MBA

Profiles

Justin Bardin, MBA 2010

As a participant in the United States Navy's Immediate Graduate School Program, Justin Bardin is one of only twenty Naval Academy graduates selected for continued graduate studies even as he maintains active duty status. "I had majored in political science and considered a number of graduate schools, including the Harvard Kennedy School of Government," says Justin. "The thing that makes HBS stand out is its emphasis on leadership. That really spoke to what I was looking for: What's going to help me be the best Navy officer I can be?"

Lessons that apply underwater

Just a month after graduation, Justin's life took another important turn when he married his wife, Patricia. They live on campus; Patricia is pursuing a nursing degree at Bunker Hill Community College while Justin pursues his MBA.

Justin's ambition is specific: to be a commander in the Submarine Force. "Every summer at Annapolis the school sends you to a different part of the Navy," Justin explains. "They're all great, but what impressed me about the submarines was the sailors — the passion they have for their jobs. More than half of them have gone to the Nuclear Power School, the toughest academic program in the military.

"One thing about being an officer on a sub," Justin continues, "is that there's no hiding in an office. You have to lead by example. HBS teaches that kind of management approach. The entire case study method forces you to make tough decisions in front of 89 other people. Two or three times a day. No other school does that. But in the Navy, I'll be forced to make similarly tough calls with my sailors. That's real preparation for leadership.

"Another thing that's so great about Harvard is its understanding of the military," says Justin. "Here, they get the connection between business and military leadership — something other business schools don't get." In addition, Justin has found HBS willing to make accommodations for the demands of his active duty status, which other business schools were not willing to do.

And his fellow MBA students? "What's really struck me here is how eager students are to help you," Justin says. "I thought it would be super competitive. Yes, we want to do our best, but we also support each other. People volunteer contacts for jobs. They openly exchange phone numbers and addresses. It's an incredibly cooperative environment."

At sea and beyond

As part of his Immediate Graduate School Program agreement, Justin is committed to six years of service in the Navy. Once he has fulfilled his obligation, he'll weigh his options. "I'm definitely interested in a leadership role," he says, "probably in operations, perhaps in energy or nuclear power."