Dave Lam is a member 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 Dave walks through his journey to Booth and how the AFG has enhanced his MBA experience.
I served 7+ years as a US Air Force Contracting Officer leading teams to partner with small to medium sized businesses in Boston, Tokyo, the Middle East, and San Diego. I supported national air defense modernization efforts overseeing multi-billion dollar unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production and led contingency procurement operations on the Syrian border. While leading upgrade projects for the National Security Ship inventory under the Department of Homeland Security, I wanted to further my network outside of the defense industry and develop my business skills at a rigorous renowned institution. Chicago Booth was the perfect place for my next challenge. Specifically, I found the Weekend MBA Program to be perfect for working professionals and entrepreneurs who value scheduling flexibility.
I have to give it to the Office of Military Affiliated Communities for helping me navigate the process to access my education benefits. Additionally, the Armed Force Group was of great assistance in terms of helping me translate my military and government resume into terms that the general public could understand. I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who helped me along the application process.
In the AFG, I have found trusted, dependable, life-long friends and partners who share common values and ethics. This community of high performing Veteran business professionals in the Evening MBA and Weekend MBA Programs have accomplished so much and are so helpful in seeing each other achieve future professional goals. In the middle of the program, I along with other members volunteered for a humanitarian NGO in Ukraine during the outbreak of the recent conflict. Using the business tools at Booth coupled with our conflict zone experience, a group of us addressed urgent problems during a humanitarian crisis – something I never would have experienced without the AFG network and the flexibility of the Evening and Weekend MBA Programs. The pay-it-forward culture is alive and well amongst the Booth AFG.
As a Veteran, whether you choose to apply to the Part-Time MBA Programs or the Full-Time MBA Program, we are here to help you navigate the process and coach you on making the best career decision for optimized outcomes. We encourage all to apply regardless of your rank or job in the military.
What would you like prospective students to know about the Armed Forces Group at Chicago Booth?
We asked evening and weekend MBA students what the pay-it-forward culture at Booth means to them, hear their responses on why it's impactful.
Ask a Boothie: What does Booth's pay-it-forward culture mean to you?
Read about Ritvik’s MBA experience and stories relating to life after Booth as a Senior Global Product Manager at Invisalign.
Catching Up With Ritvik Bansal, ‘20
Student Nicole Villarreal tells us about Booth and the University of Chicago’s Graduate Program in Healthcare Administration and Policy (GPHAP).
How Chicago Booth Leads the Way in Healthcare