Today’s episode introduces listeners to the world of small business with guest Amanda Robbins. Amanda is a Navy submarine veteran, a 4th generation Naval Academy graduate, executive MBA student at The Wharton School, and current Sr. VP & CFO at Solar Technology. We talk about Amanda’s transition from the military to working full time while working toward an MBA, leveraging military skills working at a small business, benefits of an executive MBA, and more!
Main Topics
- Amanda’s introduction & background (0:33)
- Nuclear engineering training & academic experience at the US Naval Academy (3:45)
- Pioneering submariner career field as a female & integration with a previously male-only career field (7:05)
- Decision to separate from the military & return home to work for parents’ company (9:17)
- Managing transition from the Navy while on submarine duty (11:05)
- Studying & preparing for the GMAT (13:28)
- Working with S2S Ambassador during admissions process to The Wharton School E-MBA program, advice for veterans considering a similar route (15:43)
- Role as a CFO at a small business (17:56)
- Leveraging skills learned as a naval submarine officer working in small business, things to consider when working for a small, family-owned business vs. large corporation/business (20:05)
- Day-to-day responsibilities of a CFO, preparing for current role after nuclear sub experience while just now working on MBA (23:00)
- What is an Executive MBA (E-MBA), how is differs from a traditional MBA, and balancing grad school while working full time (26:26)
- Typical industry & career goals of E-MBA students in cohort at Wharton (29:30)
- Words of wisdom for fellow veterans (33:55)
Additional Resources
- Wharton School Executive MBA
- S2S MBA Applicant sign up
- S2S Graduate School resources
- Kaplan Self-Paced GMAT Course
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