Brian Oechsel

Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management

“Marine veteran looking for the next adventure.”

Hometown: Leonardtown, Maryland

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have completed a couple of 24-hour “adventure races.”

Undergraduate School and Major: University of South Carolina, Business Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: United States Marine Corps, CH-53 Pilot

What has been your favorite part of Nashville so far? Why?  My favorite part of Nashville has been the food scene. There are so many amazing restaurants throughout the city. After about seven months, my wife and I are still finding and trying new places.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Vanderbilt Owen’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I chose Owen because of the small class size and the mod system. Coming from the military, the fast-paced quarterly mod system has allowed me to be exposed to a wide range of business topics. Additionally, the small class sizes have allowed me to get to know my professors and receive personalized feedback on my assignments.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Vanderbilt Owen? I have really enjoyed the Healthcare and Strategy clubs. Every day, it seems like a club is hosting a lunch-and-learn featuring guest speakers or instructors who discuss breakthroughs in their respective fields or provide interview-focused preparation.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I was one of the first instructor pilots for the Marine Corps’ newest helicopter, the CH-53K. This opportunity gave me the chance to teach new pilots how to fly and operate this advanced helicopter. Additionally, I served as the program manager for the helicopter, working with subject matter experts to write the operating manual and prioritize the development of future capabilities.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? My biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far has been securing multiple interviews with my targeted companies for a summer internship. Coming from a non-business background, I was initially nervous about recruiting, but Vanderbilt and the veteran community have been extremely helpful in setting me up for success.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? My best memory as an MBA student so far has been meeting new people from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences.

DON’T MISS: MEET VANDERBILT OWEN’S MBA CLASS OF 2026

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