Jared Knight

University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business

“A former professional hockey player turned finance enthusiast.”

Hometown: Battle Creek, Michigan

Fun Fact About Yourself: I was drafted 32nd overall to the Boston Bruins in 2010.

Undergraduate School and Major: Sports Science at The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Strategy Insights Associate, Infront X

What has been your first impression of the Marshall MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best Marshall story so far.

I am impressed by the ambition of my classmates. On the final day of orientation, the first-year class competes with their core team in TAM Day. TAM could be described as a field day, but with higher stakes. Even though my team came in second place, the competition provided an opportunity to get to know my classmates in a more casual environment. I was impressed to learn that the ambition of my peers wasn’t confined to the classroom.

What makes Los Angeles such a great place to earn an MBA? LA is a world city filled with endless opportunities for personal and professional growth. Plus, the weather is incredible and after class you can go to the beach.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of USC Marshall’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? In my initial research into MBA programs, I read about “The Marshall Family” but it wasn’t until I picked up the phone to speak with current students and alumni that I realized USC is truly unique. The support, collaboration, and community at Marshall are unparalleled by other MBA programs. Choosing Marshall didn’t feel like committing to a business school, it felt like joining a team.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at USC Marshall? The Marshall Finance Association. I plan to pivot into Investment Banking and I am already impressed by the support the club offers to first year students.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: After nine seasons of playing professional hockey, I decided to retire. Hockey was my entire identity. As soon as I hung up my skates, I felt overwhelmingly lost. However, through the support of my incredible wife, I began to discover a new purpose for myself. This led to the formation of a new career goal: business school. My acceptance to Marshall is the biggest accomplishment in my career so far because the opportunity to pursue an MBA is tangible proof that I am capable of achieving goals outside of a hockey rink.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? I highly recommend the Masters in Business podcast. Barry Ritholtz’s interviews provide exposure to a wide range of financial topics by engaging thought leaders with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. I found learning about the career paths of Barry’s guests helpful and inspiring when going about the application process.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into USC Marshall’s MBA program? Spend time understanding your “why.” Focus on clearly articulating how an MBA will help you accomplish your career goals, especially if you are a non-traditional applicant like myself. Once you have a clear sense of self and know what you would like to gain from your business school experience, reach out! The best way to know if Marshall will be a good fit for you is to have conversations with current students and alumni. Time spent connecting with the Trojan community will give you the tools to submit an application able to specifically address, “Why USC.”

DON’T MISS: Meet USC Marshall’s MBA Class Of 2024