Meet London Business School’s Class of 2019

Brady Dearden 

 London Business School 

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: On a mission to understand how to help others and then make it happen.

Hometown: Princeton Junction, NJ, USA

Fun Fact About Yourself:  I started my primary education in Bermuda where I attended 1st and 2nd grade.  Now my education has come full circle and I will be studying for two years again under English teachers and mentors.

Undergraduate School and Major: West Point 2009, BS, law.  University of Cambridge 2010, MPhil, international relations.  

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: US Army. Served for more than eight years as an aviation officer and Blackhawk helicopter pilot.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I served as a US Army Company Commander in Seoul, Korea for 17 months to more than 130 US and Korean soldiers. In this mixed international setting, our team had the opportunity to work together on some complex training scenarios supporting US Army and Korean Army aviation missions. To see two different cultures work seamlessly side by side and accomplish some tough tasks was a tremendous feeling for all involved. Playing a part in this experience and the deep personal and professional relationships it engendered is thus far the greatest accomplishment in my career.

Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? My advice is to start as early as you can in the application process. I credit a large portion of my success to the insightful and extensive discussions I had with veteran and non-veteran MBA students around the world. Their enlightening recommendations, coupled with constant offers to help with resume, essay, and interview preparation, led me down paths I never would have started myself. Time spent talking with current MBA students as well as faculty and admissions officers will truly bring you to understand the MBA process and which direction is the right fit for you.

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 am excited to be studying at London Business School for three primary reasons. First, the LBS MBA curriculum is arguably one of the most flexible in the world, allowing students multiple opportunities to drive their own development. One particular opportunity I am eager to choose is London CAP (Core Application Practicum), a new elective which is a hands-on, in-depth project experience with a business in London. Second, the international atmosphere of the school is amazing.  Judging from events such as the school’s Welcome Weekend and the Student-Alumni occasions in which I have participated, the LBS community is an immeasurably rich collection of students and faculty from around the world. I am looking forward to the global friendships this program will bring and the opportunity to learn first-hand more about the world’s many rich and diverse cultures. And this brings me to my third reason for selecting LBS: the people. In my many interactions with the admissions office, students, and alumni I have continually found the LBS community to be one that is extremely supportive, outgoing, and personable.  I know it’s going to be a great organization to learn from and be a part of for the next two years and beyond.

What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? I am currently in the middle of a career change. After serving in the US Army for eight years, I am looking for the next professional challenge that brings me the greatest meaning. Although I have some ideas regarding the direction I want to take, MBA success for me will be to discover that specific path which will bring adventure, teamwork, and the opportunity to help others.