Meet the Vanderbilt Owen MBA Class of 2018

Andreas Guentner

Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Work hard, play hard, and never ever give up!

Hometown: Regensburg, Germany

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love to sing and dance while I vacuum.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Memphis, BBA International Business

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

Professional Soccer player for SSV Jahn Regensburg and BFC Dynamo Berlin

Junior Consultant for TauRes Investment Consulting, Berlin

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Signing my first professional soccer contract and fulfilling a lifelong dream is definitely my biggest accomplishment so far. It showed me that hard work, determination, and perseverance can get you very far, even though you may not be the most talented guy on the roster.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? When you choose a business school, try to find the best fit for you. How does the school’s opportunities assist you in making yourself a better person, leader, and business professional? When you are on campus, really listen to your gut and the feeling you have when you visit. It has to be the best fit for you, and the name or ranking of the school should not be a predominant decision factor.

When writing your admissions essays, write from the heart. Pick topics that you are very passionate about, and see how they apply to the essay questions. The essays shouldn’t be a recollection of all your successes, but rather a portrayal of your character and how you intend to make an impact during and after business school.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? I went to the University of Memphis for undergrad, so the moment I arrived there, I fell in love with the south. Little did I know that I would actually fall in love with south, as my wife is from Mississippi. So, when I started looking at business schools, I wanted to have the opportunity to study at one of the best schools in the country while still being close to the south. Obviously, this made Vanderbilt the perfect choice.

Vanderbilt has an entirely different approach to most of the other prestigious business schools. It is a unique culture that fosters collaboration and emphasizes the individual student and his or her development. At Vanderbilt, I felt like I wouldn’t be just a number in its MBA program, but instead, a highly valued and visible student with the opportunity to influence those around me.

As a former professional athlete, I understand how essential collaboration is and how important it is for one’s personal development and success. Out of all the business schools I applied for, Vanderbilt dominated in its collaborative culture. So when I received my acceptance letter from Vanderbilt, it was not a difficult choice at all.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? I want to work for Nissan after graduation. I have a big passion for operations and lean management, and I want to learn from the best. As the Japanese actually invented lean management, there is nothing better than a Japanese company to work for and learn from. I also want to make an impact by reducing waste that occurs in production processes. As an employee for Nissan, not only can I influence the company’s production processes, but also, those of its suppliers and competitors. Moreover, the automotive industry is a forerunner in environmental trends, which is why I am especially interested in this industry.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program?   I would love them to say: “Andreas? He’s a very cool guy, always has a smile on his face, and helps you out when you need it. I’d love to work with this guy!”