Patrick Li

University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business

“Just a chill guy.”

Hometown: Hong Kong

Fun fact about yourself: I’ve been to every Disneyland in the world

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of California, Irvine – BA in Business Economics

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Novaria Group, Sales Manager

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? Deloitte Consulting, Los Angeles

Where will you be working after graduation? Deloitte Consulting, Los Angeles – Senior Consultant

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• President, Marshall Consulting and Strategy Club
• AVP of Career Development, Marshall Consulting and Strategy Club
• AVP of Academics, Marshall Graduate Student Association
• MBA Ambassador
• Beta Gamma Sigma Honors Member

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am incredibly proud to have been elected President of the Marshall Consulting and Strategy Club. This role was especially meaningful to me because I personally benefited from the club’s support during recruiting, and I wanted to pay it forward. Thanks to an amazing board, we made a real impact, ensuring every student who wanted a mentor got one, expanding workshops, and enhancing resources to help first-years develop professionally. Our efforts have helped strengthen the consulting pipeline at Marshall, and I’m proud to have played a role in making the program even better. I look forward to seeing future cohorts build on this foundation and continue the tradition of support and mentorship.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? During my time at TransDigm Group, an aerospace company, COVID-19 caused a severe slowdown in the business, leading to layoffs across the company. As a result, I was unexpectedly tasked with managing our largest account, Boeing, despite being the least experienced on the team. When inheriting the account, we were already a supplier of concern due to late deliveries – so I wanted to correct this immediately. I quickly built strong relationships internally but also with the Boeing procurement managers, earning their trust and buy-in. This not only strengthened our partnership with Boeing but also resulted in winning a statement of work valued at up to $3 million. This achievement was a defining moment in my career, as it reinforced my ability to navigate high-stakes negotiations, drive strategic outcomes, and deliver tangible business impact.

Why did you choose this business school? I’m sure this sounds cliché, but the Trojan Network was truly the deciding factor for me. Coming from a purely aerospace background, I wanted to pivot into consulting and wanted a supportive environment to make that transition. I had heard about USC’s pay-it-forward culture, but experiencing it firsthand was eye-opening. Even before starting at Marshall, students and alumni reached out to share their experiences and offer guidance—genuinely willing to take time out of their day to help. That level of support made all the difference and reaffirmed that I was joining not just a school, but a lifelong community.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? I had many great professors, but the one who stands out most is my Corporate Finance professor, Scott Abrams. He brought the material to life through real-world case studies and encouraged class discussions, which made it especially engaging given the diverse perspectives in the room. Beyond the classroom, I got to know him better through my role as AVP of Academics, where we had weekly meetings to discuss course feedback on behalf of our cohort. That’s when I saw how much he cares. As a Marshall alum himself, he goes above and beyond to support us—not just academically, but professionally and personally.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course during the MBA was PRIME, the required global strategy course at Marshall. It was one of the reasons I chose this program – it reflects Marshall’s strong emphasis on global business. As part of the course, I had the opportunity to work on a consulting project for an arts company in Seoul, South Korea. It was an incredible experience that exposed me to how business is conducted not just in a different country, but also in a completely new industry. The combination of cultural immersion and strategic problem-solving made it truly unforgettable.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? One of my favorite MBA traditions was the annual fall break trip to Mexico. It was the perfect way to decompress during the busy fall semester. More importantly, it created an opportunity to connect with classmates across both cohorts. Whether you were a first-year meeting second-years or vice versa, it was a relaxed, fun environment that helped build meaningful friendships and lasting memories. It truly reflected the community-driven culture that makes Marshall so special.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? If I could do one thing differently during my MBA, it would be going on even more trips. It sounds weird to say since I did go on quite a few, but at Marshall, there’s always something happening – and FOMO is very real. Looking back, these experiences were more than just fun getaways. They were opportunities to bond with classmates, explore new places, and create memories outside the classroom. It’s rare in life to hit the pause button and, if anything, the MBA felt like we were doing life at two-times the speed. I wish I had taken even more time to soak it all in.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth about Marshall is the Trojan Network—people always talk about how powerful it is, and I was honestly skeptical at first. But once I joined, I experienced it first-hand. Alumni were incredibly generous with their time, offering support, advice, and connections without hesitation. It’s not just a marketing ploy – it’s a living, breathing community that truly looks out for one another. Not a myth!

