Takiesha Waites-Thierry: Transitioning from Military Service to Business through Tailored Degree Programs
Takiesha Waites-Thierry, currently overseeing security and intelligence at Bank of America, has a seemingly unmatched tolerance for stress, a trait she developed during her years of service in the armed forces. Her military experience, particularly her time in naval intelligence and government intelligence, has prepared her to prevent and handle a wide range of security threats, from robberies and street violence to cyber attacks.
However, when she left the military, Waites-Thierry wanted to acquire some basic accounting knowledge for her plans of opening a restaurant. This desire led her to enroll in the Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) program offered by the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business. This unique program, specifically tailored for military personnel, aims to help veterans transition to civilian life by providing them with essential business skills and networks.
According to James Bogle, USC Marshall’s MBV program director and a former US army member himself, the program was created in response to requests from the California Department of Veterans Affairs. Bogle recognized that many veterans were enrolling in the school’s Executive MBA program to ease their transition, but they needed a more specialized curriculum to address their specific needs and backgrounds. He emphasizes that veterans possess distinct leadership, management, and professional competence skills, such as mission orientation, motivation, and teamwork. The MBV program focuses on fostering teamwork, collaboration, and support among the veterans, ensuring their success in the business world.
Other universities, such as Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, have also developed tailored MBV programs to cater to the unique needs of military personnel. Ken Keen, a retired lieutenant general and now program lead at Emory, believes that there are significant differences between military and civilian culture that require adaptations in leadership and decision-making. He highlights the structured and hierarchical nature of the military and the need for military personnel to make timely decisions and remain composed in chaotic situations. In the business world, however, that structure and level of authority may not always be present.
Eric Wong, a graduate of USC’s MBV program and a former member of the US Air Force, agrees that there are notable differences between the military and civilian workforce. He emphasizes the strict hierarchy and lack of agency in the military compared to the diverse and less secure civilian environment. While Wong found the brevity and affordability of the MBV program beneficial, he recognizes the need to adapt and utilize his soft skills in the civilian workforce.
Despite the differences, veterans like Waites-Thierry believe that the skills and perspectives of military personnel are often underappreciated in other fields. She educates her peers on the capabilities of veterans and encourages them to give veterans more opportunities to contribute their unique talents.
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