Find out how an ex-army officer went from commanding soldiers at Fort Knox to launching a consultancy career via an internship with EY Parthenon
Getting to tell everyone your dad is in the Air Force is pretty cool when you’re a kid—but for Cade Ricker it also meant a childhood spent constantly on the move.By the time he was 18, Cade had lived in 11 different towns across the US, which, for anyone counting, meant no more than two years in any one location.
“It gave me a great worldview,” he says, “but I never really had anywhere that I called home.”
With the military a large part of his upbringing, Cade was set on his decision to follow in his dad’s footsteps and enlist. But he was keen not to limit his career options.
He opted to get his undergrad degree in systems engineering at West Point, before being sent out on active duty in Fort Knox—one of the world’s most high-tech artillery compounds. There, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming an operations manager and coordinating groups of up to 40 soldiers.
Fast forward to today, and Cade is now a graduate of the Emory University Goizueta Business School MBA, equally comfortable commanding a team of consultants as he is a group of soldiers. But how did he get there?
Why the Emory MBA?
Joining the military was always a short-term plan for Cade. After deciding to transition out, he was overwhelmed by the variety of options open to him.
“It gave me a great foundation in people skills, project management, and construction operations,” he explains. “But at the same time, I didn’t want to sell myself short.”
Despite having a wealth of management and teambuilding skills, he was worried a lack of technical business knowhow would limit his career opportunities.
Consulting friends for advice, they suggested he earn an MBA, arguing that studying a high-level business degree would allow him to catch up on the theory while also making the most of the soft skills he had picked up in the Army.
Convinced of the value an MBA could bring to his career, Cade reviewed several MBA options—but Emory was the one that stood out.
Not only was he eligible for Goizueta Business School's prestigious Woodruff scholarship, which awards free tuition and on-campus room and board to promising students dedicated to bringing about social change, he was also impressed by the school’s personalized approach to the student experience.
Given the school’s student-faculty ratio of five to one, each class member can avail of plenty of one-on-one support.
“It’s very clear that Emory invests intentionally and a significant amount in each individual student,” he says.
What skills did you learn?
Cade’s first week at business school ended up looking more like an army drill than he’d expected.
Bussed down to Fort Moore, Georgia, in 100-degree heat, the Emory MBA class undertook an obstacle course under the stringent supervision of retired lieutenant general Ken Keene, who is the associate dean of leadership development at Goizueta.
“It really helps bond those core teams that you're going to go through your first semester with,” Cade says.
Teamwork is just one important skill the Emory MBA fosters. Lecturers also make sure individuals are learning to their full potential through deep classroom discussions, case studies, and group projects.
“It helps you get more comfortable being uncomfortable,” Cade says.
In their second semester, students can choose from a range of more than 90 electives and over 20 concentrations, such as consulting, investment banking, and brand management, after which they have the opportunity to complete one summer-long work experience.
Securing an internship with EY Parthenon meant Cade was able to apply his newfound corporate strategy skills to a high-pressure consultancy role, an experience which ultimately inspired his next career move.
How has the MBA helped your career now?
After interning at EY-P, Cade was certain he wanted to pursue a career in consulting. But, given the industry’s competitive nature, landing a job offer was not a certainty.
“It was tough,” he admits. “But really leaning into Goizueta's Career Management Center was super beneficial.”
Goizueta's Graduate Career Management Center provides every MBA student with one-on-one coaching, covering everything from professional advice to interview prep. Cade’s military background meant he was also able to attend the MBA veterans conference, which provided him with strategic connections.
This networking paid off when a friend he’d made during his internship contacted him about an exciting new role at a consultancy startup.
Now a senior associate, he uses the core skills he learned in the Emory MBA program such as critical thinking, marketing, and data analysis to provide lasting solutions for clients. He’s excited about what a career in consulting might bring moving forward.
“My skill set has increased significantly in being able to put structures around complex problems,” he says.
While journeying from the barracks to b-school is perhaps a more unorthodox MBA path, Cade credits not just the classes, but the power of the connections he has made in expanding his entire career outlook.
“Seeing the value of the Emory MBA come into full force through tapping into your own network has been invaluable,” he says.
Student Reviews
Emory University Goizueta Business School
Excellent institution with valuable resources
In general, Emory University is an excellent institution with valuable resources. The majority of the professors I encountered were outstanding and displayed a genuine concern for their students. Furthermore, Atlanta provides a plethora of opportunities and experiences.
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At Emory, the academics are outstanding! It takes a lot of effort and commitment, but the results are well worth it. Teachers are very approachable and like answering inquiries from students. Nobody ever turning away a student that I know of. The campus is beautiful and tidy at Emory, with many places to relax and study.
Academic performance surpassed my expectations
Emory University's academic performance surpassed my expectations. Achieving good grades often requires substantial effort, and the academic rigor varies depending on your chosen major. Nevertheless, I encountered highly knowledgeable professors, well-equipped to teach their respective courses. Emory offers a wide range of subject areas to choose from, providing students with diverse academic opportunities.
Outstanding institution with stunning aesthetics
Emory University is an outstanding institution! The campus boasts stunning aesthetics, the individuals are friendly, and there is an abundance of activities available in the surrounding areas of Atlanta, Georgia. Undoubtedly, my most cherished aspect of Emory was its people. I forged numerous friendships and encountered individuals from diverse backgrounds. Academically, Emory provides a manageable experience. The majority of my professors were excellent, although, as is the case with any university, there may be certain classes or professors that one may not enjoy. Nevertheless, conducting some inquiries and perusing online reviews should provide a fairly accurate insight into what to anticipate in each class.
Professors skilled in interactive discussions
I take great pleasure in the small class sizes and the professors' skill in creating interactive discussions. The professors demonstrate a strong enthusiasm for their subjects, consistently making the course content fascinating. Moreover, I am captivated by the beautiful campus, and its location is equally appealing.
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Emory University takes pride in its exceptional faculty members who are highly educated and committed to utilizing innovative and successful teaching techniques.It is widely recognized for its extensive research endeavors, offering students a wide-ranging knowledge foundation that can be readily applied to a variety of academic disciplines.
Review of Emory university
The Professors are awesome and you get a lot of opportunities to get involved both on and off Campus. The campus is very lovely. The community of people are welcoming, super nice, and entertaining. The dining halls have popular music from throughout the decade playing and the overall atmosphere is super relaxing and enjoyable.
Batch'20
Emory is an amazing campus and a school with a nice social scene. I always wanted to see what it was like living in the states and this made it happen. Loving making new friends, acquaintances and some for life bonds as well as learning new subject every week. Emory is a great choice.
Professors are always enthusiastic
Emory University is simply outstanding. They have excellent academic programmes with a vast selection of engaging courses. The instructors are extremely informed and enthusiastic about their subject matter. Additionally, the student support services are excellent. They have advisors that help you at every stage and offer resources for career counselling, mental health support, and tutoring. Emory genuinely cares about your prosperity and welfare. This university is fascinating and forward-thinking at the same time!
Lending a helping hand
The instructors at Emory University are redefining what it means to be helpful. They support us academically and serve as supporters, mentors, and confidants in addition to being educators. They are always there to provide advice and support, whether it is by remaining after class to address unanswered questions or by getting together for coffee on the weekends to talk about our professional goals. Their commitment to our achievement goes well beyond the school day, demonstrating time and again that students at Memory are people with dreams, not just a name. It's all possibilities when you have instructors like these.
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