What did you love most about your business school’s town? What I loved most about being in Los Angeles is that you’re never bored. There’s always something to do, explore, or eat. Just like our MBA program, the city is incredibly diverse, offering access to a wide range of industries, cultures, and communities. Being in the heart of LA meant we were surrounded by opportunity, whether it was networking events, company visits, or just grabbing amazing food from around the world. And of course, the location can’t be beat—you could go snowboard and surf in the same day if you really wanted to!

What movie or television show (e.g. The Big Short, The Founder, Mad Men, House of Lies) best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? One of my favorite movies is The Pursuit of Happyness. Chris Gardner is an example of the risks we take in pursuit of something greater – much like all of us who decided to step away from our careers to pursue an MBA. What stands out most is the lesson of perseverance. Gardner’s journey is filled with rejection, setbacks, and uncertainty, but he never gives up. His resilience and belief in himself ultimately lead to success, even when the odds are stacked against him. The movie is a powerful reminder that in both business and life, success rarely comes easy – but with hard work, it’s always within reach.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? Marshall has actively integrated AI into the curriculum across several courses. In classes like Strategy Consulting and New Ventures, we participated in hands-on exercises using tools like ChatGPT to generate project plans or draft customer discovery surveys. These experiences were eye-opening as they showed us how AI can be used in the actual workplace. I enjoyed learning how AI can be used as a tool to make us more efficient rather than looking at it as a threat to our future careers.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? This is probably the toughest question, as I’ve met so many incredible people in this program. But one classmate who truly stands out is Chason Hawkins. I first met Chase during consulting recruitment, and later had the chance to meet his wife and their three beautiful children. Chase is incredibly hardworking, yet remains humble (so I’m sure he’s cringing reading this). As VP of Case Preparation on our board, he was always dependable and made time to coach and support other students, no matter how busy he was. I often looked to him for guidance, and I’m grateful for his leadership and even more grateful for his friendship.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1. As President of the Marshall Consulting and Strategy Club, I’ve discovered how much I enjoy mentoring and helping others grow. For this reason, I want to always make time to come back here at Marshall to give back to the next generation of students, helping them navigate their careers and imploring them to make an impact, just as mentors have done for me in the past.

2. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial drive, and if the right opportunity arises, I’d love to start my own venture – even if it’s within consulting, like building out a new practice. I think there’s something so rewarding about building something from the ground up and making it thrive.

What made Patrick such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“Patrick Li has been one of the most impactful members of the Class of 2025. His leadership, academic strength, and genuine desire to support others have left a meaningful and lasting mark on our MBA program.

As President of the Marshall Consulting and Strategy Club, the largest professional club at Marshall, Patrick led a 30-member board and elevated the organization to new heights. Under his leadership, the club expanded its mentor program to ensure every interested first-year student received support, broadened its workshop and casing resources, and deepened alumni engagement. The club continues to be one of our most sought-after career resources, and much of that success is a direct result of Patrick’s thoughtful leadership and tireless work behind the scenes.

Patrick also served as AVP of Academics for the Marshall Graduate Student Association, where he worked closely with faculty to improve the academic experience. I met with him weekly during this time and was consistently impressed by his ability to gather meaningful feedback, deliver it constructively, and propose practical, thoughtful solutions. He approached each conversation with maturity and care, always keeping the interests of his classmates front and center.

In the classroom, Patrick has excelled. He earned Dean’s List honors and was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, placing him among the top academic performers in our program. He also represented Marshall at the highest level by serving on the winning teams for both the Deloitte and EY MBA case competitions. These national victories reflect not only his strategic thinking and analytical skills but also his ability to collaborate under pressure and lead with confidence.

Professionally, Patrick has made a successful pivot from aerospace into management consulting, securing a competitive summer internship at Deloitte Consulting and accepting a full-time offer to return after graduation. What stands out most is how supportive he remained throughout his own recruiting journey—mentoring classmates, leading casing sessions, and helping others find their path even while navigating his own.

Outside the classroom, Patrick is someone who builds community wherever he goes. Whether he’s working on a global consulting project in Korea, helping a first-year prepare for interviews, or sharing stories from his travels (he’s visited every Disneyland in the world), he brings warmth, humility, and a spirit of generosity to everything he does.

I’ve truly enjoyed working with Patrick these past two years. He has made Marshall a stronger, more connected community, and I look forward to seeing all that he accomplishes at Deloitte and beyond.”

Scott Abrams
Academic Director, Full-Time MBA Program
Professor of Clinical Finance and Business Economics
USC Marshall School of Business

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