While many might view a military background and a subsequent MBA as worlds apart, for Tim, they are simply chapters in a story of continuous evolution. Dive into the tale of an Army pharmacist turned MBA candidate at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.
Despite having a Doctor of Pharmacy degree under his belt, Tim Cavanagh didn’t take the conventional route of a pharmacist. Instead of the traditional private sector, he immersed himself in the disciplined world of the Army. For Tim, the Army was more than just service.
“I spent the past eight years of my career in the Army as a pharmacist,” Tim says. “[I had] a variety of healthcare experiences and leadership experience while I was in the military.” (00:11)
In preparing for life after leaving the Army, Tim felt drawn towards a data-driven career. “I realized I want to pursue a career with data, but also clinical. I’m very interested in data, so I found a job within the healthcare insurance company where I had a nice mix of both,” he says, referring to his job as a pharmacy auditor. (00:29)
Around the same time Tim was securing work, a friend suggested getting an MBA would help fulfill his professional aspirations. As a pharmacy auditor, Tim meticulously scrutinized high-cost medication claims for both financial and clinical accuracy. Moving to a management position requires enhanced business finance acumen, leadership, and people management capabilities, which an MBA provides.
Tim joined the Flex MBA program at the esteemed Georgetown University McDonough School of Business to accommodate working while studying.
For Tim, his employer’s support eased the process of returning to school. His boss, an MBA graduate herself, empathized with the rigors of juggling work and education. Beyond moral support, the company showcased its commitment to continuous learning by offering financial support for education. While Tim’s GI bill covered his expenses, knowing the company’s willingness to invest in its employees’ growth was heartening. (04:56)
Backed by his employer and his military background, Tim was ready for what Georgetown’s MBA had to offer.
In the vast landscape of business education, choosing the right institution hinges on more than just academic prestige. Tim joined McDonough because he felt an immediate sense of community and an embrace of his veteran status.
“The admissions committee was very warm and kind… I hadn’t applied yet or anything to the school. They went way out of their way to connect me to current students who are veterans, a professor who was a veteran, the Georgetown Veteran Resource Center,” Tim remembers. “they really just made me feel like I was a part of the community before I’d even applied which was very different from other schools.”(02:02)
Having found a sense of belonging even before joining, It was time for Tim to immerse himself in the rigors of McDonough’s MBA program.
At Georgetown McDonough, every MBA student is welcomed back to student life with the Opening Term. “It’s like a three-week condensed course period,” Tim says. (07:16)
The Opening Term is an intensive primer for the program. It is designed to challenge students by throwing them into a short-credit course. Having gone to graduate school before, Tim assumed he would find it easy. However, he was in for a challenge.
“It was a great bonding experience as we’re trying to work our way through all these projects and milestones as we’re working through Opening Term,” he shares. (08:17)
Moving into the fall semester, a cornerstone of the MBA program is leadership development. “One of the first courses that you take is called Leading Teams for Performance and Impact (LTPI),” Tim shares. (8:56)
While Tim previously navigated leadership roles within the military, the LTPI course provided a fresh perspective. Students are encouraged to reflect on their leadership styles and navigate cross-cultural interactions through exercises and discussions.
One of the practical components of the course involved creating a study team charter. This document serves as a roadmap for how teams will operate, defining rules, expectations, and responsibilities. By establishing these foundational guidelines, teams can operate more efficiently and harmoniously. Tim’s appreciation for this exercise was evident; he saw firsthand how teams with a well-structured charter contrasted with those without.
While the LTPI course only lasted half a semester, it made a profound impact on Tim. He is excited to put his leadership abilities to use in the workplace. “I’d like to manage a team again. I’ve enjoyed leading teams,” he says. (06:20)
While Tim’s MBA odyssey is still unfolding, he’s already casting his gaze forward, contemplating the horizons ahead. With the increasing demand for MBAs in healthcare, myriad opportunities beckon. Tim could continue as a pharmacy auditor or branch out, exploring novel territories within the insurance company he works for.
One thing is for sure: Georgetown McDonough MBA graduates have a history of finding success.
It’s been a long journey for Tim, from Army pharmacist to MBA candidate. He’s eager to explore the next chapter. His career, rooted in service, shaped by continuous learning, and powered by ambition, is poised to scale new heights.
Are you considering a future in business leadership? Discover more about the McDonough experience from Georgetown McDonough’s ambassadors.
