, what does the school want to hear? This was a waste of time, because these two paths need to align in order for the school to be the right fit.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have skipped having to leave my job at Marathon to pursue an MBA. Luckily, I felt nothing but support from my coworkers and supervisors, which helped me get excited for the MBA experience.
What is your initial impression of the HBS students/culture/community?
I have been blown away by the culture here at HBS. My classmates are smart, down-to-earth, and I never stop learning new amazing things about the individuals here. The level of support I’ve felt from people I’ve only known for a few months has really exceeded any expectations that I could have had.
What is one thing you have learned about HBS that has surprised you?
HBS had touted itself as a rigorous business education, but the academic rigor of the first semester still surprised me once I got here. Given the required curriculum, there is a focus on bringing each class member up to speed on each subject matter, which leads to a lot of new information depending on your background. It did get easier as the case method became more familiar, and I’m sure that will continue.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
It’s hard not to be anxious about missed opportunities, whether those opportunities are professional, athletic, social, or informative. There are always three things going on at a time, and it takes constant self-reflection to understand the best way to prioritize your limited time, which is difficult.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m most excited to continue deepening the relationships that I started to develop with classmates in the first semester. I’m also excited to figure out my plans for this summer and potentially after graduation.
