Meet Washington Olin’s MBA Class Of 2020

Erik Andrew

Washington University’s Olin Business School in St. Louis

I am a passionate, outgoing, and positive leader focused on results and team building.”

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love making beer and cooking for my family and friends.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Missouri – Columbia; Secondary Education-Language Arts

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: US Marine Corps, Recruiting Station Operations Officer

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: The accomplishment I am most proud of is successfully leading a team of Marines on deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. This opportunity afforded me the chance to serve my country while developing the leadership skills I plan to use during and after business school.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? The quality that comes to mind in describing my MBA classmates is eager. Everyone in the class embraces the community at Olin and is excited to begin the journey.

Aside from your classmates, 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? Olin’s sense of community, support, and focus on developing their students into responsible citizens who have a strong values base led me to choose this program. The holistic approach to ensuring student success will create a well-rounded business leader able to think critically and act ethically.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school?  I am proud to be a member of the Olin Veterans Association.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? While I have a background in leadership and management, I wanted the chance to develop and sharpen the “hard” skills that will help me be a more well-rounded business leader.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment?  When looking at the business landscape across my target area, it became clear to me that a solid educational foundation was essential for continued growth. The investment in an MBA program reaps significant dividends beyond the bottom line: the network of community, business leaders, and peers also add to the value of this investment.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? None.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? N/A

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are?  My defining moment was when I decided I wanted to serve my country as a US Marine. This goal and the achievement of it has defined who I am as a person by allowing me to express my desire to give back to this country in a big way. Volunteerism and service have always been a big part of my life, and that decision instilled in me the confidence that I can accomplish whatever I set out to do.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I am interested in either working in consulting or in an entrepreneurial-focused small or medium sized business.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I would love to eventually own my own business that works within and for the St. Louis community!

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