Meet the Vanderbilt Owen MBA Class of 2018

Joseph Huggard

Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: I am passionate, endlessly curious, and always finding a reason to smile.

Hometown: Scituate, MA

Fun Fact About Yourself: My biggest hobby is anything and everything related to sports uniforms and logos – especially designing new uniforms myself. 

Undergraduate School and Major: Villanova University, Mechanical Engineering

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: Harvard University John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences – Mechanical and Systems Lab Engineer

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: The most fulfilling part of my job was working with students on a daily basis and helping them achieve their goals. It was – and still is – extremely rewarding to know that I was able to have a hand in students bringing their ideas to life.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants?  Above all, remember to be yourself throughout the entire process. Don’t worry about what other people are doing or how their experience and application compares to yours. You have something to offer, but you need to be confident in order to let it shine through. Don’t shy away from chances to let your personality come out, whether it is in an essay, interview, or campus visit. Demonstrate to schools why you specifically will excel, and don’t just tell them what you think they want to hear.

I would also recommend structuring the process in a way that works best for you. Part of being yourself is knowing yourself, and that includes knowing what works and doesn’t work for you. When studying for the GMAT, for example, everyone takes a unique approach. I figured out that opening my practice book every day on the bus to and from work and doing practice problems worked well for me. Even though that approach may not work well for others – and many might actually recommend against it – I knew it was right for me. Know how you work most effectively, and tailor the process to fit that style.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? The first thing that led me to choose Vanderbilt was the people. The caliber of students here blew me away when I visited, and I felt like each person actually cared about his or her classmates. There is a true community here that is created by this mindset, one in which collaboration is paramount to success. I moved here with my wife, so finding a school that we both felt comfortable with was key.

Additionally, Vanderbilt is on the smaller end for class size. The ability to know all of my classmates and not feel lost in the shuffle was a huge factor in my decision. I am able to have an actual relationship with everyone I meet, including students, staff, and faculty.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? I would love to work in marketing at New Balance. The way they connect to the city of Boston is impressive – it really feels like they are a part of the community. Working at an athletic company has always been a dream of mine, as I have a passion for sports, and I believe that the ability to love what you do for work makes life much more enjoyable.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? I want them to be able to say that I brought enthusiasm and a smile every day, that I was always willing to help someone, and that I positively impacted their time at school.