In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, we meet John Dick, a graduate of the Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business Online Hybrid MBA Class of 2024. He opted for the Online Hybrid MBA program for its flexible format, which allowed him to take advantage of in-person networking while still working full-time. His journey took him from project management in the transportation industry to a patient-first healthcare investment team at Merck. Keep reading for his take on how the Tepper program prepared him for a new function in a new industry, and how he found his place at Merck.
John Dick, Carnegie Mellon Tepper MBA ’24, MBA Finance Rotational Program Member at Merck
Age: 30
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Electrical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University
Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration: Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University, Online Hybrid MBA, 2024, Finance & Strategy
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Controls Engineer, GE Transportation (a Wabtec Company), 6 years, Transportation Industry
Post-MBA Work Experience: Merck, 1 year, Healthcare Industry
Why did you choose to attend business school?
My roles at GE Transportation included project valuation, technical design, and project management, which required close collaboration with the commercial, manufacturing, supply chain, and finance teams. These experiences sparked an interest in learning more about these aspects of the company, and motivated me to pursue further education. Business school enabled me to pivot my technical skills towards driving business and customer impact in new areas.
Why Tepper? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
My engineering background and experience at GE taught me the importance of using data analysis and critical thinking to make business decisions. I was drawn to the Tepper School’s strong reputation as a rigorous program with a data-driven approach. I was also interested in the program’s flexible format, which allowed me to take advantage of in-person networking within my cohort while working full-time and integrate my learning immediately.
What about your MBA experience prepared you for your current career?
My MBA strengthened my data analysis and storytelling skills and deepened my understanding of cross-functional roles in the business. This knowledge allows me to put myself in the shoes of cross-functional team members and business partners, understand their views, and explain mine.
What was your internship during business school? How did that inform your post-MBA career choice?
While not mandatory for the Tepper School Online Hybrid MBA, I completed an MBA internship with Merck in the Procurement Finance Team. This positive internship experience exposed me to the impact I could make worldwide and allowed me to accept their MBA Finance Rotational Program offer following the internship.
Why did you choose your current company? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to work?
I chose Merck because it offered me impactful work and continuous learning opportunities. I aligned with Merck’s mission of putting patients first, and I wanted my role to impact patients positively. Merck also offers varied, challenging roles that allow me to grow and gain different skills. The company culture is very collaborative, and I was excited to work with talented coworkers from across the globe.
Advice to current MBA students:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of the job search?
While recruiting can have some intense periods, I found it beneficial to look at the process as a marathon rather than a sprint. I consistently applied to a couple of roles each evening from the beginning, which helped to reduce the stress of looming deadlines and ensured I didn’t miss any opportunities.
–One thing you would change or do differently as part of the job search?
There are so many opportunities out there, and I wish I had expanded the industries and types of roles I applied to earlier in my process. I was still taking classes while recruiting, and my interests expanded as I was exposed to more topics.
–Were there any surprises regarding your current employer’s recruiting process?
I was not surprised by Merck’s recruiting process because I clearly understood what to expect by reaching out to alumni and past candidates.
–What piece of advice do you wish you had been given during your MBA?
I wish I had received the advice to choose courses based on long-term career prospects and genuine interest rather than choosing based on perceived ease or the absence of exams. Looking back, there were some classes that I regret not exploring because of their reputation as harder classes.
