Shannon Young

Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management

“Marine veteran, Naval Academy Alum (Beat Army!), Philadelphia Eagles loyalist, and happiest hosting a dinner party.”

Hometown: Berwyn, PA

Fun Fact About Yourself: I was on the cheerleading team at the Naval Academy and am a passionate college sports fan.

Undergraduate School and Major: United States Naval Academy, Control Systems Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: United States Marine Corps – My most recent role was serving as the Executive Officer of Recruiting Station Nashville.

What has been your favorite part of Nashville so far? Why? Nashville has an incredible food scene! My husband and I love exploring new restaurants and activities, and Nashville offers something for everyone. Each distinct neighborhood has its own character and unique offerings. The city is still growing so vibrantly, bringing new things to discover every week. My favorites are Noko and Rolf & Daughters!

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? Coming from a non-traditional background, it was important to me that Owen had the resources to support a major career transition through their curriculum, alumni network, and professional clubs. I had such a positive experience at the Discover Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt Admitted Student weekends, hearing from the career management center, professors, and current students. Those experiences reinforced for me that Vanderbilt’s philosophy of being competitive but not cutthroat goes beyond just being a slogan. The Bass Military Scholars Program also influenced my decision to attend Vanderbilt. It has given me the opportunity to continue serving my new community in a meaningful way, helping me connect my time as an active-duty service member to this new chapter.

What course, club, or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Vanderbilt Owen? My favorite activities so far this year were the Armed Forces Club, Closing Bell, and tailgate. It was extremely fun to engage with our fellow students, display some of our military experiences through photos and memorabilia, and enjoy the event together. Closing Bell is such a benchmark of the Owen experience. When you get to personalize it and ensure your fellow classmates have a great time, it is even more special.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Serving on Marine Corps recruiting duty gave me the opportunity to mentor young men and women applying for the Marine Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship. I oversaw the program from their applications and physical fitness tests to interviews, guiding them through each step until their selection on two national boards. It has been very rewarding to help shape others’ future success, and some of the students are even part of the Vanderbilt NROTC unit. It’s enjoyable to see them around campus and maintain that connection.

My time at Recruiting Station Nashville was marked by adversity as our team navigated the largest military recruiting crisis since the start of the all-volunteer force in 1973. Now serving as a reserve support officer, I see the unit finally hitting its stride after years of hard work. It’s satisfying to watch a team find its momentum and begin to truly thrive.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: I am honored to have been voted the President of the Owen Strategy and Consulting Club. Upon arriving at Owen, I was interested in pursuing consulting, but had little understanding of the industry or what the case interview process demanded. I remember feeling intimidated and trepidatious. I credit my success throughout the recruiting cycle to the strength of the consulting club curriculum, the generosity of second-year mentors, and a collaborative culture among my classmates that genuinely celebrated shared success. I am excited to give back in a similar way to the incoming class of 2028!

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? My favorite memories at Owen have been attending Vanderbilt sporting events with the class. The MBA class does a great job of making tailgating accessible and fun for everyone. The fall weather was perfect for football season, and our men’s and women’s basketball teams are absolutely crushing it this year!

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