Tuck Welcomes Second Next Step Class of Athletes and Veterans

The innovative business program runs from March 11 - 23 and includes Olympians and members of all branches of the military

It was the inaugural offering of the Next Step: Transition to Business program, and the participants were delighted by its ability to teach them important business skills and set them up for a fulfilling career in the business world. In a few days, Tuck is welcoming its second cohort of athletes and veterans for Next Step, and they represent a wide range of sports and military experience. Like the first class, they are bound together by their ability to perform under pressure and their desire to channel their experience into a new career.

The incoming class of Next Step participants consists of 66 men and women, 45 of whom are veterans of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy. The 21 athletes include 13 Olympians and they practice sports such as rowing, fencing, cycling, swimming, track and field, triathlon, rugby and sailing, among others.

These athletes and veterans will undergo a rigorous business curriculum that includes modules on building a business toolkit, strategy, marketing and communications, and leadership—all taught by Tuck’s renowned MBA faculty.

Tuck’s Career Development Office will be working with participants on résumé writing, interview skills, and networking, while 14 current Tuck MBA students, led by Josh Hotvet T’18, will provide one-on-one coaching services and serve as mentors to participants. Representatives from Wells Fargo, Tesla, KPMG, Google, Facebook, Global Rescue, Amazon, McKinsey & Company, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Visa, Chewy.com, ABRY Partners, Morgan Stanley, Rapid Micro Biosystems, Creare, Quinn Reed Associates, Global Rescue, Athos, Ironbound USA, In-Q-Tel, and FreshAir Sensor are among the companies planning to attend Next Step’s career day.

Keynote addresses from Paul E. Raether T’73, member at private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., member of the Tuck Board of Overseers and retired U.S. Navy officer; Dan Sullivan, president and CEO of PowerAdvocate; and Chris Waddell, American Paralympic monoskier and wheelchair track athlete, will deepen the learning experience and give Next Step participants firsthand insights into how top executives and athletes have overcome critical business and personal challenges.

After last year’s program, Olympic silver medalist rower Conlin McCabe reflected on his experience. “What I enjoyed the most was how much I was able to absorb in such a short amount of time,” he said. “It speaks to the quality of professors at Tuck. Not only do they possess this great knowledge of what they’re teaching, but they’re also passionate about it.”