Nathan Purswell

As an infantry officer in the U.S. Army, Nathan Purswell was stationed in places ranging from South Korea to Washington, D.C., and even to Afghanistan. But an itinerant life away from his family eventually took its toll. After nine years of active duty, he wanted a change, and he knew many of his Army peers had transitioned into civilian life by getting their MBAs.

The promise of flexibility solidified his desire to attend Questrom. “A lot of schools I looked at didn’t allow the level of freedom of BU. This was especially valuable to me as I only had a rough idea of what I wanted to do after the military.”

By the end of his first semester, Nathan decided to concentrate on marketing. “The classes at Questrom have really challenged me. The projects we work on with real clients have been a great addition to my education,” says Nathan. He found “a fantastic mentor and counselor” in Professor Pat Hambrick. “It’s been a privilege to have someone with such an esteemed record take interest in my career and education.”

Nathan’s extracurricular activities have included representing the Cohort Congress as a member of the Cohort Cup, a group that offers social outlets for MBA students. “There were a lot of second-year students who helped me find my footing during my first year,” he notes. In his second year, he was president of the Questrom Veterans Club, which helped him connect with other veterans and provide them opportunities to socialize. “I hope I’ve made some of the first-year students feel as welcome as I did.”

Nathan also completed a marketing internship at French software company Dassault Systèmes. “While focusing on small- to mid-sized businesses, I was valued by my team members, who took the time to mentor me in an industry I had never worked in before. They helped me build confidence in what I can bring to a marketing team.”

After graduation, Nathan wants to work as a brand manager in a consumer packaged goods company. “I’ve already seen doors opened to me because I’m an MBA student at BU. I know once I graduate the opportunities will only increase. The quality and breadth of education that Questrom has given me is something I’m excited to use after graduation wherever I end up.”

“A lot of schools that I looked at didn’t allow the level of freedom of BU. This was especially valuable to me as I only had a rough idea of what I wanted to do after the military.”

– Nathan Purswell