Interview Guides

- ~5 Years in Air Force Special Warfare Officer, 1x combat deployment to middle east

- ~2 Years as a SWE for small defense tech company (AI/ML stuff, drone stuff)

- 3 publications (not peer-reviewed) on AI and warfare

- Former volunteer EMT

I’m entertaining the thought of pivoting my career by earning an MBA, but can’t tell if I’m being delusional or not. I’d appreciate if you could give me a reality check on if I should even continue researching how to pursue this path.

Profile:
34M, Chinese American, US citizen, based on the west coast.

Also gay and a 1st generation college student if that matters

Education and Scores:
BA in Biology (3.61 GPA) from an Ivy League School
MS in Entomology (4.0 GPA) from a Big 10 School
GRE score equivalent to 161V and 161Q when I took it in 2013 without preparation

Probably irrelevant, but I also have one first author scientific publication in a peer reviewed journal that has been citied over 50 times from my master’s research.

Work Experience:
8 years working as a biologist for an Agriculture Department primarily doing regulatory inspections (e.g. pesticides, quarantines, organic farms, etc). Currently earning 155k/year, but my salary is mostly capped now and promotion opportunities are almost non-existent (the last open position for a promotion in my department was in 2020).

My work experience involves some supervisory experience but it is not a management role. It centers around knowing state regulations/laws and applying them when doing various types of agricultural inspections.

This is my first job out of graduate school.

Extracurriculars:
Unfortunately I’m lacking in this area, but can look for volunteer opportunities.

Recently had a certification to teach high school biology if that counts.

I was the department wellness coordinator and I am also part of the department equity committee at work. I am also the graphic designer for my department.

Background:
I know my profile is completely unrelated to business when compared to other MBA applicants. My initial education and career path was driven by my desire to study what I found interesting and then working in a related field afterwards. I have no regrets about my former path but now I’m wondering if I want more out of my career rather than remain in government. I was thinking an MBA from a top school can facilitate a complete career pivot from where I currently am.

Why I want to pivot:
I currently work 4 days a week in an stress-free environment with phenomenal work-life balance but my opportunities for professional growth is limited and my skill development is stagnating in this role. I’m also feeling bored in my career. I no longer feel driven to stay working in my field of study like I did in the past. I mostly just want the potential to earn more money as my husband and I are expecting to grow our family in the next few years.

So what’s the verdict, am I being ridiculous by even thinking I can get into an upper MBA program and pivoting careers? I appreciate any insights you have.

Applying in Round 1 with a B.S. in Physics; my undergraduate institution uses a non-4.0 grading system where my performance ranks substantially above the highest honors classification. Having already secured an admission to an M7 deferred MBA program, I am applying in R1 to explore additional options and identify the best cultural and career fit.

Srcc undergrad economics, enactus president did internships at adani tata ortella global