Isaac Reynolds

Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

Fun Fact About Yourself: I once backpacked around Europe wearing the same pair of jeans every day for a month!

Undergraduate School and Major: Miami University of Ohio, Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: The Oman Oil Company-Takatuf Human Capital, Business Development Officer

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: As a recent university graduate, I was appointed as the youngest officer in the MENA region for a US Department of State public diplomacy program. I led a team of four American instructors as we engaged over 320 secondary school students across the Sultanate of Oman in vocational and English literacy development in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the US Embassy. I deeply appreciated the experience of representing my country through such meaningful work and will never forget my students!

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? I have loved moving home to Ohio and finding Midwestern “nice” alive and well in my classmates and the greater Fisher community. Despite being students in a friendly, yet competitive MBA environment, our small community fosters camaraderie and kindness that extends beyond the classroom.

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? Fisher sits in Columbus, a growing national epicenter of young professionals and home to four of the 25 Fortune 500 companies in Ohio. I saw Columbus’ globally-focused economy and Fisher’s role in the region’s advancement as incredible assets for an MBA program, full of opportunities for collaboration and partnership. As an MBA candidate, I have already connected to Columbus’ community within the Council of World Affairs, Metropolitan Club and Sister Cities International.

 What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I am most excited about the newly formed Global Business Association and our work in fostering a Fisher community that is well-informed about international business issues and the greater global community.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? After a number of years in diplomacy and international education, I wanted to explore beyond my skill set and pursue opportunities with a stronger business component. At Oman Oil and Takatuf Human Capital, I found a path in marketing, communications, and business development that exposed me to the inner workings of a start-up firm centered on regional growth. I loved the experience but realized I needed an MBA to strengthen my profile and ability to contribute at higher levels of the organization.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? An MBA is so versatile that it is hard to measure its worth and the overall value of a transformative educational experience. In my pursuit, I never questioned my investment of time and resources because I feel the opportunity has already unlocked many doors and set the foundation for a solid post-MBA career.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Simon, McDonough

How did you determine your fit at various schools? In my search for an MBA program, I dedicated time to visiting a wide spectrum of schools and focused on three questions: 1) Do I enjoy the students, staff, and faculty I meet? Culture is a real thing, so I looked for how a school perpetuates its program’s culture inside and outside the classroom. 2) Does the program’s curriculum timeline fit my needs? Internship recruiting starts nearly at the same time school starts, and as someone who recently shifted careers, I considered the theoretical foundations I would have during my first semester and how I could fare well in internship interviews. 3) How early could I make an impact? I wanted to hit the ground running and contribute to my MBA community, so I looked for student organizations with missions I could help advance early on as a first-year student.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? In high school, I was chosen by the American Legion Post to deliver my hometown’s official Memorial Day speech. As a young student working with a military veteran to write my remarks and then standing among city leadership as I spoke, the experience evoked an adult realization of the importance of community and servant leadership. I ended up dedicating my time to Youth Philanthropy and Service with the City of Cleveland and being elected high school class president.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I aspire to contribute to a leadership development program, gaining greater insight into marketing, sales, and human capital.

Where do you see yourself in five years? By 2023 I hope to have advanced quickly to become an international director for a Fortune 1000 company seeking a greater global presence.

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