John Finn

Harvard Business School

“Outdoor junkie with a passion for improving human health through advances in cutting-edge technology.”

Hometown: Fairfield, CT

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have Thru-Hiked the entire Appalachian Trail!

Undergraduate School and Major: Providence College, Biology

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Harbinger Health, Laboratory Automation Engineer

What makes the case method so attractive as a means to learn and become a better manager? My favorite part of the case method is hearing opinions from such diverse backgrounds. We often get stuck in our own restrictive mindsets and it is amazing to be pulled into someone else’s. I am shocked by how often I think to myself, “Wow, I didn’t even think about that, what a great insight.” Being a better manager boils down to listening with the intent to understand and making educated decisions. In class, we learn as much from each other as we do from the cases. It is a community built on understanding each other and building onto the experiences that helped get us to where we are today.

Aside from your classmates and cases, what was the key part of Harvard Business School’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? My central motivation for choosing HBS was its MS/MBA Biotechnology dual degree program. Coming from a research background, I felt it was important to stay educated on the newest breakthroughs in healthcare and therapeutics. The MS degree teaches students to dive deeply into novel research and to explore the latest innovations in health technology. At the same time, I believe that without a foundation in business, it can be difficult for academics to break out of the lab and influence the overall industry for the better. It is so important to train our future leaders to be scientifically curious and to speak the language of business. The MS/MBA Biotech dual degree exemplifies the union of these two principles.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Harvard Business School? I absolutely love the MyTakes, where students tell in-depth stories about their background and how it has influenced them to be who they are today. They are incredibly personal and touching, but also an amazing way to change your perspective or learn something new about the world. Harvard draws incredibly talented students from all over the globe; it is a great chance to learn from others outside the classroom.

When you think of Harvard Business School, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why? Innovative! Harvard’s ability to encourage new ideas and ventures is astounding. There is the Rock Center, the i-Lab, Startup Bootcamp, and more. The access that entrepreneurs and founders have to support systems and encouragement is fantastic. Professors are deeply involved in new ventures and mentorship of the next generation of business innovators. Harvard is the place to be to bring new ideas to life.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized Harvard Business School was the right program for you? Why? Admitted Students Weekend was the moment when I decided on HBS. It was coming to campus, getting a feel for the classes, and learning about the student experience. It was speaking to other prospective students and seeing how kind and smart they all were too. I wanted to be part of the community that was able to bring so many impressive people in from all over the world and help them be even better.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I got to design and implement an automated laboratory platform to help doctors diagnose patients with Stage 1, pre-symptomatic cancers. Early therapies save lives and allow more time for cancer patients to spend with their loved ones.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? I got to lead a group of classmates on a hike in the White Mountains; everyone had a great time and made it back alive!

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Harvard Business School’s MBA program? The “why” an MBA and “why” HBS questions are so important. Grad school is a big decision, so in your applications, make sure your “why” is expressed properly. It is critical for Admissions to consider who you are as a person and why you may be a fit for this community. Reflect on the qualitative aspects of yourself, consider the “why”, and make sure who you are and your “why” shines through into your application.

DON’T MISS: MEET HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2027

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