Peter John Oppenheim

Georgia Institute of Technology, Scheller College of Business

“Transitioning U.S. Army Officer who loves traveling, being outside, and spending time with my family.”

Hometown: Austin, Texas

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have traveled to more than 50 countries.

Undergraduate School and Major: United States Military Academy at West Point, Engineering Management

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: U.S. Army Engineer Officer

What has been your favorite part of Atlanta so far? What has made it such a great place to earn an MBA? I’ve lived in 10 different places over the last nine years. I’m really excited to settle down in a vibrant and diverse city like Atlanta. The business opportunities within the city and surrounding area are plentiful and Georgia Tech is at the center. Additionally, the people have been incredibly welcoming, and my fiancé and I have made so many friends since we moved here. I plan to stay in Atlanta after graduation.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of the Scheller MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Already having a technical engineering degree, I was intrigued by the STEM certification that the program recently acquired. I’ve enjoyed the more technical side of the academic offerings, such as the courses in analytics and strategy.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Georgia Tech? Joining the Consulting Club and working with the second-year students to prepare for case interviews has been the most challenging and enjoyable experience. Case interviews are daunting at first, but I’ve learned a lot in short amount of time and feel prepared going into consulting interviews in January. I’ve enjoyed working with the second-year students and learning about their experiences through the club.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I deployed to the Middle East as a Platoon Leader responsible for 32 men and women. Accomplishing all my missions and returning home with everyone will always be my greatest achievement.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? My biggest accomplishment has been becoming one of the first-year representatives for the Veteran’s Club. I’ve enjoyed talking with prospective students about the program’s offerings and helping other Veterans navigate his or her MBA journey.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? My favorite memory was Omar Shariff’s promotion ceremony to Major in the U.S. Army. The event was special for a couple reasons, but I particularly enjoyed seeing all of his classmates come out to support his accomplishment. It really speaks volumes of the friendships that the students make within the program, but also the school supporting the Veteran community.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Georgia Tech Scheller’s MBA program? I recommend that every applicant reach out to an admission’s ambassador and talk to current students within the program. I talked to students at every program that I applied to and learned a lot about the culture within the school. I know every one of my classmates would love to connect and talk about Scheller.

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