In this edition of our Real Humans: Alumni series, Shen Zhou, who graduated with an MBA from The Ohio State Fischer College of Business, shares his journey to Deloitte LLP. Shen recounts how OSU Fisher prepared him to work at the intersection of strategy and operations, and shares some keen advice he wish he had along the way.
Shen Zhou, OSU Fisher MBA ’23, Senior Consultant at Deloitte LLP
Age: 31
Hometown: Xi’An, China
Undergraduate Institution and Major: The Ohio State University, Aviation
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Operations Specialist / Reconnaissance Scout, U.S. Army, 3 Years, Public Sector
Post-MBA Work Experience: Senior Consultant, Deloitte LLP, 1 Year, Professional Services
Why did you choose to attend business school?
I chose to pursue an MBA because I wanted to accelerate my career in strategic problem-solving and leadership. Coming from a military background, I wanted an opportunity to extensively immerse myself in business knowledge to effectively transition my military competencies into transferable skills. Business school was an opportunity to refine my ability to analyze complex challenges, lead teams, and transition into roles with higher strategic impact.
Why OSU Fisher? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose OSU Fisher because of its strong focus on experiential learning, small class sizes that foster close connections, and its strong ties to companies with a Midwestern presence. I valued the hands-on approach Fisher takes with projects like industry practicums and the opportunity to work closely with faculty and peers. Additionally, I wanted an MBA program where I could build strong relationships with classmates and faculty—something Fisher’s tight-knit community provided.
What about your MBA experience prepared you for your current career?
Fisher provided me with a strong foundation in structured problem-solving, stakeholder management, and data-driven decision-making. Through case competitions, consulting projects, and leadership development programs, I learned to approach ambiguity and create value in complex situations. The program also reinforced the importance of adaptability — whether navigating shifting business priorities or working across diverse teams.
What was your internship during business school? How did that inform your post-MBA career choice?
My internship was at Deloitte Consulting as a Summer Associate, which provided me with exposure to high-impact problem-solving undertakings. It validated my interest in working at the intersection of strategy and operations, where I could leverage data-driven insights to drive business decisions. The fast-paced environment helped me develop a structured approach to problem-solving and stakeholder management—skills I continued to refine post-MBA.
Why did you choose your current company? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to work?
I chose Deloitte Consulting because it offered the right mix of strategic impact, learning opportunities, and industry exposure. Given my military background, I saw consulting as a strong platform to develop broad-based problem-solving skills, refine my executive communication, and build a diverse network. The firm’s strong training programs, emphasis on data-driven insights, and opportunities to work on large-scale transformations were key factors in my decision.
Advice to current MBA students:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of the job search?
I would absolutely prioritize networking and relationship-building. Having candid conversations with alumni and professionals in target roles helped me understand company cultures, refine my pitch, and navigate the recruiting process more effectively. These connections also proved invaluable in securing interviews and making informed career decisions.
–One thing you would change or do differently as part of the job search?
I would be more intentional about exploring career paths beyond traditional post-MBA roles earlier in the process. While consulting was a great fit, I’ve since realized that corporate strategy and business transformation are areas of strong interest to me. If I had taken a more exploratory approach early on, I might have identified these interests sooner.
–Were there any surprises regarding your current employer’s recruiting process?
One surprise was how much emphasis was placed on structured thinking and executive presence, even beyond case performance. While technical problem-solving was critical, the ability to articulate insights clearly and navigate ambiguity was equally important. I also found that cultural fit played a bigger role than I initially expected — much of the interview process allowed enough flexibility for the interviewer to tailor their approach to get a deeper understanding of my unique traits. This process allowed me to display my true self as a person and reinforced my confidence that Deloitte would be a cultural fit for me.
–What piece of advice do you wish you had been given during your MBA?
I wish I had been advised to establish a functional emphasis early on in the program. I often think that if I had chosen a specialized path of development, I could have built deeper expertise in a particular subject area and enhanced the unique value I bring to the table.
