Owen Holt

Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

“Fun, hardworking, and loyal teammate who dreams big about the future.”

Hometown: Houston, TX

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have lived in 8 states including the major cities of Houston, Phoenix, Boston, New York City, and now Philadelphia.

Undergraduate School and Major: Harvard University (Economics)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Cincinnati Reds, Relief Pitcher

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of the Wharton School’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I thought that Wharton was the best business school for athletes making the transition to the business world. Professional athletes are some of the most disciplined, hard-working individuals who have dealt with uncertainty and persevered through it all. They have so much to offer for employers and to the world, yet many struggle in their post-playing careers. This life transition out of professional sports comes with stress and self-doubt that I do not wish upon anyone. When I made this decision to ultimately attend Wharton, I felt very confident that Wharton would provide me with a great platform to learn and hone my skills, make this transition as painless as possible, and help me accomplish all my business dreams.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at the Wharton School? The BEES major (Business, Energy, Environment, and Sustainability). I have always taken a passion for the energy world, having grown up in Houston. The energy world is constantly changing, and the BEES major gives me a great way to learn and prepare to one day make a difference in the space. Playing a sport in college was extremely rewarding, however, I felt that it cost me a lot outside the classroom. I am so excited to immerse myself in everything that Wharton has to offer.

When you think of the Wharton School, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why? Possibility. The Wharton School is a place where anything and everything is possible. No dream is too big. I look forward to meeting hundreds of other like-minded individuals who push me to dare even greater in my life.

What makes Philadelphia a great place to earn an MBA? Philadelphia gives me a chance to discover a new city- one with vibrant culture, plenty of history, and great professional sports franchises. It puts me within an hour train ride to New York City and an easy flight to my hometown of Houston. It was a little daunting to move to a new city where I know few people, but I cannot wait to see what Philly has to offer.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: After just one full season of college baseball, I was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 16th round of the 2021 MLB draft. After playing two years of football at Harvard, I made the bold decision to transition to baseball. While my initial season was cut short due to COVID, I pushed through hard times, even enrolling in a Junior College to play while maintaining my studies at Harvard. The hard work all paid off when I heard my name called in the summer of 2021.

What is your biggest passion – and how has it helped you make an impact? My biggest passion thus far in my life has been sports. When I was growing up, I idolized professional athletes and knew that I would always try to be there for the next generation. Even as a minor leaguer, I always wanted to do well but also wanted to inspire kids to dream big and know that they too could be in my shoes if they worked hard enough.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? I want to transition into Energy Investment Banking in my hometown of Houston, TX.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Wharton School’s MBA program? My general philosophy of life is that when you truly dedicate yourself to something, the next step will reveal itself. I always knew that an MBA was a great way for athletes to transition into the business world and Wharton was always on the back of my mind after I had seen many athletes walk the same path. However, without throwing myself fully into the minor league baseball grind, I would not have absorbed all the lessons that professional sports provide and this ‘Wharton door’ may have never revealed itself. Go All In.

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