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Thanks to Grant Janssen, former Navy Submarine officer and current student at London Business School (LBS) for sharing his story.
Tell us a bit about your military background.
I spent about five and a half years in the Navy as a submarine officer on a Fast Attack boat. Onboard, I split my time between the tactical side and engineering. I was also fortunate to be selected to attend the Navy Diving and Salvage Training Center, where I qualified as a Submarine Scuba Diver. I did two deployments with the boat, first to the Middle East and then to the Arctic. Submarining gave an exciting mix of challenges; the novelty on the mission side was a great contrast to the rigor of running a nuclear reactor underwater.
Why did you leave the military?
I really enjoyed my time in the Navy, but I had a hard time envisioning myself doing it for the next 20 years. My submarine had a pretty high operating tempo, and I figured a career of sea duties like that would be a challenge when it came time to have a family. My wife was a Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy and we had back to back deployments that kept us apart for a year, which helped finalize the decision for both of us to get out.
How did you decide on pursuing an MBA?
I really had to idea what I wanted to do once I left the military, and the MBA really sets you up well for a variety of roles in most industries. Also, I wasn’t too excited about leaving the military and going right back to work again. Doing an MBA gave me two years to switch out of military mode and realign for the corporate world.
What would you have done differently in the application process?
You end up talking to a lot of people during the application process, which can be your first foray into building your network. I have never been a good networker, but using informational interviews during the application process would have been a great way to get some practice.
What attracted you to London Business School?
The idea of living in London was definitely what first attracted me. I’ve always wanted to try living abroad, and London was at the top of my list. There’s tons to do in the city and it’s incredibly easy to travel around Europe. Outside of the location, I was looking for a school that provided a diverse selection of recruiting opportunities, especially in consulting. What really sold me was that LBS had a scholarship specifically targeted for veterans.
What challenges were there in applying to and starting school outside the US?
Applying was no problem. I was actually interviewed by another U.S. submarine veteran who was an LBS alum living in Houston. The only challenge starting school was figuring out a place to live. The London property market moves really fast, so most people just get an AirBnB for the first week while they look at apartments. It makes for a pretty busy first couple days, but it ends up working out for everyone.
What makes the LBS experience different from other schools?
First is the internationalism. For example, it’s rare to have two people from the same country in a study group together. After two years at LBS, you’ll leave with friends to visit all around the world. Next is the flexibility. LBS allows you to customize your schedule almost any way you want. It’s pretty common for people to take a month or two off during the school year to do a second internship or plan a big trip. Lastly is the travel. Most MBA students travel a decent amount. At LBS, its a huge part of the culture. I probably averaged two international trips a month, which is easy when there’s daily cheap flights to pretty much anywhere in Europe.
What’s the experience been like being an international student?
It’s amazing. Travelling internationally is very different than actually living abroad. You really get to embed yourself in the place and fully realize what the country has to offer. It’s also great to meet the veteran community abroad. I’ve found that the military bond extends across borders, and veterans are quick to bring you into their group. We’ve been invited to attend the Changing of the Keys Ceremony at the Tower of London with the British Army and dinner in the MP’s Dining Room at Parliament, to name a few events.
What’s the plan for after school and how did you decide on that?
I will be working at Bain & Company in Dallas. I loved living in London, but always intended on heading back home after the MBA. Consulting was my main recruiting target. I enjoyed the project variety, and I liked the idea of getting exposure to a diverse set of industries. I interned with Bain over the summer after my first year and loved the experience, so it was a really easy decision to head back for full time.
Looking back on your transition from the Navy, what would you have done differently?
I probably could have timed it a little bit better. I had 8 months between when I got out and when I started school, which was a bit much. That being said, I would definitely recommend taking some time in between. It’s important to get some rest before you start the MBA; it’s really fun, but you’ll definitely be busy.
Most importantly: Have you acquired the taste of warm beer living in the UK?
I tried to, but it never took. I’m more of a Bud Light guy personally, but I try to keep that to myself when in the UK.
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