2016 MBAs To Watch: Geoffrey Ensby, Carnegie Mellon (Tepper)

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Geoffrey Ensby

Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University

Age: 28

Hometown: Smithfield, RI

Undergraduate School and Degree: Bryant University-Smithfield, RI; Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Applied Statistics (Summa Cum Laude, Honors Program)

 

Where did you work before enrolling in business school? Amica Insurance Company – Associate Investment Analyst; Army National Guard – Field Artillery Officer, deployed to Afghanistan 2011-12

Where did you intern during the summer of 2015? McKinsey & Co, Pittsburgh, PA

Where will you be working after graduation? McKinsey & Co, Pittsburgh, PA; Associate

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School

  • Executive Boards for Tepper Consulting Club, Christian Business Association, Adam Smith Society, Tepper Veterans Club
  • Admissions volunteer, hosting lunches, class visitors, and tours
  • Special projects volunteer for Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Society, Pittsburgh
  • Hospitality team member at North Way Christian Community Church

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Developing and growing the Christian Business Association with its first established executive board and creating a number of activities to welcome classmates and improve our profile on campus

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Earning the right to use the CFA designation (three exams entailing 1,000-plus hours of individually driven study)

Who is your favorite professor? Dr. Jay Apt, who provokes inquisitive thought about controversial and challenging economic, business, and public policy topics through objective analysis and engaging discussion over arguments and counterpoints.

Favorite MBA Courses? Government and Business (Professor Jay Apt); Architecture of Competitive Advantage (Professor Oliver Hahl); Corporate Finance (Professor Stephano Saccheto); Strategy, Performance Measurement, and Corporate Governance (Professor Austin Sudbury)

Why did you choose this business school? Three main factors: 1) Smaller size that facilitates greater community and offers stronger opportunities to have a lasting impact; 2) location in Pittsburgh, a large city but not overwhelming; and 3) collaborative atmosphere that enables constructive learning and effective peer-leadership openings.

What did you enjoy most about business school? Building lasting connections and identifying where I fit into the grand scheme of life.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from business school? Determine your goals ahead of time and pursue relentlessly, despite what others may indicate.

What was the most surprising thing about business school? It is not the academics that define it, but all of the aspects — social, professional, educational, experiential — that enhance and expand upon the base coursework.

What was the hardest part of business school? It was the second half-semester in the first year, in which academics were robust and challenging, while recruiters picked up the pace intensely.

What’s your best advice to an applicant to your school? Identify what makes you interesting and leverage your unique aspects.

“I knew I wanted to go to business school when… I remembered how much I enjoyed the entire experience of an undergraduate business education and wanted to shift from an analytical role to one that allowed me to explore the strategic implications of decision-making and be involved in the pulling of these levers.”

“If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be… a librarian, as I enjoyed finding and organizing information, helping others solve their problems, and learning about new and unexplored topics.”

Which executive or entrepreneur do you most admire? John Bogle of Vanguard, as he upset the paradigm and stuck to his convictions, seeing them manifest and redefine the investment industry.

What are your long-term professional goals? To enjoy the ride and take advantage of opportunities as they arise without becoming too focused on where the road may lead.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? God: He provides all.

Fun fact about yourself: I have never broken a bone

Favorite book: Red Storm Rising

Favorite movie: Gladiator

Favorite musical performer: U2

Favorite television show: “Man in the High Castle”

Favorite vacation spot: Adirondack Mountains in New York State

Hobbies? Golf, downhill skiing, running, mountain biking, racquetball, traveling

What made Geoffrey such an invaluable addition to the class of 2016?

“While I am sure that there are many deserving candidates for this recognition, I believe Geoffrey Ensby has distinguished himself in ways that make him a deserving recipient.

“Geoffrey Ensby is an invaluable member of the class of 2016 for three primary reasons. First, Geoffrey leads by example. I was his professor in three core communications classes. His leadership impacted the classroom. He was always prepared for class, paid close attention to the little things that make great communicators. When he spoke in class, he always added tremendous value to the learning outcomes. His work ethic and timely observations were noticed and respected by his classmates.

“Second, Geoffrey demonstrated leadership in several of the school’s organizations. He not only served in board positions, but he helped associations, such as the Christian Business Association, establish an executive board and achieve a record number of regular members. Geoffrey’s contributions to the clubs and associations reflected his strong desire to push boundaries, challenge assumptions, and strive toward higher levels of performance.

“Finally, Geoffrey views continuous learning as a foundation for his leadership practices. From the military to Tepper, he frequently puts himself in challenging situations outside of his comfort zone. He learns from those experiences (especially when things do not go as well as anticipated) and shares his new insights with others. As a result, Geoffrey is regularly sought out as a peer-to-peer mentor. This particular quality made him an invaluable member of the Tepper School community and will help make him an excellent consultant.”

Ron Placone

Faculty Lead, Accelerate Leadership Center

Assistant Teaching Professor of Business Management Communication

Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University

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