Tamsyn Thompson

Columbia Business School

“Leader with a global viewpoint striving to make a strategic impact in the Defense enterprise.”

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Fun Fact About Yourself: First Female to Integrate Fast Attack Submarines.

Undergraduate School and Major: Ashford University, Major: Accounting & Finance

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: United States Navy, Supply Corps Officer

 What word best describes the Columbia Business School MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far and why? Inclusive: All CBS students and alumni have gone above and beyond to create and promote an inclusive learning environment. I am lucky to be part of a cluster that is filled with a diverse group of people, from various backgrounds and levels of experiences, which will promote growth and capitalize on the differences that all students bring to the table. In return, I hope to add value to my cluster by sharing my values of perseverance, leadership, and collaboration.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Columbia Business School’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you?

Columbia Business School’s unique environment for hands-on and practical learning opportunities through experiences like the Executives in Residence program will help me supplement my leadership experience and build technical quantitative skills and solutions-driven management practices. Those hands-on experiences will benefit me in positions of increasing responsibility when I return to the Navy, as I apply new practices to overhaul outdated mindsets in inventory management and performance metrics to increase Navy supply chain efficiency.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Columbia Business School? I’m excited about resources like Columbia Women in Business that will enable me to learn from other female business leaders’ private sector perspectives.

What makes New York City such a great place to earn an MBA? After serving 17 years in the United States Navy and traveling the world, I miss the fast pace and creative spirit that makes NYC one of the most vibrant places in the world. CBS replicates this NYC spirit- where each person has his or her own story on a smaller scale and I’m excited to incorporate the spirit of my city and learn from a global community of students as part of my MBA experience.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment in my career so far was being the first female to integrate, deploy, and qualify on a fast attack submarine. I am proud to be part of the team of women who can execute the Department of the Navy’s mission in and from the undersea domain, as well as inspire future generations of women to continue to rise above the gender bias and fear.

How did COVID-19 change your perspective on your career and your life in general? Being active-duty military, COVID-19 did not change my career or job responsibilities. Instead, we were forced to find alternate ways to maintain productivity and effectiveness during a global pandemic. However, in the midst of all of the loss, I did emerge with a better grasp on my personal work-life balance.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? I have reached a pivotal point in my Naval career where I am starting to think of what the next chapter looks like and how I can better set myself up to achieve my long term goals. The foundation of my pending achievement is centered around sharpening my skillset and expanding on the business skills that I have learned from the different roles served in the military. I feel that my time at Columbia will provide the opportunity to interface with civilian counterparts, look through the eyes of industry, and understand what drives their behavior.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, & NYU Stern

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Columbia Business School’s MBA program? I would advise potential applicants to start the process early. Do your research, visit the campus, attend virtual sessions, and reach out to current CBS students to ask questions and get advice. Most importantly, be your authentic self and tell your story of who you are and what you bring to the table.

DON’T MISS: MEET COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2023