Full-Time MBA Student Profile Drew Thomas, ’16

Drew Thomas: 00:03
I feel lucky that I have the opportunity to really have two careers in my life. I went to the United States Naval Academy and spent 10 years in the United States Navy as a pilot. Switching a career, I had to think about what are the skills that I really need to build? My first experience here at Booth was pre-MBA accounting. For anybody coming in who doesn't have a finance or accounting background, from day one, you build teams and friendships and relationships through shared experience and shared challenges. And that was true in the Navy, and that's true here at Booth.

Drew Thomas: 00:30
Investment banking recruiting is very intense. And there's an expectation that Booth students will come in prepared, not only from a Career Services and a class standpoint, but from students who help prep you for interviews. It's a process that really prepares you. Booth values diversity, and veterans are just a part of that diversity. The Armed Forces Group here at Booth is made up of international veterans. We spend time together, not only based on our past experiences, but based on what we're going forward to do.

Drew Thomas: 00:59
We're only here for two years, but we're building friendships and a network and careers that are going to go on. Coming to Booth has been a great actual luxury for my family—my wife, Jen, and newborn daughter, Kate. I mean, there's so many opportunities here in Chicago. The fact that I have a flexible schedule, we can do a lot of things that we might not be able to do if we both worked full time. Having a family is so important to me and to Jen. To come to a place where that's important to the community, it really helps me to be a great student as well as a great father and a great husband.