Salary Diaries sheds light on the sometimes taboo and often mysterious topic of MBAs and money, including how people pay for their advanced degree and their salary after graduation and beyond.
This time, an Evening MBA from the Class of '24 transitions into civilian life after 10 years in the military as a combat medic. He now makes a $273,000 salary in the healthcare consulting industry.
Evening MBA Stats
MBA Program: Evening MBA ‘24
Current Age: 35
Pronouns: He/him/his
Undergraduate Major: Microbiology, Neurobiology, Healthcare Administration
Pre-MBA Years of Work Experience: 0 Civilian; 10 Military
Pre-MBA Industry: Military
Pre-MBA Occupation: Combat Medic
Pre-MBA Salary: $51,024
Salary Upon MBA Graduation: $273,000
Current Industry: Healthcare Consulting
Current Occupation: Senior Healthcare Management Consultant
Current Salary: $273,000
Current City: Nashville, TN
Why did you pursue an MBA?
I knew that transitioning from the military into a civilian career would require some type of validation so that I understood how non-DoD business and operations were conducted. In my head, my years in the Army and my good standing as a non-commissioned officer demonstrated my ability to lead in difficult scenarios, and the MBA would certify my capabilities in a non-military environment.
How did you finance your MBA?
The GI Bill helped me finance my MBA.
What do you wish you knew before going back to school to get your MBA?
I would have made friends earlier. I ended up making a few close friends and very much enjoyed the camaraderie in the program.
How did you balance personal life and your studies in the MBA program?
I set realistic expectations for myself. During my first master’s degree, I was hyper-fixated on a 4.0 and worked myself sick to achieve that. With my MBA, the goal and the expectation was to finish. Every employer I spoke with seemed to care more that I showed up, gave all I could afford to give, and contributed value to the program.
Download: Evening MBA Career Impact Report