Learn more about the Executive MBA Program experience and how it can be beneficial for veterans who are considering an MBA.
- By
- April 08, 2025
- Executive MBA - Student Stories
Get to Know Jacob Peterson, Executive MBA and Veteran Student at Chicago Booth
In this blog, Jacob Peterson, a student in our Executive MBA Program, talks about (1) what stood out about Booth when looking at business degree options; (2) balancing an EMBA program with work; and (3) advice he’d give to other veterans considering Booth’s Executive MBA Program. Read on to find out more:
Tell us about yourself and take us along your journey to Chicago Booth.
If I trace a path through my career to this point, I think there is a thread of purpose-driven work. After completing my master’s degree at the University of Denver, I started working in risk management for a firm supporting various emergency management agencies, then spent most of my early career as an infantry officer in the US Army. I had great experiences there planning opposing force operations for large scale training exercises, then helping manage security force assistance operations with partner nations in Central and South America. Now I’m leading strategy efforts for one of America’s largest crop insurance providers. The industry is a public-private partnership focused on protecting the legacies and well-being of America’s farmers and ranchers. Having grown up in rural Kansas, it’s a motivating opportunity to support American agriculture.
Why did you choose Chicago Booth, more specifically, what sold you on our Executive MBA Program?
Chicago Booth was an easy choice. I was drawn to the analytical and quantitative focus of this program and its well-earned reputation for setting a high bar for academics. That fit my desire to fill in knowledge gaps about how businesses function, especially understanding some more complex finance concepts that I didn’t pick up in the military. Going through the executive format with such an incredible and diverse cohort is great because we are discussing what we learn alongside classmates who are helping lead their companies to navigate these topics every day. By attending school while working full time, I’ve also found that being able to immediately apply what I’m learning helps reinforce my understanding of course concepts and highlight places where I need to learn more.
How is your Chicago Booth experience helping you in your day-to-day work?
The curriculum is very well designed, and I’ve seen immediate value from my coursework. With classes like Managerial Psychology and Competitive Strategy, I’ve strengthened existing skills that I apply daily. I’ve enjoyed how the real-time applications at work help me test concepts and get more out of class. Other work like Financial Accounting covered some unfamiliar territory for me, but I left the class feeling well equipped and confident as I engage with the concepts at work.
In terms of balancing the Executive MBA Program with your workload, how have you managed scheduling feasibility alongside both your academic and professional commitments?
The workload is significant but I’ve never doubted the value I’m getting in return for my effort. I have tried to be very conscious of how I balance time between work, school, family, and trying to find time for myself. I’m thankful for some good advice from alumni that has worked for me. First, I started building study habits before the program with the preparation materials, which made the start of the program less of a shock. Second, my wife and I established a plan with dedicated nights for schoolwork and, more importantly, dedicated nights for distraction-free family time. Finally, I try to keep track of what work is in front of me so that if I have an extra fifteen or thirty minutes in my schedule, I have material ready to review or manageable portions of assignments to work on.
In what ways do you feel an Executive MBA Program can be of value to veterans looking to advance their education and careers?
For me, three benefits stand out that may be unique for veterans. First, the program is helping me take the strengths and skills I developed in the military and maximize their relevance in the corporate world. I also appreciate how the Executive MBA format is building my knowledge in areas that weren’t part of my daily life in the military (e.g. accounting), and doing so in a way that fits where I am in my career. Finally, there is still so much that I don’t know about the private sector, and every day my classmates are exposing me to new ideas and spaces that I didn’t experience during my time in the Army. Overall, the format has been a great fit for maintaining my career momentum as a veteran.
What advice can you offer to other veterans who are considering pursuing the Executive MBA Program at Chicago Booth?
I hope any veteran or service member considering the Booth EMBA knows that there is a community of veteran students and alumni here that wants to help. I spoke with several veteran alumni in each step of the application process. They helped me evaluate how the program fit my goals and whether I was a fit for the program, helped me navigate the application, and once I was accepted helped me focus on how to prepare. The admissions team is great at facilitating these connections. I would also say to take your preparation seriously because this is a rigorous program, and you will get out of it what you put into it.
Fun Facts about Jacob:
- Jacob enjoys meeting other Boothies who share similar interests. For instance, Jacob and his wife are slowly converting parts of their yard to native plants and grasses, and during his first week in Chicago Jacob met a fellow student who was also passionate about native landscapes and converted almost all of her yard.
- Jacob enjoys bonding with his peers about their favorite books, dishes to cook, and sports teams.
- Jacob loves being outdoors. He and his family love camping and have gone a few times a year with their son since he was three months old. Jacob appreciates the change of pace their outdoor getaways bring and has enjoyed seeing his son grow to be more confident being outdoors.
Check out the webpage for the Office for Military Affiliated Communities for more information on resources available through UChicago. Want to learn more about the Executive MBA Program and whether an Executive MBA is the right fit for you? We encourage you to fill out the form below to connect with an admissions representative and learn more about the program and upcoming events.
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