Meet Minnesota Carlson’s MBA Class of 2018

Colin E. Robertson

Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: A hardworking, energetic problem solver who loves a challenge

Hometown: Apple Valley, MN

Fun Fact About Yourself: Born in the Netherlands, travelled to more than 40 countries spanning 4 continents in the last 10 years.

Undergraduate School and Major: United States Military Academy at West Point, BS Economics

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: Captain, US Army

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: During my deployment to Afghanistan, I planned and supervised a 36-hour community outreach mission. It involved coordinating between US and Australian Army, Afghan Police and Army, US Department of State, and non-Governmental Organizations. It was rewarding to take an idea through planning and execution with such a talented team and have a tangible impact on the well-being of the community.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? Take the time to find a school that is the right fit for you. If you can, you should absolutely attend an informational visit and talk to the admissions staff. Pick a time and schedule the GMAT so you have a concrete goal to study towards. it will help you prioritize your time. It was important to me to find a program that appealed to a student body that was talented and motivated, one that I could count on pushing me to do better. Once you’ve found the programs that appeal to you, do what you can to learn about the culture of the schools and take that with you to the interview.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? I sought out a highly-rated program with the right mix of academic style, location, and job placement. As a career switcher, it was important for me to find a course of study that had a high dose of hands-on learning so that I could gain experience working with major corporations. The Twin Cities are a great place to live and work and are the perfect fit for me coming back from living in Germany for the last five years. The density and variety of Fortune 500 companies along with a growing tech sector here provides ample opportunity for meaningful work.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? I’m looking for an opportunity to make a positive impact, to take a product or idea with intrinsic value and shape its perception such that it becomes an indispensable part of everyday life. I want to work for a company that that is innovative and committed to its customers and community both locally and globally.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? I want to be remembered for being a great teammate who wasn’t afraid to learn or try something new…as someone that gets the job done to the highest standard.