In honor of Veterans Day, we connected with Brian Montana. Read on as he shines light on pursuing an MBA as a veteran and how AFG enhanced his MBA experience.
- By
- November 11, 2024
- Military
Get to Know Brian Montana, US Veteran and Armed Forces Group Co-Chair
Since 2006, the number of veteran MBA students at Chicago Booth has increased by nearly 300 percent. With our veteran community continuously growing, our Armed Forces Group has been a valuable resource for prospective and current students pursuing their MBA.
The purpose of the Armed Forces Group (AFG) is to build esprit de corps and a strong professional network of Booth alumni and current students with previous military experience. AFG also strives to prepare students for the recruiting process, foster community through a variety of social activities, and assist prospective military candidates with the Booth application process. Read on as current Evening MBA student Brian Montana shines light on his experience being a veteran at Booth and co-chair of the Armed Forces Group.
Tell us about yourself and take us along your journey to Chicago Booth.
My family’s from Las Vegas, but I grew up just outside of Chicago in River Grove. Right after high school, I joined the Marines. Unfortunately, while finishing my MOS training in 29 Palms, I experienced tightness in my chest and difficulty breathing during a run. I was rushed to the medical center, where I was quickly diagnosed with a mass in my chest, which turned out to be a rare form of cancer. After undergoing an intense course of chemotherapy and surgery, my cancer went into remission. However, the surgery left me with vocal and respiratory disabilities, which led to my medical retirement. At least I can say I retired at the age of 19.
I went on to earn my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in new media, focusing on programming, video, and animation. Since then, I’ve been working as a software engineer in both enterprise and startup environments. One of my favorite activities has been organizing creative tech events for CodePen Chicago and computer.art to provide a platform for people who use code as an artistic medium. In addition to organizing, I volunteer as a mentor at Code Platoon, a program that trains veterans, military spouses, and service members for careers in software engineering. The Evening/Weekend Armed Forces Group (E/W AFG) has been an excellent place for me to expand my reach by supporting veterans who are looking to further themselves.
What’s been your favorite Booth class thus far and why?
It’s hard to choose since all my classes have been excellent, but if I had to pick, it would be Building the New Venture with Professor Scott Metcalf. Coming from a non-business background, I found the class to be a fantastic environment to explore, test, and grow alongside my group. I had the opportunity to take a business idea in the arts and entertainment industry from inception through an 18-month projection, with my group providing enthusiastic support throughout the experience. This course sparked an interest in entrepreneurship, which hadn’t been on my radar before. I highly recommend being adventurous with your course selections!
What advice do you have for individuals applying to Chicago Booth?
Anyone applying should take time for self-reflection to understand why they want to join the program and what they hope to gain from the experience. Write about where you see yourself in five and ten years, and really dig into what that vision means for you and your future. I did this before I applied, and it was eye-opening. I also recommend talking to current Boothies to get a better sense of the community, expectations, and people in the program. These steps really helped build my confidence and solidified my reasons for wanting to go to Booth.
What would you like prospective students to know about the Armed Forces Group at Chicago Booth?
The E/W AFG members do an incredible job of supporting veterans interested in Booth. I’ve had over a dozen chats with prospective students, sharing my journey and experiences. If any veteran is interested in Booth, I always make time to talk with them and share my story to help them reflect on their own journey.
How have the resources offered to veterans supported your pursuit of an MBA?
The best resource has been connecting with other veterans to discuss the program and their experiences. I spoke with several veterans in the program, which helped build my confidence. They all offered valuable advice that I was able to reflect on and put into action.
To learn more about the Armed Forces Group, their mission, and resources available for prospective students, please visit their website.
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