Stephen Sawyer, UVA Darden MBA Class of 2028
Age: 32
Hometown: Rosemount, Minnesota
Undergraduate Institution and Major: United States Naval Academy, B.S. Economics
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Intelligence Officer, U.S. Navy, 10 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I joined the Navy at 18 as a small-town kid from Minnesota looking for adventure and a challenge. The Navy gave me far more than I could have imagined, taking me across the country and around the world while igniting a passion for leadership and service along the way.
After a decade of serving America’s interests abroad, I felt called to turn my attention toward the people and communities I wanted to help strengthen back home.
Business school felt like the right bridge. I wanted to build a new toolkit, understand how businesses create impact, and discover where my strengths could add the most value.
Why did you choose UVA Darden? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The biggest factors for me were the case method, the people, and the Charlottesville area.
Coming from the military with very little formal business background, I knew I had a lot to learn. I wanted a program that would challenge me to broaden my thinking, defend my reasoning, and learn from the diverse perspectives of my classmates. Darden’s case method does exactly that. But it doesn’t stop there. Darden’s faculty don’t let you hide behind your analysis. Every case puts you squarely in the seat of a CEO or senior decision-maker and requires you to apply that analysis in support of a recommendation or managerial decision.
Equally as important, every interaction I had with Darden students and alumni reinforced the same impression: people here are ambitious, but they are also genuinely invested in one another’s success. And as a veteran, the Darden Military Association (DMA) stood head and shoulders above the peer communities I encountered elsewhere in my MBA search. From the application process through my transition to Charlottesville, the DMA had my back, making me feel supported and welcomed in a genuine way.
Finally, I was drawn to the lifestyle around Charlottesville: a close-knit community, incredible access to hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and of course, a wine scene that rivals just about any on the East Coast.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
I hope to bring a steady presence when things get stressful. Much of my military experience involved leading teams in situations where the stakes were real and emotions could run high. I learned how to stay composed, help a team work through uncertainty, and keep difficult moments from becoming bigger than they need to be. At Darden, I hope that means being the classmate who can bring some perspective when the pressure is on and help keep the group moving forward.
And on a lighter note, I love barbecue and will take just about any excuse to fire up the smoker. Whether it is brisket, ribs, or pulled pork, I am usually happiest when I am cooking for a crowd, so I fully intend to make sure my classmates are well fed along the way.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
After leaving the Navy, my fiancée and I bought a travel trailer and a 25-year-old Ford Excursion and spent eight months traveling across the U.S. and Canada with our dog.
I applied to MBA programs along the way, so for much of the trip we genuinely did not know where the journey would end. Over 260 days, we covered more than 20,000 miles, 30 states, and three Canadian provinces. It was the trip of a lifetime and gave us a chance to reconnect with friends and family we had not been able to see in years.
Post-MBA career interests:
Leadership Development Programs and Management Consulting in the healthcare and technology industries.
Long term, I’d like to be in a role that combines strategy, leadership, and real ownership over an organization or business.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Talk to current students! Those conversations gave me a much better sense of what each school actually felt like than rankings or websites ever could. They were especially helpful in understanding Darden’s culture and what the case method is really like.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Start as soon as you can! I was transitioning out of the military and traveling while applying, so I compressed the process more than I needed to. More time would have made it easier to reflect on my story and enjoy the process a little more.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Overanalyzing every sentence.
At some point, you can spend way too much time wondering whether one resume bullet or essay phrase is “perfect.” Talking to people who had already gone through the process helped remind me that the goal was to tell a clear, authentic story, not engineer the perfect applicant.
What is your initial impression of the Darden students/culture/community?
Very collaborative. People here are impressive, but they are also very willing to admit when they don’t know something and ask for help. My learning team and section have already shown me that people really do want each other to succeed.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I’ve joined the general management, consulting, healthcare, and entrepreneurship clubs as I figure out exactly where I want to focus my recruiting. The resources and mentorship provided by those clubs (run by second year students with faculty advisors) are critical in helping guide your career search.
What is one thing you have learned about Darden that has surprised you?
I was surprised by how quickly your section becomes such a big part of your identity at Darden. I expected the academics and recruiting to dominate the experience, but the section culture adds a level of camaraderie, competition, and fun that I did not fully appreciate before arriving.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
The Section D Dragons taking back the Darden Cup! After a brief hiatus, it’s time for that trophy to come back home where it belongs!
