Nicholas McDonough

UCLA, Anderson School of Management

“I’m an empathetic leader who is passionate about making a difference in my community.”

Hometown: Saratoga Springs, New York

Fun Fact About Yourself: The entire world counts down for my birthday every year… New Years Day!

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Vermont, B.S. Education

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

UCLA Anderson is founded on the Three Pillars: Share Success, Think Fearlessly, and Drive Change. Which pillar resonates most with you and why? The pillar that resonates most with me is “Share Success.” From an early age I have always felt the draw to team-based environments and developing cohesion in groups. Growing up, I first found a sense of cohesion through sports, but it was my appreciation for teamwork that ultimately inspired me to pursue my childhood dream of serving in the Army, following in my father’s footsteps.

As a young officer, I soon discovered that what fulfills me most in life is the opportunity to lead. A truly rewarding experience, I learned that great leaders elicit feedback and support from others, continuously adapt their leadership styles, and they proactively foster environments where everyone in the team feels welcomed. The Army reinforced my passion for sharing success and cohesion, but it is at Anderson where I first felt this as a civilian. My classmates are some of the most caring, enthusiastic, and driven leaders who have made the transition to civilian life seamless, a direct result of the inviting nature that Anderson instills.

What makes Los Angeles such a great place to earn an MBA? In the Army, I deeply appreciated the abundance of culture and diversity that Soldiers brought to our team. Similarly, Los Angeles is a mixing pot of its own— a city that embraces challenge, provides outlets for all passions, and one that sustains a myriad of professional opportunities for all industries. Like most people drawn to Los Angeles and California as a whole, I also appreciate the proximity that Los Angeles has to outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts. I haven’t checked the “California Double” off my bucket list yet, but I know there are only a few places outside of Los Angeles that give you the chance to both ski and surf within the same day.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of UCLA Anderson’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The Parker Career Management Center (CMC) was one of the primary reasons that I was initially drawn to UCLA Anderson. Since starting school, my initial expectations (already high) have been drastically exceeded. The career advisers at Anderson genuinely care about each student. They work with us in creating career game plans, all tailored to our individual professional aspirations, location preferences, and personal strengths/weaknesses. Recognizing that I lack the foundational business experience that many of my peers come to business school with, the industry immersion programs led by the Parker CMC have been indispensable to my growth as a future leader in business.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at UCLA Anderson? Before coming to Anderson, I extensively reached out to current veterans in the program for insight, advice, and for candid feedback regarding their UCLA experience. Through these conversations, it was evident that the Association of Veterans at Anderson (AVA) would facilitate a smooth transition from the military to corporate America. The abundance of volunteer opportunities and connections to alumni that the AVA has established over their tenure is truly remarkable. In the AVA, I am excited to bridge the gap for transitioning servicemembers who are interested in pursuing their MBA. For any veterans currently thinking about an MBA, please reach out to learn more about Anderson!

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2027? To my classmates, I hope to be an empathetic leader that others can depend on. One of the most exciting aspects of getting an MBA is building relationships with a new group of professionals who come from all walks of life. The diversity that the Anderson Class of 2027 brings to Los Angeles is remarkable, and I hope to be a classmate that others look to when in need. The pillar of “Shared Success” is real at Anderson.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: As a young officer, the most rewarding experience in my Army career was attending and graduating the Army’s Sapper Leader Course. While I’m hesitant to believe that I will go through anything like Sapper School again, now a civilian, it’s a fond memory that I think back to often, and of the people that I went through the training with.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? After graduation, I would like to pursue a career in consulting or general management in a rotational leadership development program (LDP). I really enjoy the strategic way of thinking that consultants operate with and the ability to work across industries is very stimulating. Cemented from my time in the Army, I also thoroughly enjoy leading teams. A rotational LDP would provide me with similar leadership opportunities that I was afforded as a junior military officer.

© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.