Meet Georgia Tech’s MBA Class Of 2020

Joseph Carothers   

Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business

Army Medical Service Officer working to better the health care environment while having fun doing it.”

Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve traveled to 38 countries.

Undergraduate School and Major: United States Military Academy (West Point), Management

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: United States Army/Wounded Warrior Unit, Company Commander

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Helping 234 wounded soldiers recover and transition successfully into a civilian career.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Open-minded. My classmates are well educated, well-travelled, and have a wide variety of work experiences, which leads to a very accepting and comfortable atmosphere.

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? Scheller College of Business focuses on the application of the materials and not just teaching the concepts. When I return to the Army, I want to be able to quickly and accurately apply lessons learned at Georgia Tech to improve Army health care.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I look forward to the practicum classes. I believe these practicums will provide me with insight into a company’s operations that vary from the Army’s method of operations.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? The Army made this program available to me in order to specialize in accounting; I will bring that skill set back to Army hospitals.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment?  In speaking with mentors, I decided the two-year experience would allow me to hone my leadership skills and develop new skills in accounting that would greatly benefit my career.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Georgetown, Foster (UW), and McCombs (UT).

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I first narrowed my search to MBA programs ranked in the top 35 on U.S. News & World Report and other online resources. I also limited my search to programs in major cities and that had an accounting concentration available. I then researched my top four schools via their websites to learn about program focuses, cultures, and opportunities. My final decision was based on the impression I got through working with the staff on my application and during my interview. Scheller was very personable and helpful throughout this process.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are?  My four years at West Point undoubtedly defined me. I learned effective time management, how to work well with others, and most importantly, I developed strong resiliency.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? After graduation, I will attend a one-year Army comptroller internship in San Antonio, Texas, and then enter a three-year utilization tour as a resource manager.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I will be completing my initial tour and hopefully moving to a larger hospital account or regional management role. Outside of my military position, I plan to have obtained my CPA and CFA.

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