From Army to OMBA: How Rachel Hughes’ Military Background is Inspiring her Future

As a veteran, full-time supply chain risk management professional, and OMBA student, Rachel Hughes (Questrom OMBA ’26) is fueled by her ambition to grow as a leader in her career. As she makes strides toward a bright future, Hughes reflects on the communities that have supported her through it all.

Hughes joined the military in an unconventional way. As an English major at Brandeis University, Hughes became involved in the student newspaper, sparking a passion for news and current events. While she searched for job opportunities after graduating, her interest in news led her to consider the military. “I wanted to do something that I thought would make a difference,” Hughes said. Following in the footsteps of her family members, Hughes enlisted in the United States Army in 2016, and she worked as an intelligence analyst while stationed in Hawaii for four and a half years. “I really valued that as my first full-time work experience,” Hughes said. “It set me up to be the adult that I am today.”

While on active duty, Hughes got her first master’s degree in International Relations, and after finishing her enlistment contract, she moved to Washington, D.C. to apply her skills to the corporate world. She worked at a small technology firm as an intelligence analyst, helping the company build out its artificial intelligence and machine learning software. Now, she works in supply chain risk management to solve problems related to national security, building on her strong background in the software development industry.

Hughes points to two ways that her military experience has impacted her professional journey. While enlisted in the army, she learned about Servant Leadership, and she has utilized the service mindset while working in the corporate world. “No matter what capacity you are serving in, it’s not about you,” Hughes said. “It’s about the mission, it’s about the unit, it’s about something bigger.” The military also sharpened Hughes’ discipline, and her time management skills have benefitted her professional and academic careers alike. “That was really valuable, and that serves me today, especially in the OMBA program,” Hughes said. 

While working in the small business environment, Hughes met a number of company CEOs and presidents, introducing her to opportunities in entrepreneurship: “I started thinking, ‘Why not me?’” She decided to get one more degree before starting her next journey, and the accessibility of the OMBA program is what drew her to Questrom. “I can still get to know people and have those interactions that are so important in an MBA program,” Hughes said. “But I can take the program with me, and that was incredibly important.”

In her graduate program, Hughes still finds herself using the lessons she learned when working in the military. The military taught her to always “be aware of the larger mission,” Hughes said, and she finds that the OMBA program is similar. “When I’m spending time on the OMBA program, it’s not just about who I am today. It’s who I can be in five years. It’s who I can be in 10 years.” 

As Hughes continues to work full-time and pursue her MBA, she taps into community support from both the military and Questrom. “Veterans always want to help you,” Hughes said. The veteran community has been essential in Hughes career, from networking to answering industry questions, and she helps others whenever she has the opportunity to. She also relies on her family, which is composed of service members and veterans, to stay connected to the military community and bond over shared experiences.

As for the Questrom community, Hughes admires the dedication that she sees within her classmates. “We’re here to learn, we’re here to help each other, we’re here to build each other up.”

Article and Interview by Nalah Fladger