Brett Gibson
“McIntire taught me the value of teamwork and problem solving within an environment of diverse perspectives. The relationships McIntire built between students and alumni also added relevance and mentorship to the curriculum. McIntire deserves credit for shaping the way I lead and the goals I set in my career today.”––Brett Gibson
Class: 2002
Concentration: Finance and Marketing
Brett recently completed his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and now manages international development for local commerce site LivingSocial in Washington, D.C. After the Sept. 11 attacks, Brett felt called to serve his country and joined the U.S. Army after graduating from McIntire in 2002. After serving in both Afghanistan and Iraq as an Army Ranger, Brett decided it was time to make an impact on the business world. He served in consulting and private equity roles, ultimately deciding that an M.B.A. would help him fulfill his ultimate dream—becoming an entrepreneur and managing his own business. LivingSocial is a fantastic opportunity where Brett loves the culture and learns new skills every day. His recent projects include involvement in M&A activity in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and South America. Brett lives in Arlington, Va. and enjoys training for the Marine Corps Marathon and serving on several community boards and volunteer organizations.
1.What’s the most interesting thing you’ve done professionally since you left UVA, and how did what you learned at McIntire help you in that experience?
Two ideas come to mind when I think of the most interesting things I’ve done since UVA: what I did right after McIntire and what I’m doing today. Immediately after McIntire, I became a Lieutenant in the Army. As an Army officer, I drew on the skills we learned at McIntire: teamwork, strategic thinking, and project management.
During my fourth year at UVA, my final project was on the JM Smuckers Company. We pitched our case during the final class. The skills I learned during that process—public speaking, quantitative analysis, and strategy—came in handy only a few years later when I briefed my battalion commander on our mission to save neighborhoods in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Skills we learn at McIntire become the foundation for what we’ll do for the rest of our lives. Most importantly, McIntire fosters relationships and the value of a peer network. These assets become more and more valuable and apparent over time. Finally, today I’m managing international expansion for one of the fastest-growing Internet businesses in the world. McIntire’s focus on international management taught me the future is global and embracing globalization will create opportunities and success.
2. What sorts of challenges have you encountered since leaving McIntire that have surprised you?
Success is defined differently by everyone and it’s difficult to pinpoint your own passion and follow it. When defining success, it’s important to use your own measuring stick. The world is an exciting place with a lot of opportunity for people with an education and resources. It’s important to take time and truly discover what really makes you happy versus where you can sometimes be drawn if you’re dispassionate. Success is different for everyone, and yet we often find ourselves along career paths for reasons of financial stability, peer recognition, or indecision. It is hard to find what makes you happy, but that should be step #1. Once you find it, you’ll be happy you did and went after it.
3. Who was your favorite or most influential professor at McIntire? Why?
Dean Carl Zeithaml continues to be a personal mentor and friend. Dean Zeithaml makes himself so available to students and alumni. He showed us an example of how to raise a family, pursue a career, and build lasting and meaningful professional relationships. He also focused on teamwork and cohort building during my time in the ICE program. As Dean and Professor, he stressed the importance of collaboration and diversity in team environments. Dean Zeithaml’s lessons are ones I still draw from.
4. What advice do you have for current McIntire students as they’re looking for their first jobs?
The joy is in the journey. Your career is only one piece of the puzzle, so take a deep breath, relax, and be yourself throughout the interview and search process.
Look for a job that will teach you a broad set of skills that will be valuable throughout your career. Be open-minded and consider new companies or opportunities.
Reach out to McIntire young alumni (like MYAC members) before your job interviews. Find alumni in the firms where you’re interviewing and ask them for tips and relevant information on the firm’s hiring process and culture. Be yourself and smile; your first impression will set the tone for the rest of the interview.
5. What are the keys to balancing your personal life and your professional life as a young alum?
This is one of the hardest questions to answer. Balance is an ongoing process that requires difficult tradeoffs. Your job should be a priority during your young professional life because these years set the trajectory for your career. However, relationships are always, always important and require time and work. Family and friends will create the ultimate fulfillment that define your happiness.
6. Any great secrets to your success?
Serve others first at work and home. Smile a lot. Write thank-you notes. Ask mentors for advice. Be grateful. Post your goals in a place where you see them—set huge long-term goals and achievable 18-month goals and track towards them. Seek first to understand, then be understood. You can make more friends in two minutes being interested in other people than you can in two months trying to get them interested in you.
Lightning Round
1. What is your favorite book?
Delivering Happiness, by Tony Hsieh
2. What was your favorite childhood television program?
“Home Improvement”
3. Where were your favorite memories on Grounds?
Scott Stadium–home games were just awesome.
4. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
The ability to see into the future
5. What is one of your favorite quotes?
“Whatever you are, be a good one.”––Abraham Lincoln