Janelle is a co-chair of the Armed Forces Group (AFG) at Chicago Booth. The Armed Forces Group is student-led and open to current and former members of the US and international armed services. AFG aims to assist military Veterans in building a sense of community during their MBA experience and beyond. The group is committed to building a strong professional network, preparing students for the recruiting process, and working to assist prospective military candidates with the MBA application process at Booth. Continue reading as Janelle walks through her journey to Booth and how the AFG has enhanced her MBA experience.
I’m originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan and went to undergrad at Michigan State University (MSU). While at MSU I studied Finance, was a member of the Honors College, and was a member of the Army ROTC Program. I graduated in 2016, which coincided with the ban on women in combat arms being lifted. I chose to go into the Armor branch and graduated from the first gender integrated Armor Basic Officer Leaders Course. From there I went to Fort Cavazos in Texas and was in the 1st Cavalry Division.
During my four years in the Army, I held roles as a tank platoon leader, battalion sustainment officer (S4), and battalion maintenance officer. I left the Army in 2020 and spent two years in corporate finance roles as a senior financial analyst. I knew after getting out of the Army that I wanted to pursue an MBA to build on my business knowledge and gain a wider understanding of what a career in business had to offer.
When looking at programs I really appreciated Booth’s emphasis on providing students with the resources and flexibility to customize the MBA experience to the individual. Not only is there a flexible curriculum, but outside of class there are social and professional clubs, workshops, and opportunities to engage in real world experiences with companies through the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation, the Kilts Center, and more.
I knew I wanted to do a Full-Time MBA program for the experience inside and outside of the classroom. Being a career switcher and spending most of my career outside of business meant there was a lot to learn. Focusing full-time on being a student has allowed me to explore extracurriculars offered at Booth such as the Net Impact Board Fellows Program, Polsky Center events and workshops, and much more. The Full-Time MBA experience gives you the time and network to explore your interests and make the most of what Booth has to offer, which I appreciate.
Post-graduation I will be pursuing a management consulting career. A great option to see lots of industries and functions all while working to understand the strategic decisions these businesses are making.
What career are you looking to pursue post-graduation?
Chicago Booth has the largest proportion of Veterans of any Full-Time MBA program, which means we have a very robust Armed Forces Group. We are both a social and professional club, meaning there’s not only ample resources to have success recruiting for internships and jobs, but the AFG also provides camaraderie between service members who can help with the transition from military life.
The AFG and Veterans network is not just a resource to utilize while in the MBA. During the admissions process, the AFG assigns mentors to Veteran applicants to help with everything from essay and resume review to interview prep. Then, when you’re in the program, the Veteran network provides solid connections during recruiting to gain traction and navigate the process. Booth also has a strong group of well-known Veteran alumni (shoutout to Eric Gleacher) who live by the give-back culture. Booth also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Post-MBA you join a large and successful alumni community as well, and Veterans love to help one another.
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