Meet the MBA Class of 2023: Brendan Barry, Washington University (Olin)

Brendan Barry

Washington University in St. Louis, Olin Business School

“Disciplined self-starter looking to inspire others to make a difference in the world.”

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Fun Fact About Yourself: My identical twin brother served in the military alongside me in the same unit. This caused a lot of confusion throughout our base.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Missouri, Business Administration

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: U.S. Marine Corps, Infantry Officer

What has been your favorite part of St. Louis so far? What has made it such a great place to earn an MBA? I have enjoyed getting to learn so much from my diverse group of classmates. Olin places a lot of emphasis on experiential learning, and I have been able to learn so much because of the real-world experiences they provide.

You’ll be completing your global immersion next spring (update: the class of ’23 is scheduled now to travel in fall ’22). What excites you most about this excursion overseas? Our trip was moved to fall, but I am still excited! I am eager to learn about industries in South America. It is an area I have always wanted to visit.

Aside from your classmates, global immersion and location, what was the key part of the Olin MBA programming that led you to choose this business school, and why was it so important to you? I chose Olin because of its emphasis on using curriculum in real-world applications. I enjoy hands-on learning, and I knew Olin would provide this for me. Once the semester started, I was already helping companies solve problems.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Olin? Olin Strategy and Consulting Assocation has been very enjoyable. The leadership has really taken an effort to teach members about certain aspects of consulting and prepare us for interviews.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment was returning all of my Marines home from every training exercise and deployment safely. Although most units do not experience combat, the military is an inherently hazardous occupation. Seeing my Marines reconnect with their families was an amazing experience.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: Partnering with a St. Louis company to prepare them for a go-to-market strategy and implementation. I was able to see how well Olin prepared me for a consulting career.

What has been your best memory as an MBA student so far: Celebrating Diwali with all of the Olin community! So many alumni and current students showed up to support the event, and it was unbelievably entertaining.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Olin MBA program? Take an introspective look at your career and your life. Try to understand what you have accomplished and how Olin will enhance that value so you can excel in your career.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE OLIN BUSINESS SCHOOL MBA CLASS OF 2023 AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS

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