Donté Harrington, Georgetown McDonough MBA Class of 2028
Age: 28
Hometown: San Clemente, CA (Boise, ID)
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Boise State University; BBA, Marketing (MPA, General)
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Private Equity Associate, Deal Originations / Private Equity / TELEO Capital Management / ~4.5 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I decided to attend business school because I wanted to pivot careers. My previous role exposed me to the broader world of high finance and to careers I was not aware of during my undergraduate experience or prior to that. Now felt like the right time because I had achieved everything I wanted to achieve in my previous role and decided it was the best decision for me and my family.
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Georgetown was a university I immediately identified with in terms of core values. The McDonough experience is deeply committed to academic excellence, a diversity of thought, and educating the entire person. I did not just take the admissions team’s word for it either. They provided numerous opportunities to meet with current students, faculty, and alumni who all consistently demonstrated those same values and ultimately made my decision to attend a very easy one. This institution has been a fixture in this region and sits on the Hilltop in more ways than one!
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
I think I bring a unique combination of backgrounds to the cohort. I am a first-generation student raised by two of the hardest-working people I have ever met who both served in the United States Marine Corps. I was fortunate enough to earn two degrees and compete at college football’s highest level. As a person of color, I am also aware of the experience of attempting to break into industries with less representation. That blend of experiences has manifested itself in a way that makes me truly value a facilitator role where I enjoy positively contributing to everyone’s experience by going out of my way to incorporate others and make them feel valued every opportunity I get.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I played 6 seasons of college football on a blue and orange field in Boise, ID. Some people like to call it the Smurf Turf, which is totally fine with me, but I call it The Blue!
Post-MBA career interests:
I intend to leverage the connections, experiences, and technical development provided by the Georgetown McDonough MBA to pursue a career in investment banking.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Talk to anyone and everyone with ties to Georgetown. The University has been around for over 230 years so there are plenty of alumni to speak with. The more I engaged with the University, the more I felt comfortable with it, which ultimately solidified my commitment to the program.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would avoid comparing myself to other people I know who are applying to similar schools. The application process is unique to each individual, and comparing yourself to someone else is a slippery slope that can take away from the excitement of going back to school.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I did not enjoy preparing for the GMAT Focus exam. After taking a break from standardized tests and being a working professional for over 4 years, it was a major adjustment getting myself back into the test-taking mindset while working a demanding full-time job in finance. However, the support from my friends and career mentors who knew the positive impact the MBA would have on me made the journey so much more manageable and I am truly thankful to them for that!
What is your initial impression of the Georgetown McDonough students/culture/community?
These are my people. I feel like I have found a group of people who see the world like me with respect to wanting to make a positive impact and leave a legacy. Additionally, from a career perspective, we are all motivated to land great jobs and the culture is genuinely collegial. I felt like I had other people invested in my success from the moment I began Opening Term.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I intend to join the Finance Club and the Black MBA Association for both my career and affinity groups. The Finance Club is a cornerstone of the recruiting process at Georgetown and provides the necessary resources to give myself the best chance of landing a role this summer. The Black MBA Association aligns with my identity and helps create a space for people with similar lived experiences and perspectives to support each other through all aspects of the MBA journey. Other than those two, I am going to lean into the Georgetown Wine Club and MBA Volunteers once the demands of recruiting slow down and I can be a bit more social next semester.
What is one thing you have learned about Georgetown McDonough that has surprised you?
I definitely knew Georgetown was historic; however, the depth of that history goes so much further than I realized prior to getting to the Hilltop. Every inch of this campus has a story, and I have enjoyed taking it all in during my walks through campus.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am excited to participate in the Executive Challenge this fall at the end of Mod 1! It is an amazing opportunity to connect with McDonough alumni who come back to the Hariri Building to participate in our learning experience by working through case simulations. It truly speaks to the community aspect associated with the McDonough MBA experience.
