Meet Georgetown McDonough’s MBA Class of 2019

Benjamin Mackey  

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business  

 Describe yourself in 15 words or less: A passionate servant leader, and obsessive planner, driven to deliver tangible impact in my career.

Hometown: Great Falls, Virginia

Fun Fact About Yourself: I spent a summer in St. Petersburg, Russia. It was one of the most memorable and rewarding cultural experiences of my life!

Undergraduate School and Major: The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina; B.S. Health Education & Sport Science

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

Alter Ego Fitness – Personal Trainer

The United States Marine Corps – Logistics Officer

Booz Allen Hamilton – Financial & Business Analyst

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My greatest career accomplishments have been the instances when my Marines have informally reached out to thank me for my positive influential actions on their lives and careers. It’s happened a few times along the way; knowing that my efforts have helped someone move forward is the most rewarding experience that I can imagine.

Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? Don’t sweat the rankings and online forums. Know yourself, learn about the program, and understand how that marriage will best develop your future. If possible, try and visit the university both informally and formally. You’ll know where you’re meant to go once immersed in the culture without the distractions of an interview or a guided tour.

What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? I had options, and I went with my gut instinct. There were several factors that were all so close; be it career opportunities, financials, location, network, etc. Georgetown McDonough and its culture matched my personality. I firmly believe that when you want to be somewhere, you can shape your path accordingly and all the rest will follow suit.

What would success look like to you after your first year of business school?  I hope to make meaningful connections and start to build professional relationships that will last a lifetime. Also, I recognize that it’s ironically easy to lose sight of the education part of the MBA in the midst of social events, recruiting and that sleep thing we are supposed to do. First-year success looks like great friends, academic excellence and, of course, I hope to land a solid internship opportunity in Technology or Management Consulting.

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